Why Small Spaces Look Better with a Big Design

Why Small Spaces Look Better with a Big Design

When it comes to decorating small spaces, the instinct is often to “go small”, using small furniture and artwork and delicate accents in an effort to not overwhelm the room. But the fact of the matter is that playing it safe with small-scale design can actually make a small space feel smaller whereas bold, oversized design elements — when used strategically — can create a sense of drama, depth and even spaciousness.

Whether you're living in a compact apartment, a small home or just have a few tight rooms you want to elevate, embracing big design is one of the smartest moves you can make.

Contrary to popular belief, bold or oversized design doesn’t crowd a room, it commands it. It gives the eye something to rest on and makes a space feel intentional rather than cramped.

A small room full of small things often looks cluttered and the visual noise of many small items competing for attention can make the room feel chaotic. But one or two bold design choices bring clarity and focus. It's about maximising impact without maximizing stuff.

Big design doesn’t mean maximalism. It means boldness, proportion, and confidence.

What “Big Design” Means

“Big design” doesn’t always mean physically large, although scale is certainly part of it. It also refers to design elements that have:

• Bold patterns or prints
• Vivid or high-contrast colours
• Architectural interest
• Strong focal points
• Oversized or statement furniture or decor

Here’s how to use big design elements to make your small space feel elevated but not overwhelmed:

1. Go Bold with Statement Lighting

One of the easiest ways to add big design to a small room is with oversized lighting. Think large pendant lights over a small dining table, a sculptural chandelier in a tiny entryway, or an arc floor lamp in a reading nook.

A dramatic fixture draws the eye upward, making the ceiling feel higher and the room more expansive. It becomes a focal point and adds architectural interest without taking up much physical space.

How to implement:

• In a small living room, replace standard ceiling fixtures with a bold light source that brings character.
• In bedrooms or hallways, try large sconces or drop-down pendants instead of small flush mounts.

2. Use Large-Scale Art

Tiny art pieces can look lost, even in a small room. Instead, go for one large statement piece or an oversized gallery layout.

Large-scale artwork gives a room structure and visual direction. It helps to anchor the space and make it feel curated and designed — not accidental.

How to implement:

• In a small dining room or above a couch, opt for one oversized painting or photograph.
• Use a large, vertical piece to elongate a narrow hallway or small powder room.

3. Think Big with Furniture — Strategically

It seems logical to buy petite furniture for a small space, but ironically, it often makes the room look busier and more cluttered. A few larger, well-chosen pieces give the illusion of more space by reducing visual noise.

A single full-size sofa and armchair can feel more open and comfortable than three small chairs and a loveseat crammed together.

How to implement:

• Choose a streamlined, low-profile sectional rather than multiple small seats.
• Use one oversized coffee table instead of several small tables.
• Opt for a statement headboard in the bedroom to give the space height and structure.

4. Go All-In on Bold Colour or Wallpaper

One dramatic wall treatment in a small space can turn an overlooked room into a jewel box. Bold paint, wallpaper, or even dark colours can actually make a room feel cosy and intentional rather than tight and forgotten.

Dark or dramatic walls recede visually, which can trick the eye into perceiving depth. A bold pattern can also energise a space and reflect personality.

How to implement:

• Use wallpaper in a small powder room or entryway.
• Paint a small bedroom a deep, moody tone like navy or forest green.
• Try a large-scale mural on one wall to add visual expansion.

Match trim and walls in the same bold tone to reduce visual interruptions and create a more spacious feel.

5. Embrace Statement Rugs

A large rug in a small room might feel counterintuitive — but it can actually anchor the space and make it feel larger. Rugs define zones and help furniture feel connected, not floating. A rug that’s too small chops up a room visually.

How to implement:

• Choose a rug large enough that all major furniture pieces sit on it (at least front legs).
• Use a bold pattern or colour to add personality, especially if the rest of the room is neutral.

6. Add Oversized Mirrors

Mirrors are a well-known trick for making small spaces feel bigger, but to maximize their effect, go big. Large mirrors reflect light and views, doubling the perception of space.

How to implement:

• Lean a tall mirror against the wall in a bedroom or hallway.
• Use mirrored furniture or cabinets to create subtle reflection.
• Hang a large mirror opposite a window to amplify natural light.

Small spaces aren’t limitations — they’re opportunities to be bold and thoughtful. The key is fewer, bigger, and better. A few impactful choices will always beat a dozen timid ones.

So, whether you're redesigning a studio apartment or refreshing a small guest room, don't be afraid to go bold. Choose that oversized art piece, paint the walls a daring colour and install a dramatic light fixture. Big design isn’t just for big homes — it’s often the secret weapon of smart small-space styling.

Your space might be small — but your design doesn’t have to be.