House looks smaller since we made our changes

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Hi there

So, we are lucky enough to be doing some work on our house and the other day the sliding doors went in at the back, and now, upsettingly, we think our house actually looks/feels smaller?!? It feels like by putting sliding doors all the way along the back and knock through part of the wall between the lounge and kitchen (2m opening), what we thought would become a light and spacious space feels smaller than it did before.

I have attached two floorplans - how it used to be (first pic) and how it is now (second pic).

Have we made some sort of interior design error? Is there anyway we can bring back the feeling of space and size through some clever interior design tips (like lighting, or flooring, or paint colour, or something?!?)

The square footage hasn't changed?!? As you stand at the entrance to the living room, it just feels like the sliding door back wall is right in front of you! Why does the room feel smaller? Now we're nervous about what furniture to buy, what flooring to put in, what doors to have, for fear of making another huge mistake.

Hopefully this makes sense. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks

Featured Answer

Carolina

4 years ago

I think it's because the build isn't finished yet. Seriously, empty, unfinished spaces look so much smaller than a finished and furnished space. Don't worry. The amount of light you've gained and the unobstructed view to the garden will make a big difference and will make the room look more spacious.

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Comments (17)

minipie
4 years ago
Photo would help?

I suspect however it may be because there’s no furniture etc in there assuming you’re in the middle of work. which means you look at the doors as there is nothing else to look at.

I would also suggest garden lighting so when it’s dark outside you look through to the garden rathe than at big black panes of glass.

In the sitting room/area, you’ve cut off a small section to create a cupboard- why? As that will reduce the feeling of width as you enter the room.
Martin Lawrence thanked minipie
Martin Lawrence
Original Author
4 years ago
Hi minipie, thanks for your response.

I'm really hoping it is down to lack of furniture and proper plasterboards, finished ceiling, etc. but I can't help thinking that even when the room is decorated, it will feel small. It's like some cruel optical illiusion.

Yes, we extended that wall as we thought that as we moving the TV over to that side of the room, centring the tv on that smaller wall will maybe make the furniture feel like it is pushed into a corner. So we thought we'd slightly extend that wall. In hindsight, not sure it has helped things :-(

I will take some photos tomorrow and upload, not sure it will give you the feeling I have when I stand there, though.

Thanks
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Ellie
4 years ago
Internally it looks like you have removed about 1.5m of wall? Is that all? I wouldn't expect that small a change would make such big a difference in this case. It's probably because your kitchen hasn't changed, nothing else inside has changed either. If the space is being used same as before then it wont feel different.
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Martin Lawrence thanked Ellie
minipie
4 years ago
Oh I see, it was to create a symmetrical wall for the tv. Hmm I possibly would have gone with asymmetric tv placement rather than extending that wall, however as Ellie says that‘s probably not having that big an impact. If. you did want to change it it’s not too late, taking down a stud wall isn’t a huge deal unless you have already put flooring etc in?

Mirrors here and there may also help - if you can post photos you’ll probably get lots more suggestions, houzzers love a photo :)
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Martin Lawrence thanked minipie
minipie
4 years ago
Ah sorry I misread Ellie’s post, she‘s not talking about the tv wall...!
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Martin Lawrence thanked minipie
Martin Lawrence
Original Author
4 years ago
Here are some photos from today...
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Martin Lawrence
Original Author
4 years ago
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Martin Lawrence
Original Author
4 years ago
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Martin Lawrence
Original Author
4 years ago
We are thinking about a light grey 90x90 tile in the kitchen, and then a light grey herringbone wood throughout the rest of the downstairs.
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E D
4 years ago
I agree with Carolina.

And to me the space looks massive already! 👍
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Martin Lawrence thanked E D
Martin Lawrence
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks guys. It's reassuring to hear that, I'm really hoping it is the case that it's just down to it not being finished and that it will look great when done. And I know the space is still a good size, but still can't help thinking that it feels shorter?!? Still worried that either (or all) of adding the opening between the lounge/kitchen, putting the wide sliding doors on, making the TV wall longer is creating a (negative) optical illusion.

Would you say an L-shaped sofa would help the feeling of space or detract? Something like this... (see floorplan - is sofa too far over?)
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minipie
4 years ago
Yes I agree. In particular, I think once you get some furniture that runs front to back perpendicular to the doors (eg a sofa facing the tv, a console table with a mirror over it on the left wall as you come into the room) that will help make the room feel longer.

Have to say, I would get rid of the new bit of stud wall though, I think it makes that corner less useable and you’ve lost a window to it... I don’t have an issue with asymmetrical tv Your decision of course!
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Martin Lawrence
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks, minipie. I'm not sure there's enough space behind the sofa to put a console table and leave enough room for people to walk past.

I'm tempted to get them to take that stud wall down, but will be an awkward conversation with builder.
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Angie
4 years ago
Unpainted plaster is dark so can make the space feel smaller. It looks fabulous to me!
Angie
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Martin Lawrence
Original Author
4 years ago
thanks Angie
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minipie
4 years ago
Yes you’re right, no room for a console but a landscape oriented mirror or artwork or a series of smaller pictures in a row will have have the same effect - something horizontal on that wall to lead the eye forwards as you stand at that door. Hope that makes sense.
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Martin Lawrence thanked minipie

House looks smaller since we made our changes

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