Hey, love!
Let’s talk about something that might be messing with your peace at home. If your space feels cramped, cluttered, or just off—even when it’s clean— you’re probably making a mistake that SO many people make. And trust me, it’s not about how much space you have—it’s about how you’re using it.
You Don’t Have a Small Home—You Have a Space Problem
One of the biggest mindset shifts I had to make was realizing that my house wasn’t the problem. It wasn’t too small. It wasn’t too outdated. It wasn’t impossible to decorate.
The real issue? How I was treating my space.
A lot of us look at our homes and think, “I just need more space!” when in reality, we just need to be more intentional with what we do with the space we already have.
So today, we’re going to break down the top mistakes that make your home look smaller and more cluttered than it really is— and of course, how to fix them.
Mistake #1: You’re Treating Your Home Like a Storage Unit
Oof. Let’s get real for a second.
Your home is NOT a storage facility.
But if you walk into a room and the first thing you see is stuff— instead of a vibe, a feeling, or even a place to breathe—then your home is working against you.
Here’s what happens:
- You hold onto things you might need one day.
- You’re constantly shuffling things from one spot to another instead of actually using them.
- Your furniture is covered in things that don’t belong there.
How to Fix It:
- Declutter in layers. If the thought of getting rid of things overwhelms you, start with the “low-hanging fruit” (aka obvious junk).
- Set boundaries for storage. If it doesn’t fit in its designated storage space (closet, bin, drawer), it doesn’t belong in your home.
- Stop letting stuff take up space that YOU should be enjoying. Period.
Mistake #2: You Have Too Much Furniture (Or It’s Too Big for the Space)
I see this ALL the time—people cramming oversized furniture into a space that can’t handle it.
That big sectional you thought was cozy? It’s actually shrinking your living room.
That massive dining table? It’s making your kitchen feel ten times smaller than it actually is.
How to Fix It:
- Scale your furniture to your space. If your sofa takes up half the room, it’s too big. If your dining chairs bump into the walls, you need something slimmer.
- Leave breathing room. Every piece of furniture needs at least a few inches of space around it to create an airy, open feel.
- Ditch unnecessary pieces. Do you really need that side table AND that ottoman AND that console? If your room feels tight, edit it down.
Mistake #3: You’re Ignoring Vertical Space
Most people focus way too much on what’s happening at eye level, and they completely forget about the vertical space in their home.
You know what that leads to?
- Cluttered floors
- Stuffed countertops
- No sense of openness
How to Fix It:
- Use tall bookshelves and storage units instead of short, bulky ones.
- Hang curtains higher than your windows to create the illusion of height.
- Wall-mounted storage is your best friend. Floating shelves, hanging baskets, and pegboards can transform your space without taking up floor space.
Mistake #4: Your Layout Isn’t Helping You
A lot of us just put furniture wherever it fits instead of actually thinking about flow.
If your space feels closed off, cramped, or awkward, it’s probably because your furniture isn’t set up to maximize openness and movement.
How to Fix It:
- Create intentional pathways. If you have to sidestep around furniture to get through a room, it’s time for a rearrange.
- Pull furniture away from the walls. This sounds counterintuitive, but trust me—it makes the space feel bigger!
- Think zones. Instead of having everything scattered, try organizing areas by function (a reading nook, a conversation area, a work zone, etc.).
Mistake #5: You’re Overdecorating
Listen, I LOVE a good styled space. But there’s a fine line between curated and cluttered.
Too many decorations = visual chaos.
How to Fix It:
- Less is more. Choose a few statement pieces instead of filling every single surface with decor.
- Let your space breathe. Empty space is just as important as styled areas!
- Stick to a color palette. Too many colors in one space can make it feel chaotic and smaller than it is.
Mistake #6: You’re Not Using Light to Your Advantage
Lighting can make or break a space. If your home feels dark and heavy, it’s automatically going to feel smaller and more cluttered.
How to Fix It:
- Maximize natural light. Open those blinds, hang mirrors across from windows, and use sheer curtains instead of blackout ones.
- Layer your lighting. One overhead light is NOT enough. Add table lamps, floor lamps, and under-cabinet lighting to brighten things up.
- Use warm, soft bulbs. Harsh white lighting can make a space feel cold and sterile, which makes clutter stand out even more.
Mistake #7: You’re Not Styling with Intent
At the end of the day, your home should feel intentional—not just a place where things land by accident.
A cluttered home often happens because we’re not being mindful of how we fill the space.
How to Fix It:
- Start with a vision. Instead of throwing random pieces together, think about how you want the room to feel.
- Edit often. Your home isn’t a museum—it’s a living, breathing space. If something doesn’t serve you anymore, let it go!
- Make it personal. Your home should reflect YOU, not a Pinterest board. Choose decor and pieces that actually bring you joy.
Final Thoughts: Make Your Home Work FOR You, Not Against You
Here’s the truth: Your home isn’t too small, and it isn’t impossible to fix.
You just need to shift how you see it.
- Stop treating your space like a storage unit.
- Let go of furniture and decor that’s not serving you.
- Use light, layout, and vertical space to open things up.
- Be intentional with what you keep.
Your home should feel like a place of peace, joy, and comfort. If it’s not giving that, now is the time to change it.
What’s ONE thing you’re going to do today to make your home feel bigger and less cluttered? Hit reply and let me know—I love hearing your wins!
With love,
Yaneph 💛
P.S. If this hit home for you (pun intended), share this with a friend who needs to hear it. Let’s transform our spaces together! 🚀
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