The Styling Secret That Makes Small Apartments Feel Twice the Size, According to an Expert

Small spaces and apartments are known for being cozy, but that coziness can feel cramped if you don't style them properly. If you live in an apartment, you're probably familiar with the unspoken rule of making the most of every square inch. However, there is one styling trick that can transform even the smallest spaces into rooms that feel twice as large—and no, it's not under-the-bed storage or entryway cabinets that double as shoe storage.

We spoke to moving professional and relocation expert Chris Townsend from Three Movers, who has seen countless apartments and homes during relocations and knows exactly what makes a small space look bigger. Here, he reveals the floor-clearing rule that he's been recommending for years.

The Floor-Clearing Rule

When you're trying to make a space look bigger, the last thing you want to do is crowd it with décor and furniture. The secret to making your space feel larger is the floor-clearing rule. "When you walk into a room, your brain instinctively scans the floor," explains Townsend. "The more floor you can see, the larger the space feels. By getting items off the ground and onto the walls, you're essentially giving yourself visual square footage that tricks the eye into perceiving a much bigger room."

This styling rule avoids placing even simple items on the floor. Floor lamps and plants can add design interest, but they also take up valuable floor space. If you can mount it on the wall or place it on a floating surface, choose that option instead of setting it directly on the floor.

This design rule works because uninterrupted floor space creates clean sight lines that make a room feel open and less cluttered. "When furniture and decorative items crowd the floor, they break up these sight lines and make the space feel cramped, even if the room isn't particularly small," Townsend says.

How to Apply the Rule in Your Own Space

To apply the floor-clearing rule to your own space, start by taking note of everything that sits on the floor. "The beauty of this approach is that it works in any room," Townsend says. "Whether it's your bedroom, living room, or kitchen, freeing up those visible floor inches creates an immediate sense of space."

Townsend recommends simple swaps that work in any room to create an airy feel while providing ample storage space.

Floating Shelves

Instead of housing a bulky bookcase that takes up valuable floor space, consider installing floating shelves. Fill them with books, small houseplants, and décor items that would typically sit on a bookcase or armoire. When you curate each shelf thoughtfully, floating shelves can double as wall art, offering a functional way to decorate your apartment without overcrowding the room.

If you have bedside tables, consider swapping them for floating shelves or wall-mounted alternatives to free up even more floor space, Townsend says.

Wall Sconces or Pendant Lights

Swap your floor lamps for wall sconces or pendant lights to brighten up your space. While floor lamps can serve as a beautiful design element, they're not always practical in smaller rooms because the base of the lamp takes up too much floor space.

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Furniture With Visible Legs

"The same principle applies to furniture pieces," says Townsend. "Sofas and chairs with visible legs create more visual floor space than pieces that sit flush to the ground. This doesn't mean everything needs to hover mid-air, but choosing furniture that shows a bit of floor underneath makes a surprising difference."

Wall-mounted TVs

If you have a flat screen TV, it may already be mounted. If not, mounting it is an easy way to maximize your living room space without an entertainment center or TV stand. Even if you prefer to have a TV stand for storage, installing the TV above it can make a noticeable difference. Hanging it on the wall creates a clean, streamlined look that instantly elevates the room.

Floating Vanities and Cabinets

"Storage is another area where this rule shines," Townsend notes. "Wall-mounted cabinets and floating vanities in the bathroom keep the floor clear while providing plenty of storage. In living areas, tall, narrow bookcases take up less visual floor space than wide, squat storage units."