Make small, narrow rooms appear larger

No more tunnel vision: Here you can find out how to finally make a narrow living room comfortable

Hand on heart: Do you enter your living room and feel a bit like you're at a bowling alley? Left and on the right, walls that seem to be coming towards you and a distant end that sinks into the semi-darkness? You are not alone. The “hose room” is an architectural classic – and one of the biggest challenges for anyone who wants a cozy, inviting home.

Most people fail because they fight with the wrong weapons. They try to "kill" the room with a single, powerful lamp or line up lights like on an airport runway. The result? The tunnel effect is only reinforced. But what if we told you that your long, narrow space is not your destiny, but your greatest opportunity? With the right lighting concept, you can visually expand it, give it character and transform it into a series of beautiful, homely zones. This is not just an article with a few tips. This is your complete roadmap.

The fundamental error in thinking: Why longitudinal lighting is your enemy

Before we hang a single lamp, we need to understand the core problem. A long, narrow room looks like a tunnel because our eyes are inevitably led along the long walls to the end of the room. Anything that emphasizes this longitudinal axis makes it worse.

And what do most people do? You hang a series of spots along the ceiling or a long rail lengthwise. This is a “light highway” that allows the eye to shoot even faster to the end of the room. The room seems even longer, even narrower. Our goal must be the exact opposite: We have to break the longitudinal axis and emphasize the transverse axis.

The core strategy: Break the tunnel with light zones

Say goodbye to the idea of lighting the room as a whole. Instead, think of it as a chain of smaller, cozy “mini-rooms.” Each of these areas gets its own, appropriate light. This not only creates comfort, but also breaks up the long, monotonous route for the eye.

Step 1: Define your functional islands

Mentally go through your room. Where does something take place? Typical zones are:

• The relaxation zone: Sofa, coffee table, television. This is where you need soft, dimmable mood lighting.
• The reading corner: An armchair with a side table. Directed, bright reading light is required here.
• The work or dining area: A small desk or dining table. Here you need good, shadow-free illumination of the area.
• The traffic zone: The pure passage area. A gentle, safe basic brightness is sufficient here.

By defining these zones, you have already laid the foundation for your lighting plan. Each zone is now individually and appropriately illuminated.

Step 2: The magic of transverse emphasis - light as a room divider

Now comes the crucial trick to visually widen the room. We use light to emphasize the short walls and create visual barriers that divide the space.

• Light carpets on the floor: Direct a spotlight from the ceiling or a Floor lamps so that a bright circle of light or an oval is created across to the direction of travel. This acts like a carpet and slows down the view.
• Light accents on the long walls: Don't place light in the middle, but rather set targeted accents. A single picture illuminated with a picture light, or a beautiful plant illuminated from below by a floor spotlight. This forces the eye to linger to the side instead of rushing forward.

Your lighting tools: The right lights for more space

Okay, the strategy is in place. But which lamps do this best?

Tool #1: Wall lights – The silent heroes of the room width

Believe me, wall lights are your best friend in the hose room. Especially models that throw their light up and down (up & down lights). Mount these on the long walls. What happens?

• The upward light brightens the ceiling and makes it appear higher.
• The downward light creates a vertical strip of light on the wall.
• Several such lights distributed throughout the room create a rhythm that breaks the length.

But the most important thing is: the light is emitted to the side, which emphasizes the wall surface and immediately makes the room appear wider. They shine across, not lengthways.

Tool #2: Floor and Arc Lamps – The Flexible Zone Markers

Floor lamps are perfect for marking out your defined zones. An elegant arc lamp leaning over the coffee table creates a clear "living room island." A slim reading light next to the armchair defines the reading corner.

Tool #3: Pendant lights – get it right!

Most people would hang a single pendant light in the middle of the room. Don't do that! This just creates a bright, deserted island in the middle and leaves the ends of the room drowning in darkness.

If you love pendant lights, then go a different route:

• Grouping instead of isolating: Hang a group of three smaller pendant lights at different heights above the coffee table. This creates a strong visual anchor point and looks like a modern art object.
• Dare asymmetry: Who says the lamp has to hang in the middle? Place a single, beautiful one Pendant Lamp deliberately off-center above a side table or in a corner. This is unexpected, interesting and breaks the symmetry of the tunnel.

The secret weapon against tight spaces: indirect light & reflection

If you want the wow factor, then indirect lighting is the way to go. It means that you don't see the lamp itself, but only its soft, reflected light. This is the secret behind every luxurious hotel room.

• LED strips are your friend: Stick LED strips to the top edge of high shelves or sideboards. The light that shines towards the ceiling visually raises it. Or mount light strips under a "floating" TV board. The light on the floor expands the space in the lower area.
• The mirror trick: This is an ancient but golden trick. Hang a large mirror on one of the long walls. Not only does it double the light from an opposite lamp, but it also reflects the room itself, creating an illusion of incredible depth and space.

The 3 Deadly Sins of Hose Room Lighting (and How to Avoid Them)

Conclusion: See your space with new eyes

A long, narrow room is not a planning mistake you have to endure. It's a blank canvas that calls for an intelligent director. By stopping fighting length and starting to showcase width, you can do wonders.

Break the monotony. Create rhythm, depth and interest through clever zoning, playing with direct and indirect light and emphasizing the transverse axis. You will be surprised how your room suddenly breathes, becomes spacious and becomes a place where you not only spend time, but where you really want to live and feel good. Your space has potential – you just need to give it the right light.

About the author: Robin Aebischer

As founder of BUYnBLUE and Lumoir Jewelry I share my passion for unique designs and current trends. My goal is to inspire you and help you find the right designer pieces that underline your personality and give you joy for a long time.