How to Decorate a Rectangular Room: 13 Professional Examples

Admit it, a stretched rectangle is not the most desired geometry for a space. However, such a room shape can also be played with, hiding flaws and highlighting strengths. Want to know how? We share professionals' experience.

1. Proper Furniture Arrangement

The simplest (but effective!) way to visually correct the room proportions is to arrange furniture properly. Ensure longer walls remain less cluttered, and shorter ones take on more load. For example, in this children's room, storage systems and a workspace are placed along the 'short sides' of the rectangle.

Design: Irina KrivtsovaDesign: Irina KrivtsovaDesign: Irina KrivtsovaDesign: Irina KrivtsovaDesign: Irina Krivtsova

2. Shift the Focus

To visually correct geometry, shift color accents to one of the 'long sides' of the rectangle. They draw attention, pushing the awkward proportions into the background. For example, in this room, two bright chairs serve as visual 'magnets'.

Design: Anastasia Kamen-skikh, Lavka-design

3. 'Tricky' Relocation

This elongated living room of a corridor type was transformed into a square using an unusual layout. The boundary of the room was shifted by installing two wardrobes. This way, the apartment gained spacious storage systems, and the living room became much cozier. Visually, the space doesn't seem small: thanks to the wardrobes, bulky furniture was avoided.

Design: Pavel Gerasimov, Geometrium StudioDesign: Pavel Gerasimov, Geometrium StudioDesign: Pavel Gerasimov, Geometrium StudioDesign: Pavel Gerasimov, Mastrer's Studio Geometrium

4. Mirrors

Mirror surfaces are another proven method that can correct even the most unfortunate room geometry and visually transform a rectangular space into a more cozy environment. Note: mirrors should be placed on the long wall.

Design: Irina KrivtsovaDesign: Irina KrivtsovaDesign: Irina Krivtsova

5. Hidden Storage System

Another way to adjust the geometry of a rectangular room using storage systems is through hidden wardrobes. For example, in this living room, two incredibly spacious wardrobes are hidden behind a false wall. Here, apartment owners store suitcases, off-season outerwear, and other bulky items used infrequently.

Design: Olga Kulikovskaya-Eshbi, Interior BoxDesign: Olga Kulikovskaya-Eshbi, Interior BoxDesign: Olga Kulikovskaya-Eshbi, Interior BoxDesign: Olga Kulikovskaya-Eshbi, Interior Box

6. Zoning

If the room size and ratio of the sides allow, use zoning techniques. This helps turn a disadvantage into an advantage: it's easier to divide a stretched room into zones than a square one.

Design: Svetlana BorodulinaDesign: Svetlana BorodulinaDesign: Svetlana Borodulina

This approach works especially well for rooms combining multiple functions in one space (living room-kitchen, kitchen-dining room, bedroom-living room).

Design: Anna KovalchenkoDesign: Anna KovalchenkoDesign: Anna KovalchenkoDesign: Anna Kovalchenko

It also works for spaces with a bay window or an attached balcony or loggia.

Design: Tatiana KupcovaDesign: Tatiana Kupcova

7. Wall-to-Wall Shelf

One of the winning solutions for a rectangular room is a wall-to-wall shelf. Note: the shelf should be placed against the short wall.

Design: 'Victory of Design'

8. Center Partition

For rooms that are narrow and elongated, an optimal solution is to divide them into two parts. If the room has only one window, a transparent or semi-transparent sliding partition will help.

Design: Nikita ZubDesign: Nikita Zub

Alternatively, you can do without additional structures and use simpler methods like drapery, a screen, or any other conditional partition.

Design: Elizaveta Koreshkova, Beau Interiors

9. Wardrobe

The most logical way to make a bedroom less elongated is by installing a wardrobe. This 'cuts off' part of the room, but makes it more proportionate and allows you to avoid bulky wardrobes and dressers.

Design: Cultura-designDesign: Cultura-design

Those who worry about losing precious square meters can make the wardrobe walls transparent or semi-transparent, maintaining a sense of more spaciousness.

Design: Evgenia LykasovaDesign: Evgenia LykasovaDesign: Evgenia Lykasova

On the cover: Design project by Olga Kulikovskaya-Eshbi, Interior Box