17 TV Show Sets That Looked Bigger on Screen
Many famous TV shows were filmed in small studio sets that looked much bigger on screen.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
TV production often relies on clever design and camera work to make sets appear larger than they are. Some of the most popular shows created worlds that felt expansive, even though the physical spaces were small. These sets prove how effective lighting, angles, and creativity can transform limited space into memorable locations.
1. Friends – Central Perk
Chester on Wikimedia Commons
Central Perk looked like a spacious coffeehouse where the group always had a seat. In reality, it was a modest studio set with limited depth. The camera angles made it appear open and welcoming. The familiarity of the set gave it more presence than its actual size.
2. Seinfeld – Jerry’s Apartment
Arturo Pardavila III on Wikimedia Commons
Jerry’s apartment appeared roomy, with plenty of space for friends to come and go. Behind the camera, the set was a tight build with one main area. The illusion of depth came from the hallway and the visible kitchen. The careful layout made the space feel much larger.
3. The Office – Dunder Mifflin Scranton
Kristin Dos Santos on Wikimedia Commons
The Scranton office looked like a full workplace with dozens of desks. In reality, the set was smaller and rearranged to suggest more size. Strategic background movement and sound design created the feel of a busy office. The mock-documentary style also made the space seem more real.
4. How I Met Your Mother – MacLaren’s Pub
Francis Orante on Wikimedia Commons
MacLaren’s Pub was shown as a busy bar with plenty of seating. The actual set was compact, with only a few booths and a bar counter. Clever editing suggested it stretched much farther. This kept the atmosphere lively while working within small dimensions.
5. Cheers – The Bar
Psemper on Wikimedia Commons
The Cheers bar seemed like a large, bustling neighborhood spot. In reality, it was built within a contained studio space. The single-room setup relied on lighting and extras to make it appear bigger. Audiences came to see it as one of television’s most iconic gathering places.
6. The Big Bang Theory – Apartment 4A
NASA Blueshift on Wikimedia Commons
Leonard and Sheldon’s apartment looked like a comfortable two-bedroom unit. In truth, it was one open set with walls moved for camera access. The furniture and decorations created the illusion of a complete home. The set became instantly recognizable to viewers.
7. Friends – Monica’s Apartment
O2Q357Ys on Wikimedia Commons
Monica’s purple apartment always looked huge for a New York City setting. It was far larger than a real apartment of its kind would be. The open floor plan and bright colors added to the sense of size. It became one of the most famous TV living spaces.
8. Parks and Recreation – Pawnee City Hall
Universal Television on Wikimedia Commons
The show presented Pawnee’s City Hall as a large government building. Many scenes, however, were filmed on small constructed sets. Wide camera angles and establishing shots gave the impression of scale. The design helped sell Pawnee as a believable town.
9. Friends – Joey and Chandler’s Apartment
Mika Stetsovski on Wikimedia Commons
Joey and Chandler’s place looked like a full bachelor pad with space to spare. In reality, it was more compact than it seemed on screen. The show was often shot from angles that widened the space. Props and decoration gave it a full personality.
10. Two and a Half Men – Charlie’s Malibu House
Snaevar on Wikimedia Commons
Charlie’s beach house looked like a spacious oceanfront property. The set was only a partial replica, with many areas never fully built. Careful staging gave the illusion of size. The beachfront lifestyle was more suggestion than reality.
11. Full House – Tanner Family Living Room
Miller-Boyett production on Wikimedia Commons
The Tanner home appeared large enough to hold a big family. The set was actually much smaller and arranged for easy filming. The staircase and multiple entry points created the idea of more space. The family gatherings made the room feel even larger.
12. Frasier – Frasier’s Apartment
FOX 52 on Wikimedia Commons
Frasier’s apartment gave the impression of a luxurious, wide Seattle condo. It was designed on a soundstage with only one main viewing angle. The careful use of props, including the skyline view, suggested grandeur. The apartment looked far bigger than the set itself.
13. Gilmore Girls – Luke’s Diner
Warner Bros. Television on Wikimedia Commons
Luke’s diner felt like the central hangout spot for all of Stars Hollow. In reality, the set was small, with only a few booths and the counter. Filming angles made it feel like a busy restaurant. It became one of the show’s most iconic locations.
14. Will & Grace – Will’s Apartment
Universal Television on Wikimedia Commons
Will’s apartment looked like a roomy Manhattan loft. The open design was created to allow filming from many sides. The set was not as deep as it appeared, but it felt expansive on screen. It helped set the tone of the show’s stylish atmosphere.
15. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – Banks’ Mansion
NBC on Wikimedia Commons
The Banks’ home was presented as a massive Bel-Air estate. The set itself was limited to a few rooms. Clever transitions made it appear connected to unseen parts of the house. Viewers accepted it as a huge mansion despite its small size.
16. Friends – Hallway Between Apartments
John on Wikimedia Commons
The hallway connecting Monica’s and Joey’s apartments looked like a real apartment building feature. The set was very narrow and existed mainly for comedic entrances and exits. The bright lighting made it seem larger than it was. It became one of the most used small spaces in the show.
17. That ’70s Show – The Basement
Carsey-Werner Television / Fox Television on Wikimedia Commons
The basement looked like a spacious hangout spot for the entire group. The set was actually a small space arranged to allow camera movement. The cluttered decorations gave it personality and depth. It felt bigger on screen because of how often it was used.