Does dry lining make a room smaller?

Slightly, yes. Typical build-up additions:

• Dot-and-dab on solid walls: +30-50mm
• Independent metal stud (single layer): +75-100mm
• Independent metal stud (double layer acoustic): +150-200mm

For most Maidstone rooms this is negligible. Where space is critical (small bathrooms, ensuite conversions in Maidstone town centre apartments, narrow Victorian hallways), we use thinner boards and direct mechanical fix to minimise the loss. The thinnest practical drylining system is 9.5mm plasterboard on a 22mm metal track — adding about 30mm in total.

The trade-off is usually worth it: the energy efficiency, acoustic, and finish gains from a properly dry-lined wall almost always outweigh the small room loss.