Whitespace is a design decision
Empty space is not what is left over after the content. It is part of the content.
Space controls pace. A generous margin tells the reader there is time; a tight one says move on. Both are valid, but only if chosen on purpose.
On a page, whitespace decides what is read first, what is read slowly, and what is skipped. Removing an element often improves the ones that remain.
When a layout feels crowded, the fix is usually fewer things, not smaller things.