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Couch designs for small living room


51 small living room ideas to maximise your lounge

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By taking inspiration from our small living room ideas, you'll find that you can make something unique, characterful and curated out of an awkward space. Cherry pick your favourite space-savvy solutions below, from furniture and colour schemes to window treatments and lighting to curate a living room you love being in.

Design decisions can feel overwhelming, especially when you're decorating a tight space, as it can all feel very 'Tetris'. Before buying anything, think about how the room will function. Who is going to be using the room, when are you going to be using it and what will you be doing in it?

Then, when it comes to design and styling, imagining how you'd decorate your own private room entered by a secret passage no one knows about can help you work out what you really want. Take your tiny space from cramped and cluttered to cosy and calming with our tips and tricks on how to design a living room that's on the smaller side.

Small living room ideas

1. Choose furniture with legs

(Image credit: Future PLC)

Kelly Collins from Swyft Home recommends furniture that’s raised off of the ground. 'Selecting a sofa or armchair that sits on raised legs will help to bring a sense of light and space and make even the smallest living rooms feel airy,' she says. When more of the floor is visible, the room appears bigger. 

This trick lends itself well to any living room, as many classic-style sofas and armchairs are finished with beautiful turned wooden legs. Lots of beautiful mid-century pieces are raised on legs, from sideboards and cabinets to sofas, keeping the floor on show.

2. Create a focal point with a gallery wall

(Image credit: Future PLC/Jo Henderson)

Centre your lounge space with gallery wall ideas above the sofa. Frame photos, prints, wallpaper samples and pressed flowers to create something that brings personality. The visual interest created by a cluster of prints will distract from the fact the room is small and anchors the space.

3. Enlarge with wide flooring

(Image credit: Future PLC / Jon Day)

Elements of the room with large surface area, like the walls and floors, have a huge impact on how a small space feels. Consider flooring options that will expand the space. 

'Use wide flooring planks or those laid on a diagonal tangent across the room,' advises interior designer Vanessa Morgan . Chunky floorboards will work better than slim ones, and a Berber rug with a diamond pattern will also create the impression of a broader area.

4. Break up a neutral palette with boho patterns

(Image credit: Future PLC / Anna Stathaki)

Like we mentioned earlier, neutral tones will help a small room to feel larger. Light coloured carpets, walls and furniture are a great way to keep a space feeling bright and airy, whatever the size of the room.  

We love the little extra touches in this charming living room – the wall-mounted shelving unit provides the perfect space for personal mementos and accessories. If you're prefer a modern small living room idea like this one, then simplicity is key.

5. Hide corners to enhance the sense of space

(Image credit: Future PLC)

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen explains a simple bit of science around corners, and how to make a room feel larger by drawing the eye away from its edges. 'Our minds become confused in a room, if our eyes can't see corners,' he begins. 

'If our eyes can see corners then our mind knows exactly what size the room is, but if you can find ways of disguising corners, hiding corners, drawing the attention of the eye to the middle of the wall rather than the edge of the wall, that will always help significantly.'  He suggests placing a tall plant or even having a table lamp in the corner of a room to distract the eye from the perimeter.

6.

Go oversized with artwork

(Image credit: Future PLC )

A gallery wall will always be a popular way to display favourite artwork and photos. But in a tight space, one large piece of artwork could stop the space from feeling cluttered and busy. Here, a large abstract print with tones of mustard and pink tie in with the best sofa, while the rest of the space is kept bright and minimalist.

7. Hang easy breezy curtains

(Image credit: Future PLC / Dominic Blackmore)

'Try to maximise the use of natural light with floaty window dressing and a statement/group of mirrors,' suggests Paula Taylor from Graham & Brown. Keep window treatments sheer and light rather than having anything too heavy, and it'll make the area around the window feel more spacious.

8. Soften with curved edges

(Image credit: Future PLC / Anna Stathaki)

When decking out your small living room, look for furniture with curved edges to offset all the harsh angles, from the doorframe to the windows. An oval midcentury coffee table in warm wood softens the look in this small, cosy living room, and the glass top prevents it from feeling bulky. 

Circular cushions work well too, and we can personally recommend this circular jute rug from La Redoute , available in a range of sizes (go as big as possible). Curvy furniture, soft furnishings and even the cute rounded leaves of a money plant will make a small living room feel inviting.

9. Prioritise multifunctional designs

(Image credit: Future PLC / James Merrell)

Wayfair’s Resident Style Advisor, Nadia McCowan Hill says multifunctionality is the number one rule to making the best of a small living room. 'Go all in with multi-functional furniture,' she says. A storage ottoman, at Wayfair is a great idea as it can triple up as a coffee table, footstool, and storage box. 

'It's an aesthetic statement piece of furniture which is also storage savvy,' Nadia adds. Just add a tray and some coffee table books when using as a table.

10. Go dark

(Image credit: Future PLC )

Ideal Home Editor Heather Young has just painted her living room in Railings by Farrow & Ball, and if you're toying with the idea of a dark makeover, Lucy St George from Rockett St George says go for it. 'It’s no secret that we’re big fans of a dark and dramatic living room scheme at Rockett St George and it’s a common misconception that black will make your room feel smaller,' she begins. 

'In fact, it has the opposite effect. Painting the walls and ceilings of your living room in black leans into the cosy feel and helps creates an illusion similar to looking up at the night sky.' Plenty of candles, table lamps and soft throws and you're all set for optimal cosiness.

11. Choose storage furniture with a small footprint

(Image credit: Future PLC/Fiona Walker-Arnott)

Whilst living room storage ideas are still very much needed, regardless of the size of your space, try to make the most of ceiling height and avoid using too much floor space.

'More and more customers have embraced ladder-style shelving to store and display, from paperwork and keys to houseplants and prized possessions,' says Kate Gibson, Home Buying Manager, Habitat . 'A versatile storage solution, this style provides valuable shelf space with a minimal footprint.'

12. Create space using mirrors

(Image credit: Future PLC/Mark Luscombe-Whyte)

It's the oldest trick in the book, but it really does work. You can instantly create the illusion of space by simply adding more living room mirror ideas. All the better still, like above, opt for an oversized mirror to cover an entire wall. The mirror will create the illusion of space by reflecting light and of course the interior decor – doubling up your small living room ideas.

'We always recommend going for the largest mirror you can afford to make the most of the reflection and bounce as much light back into the room as possible. Alternatively, create a feature on the wall of your living room with a mix of vintage, foxed or antiqued mirrors for a unique take on the classic gallery wall,' says Jane Rockett, Co-founder of Rockett St George.

13. Choose a broken plan layout

(Image credit: Future PLC/Anna Stathaki)

The modern interpretation of open-plan living, broken plan layouts are perfect for small living room ideas. This contemporary look is well-suited to modern living room ideas. You'll have all the benefits of the sense of space that you get from open-plan. However, what broken plan also does if offer more of a visual separation between your zones without having to block them off with doors.

If a simple wall jutting out doesn't separate the spaces enough, look to glass doors, instead.

14. Use paint to trick the eye

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dan Duchars)

Living room feature wall ideas do much more than just add pretty decoration. Trick the eye into your room appearing taller by carefully considered painting. Coat the bottom half of the wall in your favourite bright shade, which will draw attention.

Then paint the top half and the ceiling in a more neutral colour so it seems to disappear by comparison, and blurs the lines of where the walls end and the ceiling begins.

15. Open up with a serving hatch

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)

Forget all those 70s connotations of serving hatches. Instead, think of how this addition could bring light and space to your small living room ideas.

A simple rectangle cut in between your living room and kitchen will make both your rooms feel larger without having to commit to an open-plan living room layout. Plus, you can still use the space for its intended purpose, except leave the pineapple hedgehogs behind.

16. Boost light with floor to ceiling windows

(Image credit: Future PLC/Carolyn Barber)

There's nothing like natural light to make a space feel bigger. Amp up the sense of space in your lounge by giving your back wall totally over to floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows. If you have a lush garden beyond, this will only enhance the sense of light and space.

17. Open up to the hallway

(Image credit: Future PLC/Anna Stathaki)

While this might seem a dramatic move, you can increase the sense of space by opening up the wall behind the sofa, revealing the light-filled hallway ideas behind.

This is a clever idea if your front room feels dark and crammed, and won't impact too much on the structure of your rooms, as you'll only be opening up part of the wall. Always seek professional advice before grabbing a sledge hammer but keep in mind a 'hole in the wall' could be the answer to your small space issue.

18. Choose a neutral sofa

(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)

'A neutral sofa can help lighten the space, however it's worth remembering that neutral doesn’t have to mean selecting a plain design,' says Suzy McMahon, Buying Director, Sofology . 'Opting for styles with beautiful details, such as curves, buttons or fluting, will add character to a small space without overpowering your scheme.' Bear this in mind when looking for sofa ideas for small living rooms.

'Additionally, cushions and throws in bolder shades and patterns can keep the look from feeling too pared back. Alternatively, an accent chair is a great way to add a pop of colour and will effortlessly lift a darker space. '

19. Keep it cohesive

(Image credit: Future PLC/Jo Henderson)

When working with small living room ideas, try and keep your colours cohesive, when it comes to furniture, accessories and wall colour too. 'A cohesive colour palette boosts light creating a tranquil, snug oasis,' says Nadia from Wayfair. 

Sticking to two or three key colours will mean everything seamlessly sits together and nothing will jump out too much, making it dominate the room. Use living room paint ideas to zone spaces within the room and add plenty of plants to bring a feeling of life to the room.

20. Opt for built in everything

(Image credit: Future PLC)

If you need a lot of storage space in your living room, why not opt for built in everything!

Built in shelving and cupboards are much better space savers than freestanding. But a built in seating area too, will mean no space is wasted at all, especially if you add under-bench storage too. Choosing a coffee table with an open, wire base will also make the space feel roomier.

21. Save space with wall lights

(Image credit: Future PLC/James French)

In small spaces, it's all about saving precious floor space so the room doesn't seem too cluttered. Bear this in mind when choosing your perfect living room lighting ideas.

'Opt for wall mounted lighting with a sleek profile to regain valuable floor space that would be lost to floor lamps or lamp topped side tables,' advises Anna Cross, Home Living Buying Manager, Habitat. 'We’ve seen high demand for plugin designs, as customers seek to create a cosy glow without the hassle of rewiring.”

22. Free up space with stools

(Image credit: Future PLC/Rob Sanderson)

The thing you should never do if you have a small living room is cram in too much furniture. Instead, choose a sofa that's proportional to the size of the space, and if you're still in need of more seating, use stools. They'll take up far less room than bulky armchairs, and can be easily manoeuvred - or used as footrests.

For extra space-savvy points look for stowaway furniture, such as cube stools that can be tucked under a coffee table when you don’t need them. For entertaining, consider the best sofa beds so you can put up occasional overnight guests. 

23. Choose light colours for the walls

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Wooley)

Dark colours are definitely having a moment right now, but they can be tricky to work with in small spaces. Light colours tend to work best so stick to pale tones such as white, cream, and grey to keep your room scheme light, airy and open – especially effective in spaces with minimal natural light sources.

Light shades will make any small living room ideas feel fresh and inviting – cosy, and yet not closed in. Steer clear of brilliant whites and instead pick those with a subtle green, grey or taupe tone. With so many different shades available choosing the best white paint can feel like a minefield – be sure to try tester samples in the space before you paint.

24. Use simplistic window treatments to boost light

(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)

Make the most of natural light in the room by keeping window treatments simple. Shutters are a brilliant alternative to curtains, providing privacy and light control without taking up space. If you do choose to go for living room curtain ideas, keep them light and make sure they can be swept away from the window for light or alternatively go for Roman or roller blinds.

25. Paint the skirting boards

(Image credit: Future PLC/Rachael Smith)

Breaking with convention, the trick to make a space feel bigger is to paint the skirting boards in the same colour as the wall. No more bold white borders.  'One little tip, paint the skirting boards,' advises interior designer Kelly Hoppen . 'It will make the whole wall look a lot taller. When you paint them white it's a bit like wearing a sock and your trouser leg being too high. It kind of looks a bit odd!'

A brilliant analogy for the look of bold white skirting boards standing out from the wall colour, for all the wrong reasons – especially prominent when using a dark living room colour scheme. This trick will prevent the wall from being divided – helping to elongate them, so the room feels taller and therefore bigger.

Kelly Hoppen's advice for painting skirting boards is a real game-changer in small spaces.

26. Add a feature wall in a warm colour

(Image credit: Future PLC/Fiona Walker-Arnott)

We all want our living rooms to feel cosy and restful. However, in a small space, you may feel apprehensive about introducing too many dark colours for fear of making the room feel cramped.

In that instance, pick a rich warm colour as a backdrop to a part of the room that's all about relaxation, such as behind the sofa or your favourite armchair. So if you're after cosy living room ideas, that deep shot of colour is a visual 'hug' that relaxes and draws us in, without making the room feel smaller.

27. Seamlessly transition to an outdoor space

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)

If your small living room has an adjoining outdoor area, embrace the feeling of extra space. Sliding or bifold doors that open out fully will open up the space and create a sense of flow between the indoor and outdoor space. Choose coordinating furniture and furnishings to decorate the two areas to unite them and make the journey from one to the other feel seamless. This will help to make any small living area feel more generous by simply knowing the outdoor area is just beyond the threshold.

Alternatively, you could blur the boundary between indoors and out by painting your window frames the same colour as the walls, suggests Catharina Björkman, Scandi interiors expert at Contura . 'This directs your gaze towards the view as opposed to the window, which is now uninterrupted by the shock of a different colour frame and can be incredibly peaceful for the mind. Connecting with nature is vital for wellbeing, so allowing your home to blur into the view from the inside out is a great way to start,' she says.

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28. Use lighting to your advantage

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)

In order to make the most out of your space ensure you have at least three working lights in the room. Light should be located at different heights, be indirect and allow your eye to move about the room. More light and more varied light is always good for a compact room.

29. Take storage to new heights

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Lizzie Orme)

Don’t let vertical space go to waste. Hang pictures, choose tall furniture and think about practical living room shelving ideas. A striking picture or wall hanging will draw the eye up, making a space feel more expansive than it actually is.

Just because your living room is verging on the small side, it doesn't mean that you should hide away all your favourite belongings in storage.

If you have objects that are worthy of showing off then display them along an open shelf, above the sofa. This idea is great for when floor space is at a premium.

30. Replace curtains with blinds

(Image credit: Future PLC/Alexander James)

Kelly Hoppen's design advice for small spaces is to ditch the curtains and go for a living room blind idea instead. 'Often people focus on something which really doesn’t need to be changed,’ explains Kelly. She suggests it can be as simple as changing a few little tiny things to make all the difference – such as the curtains.

If you are wondering how to dress a bay window, particularly one that is small and challenging then steer away from curtains. 'I would put blinds up rather than curtains,' advises Kelly. 'This would actually make the room seem taller.’

What a great insider design tip to help make any small space feel instantly larger. The free space either side of the windows would create the illusion of airy space.

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31. Build in a window seat to save space

(Image credit: Future PLC/Rob Sanderson)

If you have a bay window use the awkward space to build a smart seating solution. A smart window seat provides an extra space for guests to perch without the need for bulky furniture taking up valuable floor space.

32. Up the storage potential

(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)

The key in a small space is to make the most of every inch available. When it comes to storage think outside the box and create bespoke storage solutions that use the free vertical space on walls and unused corners and nooks created by living room fireplace ideas as an advantage. 

An affordable way to use a recess space for storage is to fit stacked floating shelves. Staggering them allows you to use both sides of the wall. The openness helps to keep the look light and airy, rather than boxed in. Just don't overwhelm the room with clutter, warns Lisa Cooper from Thomas Sanderson . 'It may look like you can fit a lot inside, but in the long run, your room may look messy,' she says. Use the shelves for displaying your very favourite books and trinkets.

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33. Blur lines with botanical prints

(Image credit: Sofa.com)

A neat trick that's genius for small rooms that back onto gardens is making the most of a botanical decorating scheme. Pretty florals and lashings of green are perfect for blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors.

Creating this visual link will draw the eye outside and again make the room feel bigger.

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34.

Wall-mount and conceal a TV

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Whitmore)

A wall-mounted TV is always going to be the better option for small living room ideas. Firstly we don't want it taking up valuable space! Secure your modern flatscreen to the wall to create a streamlined look, freeing up the space beneath where you would otherwise have to accommodate a TV stand. Above a disused fireplace helps to use up otherwise redundant wall space too.

Look for smart ways to disguise your TV to prevent it standing out as point of focus. Cleverly concealing the large black oblong, that looks like a black hole, will help to stop it encroaching on a small space.

35. Make your own media centre

(Image credit: Future PLC/Jo Henderson)

Free up floor space, from storage units, by creating your own media centre that takes up minimal space. Fix an MDF panel to the wall and mount your TV screen and floating shelves on it, one above and one below if needed.

The space saving shelves will allow for storage without taking up too much needed space. The area underneath the bottom shelf allows for extra storage for items such as slim drawer units or drum storage stools.

36. Utilise awkward architectural spaces

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Cleveland)

Does your living room lack space due to awkward room proportions? Often with period properties the features which we love the most, such as bay windows, present a logistical nightmare for arranging furniture. If you have a compact sofa it should fit neatly into the position, without taking up valuable floor space.

Alternatively use the awkward area to house larger, bulkier furniture pieces such as sideboards and TV units. This prevents the pieces overpowering the rest of the small living room ideas, because the space would be otherwise unused anyway.

37. Hang baskets to provide extra wall storage

(Image credit: Future PLC/Joanna Henderson)

If you are faced with small space living the only way really is up! Make the most of any floor space by keeping it as clutter-free as possible. That includes any small bits and bobs you might otherwise have laying around. 

Willow baskets are an attractive way to solve the storage problem. Ideal because one they look great and two they are sturdy enough to hold all manner of clutter – a  storage idea for a family living room.

Hanging from decorative hooks that can take a lot of weight, these baskets are great for quick end-of-day tidy-ups for toys, books, magazines, iPads and all the other stuff that tends to lay around.

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38.

Add storage near the ceiling

(Image credit: Future PLC/Georgia Burns)

Mount some carefully camouflaged white storage units at the top of the living room walls to stash clutter out of sight. Off-the-shelf kitchen wall cabinets are ideal for this. That said, be very careful about the maximum load that each unit can take when wall-mounted – you don't want everything crashing down.

39. Avoid a corridor effect with a corner sofa

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)

If your small living room ideas are based around a long, thin space, then it can be prone to feeling rather corridor-esque. Dark sofas will enhance this, so look for a pale L-shaped design to both open up the space and create a useful and cosy corner.

Choosing the best corner sofa set up means there will also be more room for extra seating by way of large floor cushions or a footstool. 

40. Draw attention to the windows

Walls in Cream White and Mustard Jar Easyclean Matt emulsion, £25 for 2. 5ltrs, Crown Paint

(Image credit: Crown Paint)

To let as much light in as possible make sure there is nothing obscuring your windows. Painting the window surround can help to draw attention to the source of natural light, which aids the feeling of space.

Also, remember to keep on top of cleaning windows, this will lighten and brighten up the room beyond.

41. Make your coffee table work harder

(Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme)

When it comes to small living room ideas, hard-working, multi-functional pieces of furniture are key. Coffee tables are often overlooked as items which can double up their use. Look for versions which have integrated storage, allowing you to clear away any clutter at a moment's notice.

Some options also come with removable trays in addition to the storage, providing an extra surface which can be added as and when needed.

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42. Lead the eye away from the door

(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes)

Whether a country cottage or a studio flat, it can be tricky to create a relaxing bolt hole when your front door opens straight into your living room. Take the emphasis away from the entrance by creating a focal point with thoughtfully arranged living room seating. Arrange your seating and surfaces facing into the centre of the space, visually blocking the door.

43. Decorate vertically

(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)

Think about living room wall decor to complement your lounge. Take that décor up high when floor space is limited. Think painting a section of the wall, or pasting with a patterned wallpaper to pull the eye upwards to make the most of a high ceiling.

44. Distract with statement pieces

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Paul Raeside)

Pick one or two statement items, such as an over-sized table lamp, an attention-grabbing piece of art or an armchair upholstered in a fabulous fabric, and keep the rest of the room relatively clutter free. These will make the room feel up to date and draw attention away from its size.

45. Factor in textural pieces

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

Decorating with white on walls, ceiling and floor always wins for small living room ideas, but it can leave it feeling clinical and stark. 

Take the chill off a compact nook by mixing and matching fabrics and textures. Think leathers, woods, sisal and raffia to add both a tactile dimension and warmth with the natural tones. This is perfect for a country living room idea.

46. Distract the eye with characterful furnishings

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)

While banishing clutter might help small living room ideas feel more open, if you're a fan of the cosy, lived-in look such a pared back scheme will do little for you. But small doesn't have to mean bare and characterless. Try the classic combination of dark leather furniture and traditional fireplace - there's nothing like it for creating a warm, cosy environment.

Add much-loved items and accessories - in an interesting, character-filled scheme, no one will be thinking about how small the room is.

47. Make storage fit in seamlessly

(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)

Use architectural features to incorporate smart storage. Build storage seamlessly into alcoves either side of a fireplace, for example. Give the surrounding original features a modern update with a fresh coat of paint and light retouching to keep things contemporary.

Small living room ideas need to be kept fresh and uncluttered with well-chosen storage. A great way to make a small living room feel larger is to keep it meticulously tidy and in order to do that, everything in the room needs to have its proper place. Bespoke fitted floor-to-ceiling shelves and cupboards that make use of every inch of spare space in alcoves beside a small living room fireplace.

48. Keep it to scale

(Image credit: Future PLC/Oliver Gordon)

If you have a little living room, don’t go overboard with a huge L-shaped sofa that’s big enough for the whole family, the dog and the neighbours when they pop round for a cuppa. There are plenty of living room sofa ideas that could be a better fit for your space. 'Oversized pieces will create a crowded effect which can be unsettling in a relaxing environment,' agrees Paula Taylor from Graham & Brown.

So keep it simple – a two-seater sofa is often all you need. Especially when paired with other seating solutions such as floor cushions or an ottoman. Ask yourself if you could manage with an equally comfy but far less invasive 'snuggler' or 'loveseat'. Otherwise known as a 1.5 seater, this small living room ideas staple can easily accommodate a parent and child – or a cuddly couple.

49. Play with patterns

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Brittain)

Don’t be afraid to experiment with fun, bold patterns in a small room and incorporate patterned textiles or living room wallpaper ideas.

A fabulous floral print will not only create a beautiful statement in a snug space but can also set the colour theme for the room. It's an easy way to create a unified and considered feel in even the most petite of spaces.

50. Choose a daybed

(Image credit: Future PLC/Carolyn Barber)

If your living room doubles up as a place for guests to stay, make sure your seating can accommodate them. If you're too tight on space for a sofa bed, however, there are other options. Day beds tend to take up less floor space and still provide a cosy bed and comfy sofa.

51. Go big and bold

(Image credit: Graham & Brown)

Go big, in a tiny room? Didn’t we just tell you not to buy a massive sofa? Yes, yes, but when it comes to wall décor and artwork, it’s a different story. If you’ve got the wall space, use it! Small living room ideas can make a big impact thanks to a statement feature wall.

How do you make a small living room look bigger?

'If you are short for space in the living room, adding some height to your key pieces of furniture will help create an airy, open feel to help enlarge the room,' advises Patricia Gibbons, Designer, Sofa.com . 'Not every piece needs to be elevated but adding legs to your sofa would be most effective for bringing in the illusion of space. There is something about being able to see more floor which creates the feel of spaciousness especially when you aren’t spoiled for it.'

And in terms of a flooring choice, David Snazel, Hard Flooring Buyer at Carpetright offers this advice, 'For small rooms, a light wood finish floor with a single plank design will help create the perception of space within small living room ideas. In a broken plan layout carry the same flooring through from the kitchen to conjoining areas to create a consistent flow between the rooms. Chevron wood flooring can be especially effective running from a narrow kitchen into a separate dining or living space to help these areas feel harmonious. '

How can I decorate my living room when it is small?

It's all about making clever choices when buying furniture for small living room ideas. 'Linear furniture designs with a minimal profile are ideal for smaller rooms,' explains Rachael Fell, Furniture Buying Manager at Habitat . 'The open lines of a wire metal coffee table gives the illusion of more space as the surrounding scene is visible through it. Look out for designs that incorporate shelving into their silhouette to maximise storage capabilities.'

And when it comes to colour, be brave and go for that bold shade you love, regardless of the size of the room. 'Some fear that adding a deep or bright colour to a small room will make it appear claustrophobic, opting instead for light neutrals to keep the space open,' says Helen Shaw, UK Director, Benjamin Moore .  

'However, when working with a small area, dark colours cleverly absorb the light of a space, making the division between walls appear blurred. This ‘blurred edges’ effect adds depth and dimension to a room, making it appear larger.'

Where do you put a TV in a small living room?

If your living room is more of a snug, and you use it generally for cosying up and watching movies, you don't need to worry too much about where the TV goes, as it's all about being comfortable. Céline Erlam of Indie & Co advises, 'A TV needs to be at the correct height in relation to your sofa- you shouldn't need to look up to view, and ideally, place it central to your sofa.'

She goes on to say, 'Before you start work on your snug or small living room ideas, think about the audio systems and TV that you have so you can conceal any cabling'

But if you're not keen on having your small living room TV idea on show, think about hiding it away. 'Don't rule our concealing your TV- you can even fit a projector in the ceiling, which drops down when in use, as well as concealed built-in speakers,' Céline advises.

You could look at hiding your tv behind a set of framed prints or a screen, or even in a TV cabinet.

What colour furniture goes in a small living room?

'Any colour furniture will work in a small living room as long as it creates visual harmony with the rest of the space,' comments Paula Taylor, Head Stylist at Graham & Brown . 'A contrasting piece will create boundaries and divide the space so opt for colours that will blend and create a visual colour block.'

Is a sectional good for a small living room?

'A sectional sofa slots into a small living space perfectly due to its versatility,' says Nadia from Wayfair. 'Weave in a few plush scatter cushions to enhance a sectional and lift the cosy character of a small living room.'

35 Designer-Approved Small Living Room Ideas

Design: Katherine Carter, Photo: Tessa Neustadt

Call us crazy, but we prefer styling a small living room over a large one any day. There's something incredibly thrilling about size-challenged decorating that really forces you to get creative. Yes, you'll make mistakes arranging furniture in a small living room, but when decorated well, petite rooms can look seriously stylish (tiny bathrooms are proof). Just because there's less space to work with, doesn't mean you have to compromise on taste, either. If you're looking for small living room ideas, follow these decorating tips.

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Design: Katherine Carter, Photo: Tessa Neustadt

When it comes to small–living room ideas, designer Tom Stringer says that prior planning is key when space is so limited. "The first step is to ensure that the layout will be functional for your needs," he says. "Then confirm the sizes of the pieces."

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Design: Max Humphrey

If you're stumped on how to plan your layout, answer celebrated interior designer Max Humphrey's simple question: What will the room be used for most? "While you might plan on having friends over all the time for movie nights, chances are it'll be you and your family using it the most, so keep that in mind when designing it," Humphrey says.

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 Design: World Market

Since you don't have the luxury of a lot of space, you can't just throw a bunch of pretty things together and hope it'll work. Australian interior designer and The Tailored Interior author Greg Natale believes that it's important to first consider all the pieces of furniture you'll need in order to create a "welcoming, livable space." Ask yourself questions like: Would stools or ottomans work better in the space than armchairs? Would a side table be a more size-friendly option than a coffee table?

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Design: Katherine Carter, Photo: Tessa Neustadt

So you have a tiny living room, but does that mean you have to compromise on the big furniture you love? Humphrey doesn't think so. "I always recommend buying the absolute biggest sofa that will fit in the space, because if you're anything like me, chances are that's where you'll spend most of your time lounging around."

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Design: Studio DB, Photo: Matthew Williams

Natale believes small furniture is a better bet if you want "more opportunities to include all the pieces you like. " Consider what's more important to you: comfort and big style, or having more variety?

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Design: Tali Roth, Photo: Claire Esparros

If you decide that bigger is better when it comes to furniture, Natale recommends pieces with a sleek silhouette, such as a "sofa with a low, narrow shape and slender arms; chairs with narrow or no arms; and tables with glass tops and narrow or cutaway legs."

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Design: Sara Tramp for Emily Henderson

When it comes to small-space living room ideas, you really can't go wrong if you stick to neutral and natural hues. You can carry this over to your furniture, too. "Use furniture that appears light or disappears, such as a glass or acrylic piece," designer Trip Haenisch says.

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Design: Studio McGee

If you're all about color, you aren't out of luck. Designer Jeff Andrews believes there's absolutely a place for it in a small living room. "Go dark and go big," he says. Speaking of which, we have a few favorite dark paint colors, including Benjamin Moore Black Beauty, Clare Prince, and Sherwin-Williams Charcoal Blue, if you're feeling adventurous.

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Photo: Julia Robbs

When in doubt, revert to mirrors. For a small living space, Australian design firm Cordony opted for mirrored panels across an entire wall, which doubled the size of the room. Mirrors can work like clever optical illusions.

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Design: Fantastic Frank

This trick is one you've probably never even considered before, but it's a total game-changer. Opt for a sofa with legs and no upholstery on the base. It will visually open up the room, advises Natale.

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Design: Amber Interiors Design Studio, Photo: Tessa Neustadt

In a small living room, the more uses each piece of furniture can serve, the better. "Make an ottoman work double-time by placing a tray on it and [turning it into] a coffee table when you don't need it as a seat," says Natale.

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Design: Sarah Sherman Samuel

A thoughtful mix of furniture and décor in varying styles and finishes adds depth and coziness to any space—not to mention it seriously ramps up the style factor. "If you fill a room with things you love you can't go wrong," says Humphrey.

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Design: Pella Hedeby

The key to minimalism is to find your style, stick to it, and then edit. Designer Christine Gachot says, "My home is edited with a capital E. I live in a constant state of chaos with my schedule, so I need to be organized and to live minimally (shoe collection aside). This is about small spaces. Be thoughtful and precise."

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Design: Ginny Macdonald, Photo: Tessa Neustadt

When it comes to wall color, each of our experts recommended a neutral palette with white walls and ceilings to visually brighten a room and make it appear larger. If the bleached-out look isn't your flavor, Natale suggests adding pops of color through soft furnishings, accessories, and artwork.

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Design: Fantastic Frank

If you're keen to ditch white completely, go gray instead. Stringer loves Benjamin Moore HC 173 Edgecomb Gray as a "great neutral with undertones that work with most spaces. "

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 Design: Katherine Carter

Feel free to forgo paint altogether and add use a removable wallpaper instead. Whether you opt to do an accent wall, or wallpaper the whole room, Cordony says it will layer the space with texture.

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Design: Stefani Stein, Photo: Tessa Neustadt

Ensuring that everything in your small living room works together comes down to careful and constant curating. Natale says you need to "step back at every stage of your design and assess its effect, particularly in terms of balance and contrast."

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 Design: Dazey Den

If you live by the motto that "more is more," an edited space won't appeal. Stringer says "clutter is good as long as it is organized," so group like items together (think baskets for magazines). Organize your items into vignettes so the clutter feels more cohesive.

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Design: Blue Copper Design, Photo: Life Created 

Most importantly, "Make sure your furniture fits through the front door, in the elevator, and up the stairs," says Gachot. "If it can't turn the corner in your walk-up, then it's probably not going to fit in your studio. I learned this one the hard way—twice." Noted.

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Design: Katie Martinez

If you're feeling hesitant, Andrews wants you to ditch the fear. "Don't be afraid to try something and take a risk with styling," he says. "Go for the unexpected, take a look, and then edit."

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 Design: Dazey Den

Even if you love occasional seating, a big comfy sofa will probably be the most practical in a small living room. "You can always bring in a chair or two from the dining room when you have extra people over," Humphrey suggests.

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Design: Coco Lapline Design 

If you like to lounge across a sofa, filling your small-space living room with armchairs may not be the best idea in the long term. So be sure to purchase furniture that suits your needs. "It's no fun trying to stretch out on a loveseat," Humphrey says.

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 Design: Becca Interiors 

“I love dark, glossy walls in a small room to create a sense of drama and intimacy," Andrews admits. There's something so dreamy about living room swathed in a darker shade and we love the look of a dramatic navy. After all, what's more relaxing than the color of a night sky?

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Design: Bespoke Only, Photo: Nicole Franzen

According to feng shui experts, mirrors can double what's in front of them, so using a mirror (or two) in your small space living room can instantly make it feel bigger. "If you can't panel the whole wall, hang large mirrors on the walls, ideally opposite a window or door to reflect the light," Cordony advises.

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Design: Katie Hodges Design 

Natale suggests asking a few questions about your space and how you live to make sure there's a balance of light, color, and texture. A few key ones include: Is there too much of something or not enough of another? Is a particular color or shape dominating the space without enough highlights or drama, or conversely, does the room look bland? 

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Photo: Julia Robbs

"Each person should recognize his or her individual lifestyle needs and then commit to a simple vision that suits it," Gachot advises. Don't outfit your space in trends if those specific styles don't appeal to your personal taste. Be sure to purchase pieces that make you feel happy and at home.

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Design: Katie Martinez Design

Make sure you don't choose furniture for one specific home because, if you love it, you'll want to bring it with you to your next home. "Purchase pieces that will grow with you one day into a larger home, or your next pied-à-terre," Gachot says. Before you decide on a piece, make sure it's not too big or too small so that it will work in your future home.

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Jenna Peffley; DESIGN: Tali Roth for MyDomaine

Building out a large gallery wall could make a small living room feel cluttered. Instead, opt for one giant piece of oversized art, like in the room pictured. It'll fill your wall without making the room look too busy.

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Ashley Webb

A bulky media console might be practical, but it's just going to take up way too much precious floor space. Instead, mount your television and utilize built-ins. They'll offer a space to display your books, trinkets, and vases, without having to add another piece of furniture to your already cramped space.

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 Tyler Karu Design

A dark leather sofa is sleek and sophisticated, but it's not going to do much to open up a small space. Consider adding in furniture with open, woven detailing, like these chairs. Because you can see through the material on the sides, they visually open up the space a bit more.

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Victoria Bell Design

Sleek, clean lines can make a space feel less cluttered (and therefore, more open and spacious), which is key in a small living room. But this doesn't just apply to furniture silhouettes and architectural detailing—arrange all your books in neat, even stacks and make sure your bookshelf styling is symmetrical.

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White Sands 

Instead of an armchair, try a built-in bench. This window seat creates a cozy nook, but doesn't intrude on any floor space, leaving the walkway between the couch and the television open and airy.

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White Sands

Instead of one large coffee table, opt for a set of nesting tables. When guests are over or you need more space to hold food or drinks, you can set the nesting tables side-by-side to create the size of a standard coffee table. When not in use, you can store one table underneath the other for a smaller footprint.

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Victoria Bell Design

Circular tables inherently take up less space than a rectangular or square coffee table, thanks to their lack of angles. These are ideal in small living rooms since having enough of a walkway is crucial. No one wants to bump into the couch or hit their leg on the table trying to enter or leave the room.

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Rikki Snyder 

In a small space, poufs are your new secret weapon. Not only are they stylish and take up little space (seriously, they can even be stored underneath a side or coffee table), but they can serve many different functions. Use them as ottomans, side tables, or even as an extra seat.

50 photo ideas - INMYROOM

If the room is small in size, then make it functional and not overloaded furniture is quite difficult. Especially when it comes to the living room. After all, this the room is the center of the living space and has several purposes. First of all, it should be suitable for receiving guests, as well as become a place comfortable stay for all family members. Often this room is also a dining room. zone. Therefore, in order to design small living room is ideal for your family, you need work out certain details.

Basic design rules

When creating harmonious interior, you need to take into account the purpose of the room, its size, configuration and illumination. As for the small living room, it is important to adhere to such rules:
1. Only the most necessary things so that it does not become cluttered;
2. Interior a small living room is created using a compact furniture;
3. Furniture and accessories must have simple shapes, as they leave much more free space than artsy or multi-level products;
4. light colors;
5. complement it with bright accessories, for example, it can be indoor plants, carpets, decorative pillows or paintings.

Layout and zoning

Create a functional and a comfortable living room without the correct arrangement of furniture is impossible. One of The biggest mistakes to avoid when decorating the interior of a small living room is the desire place the so-called "wall" or "slide". You also can't force large objects the passageway of the room.

Compact basic kit furniture for the living room may look like this: sofa, coffee table with a glass top, small shelving (it is desirable that their height be about 70 cm below the ceiling level), two armchairs or poufs. As seen from of this list, the most voluminous items are the sofa and armchairs. Therefore the choice furniture should start with them.

If purchased double sofa and two armchairs, then a lot of free space will be lost in the room space. However, there are more opportunities to create a comfortable design for a small living room. If you buy a corner sofa, there will be more free space. But at the same time rearranging furniture will become almost impossible.

Very successful, maybe be the layout of a small room using the space near the window. Interior of a small living room plan in such a way that in the area next to the window there is a low cabinet with TV. But to make the room look more spacious, near the window you can arrange a bed or chairs. Do not be afraid that the furniture can deteriorate due to proximity to the battery. To protect a sofa or chair, it is enough to move it about 30 cm from the window.

Another original the layout option involves placing the sofa in the center of the room. In such case, all attention is focused on the window, so it is worth decorating drapery with the addition of tulle and light curtains. And here is the furniture next to it should not be placed.

Selection color range

If you pay attention small living room design rooms in Khrushchev in the photo, you can see the predominance of light, pastel shades. Thanks to this the design of a small space visually increases. While the use of dark or too bright shades will make the living room look more like to the pantry.

White color is certain leader in the design of small spaces. If the ceiling, walls and floor are white, it will add lightness to the living room and make it more spacious. But to the room did not look boring, it definitely needs to be decorated with bright accents yellow, pink or green.

Original solution can become white furniture. With it, the interior of a small living room will not look cluttered. However keep in mind that the white color gets dirty quickly, so the furniture is better choose with removable covers or one that can be easily cleaned.

Possible use in the design of the living room and cold pastel shades. For example, the combination of green and blue will give the room freshness. You can stop your choice and on grey. But in this case, so that the interior does not look detached and uninhabited, a few warm accents are sure to be placed.

More one interesting technique is the monochrome design of the living room. Small living room design in this case is based on the use of white and black. To the living room did not look like an office, in this case it is also necessary to complement the interior with bright interspersed.

What should there be trim?

Ideal for a small room a design option can be both painting the walls and using light wallpaper with a miniature pattern. If a decision is made to wallpaper the living room, with their choice must take into account the configuration of the room. For example, to divert attention from low ceilings and small spaces, you need use wallpaper with vertical stripes. Visually lengthen the square the room will help photo-wallpaper with picturesque landscapes. You can also come up with interesting design for one wall, so that all attention is concentrated only on her.

A special approach is also needed for ceiling decoration. White gloss - fits perfectly into the design of a modern living room in a small apartment. It will give it extra lightness and help visually increase its size. premises. As an alternative, especially if the ceilings are in the room is low, you can make the decoration with mirrors.

Work over the expansion of space

There are many tricks that can visually increase the size of the room:

Lighting

Good natural and artificial lighting, small rooms always look bigger. To start the window needs to be correct. The main rule is the absence of pretentious elements, ruffles and draperies. It is enough to curtain the window with tulle or light curtains. A good option for modern apartments can also be Roman or Japanese curtains.

Need to take care of additional lighting for a small living room. The best option is point lighting, with the location of lamps on the ceiling and walls. This will give the room additional volume and will help to divide it into zones.

Stylistic direction

What will be the design of a small living room, largely depends on the style of decoration. Choosing options that best emphasize the individuality of the room and will help create maximum comfort, special attention can be paid to several design directions.

Loft

His advantage is the possibility of visually increasing the space due to using large mirrors. To enhance the desired effect will help a huge panoramic window. If the apartment is located on the upper floors, then such a window is not necessary even hang up.

Classic

This direction never does not go out of fashion, but choosing it you need to take into account some of the nuances. So, creating the interior of a small living room, you can not clutter it with palace sets and decorate intricate drapes. It is better to focus on a few classic parts such as lamps.

Eco style

For decorating a room gray and beige shades will go well in this direction. Special attention should be given to the choice of furniture. It must be wooden and shaped as close to natural as possible. Curtains can be an additional accent from natural fabrics, such as linen.

Furniture

Even in a very small living room without furniture is impossible. However, you need to put only the most necessary items. It is also important to adhere to some selection criteria:

Straight living room

For maximum expansion of space is often used to combine different rooms. At such redevelopment in most cases requires the dismantling of one or several walls. However, such changes should be carefully considered, so that the load-bearing wall is not accidentally removed.

In small apartments the living room, especially after redevelopment, can become a walk-through. equip the interior a small living room is needed in such a way that there are no extra things. Items that can be easily hooked should also be positioned away from aisles.

Good an option for such a room would be the choice of transforming furniture, since it can be assembled as needed, and there will be more free space. And do not forget that one of the main purposes of the living room is a reception guests, so you need to decorate it in a fairly seasoned style.

Living-bedroom

If apartment limited not only in square meters, but also has few rooms, you can consider the option of combining a recreation area with a sleep area. When arranging such rooms the most practical solution is to place the sleeping area as far as possible from the door, in that part of the room where there will be less noise. To divide a room into zones, you can use screens or curtains. Often used in zoning shelving with books or drywall partitions. Another division option – the use of a different floor covering or design in each area multilevel floor.

Photo

Below is a gallery with original photo design ideas for a small living room.

Video

Small living room design | Domfront

Living room should be cozy and inviting. The size is not critical, but if the room looks cramped, like a box, there is little comfort in it. Therefore, when working on the interior of a small living room, you need to try to create a visual space. The second task is to come up with the most rational furnishing plan to accommodate everything you need without overloading the space. We hope our tips will help you in solving these problems.

Small living room design: a visual extension

1. Pick the right color. A bright room always looks more spacious than a dark one. The smaller the living room, the lighter the walls should be. Otherwise, the closet effect cannot be avoided.

White interiors are in vogue now. This is a great solution for a very small living room.

Cool colors, especially green, blue and grey, have an expanding effect. It is desirable, of course, to take them as light as possible.

2. Do not hide the floor. Try to furnish the living room so that as much of the floor surface as possible is left in plain sight. For example, instead of deaf chairs, it is better to take models with high legs. Instead of floor cabinets and tables, you can choose suspended structures.

The more floor area you can see, the more spacious the room looks.

3. Do not close all corners tightly. Don't try to put as much furniture in a room as possible. Leave at least some of the corners open. If all corners are closed, the room seems smaller than it actually is.

4. Use mirrors. This item does not need to be elaborated. Everyone knows that mirrors, reflecting the space, visually increase it.

Try to get away from patterns and find an atypical place for a mirror. For example, place it in a corner, on the front door, above the TV, etc.

You can mirror an entire wall, for example behind a sofa.

5. Replace some of the blind elements with transparent ones. It could be something large, like the wall between the living room and the hallway. Or something small - for example, a coffee table, a TV console, a fake fireplace.

6. Select an image with perspective. A painting, poster, photo or wall mural that takes the eye off into the distance adds depth to a room.

The picture must not be too large, otherwise the effect will be reversed. It is not necessary to glue photo wallpapers on the entire wall - it is better to select only a small part of it. If the sofa is small, then the poster above it should match.

7. Ditch high furniture for low furniture. It is better to choose a low full-wall cabinet than a third-wall large cabinet.

Low furniture looks much lighter. The room seems bigger with her.

Small living room design: rational furnishing

1. Decide on your priorities. Decide what is more important in your living room: a large table or a roomy sofa?

If you like to arrange feasts in the living room, you should give preference to the largest possible table, and take a smaller sofa. If feasts take place in the kitchen and guests often stay overnight, a reasonable solution would be to purchase a full-fledged folding sofa.

If there are a lot of books in the house, plan your closet by choosing a smaller sofa or ditching the armchair.

Do not try to embrace the immensity and “shove in the unshovelable”. Take only what you really need.

2. Don't get hung up on standard living room solutions. It is not necessary to buy a large corner sofa. You can consider other options: for example, purchase two small sofas or two couches. Such prefabricated kits are more flexible, which expands the possibilities for the rational arrangement of furniture.

3. Place storage furniture behind the sofa or in the TV area. There is no need to install separate cabinets, racks, showcases. The sofa is already standing, taking up space. Place storage furniture behind or around it. This will free up other walls and leave empty corners.

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