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Long Living Room Ideas - Narrow Room Design Tips

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Interior Design

Living Room

by Eleanor Büsing

published Sep 22, 2018

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Long, narrow living rooms (or family rooms) can be a chore to lay out and decorate, not to mention live in. Nobody wants to feel like they’re entertaining in a train carriage or watching TV in a hallway. But with some layout tweaks and a few visual tricks up your sleeve, you can learn to love your long room. Here are five ways to lay out a long, narrow living room, plus some bonus tips on how to really rock the space.

1. Create Separate Zones

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Often, long rooms are a blessing in disguise, because they can serve as open-plan spaces. Instead of having one larger-but-awkward living room, why not create a smaller living area, plus a den, study area, or breakfast nook?

In the sketch above, we have a traditional TV area (which you can create with a smaller sofa to save space)inte, plus a cozy den-like conversation nook, complete with surrounding wall-to-wall bookshelves to really delineate the space. You can also zone these separate areas with rugs, lights and/or color so it feels intentional.

2. Alternate your Furniture Groupings

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If possible, try to avoid having all your furniture on one side of the long wall. By alternating furniture groupings, as the space above does, it forces the traffic flow to take on an “S” shape, and avoids half the room just feeling like a straight hallway. It’s a sneaky way to ensure you actually use more of the space.

3. Arrange Things Across the Space

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When working with a long space, it’s best to arrange things cross-wise when possible, which visually pushes the walls outward, making the room seem wider.

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Instead of one sofa against the longer wall, the space above uses two shorter ones, placed width-wise in the space. This visually pushes the walls outward, a trick that’s repeated with the console table behind the sofa, and the long bookshelf on the far wall.

4. Work with the Middle

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Just because a room is long, doesn’t mean you need to fill it all with furniture. The space above centers the furniture arrangement in the middle, leaving the sides as open, but not dead, space. This works particularly well in a symmetrical room, when the furniture can be centered around a window or fireplace.

5. Utilize an L-Shaped Sofa

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A proper corner sofa, even more so than one with a chaise, can really use the space in a long room well. The room above uses one, and several of the other tips above, to create a usable layout. Notice how the furniture arrangement at the other end of the room (two chairs, a side table and a console) mimic but flip the shape of the sofa, too.

How to Decorate a Long Narrow Living Room

Is your living room a hallway?

No?

It’s just really long and narrow, so it gives off the vibe of a hallway.

Well, it doesn’t have to.

In this guide, we share how to decorate a long narrow living room, transforming your hallway into a cozy living space.

Furniture arrangements

The way you arrange your furniture in your long narrow living room can change the perception of the shape of the space.

Plus It sets the foundation for the room and the rest of your decor going forward.

Here are a few different arrangements for long narrow living rooms.

Courtesy of decorsteals.com on Pinterest

The Straight Pathway

Pushing all of your furniture up against your walls might be your first instinct when decorating a long narrow living room. 

But this tactic works against you, as it emphasizes the length of your space. 

Instead, thespruce.com suggests pulling your furniture out and away from the wall.

Then, arrange your seating in the center of the room underneath a light. 

This creates a cozy central space with footpaths on either side.

Easily achieve this look with a sectional or a combo of a sofa opposite two chairs for an intimate seating arrangement. 

If you don’t like your furniture in the middle of the room, apartmenttherapy.com suggests pushing it up against the wall underneath a window or piece of wall art.

BONUS TIP: Arrange your furniture cross-wise to give your living room a wider appearance.

Courtesy of patticakewagner.com on Pinterest

The Curved Pathway

While the straight pathway does make traversal convenient, it can accentuate the length of the room. 

Break up a long narrow living room by arranging furniture in a curved path. 

To achieve this illusion, use your furniture to divide your space into two separate seating zones.

Courtesy of decorsteals.com on Pinterest

Separate the Space

Instead of decorating one long, narrow living room, separate the space into two different conversation areas.  

These could be:

By segmenting the space into U and L furniture arrangements you guide foot traffic into an arc.  

This negates the hallway feeling that long-living rooms can have while making more use of the available space.

BONUS TIP: You can also zone these separate areas with rugs, lights, and color, making it feel intentional.

Courtesy of settingforfour.com on Pinterest

Decorating a Long Narrow Living Room

Now that you have your larger pieces arranged in your long, narrow living room, you’re ready to decorate!

Here are a few tips for using your decor to reduce the visual length of your living room.

Courtesy of modsy.com on Pinterest

Recommended Round Pieces

A long narrow living room is essentially a big rectangle. 

That's painfully obvious when staring from across the room. 

To help counter long horizontal lines, thespruce.com recommends using circular pieces with soft edges.

Courtesy of classiccasualhome.com on Pinterest

Rely on Rugs

Striped area rugs are a great way to make your living room look and feel wider than it really is.  

If a striped rug isn’t your style, use other styles to define distinct areas we mentioned earlier.

Courtesy of decorsteals.com on Pinterest

Space Saving Shelves

You can only put so many items across the width of your narrow living room. 

We’re no stranger to decorating small spaces, and floating shelves are a great way to save floor space. 

As we mentioned in how to decorate around a tv, floating shelves can help decorate your living room.

They’re excellent tools for providing additional storage without taking up any precious floor space.

Courtesy of thesavvyheart.com on Pinterest

Maximize Vertical Space

Drawing the eye upward will take the focus away from how narrow your living room is. You can do this in several ways. 

A tall armoire or bookshelf will point towards your ceiling while also adding additional storage.

Homedesignlover.com suggests breaking up your horizontal space with an array of photos, artwork, and mirrors.  

This helps define specific spaces within your living room, and reflective surfaces will bounce natural light, making it feel larger. 

Add floor-to-ceiling drapery with vertical stripes to create the illusion of height, and you should be good to go.

 

Now It’s Your Turn

There you have it, how to decorate a long narrow living room. 

Hopefully, you’re more confident in transforming your space from a hallway into a hallmark of a cozy, stylish living room.

Will you be organizing your living room into a straight pathway or a curved pathway? How did you design your sections? 

Let us know which tip you’re going to use on your long narrow living room in the comments below!

How to arrange furniture in a narrow and long living room - expert advice Shatura

Content

12/23/2021

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In many layouts of apartments of the Soviet period, an elongated room is allocated for the living room. There are similar options in modern homes. In terms of area, the room seems to be large, but it is quite difficult to achieve real comfort in it. That is why many owners of such housing at the stage of repair or on the eve of it ask themselves the question: “How to arrange furniture in a narrow living room so that it becomes comfortable and functional?” nine0003

Most often, apartment owners with narrow living rooms try to make the most of a long wall. At the same time, they apply the principle of two-sided layout, that is, they install a maximum of furnishing elements along long walls. However, in this way they achieve the tunnel effect: the room seems even narrower, the interior becomes unattractive. When developing the design of such a room, it is important to emphasize its advantages as much as possible and hide its shortcomings. After all, the increased length can always be used to your advantage. There are many ways to do this. Let's look into this issue in detail. nine0003

Basic rules for decorating space

Experienced designers when arranging the space of a narrow living room recommend taking into account a number of simple and universal rules:

· Do not get carried away with the elements of furnishings and decor. If the area of ​​​​the room is small, then a minimal furniture set of a sofa, a coffee table, and several chairs will be enough to decorate it. Open modules for storing the necessary things and arranging the decor will harmoniously look on the walls. nine0003

It is better to forget about massive furniture and large interior items. They will take up a lot of space and will hide space.

· It is better to plan the interior in bright colors. This will contribute to a visual increase in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe hall. Another technique is furniture on legs. It not only facilitates cleaning, but also allows you to visually lift the room, make it more voluminous and airy.

· To hide the shortcomings of a narrow living room, bright decor is introduced into its atmosphere: original lamps, posters, photos, plants, paintings, etc. They will attract attention and level out imperfections. nine0003

The use of mirror surfaces is also justified. Placing them on long walls allows you to achieve the effect of visually enlarging the room.

Zoning

To make a narrow living room more comfortable and functional allows dividing it into several separate zones. This is especially true for small apartments, where you need to rationally use every square meter. With the help of the correct arrangement of furniture in a long living room, you can highlight different spaces. nine0003

For receiving guests . Usually this zone is located closest to the doorway. It should contain comfortable upholstered furniture. With limited space, the sofa can be supplemented with pouffes or bean bags, which take up less space. In some cases, it is more appropriate to install a couch. Upholstered furniture is complemented by a TV, which is hung opposite the sofa. It is convenient to place drinks and light snacks on the coffee table for guests. Transformer models are more convenient to use. When assembled, they take up minimal space. If necessary, such furniture unfolds into an almost full-fledged dining table. nine0003


For work . To organize a home office, it is better to choose a place near the window. This will provide enough natural light for work, allowing you to save a little on electricity. A computer desk should be installed near the window, where it is convenient to place all the necessary equipment, stationery, and documents. It will be well complemented by a comfortable, ergonomic office chair, several hinged open shelves. It is convenient to separate the workspace with a light double-sided rack. It will provide additional storage space and will not prevent sunlight from penetrating the room. nine0003

Leisure . In a small apartment, the living room can also serve as a bedroom. To separate such a zone, racks or a closet (if the room is spacious enough) are suitable. Lightweight textile curtains or plasterboard partitions are also used. However, the latter option is not very desirable, as it blocks the flow of natural light to other parts of the room. A folding sofa is more suitable for organizing a sleeping place. If necessary, it can be folded and increase the space for receiving guests. To make the "bedroom" more comfortable, do not forget to place small bedside tables near the bed. It is convenient to put small table lamps on them, place gadgets, cosmetics, etc. nine0003


For eating . This option is possible if the living room is combined with the kitchen. Depending on the total area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room, a dining group or a bar counter is used for eating. Moreover, the latter can also play a zoning role, provide additional space for storing cutlery and dishes. In a small room, you can install a folding bar counter and lay it out only at the time of eating.

Which furniture to use

The large length of the living room, combined with the reduced width, determines the subtleties of the choice of furniture. To decorate such a room, it is better to use a custom-made headset. It will maximally correspond to the geometry and area of ​​​​the hall. When choosing the necessary items and planning the arrangement of furniture, it is important to consider:

· amount of elements. The smaller the area of ​​​​the living room, the less furnishings should be introduced into the interior. The abundance of elements creates the effect of clutter, the room looks overly overloaded with details; nine0003

functionality. Given the increased demand for comfortable and practical furniture, manufacturers are developing different models with hidden storage systems and additional functions. This allows you to save space and create comfort even in small narrow living rooms;

· Colour. The shade of furniture is selected taking into account the existing foundation. Often the walls in narrow living rooms are lined with light materials, then you can choose a brighter, accent setting. Interesting options can be emerald, burgundy or mustard. By the way, a photo panel with a perspective can become an interesting design option for a long wall. It will visually change the geometry of the room. Another solution: painting a long wall in light colors, and a short one in richer, deeper ones; nine0003

shapes and sizes. Do not get carried away with strict rectangular furnishings that will lengthen the room more. If such furniture is necessary, then it is better to arrange it across, use it for zoning. Sofa and armchairs should be chosen with low backs. Also, rounded models that will “eat” less mercy can be a good solution.

Features of furniture arrangement

In a narrow living room, it is especially important to arrange the interior elements correctly. It is not advisable to place them according to the principle of classical symmetrical layout. In this case, it is especially important to show creativity. If the area allows, you can use the angular arrangement of furniture, which will divert attention from the imperfect proportions of the room. In a modern interior, a chaotic asymmetric arrangement of interior items looks interesting. nine0003

Sofa . An original solution may be the choice of a corner model. It will become the central element from which the rest of the environment is built. It is convenient to place it near the walls (in the corner) or use it for zoning. Some apartment owners completely move away from this concept and use armchairs to decorate living rooms. And it is better to prefer visually light products.


Cabinet . Although many designers recommend not using this type of furniture in narrow rooms and replacing it with chests of drawers or cabinets, many people are not ready for such changes. If a cabinet is needed, then it is better to install it on a narrow, short wall. This will make the rectangular room closer to the correct square. In addition, the cabinet can be used to install a TV and other equipment. nine0003

Wall and shelves . For small living rooms, narrow open or closed designs are more suitable, which will not unnecessarily clutter up the space. A good option is a wall with mirrored doors. Shelves can be a stylish and functional replacement for a closet. They facilitate the visual perception of space, make the interior more interesting.

Styling

The choice and arrangement of furniture is largely influenced by style. And not every option is suitable for a narrow living room. We offer several trendy design ideas for a small elongated space. nine0003


Loft . A brutal style that begins its history with the restructuring of industrial premises into residential ones. This determines its features both in external features and in furnishing. When decorating living rooms, the simplicity of brickwork or concrete surfaces is emphasized. The central element can be a classic or corner sofa. Moreover, it can stand out from the general situation by the color or texture of the material. You can complement it with a wooden or metal coffee table, pouffes and bean bags. It is allowed to combine antique and modern furnishings. The main condition is harmony and comfort. nine0003

Minimalist . Modern style that does not tolerate unnecessary details. The basis of the interior is made up of pastel colors. Preference is given to monochrome design options. Most often it is white, pearl. Black is used to create contrasts. Visual accents are highlighted by wood and steel tones. A narrow sofa, a wall or a compact sideboard is perfect for decorating a long living room. They can be supplemented with closed shelves. An important condition is only the necessary items, the absence of unnecessary decor. nine0003



Scandinavian style . Northern people appreciate space and abundance of light. Scandinavian interiors are characterized by a light palette with the inclusion of wood tones and a few bright accents. There are almost never curtains on the windows or they are as invisible as possible. Furniture should be preferred from natural light wood. Good options: ash, birch, pine, etc. Furniture can be natural tones or painted. In order not to clutter up the space with unnecessary details, it is important to use furnishings with convenient storage systems. Additionally, you can include shelves or a rack; there is no place for a closet in such an interior. nine0003



Provence . With its use of a light, natural palette, French rustic style lends itself well to narrow living rooms. Antique furniture is installed in the room, elegant and visually light. It is complemented by textiles in floral prints, live plants or floral arrangements. However, do not get carried away with an abundance of details.

Compliance with the basic principles of layout, thoughtful selection of furniture and its placement will allow you to correctly organize the space, make the narrow living room comfortable and cozy. Stylish headsets for different rooms can be found in the Shatura catalogue. With us you are sure to find worthy solutions for your apartment. nine0003

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Living room interior design in a modern style

A serious competitor to the classics in the interior is the modern style. It is preferred in the design of various premises, including the living room. Unlike the classics, modern design is simple, while it can combine original solutions in terms of color and decor. It will appeal to those who appreciate courage. That is why it is often chosen by creative individuals, as well as those who lead an active life. nine0003

Interior design of a living room in a classic style

In what style should the room be decorated to make it comfortable? The interior of the living room in a classic style is a win-win option for those who like clear shapes, pleasant colors and long-proven stylistic combinations. Unlike modern design, the classic has more fans, as it does not require mixing styles. As a rule, it embodies elegance and restraint through neutral tones and furniture of a clear form. That is why in such an interior one feels peace and tranquility. nine0003

What furniture to choose for the living room

The living room is the heart of the house. Here we spend our weekdays and holidays. Here we relax, meet guests, do our favorite hobby. Therefore, it is so important that this room is cozy, functional, comfortable. From the competent selection of furniture in the living room depends on how comfortable this room will be for a stay. Today we’ll talk about what furniture to choose for the living room, what to pay attention to in the first place, and what points are secondary. nine0003

Return to list of tips and ideas

Narrow living room design (65 photos)

Many owners of apartments built in modern and Soviet high-rise buildings encounter narrow living rooms. Compared to a square, an elongated rectangular shape creates more conventions and nuances that should be taken into account when organizing the interior decoration of a room. However, if you successfully cope with this task, you will get a harmonious area that does not create the illusion of a tunnel. nine0003

Design highlights

Quite often, pencil cases are found in Soviet "Khrushchev" and other typical panel buildings. Such houses have an inconvenient layout, poor lighting, small room sizes. Typical "wagon" spaces are only 2.2 meters wide, and the ceiling rises only 2.5-2.7 meters. An explosive combination gives a lot of trouble to the owners.

Nevertheless, it is possible and even necessary to overcome these difficulties. Various tricks and tricks are used - from a well-chosen color palette to organic zoning. The most important thing is to rationally use the entire available area and visually embody square proportions. nine0003

According to its main functional purpose, the living room is a space for gathering the family and receiving guests, and therefore the most spacious part of the house is allocated for it. If this role needs to be performed by a long narrow room, you should take care of the correct delimitation of space. In fact, you have to break it into several small zones for separate needs. But we will talk about this a little later, but first we will figure out which stylistic and color solutions are most appropriate in this case. nine0003

Style choice for a narrow living room

As a rule, the living room is an excellent basis for any stylistic content. Here you can unleash your inner artist and enjoy the act of creativity to the fullest. However, in the case when an oversized narrow space is at your disposal, you have to compromise and work within the framework of modern styles that stand up for space and freedom in the room.

First of all, pay attention to minimalism. Discreet monochrome colors do not hide the space and do not weigh down the space. Straight lines create the correct geometry and add expressiveness to the overall look. In addition, principles such as the absence of unnecessary details or the ultimate functionality of objects actively contribute to the achievement of the task. nine0003

You can also try loft-room techniques:

1. Get rid of partitions. For example, combine the hall with the kitchen. Subject to proper zoning, such a move will add real meters to the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room and create a free atmosphere.

2. Finish the ceiling in white. This will visually increase the height of the walls.

3. Use zoning furniture. There were simply no walls in the huge industrial premises, and therefore the space had to be delimited in other ways, including with the help of furniture. nine0003

4. To complete the factory interior, add characteristic details - brickwork, rough plaster, exposed pipes, as well as bold decor elements.

Scandinavian style suggests an abundance of white, which visually expands the space and partially compensates for the lack of natural light. To achieve the latter goal also contributes to a large number of artificial light sources. Accessories typical of the Scandinavian style in the form of bright textiles, rugs and pillows will help to dilute the white. nine0003

Not the best solution is to decorate a narrow living room in such styles as shabby chic and empire, as they are characterized by excesses in decoration and furniture design. In a small room, there is simply no room for such excesses. Although individual elements of style can still be applied, but in very limited quantities.

Colors

An effective way to correct the shape of a narrow living room with color is to cover the oblong walls with a light shade, and the short ones with a rich deep one. A pair of black and white will come in handy here. In addition, this combination can make the design interesting and expressive, and it will also fit perfectly into any modern design direction. nine0003

Shades of beige create a light, spacious and soft interior. If you decide to combine the hall with the kitchen, then warm undertones in coffee, milk, cream variations will promote appetite, but at the same time act relaxing and unobtrusive.

Southern and eastern rooms that do not lack natural light can be decorated in cool blues, grays and whites. This range creates an incredibly fresh and stylish room. At the same time, it would not be superfluous to dilute the restrained colors a little with warm beige, woody notes. nine0003

A light background can be left without adding bright colors, but it is quite appropriate to decorate the monochrome with beautiful pink, red, green, or the same blue or blue accents.

Narrow living room trim

As we have already found out, minimalism and simplicity are the principles that will help organize a narrow space harmoniously. The interior decoration is no exception. It is important not to overdo it and do everything with taste.

Floor

The floor covering also has an impact on the overall impression of the room. In the living room, it would be advisable to put parquet, laminate, linoleum with a pattern perpendicular or diagonal to the oblong side, so the contrast between the length of the walls will not be so noticeable. It is generally possible to lay laminate with a pattern parallel to a long wall, but in this case it is worth making sure that the flooring has a light shade.

For the same reason, refrain from elongated rugs along the larger wall. Stop for a small version of the oval or original asymmetrical look. It can be decorated with a strip parallel to the small sides. nine0003

Walls

For walls it is reasonable to use neutral light colors of paint or plain wallpaper. A short part of the room can be painted in an active dark or bright color using wall covering or curtains. If you have a lot of windows and lots of light fixtures, it's a good idea to finish with a washed-out variation of an unobtrusive bright color like light blue.

Perspective wall murals will also visually expand the space of a narrow living room. By placing them on a long wall, you level the difference in the size of the sides. nine0003

Ceiling

The best finish is white. Painting, a matte or glossy stretch ceiling, or very small plasterboard structures in white or beige variations will not burden the atmosphere and create the illusion of height.

Furniture and layout options

Finishing an elongated room is the first step in the transformation. But in order not to spoil the impression of a proper repair, it is necessary to correctly arrange the furniture. A long space, by definition, does not withstand the standard arrangement and requires a special approach. Even a small detail out of place can enhance the effect of the tunnel, and the proper impression cannot be achieved. nine0003

It is best to place the sofa at an angle. However, this method is only suitable if the size of the room allows it. So we will create an original broken geometry that takes the eye away from the “carriage” shape. You can enhance the impression by using round elements: a coffee table, chairs, pouffes.

But still, we often encounter conditions when it is more rational to place the main pieces of furniture along the walls. In this case, try to pick up low and oversized modifications of beautiful shapes and original textures. At the same time, be sure to use small tables, stands for a decorated tape recorder or lamps, flowers, beautiful floor lamps, unusual chairs located in the “wrong” places, somewhat chaotically. In this way, we can also form a slight asymmetry, which does not play by the rules of the shape of the room, but creates its own atmosphere. nine0003

In general, conditions of limited space require careful selection of furniture. Therefore, a good solution would be custom-made or do-it-yourself production. So you get exactly what you want and what your interior requires.

Decor and lighting

Most of the apartments in the post-Soviet space do not have high ceilings, and therefore it is important not to overload the space. It is better not to use chandeliers at all or to focus on the most light and “light”, airy options. Place small spotlights on the ceiling or floor. Also add additional light sources to the interior, which, by the way, do a good job of zoning. These can be: a variety of floor lamps, including curved ones, sconces, table lamps - at the same time they can play the role of decoration for the living room.

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