How to arrange a very small living room
Small living room layouts – 13 ways to arrange furniture in a tiny space |
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(Image credit: Rei Moon)
The pressure’s on when it comes to small living room layouts – you’ve got to juggle storage and seating and surface space and soft furnishing, while also making sure it feels calm and spacious. And yes, sometimes it feels like a bit of an impossible task. How can you ever arrange this amount of furniture into a small space while still keeping it feeling open and airy?
However, with some savvy planning and a discerning eye, it’s possible to create the perfect small living room layout. The living room is often a place to chill, a place to work, a place to entertain, and sometimes even a place to sleep, so it’s got to be a hard-working multifunctional space.
Flexible living room furniture is king, such as modular pieces or those that can double up as seating and storage, yet it’s important not to cram it all in. Sometimes less is more, and leaving space to walk freely around the furniture will create a luxurious feel.
How do you layout a small living room?
As more of us work and play at home, the living room now has to cater to various roles. It’s important to really think about how you spend your time in the space, as this will largely determine your layout.
When it comes to choose the best furniture for small living rooms, ditch the trad three-piece suite and go for versatility and mobility. A couple of stylish slipper chairs or a cozy love seat paired with footstools or ottomans that can double up as seating, storage or side tables, will be more valuable than a pair of bulky sofas. Look for shallow-depth furniture, modular designs and bespoke built-in solutions that will all curb clutter and save valuable floor space.
(Image credit: David Butler)
'Once you’ve decided on your key pieces, lay newspaper to mimic the size of the furniture you're looking to put in to help you visualize just how much room everything will take,' says Emma Deterding, founder of Kelling Designs .
'It'll also help you make important decisions about the size and scale of big pieces and whether the room will feel spacious or restricted.'
1. Opt for a symmetrical living room layout
(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)
'Symmetry makes everything easier on the eye and it’ll automatically make the space feel orderly and calm.' says interior designer Naomi Astley Clarke .
However, don’t go too streamlined; small spaces can often feel boxy so break up lines with plenty of curves and textured surfaces to add interest. She also suggests incorporating seamless hidden doors when wall space is at a premium – you can hang pictures on it, or even create a recessed bookcase within the door itself.
2. Float your furniture
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
Floating furniture is another good small living room layout idea, as it leaves the floor free, enhancing the proportions of the space.
As your sofa is likely to be the largest single item in your living room, it's worth paying attention to getting this key piece right.
Our guide to the best sofas has some great options for smaller spaces - think compact shapes elevated on tall legs that add a feeling of spaciousness by allowing your eye to travel underneath the sofa to the farthest walls
Use a bit of visual trickery too – layered lighting will make a small living room feel larger by drawing the eye around the room. The same goes for furniture; ensure you have a range of heights in the space as it’ll feel two-dimensional if it all sits on a low level.
3. Build it in
(Image credit: Future)
Swapping a sofa for a space-saving bench seat is a smart way to make the most of the space underneath a window. In this chic San Fran pad, ABD Studios utilized the corner by creating a stylish shallow-depth lounger, swapping a bulky backrest for a stash of plump cushions propped up against the windows.
4. Break it up
(Image credit: Emily Rickard)
If your budget won’t stretch to bespoke designs, modular furniture is the next best thing.
Interior designer Emily Rickard hacked this Ikea Soderhamn sectional sofa to fit her space by popping a nifty triangular storage table in between two sections. It meant the sofa could fan around the corner of the room to gain extra floor space.
5. Make mirrors key in a small living room layout
(Image credit: John Marshall)
Mirrors are a brilliant way to enhance the perception of space and an essential to creating a small living room layout that feels light and open. Why not go one step further and add a statement mirror wall for real glam factor.
'We always strategically place mirrors opposite windows to make a tight layout feel bigger and brighter,' says Costanza Ranieri of Ivar London . 'Just make sure it’s not reflecting other mirrors, as you get that never-ending effect, which makes for a very odd and kitsch space.'
6. Go floor to ceiling with storage
(Image credit: Future)
The best way to boost a small living room layout is to go for floor-to-ceiling living room storage.
It’s an opportunity to create a shelfie-worthy space that will add bags of charm in a limited space.
Kingston Lafferty designed this playful bookcase with a ladder to access the full-height storage. 'Using mirrored paneling breaks up the solid block of cabinets and gives the illusion that the floor runs on beyond the furniture,' says Becky Russell of Kingston Lafferty .
7. Choose space saving furniture
(Image credit: Future)
Corner or chaise sofas are often a go-to in small living rooms as they give max comfort and take up minimal floor space, plus they’re fab for impromptu sleepovers.
Or, if you regularly have overnight guests, then you could take multifunctional furniture to the max by swapping your sofa for a sofa bed. Our guide to the best sofa beds has options that are comfortable enough to use as your everyday seating.
Also, choose curvy pieces – they not only look chic but save valuable inches by shaving off the corners. In this scheme designed by 2LG Studio , a sultry raspberry-red slipper chair adds glam without the footprint, while a matching footstool doubles up as a makeshift coffee table.
8. Create a cozy nook
(Image credit: Future)
Quirky niches and recesses are ripe for transforming into comfy seating areas as they don’t eat up valuable floor space. Even better, add storage underneath like in this apartment renovation by Vanrenen GW Designs to stash any inevitable living-room flotsam.
9. Work with a narrow living room
(Image credit: Future)
If you’ve got a long narrow living room layout to work with, think outside the box – literally. Carve out niches, recesses and oriel windows to create seating opportunities as well as extra surfaces for books and knick-knacks. Architecture firm Loader Monteith added a series of frameless windows in this living room to avoid a dark corridor effect and to make it feel visually wider.
10. Make the most of wall space
(Image credit: Future)
If you’re working with a super-tiny space, slim picture ledges are a slick way of incorporating storage without taking up room with bulky furniture, as well as adding interest with books, art and photos.
To maximize the illusion of space, a clever trick is to go dark – by painting both the walls and shelving black, it’ll make the walls look further away than they really are.
11. Pick a small living layout that embraces the coziness
(Image credit: Future)
“Avoid pushing the furniture back against the wall, even if you feel like you can’t fit it in,” says interior designer Emily Rickard. “A little breathing space around key pieces makes the room feel bigger, plus it will create an intimate and cosy vibe.” A rug will also help ground the furniture and leaving a border of floor space will enhance the sense of spaciousness.
12. Utilize the back of the sofa
(Image credit: Future)
In a small living room, every surface is an opportunity, so think about using the back of a sofa, especially in an open-plan layout.
'We wanted to include a study space without impacting the elegance of the sitting room, where we knew we wanted two slim sofas facing each other,' says Sarah Peake of Studio Peake .
'Putting a slim desk against the back of a sofa was the perfect solution. Always try to incorporate a view if you can – we positioned it so you can gaze out the window beyond the sitting room.'
13. Rethink your lighting scheme
(Image credit: Sigmar)
Obviously, even small living rooms need decent lighting, but when you’re trying to squeeze every square inch out of the floorplan, table and floor lamps can feel like a luxury. Swing-arm wall sconces are a savvy choice as they make stylish reading lamps, leaving side-table surfaces free.
Hebe is the Digital Editor of Livingetc; she has a background in lifestyle and interior journalism and a passion for renovating small spaces. You'll usually find her attempting DIY, whether it's spray painting her whole kitchen, don't try that at home, or ever changing the wallpaper in her hallway. Livingetc has been such a huge inspiration and has influenced Hebe's style since she moved into her first rental and finally had a small amount of control over the decor and now loves being able to help others make decisions when decorating their own homes.
Last year she moved from renting to owning her first teeny tiny Edwardian flat in London with her whippet Willow (who yes she chose to match her interiors...) and is already on the lookout for her next project.
How to Arrange Your Small Living Room Layout
LeClair Decor
A living room truly is the heart of any home–and a beautifully decorated one can transform the look and feel of the rest of your house. But when you're dealing with a small living space, creating the perfect layout can be tricky. You have to consider how to fit all of your furniture into the space while still leaving room to walk around and spread out. If your living room is short on square footage, it doesn't have to be short on style.
To fuel inspiration for your small living room's furniture arrangement, we've asked three interior designers to give us their favorite living room layout ideas for a small space.
Ahead, see six brilliant ideas all based around one key feature of your small living room.
01 of 06
Kimberlee Marie Interiors
The Layout: This layout is perfect for a very quaint living room that requires walking through the center of the space to get to an adjacent room. It features a small sectional against the wall directly across from a TV with space for a single side chair diagonal from the chaise and a small coffee table.
The Sofa: It may seem counterintuitive, but In a really small space, Gorsline says a sectional can be king. "[A sofa with a chaise] gives you the ability to lounge without taking up a huge footprint." Just be mindful of the length of the sofa you pick and ensure there is extra space on each side of the sectional.
The Extras: If you're concerned about taking up too much space visually with a sectional, Gorsline says to consider curves or circular furniture. "They can still function while visually and physically taking up less space," she says.
02 of 06
Kimberlee Marie Interiors
The Layout: Arranging your furniture in a small open concept living room can be a challenge.
Here, two side chairs rest on opposite sides of the sofa to create an imaginary wall behind the chair. This helps to delineate the space from the dining area or kitchen behind it but still feels open and airy.
The Sofa: In this classic layout, the sofa is king and acts as the room's focal point. It is placed directly across from a fireplace or a TV stand.
The Extras: "The key to getting this layout right is to scale and ensure your furnishings have a little room to breathe on all sides," says Gorsline. While leaving little space around furniture can work in some small spaces, in this one you should opt for some empty space around each piece.
03 of 06
Studio Ten 25
The Layout: Not all living rooms revolve around a fireplace or a TV stand. If you want your bookcase to be the focal point of the living space, place the couch perpendicular to the built-in or standalone bookcase. Then, place two lounge chairs directly across, pointing at the couch.
The Sofa: Because the sofa is off to the side in this layout, you may want to experiment with larger pieces. "Large pieces in softer colors blended with a mix of white and acrylic accent pieces will help to make the space feel larger than it actually is," explains Fenimore.
The Extras: Because your bookcase is the centerpiece of the room, consider wallpapering the back of your shelves to add a pop of pattern. "This will also help when styling, since the wallpaper will help to visually fill the shelves and prevent them from appearing over-styled," says Fenimore.
04 of 06
Studio Ten 25
The Layout: In this classic living room layout, the fireplace truly is the focal point. In this formal layout, you are not required to point the furniture towards a TV, giving the fireplace more prominence. The couch juts up against the fireplace facing directly across from two chairs.
The Sofa: Pick a sofa that is just large enough to fill the space without overpowering.
Be mindful of the empty space on either side, especially if you have to pass through to other nearby rooms.
The Extras: Remember, you want to do your best not to distract from the fireplace focal point. Fenimore suggests an acrylic coffee table because it is "the perfect piece for a cramped living space like this one because it doesn’t visually block your view of the fireplace."
05 of 06
Black Lacquer Design
The Layout: "Sometimes you’re not only working with spatial restraints, but a strange layout to boot—I find this is most common in historic homes," explains Murray. To fix this, focus on pieces of furniture that are the appropriate scale for the room—you may need to settle for an 80" couch instead of a 112" or ditch that second accent chair.
The Sofa: If you don't have a place that really makes sense for a full-sized couch, consider a deep loveseat instead. If you don't entertain much, you can find a loveseat with just as much charm that won't overpower the small space.
The Extras: Don't be afraid to place a chair in front of a window, as long as you leave enough space around all sides to let light filter in. Floating furniture works in small, awkward spaces too, but opt for pieces with modern streamlined edges that can stand on their own.
06 of 06
Black Lacquer Design
The Layout: In very small living rooms (we're talking could-be-a-den size), Murray says "I try not to do too much." Keep it simple and ditch the side chairs. Focus on a comfortable sofa that fits the space and add a comfortable oversized ottoman for extra seating when guests come over.
The Sofa: Here, you should splurge on the couch. Because this will be your only real piece of furniture in this teeny space, make sure to pick a sofa that has a lot of personality to act as a focal point for the room.
The Extras: "To bring a nice layer to the room, I go with an area rug that's almost equal to the dimensions of the parameter," says Murray.
Layering in texture and color can help a quaint room feel larger than it is.
Avoid This Mistake When Decorating a Small Living Room
choosing furniture and decor - INMYROOM
Tips
Many of us think that there are very few options for arranging a small living room. But even for a modest footage, there are a lot of beautiful and unexpected solutions for every taste
We all know that a small living room is a light palette, moderate decor and multifunctional transforming furniture. But that's not all. What other ways are there to equip a room so that the interior of the living room is cozy and functional, we will tell in this article.
What to do with the sofa?
In a small living room, a few massive pieces of furniture can "overload" the space and make the room cramped.
Instead of the classic "medium-sized sofa and two large armchairs", opt for one large sofa (look at models without armrests: they don't look bulky).
By the way, with the help of a sofa, you can also solve the problem with storage space - just pick up a model equipped with drawers.
sold
Sofa "Onega 3"
Simensions:
Width
cm
Height
88 cm
9000 cm
sold
Sofa "Rock-O
Size:
width
200 cm
Height
80 cm
depth
80 cm
sold
sofa "Soul"
Dimensions:
Width
cm
Height
60 cm
Depth
80 cm
Another win-win solution is the small L-shaped sofa. This option is ideal for elongated rooms.
sold
sofa "Arizona"
Size:
Width
279 cm
Height
85 cm
173 cm
cm Just do not forget to choose an unusual ottoman for the G-shaped sofa.
Ideally, it should serve as a coffee table and additional storage system.
sold
PUF
Dimensions:
Width
52 cm
Height
47 cm
depth
47 cm
Nashville
Size:
9000 cm 9000 cm 9000 cm 9000 cm 9000
Height
47 cm
Depth
58 cm
However, the sofa in the living room is not a panacea. If you prefer to relax in an armchair or on a sofa, why deny yourself? In the end, a chair-bed can perform all the functions of a sofa, but takes up less space and transforms according to the desire of the owner.
sold
SOFA
Dimensions:
Width
162 cm
Height
66 cm
depth
79 cm
What should be a coffee table?
Modest footage is no reason to refuse a coffee table. However, you need to choose a model that will not take up too much space.
It is especially important that the legs of the table do not interfere with moving around the room - pay attention to models with one stable leg.
What to do with the light?
In a small living room, don't limit yourself to a single chandelier on the ceiling - consider alternative lighting scenarios. Let a beautiful lamp appear on the coffee table, next to the sofa or your favorite chair - a floor lamp. On a modest footage, light really works wonders!
4 990 ₽
BRA EGLO Almonte
Dimensions:
Width
17 cm
Height
003
sold
Table lamp
Dimensions:
Width
34 cm
Height
44 cm
depth
22 cm
And what about the decor?
Too massive decor is not suitable for a small living room. But this does not mean at all that the room should be left without decorations. Focus on wall decor: with just one poster, an unusual picture or a bright photo frame, you can beat the interior very cool.
sold
Decor "Unicorn"
Dimensions:
Width
37 cm
Height
47 cm
DIFFICIAL
17 cm
sold
"&" from wood
Dimensions:
Width
17 cm
Height
17 cm
Depth
1 cm
Small living room - tips for decorating
An apartment without a living room is a rarity even for small-sized housing. On the one hand, the name itself alludes to the reception of guests; on the other hand, in this room you can find a lot of activities in splendid isolation. Even those of us who are used to meeting friends on neutral ground want to carve out a small space for ourselves. Arranging a corner for a TV zone, arranging books, separating the living room from the common space in a studio apartment - apartment owners around the world are solving the same problems. We've rounded up the best ideas on Houzz for you to try out.
Suddenly, the answer to your questions has already occurred to someone in Finland or, for example, in Japan?
apartmentjeanie
USA: see-through furniture
If you have big plans for your living room and don't have much space, choose furniture made from materials that look weightless - glass and plastic - that do not overload the space.
Despite the variety of furniture, this living room from the USA does not look cluttered - thanks in large part to the transparent chairs at the dining table.
SEE ALSO…
Microtrends: Furniture that floats in the air
Delphine Guyart Design
France: armchairs instead of a sofa
If you are used to spending evenings in solitude or tete-a-tete, think about whether you need a bulky sofa? Two upholstered armchairs and a coffee table look much more intimate and comfortable in a small living room than a voluminous sofa, which was purchased only because it is customary.
SEE ALSO…
Corner Question: Ideas for Room Corner Space
Maurizio Giovannoni Architetto
Finland: self-expression in color
Those who do not like bland interiors usually find themselves in a dilemma: how to decorate the living room, but not turn it into a warehouse of accessories in a limited area? This Finnish project gives a simple answer: despite the restraint characteristic of the Scandinavians, bright colors bring variety to the interior.
Textured wallpaper, rich shade of sofa upholstery, colorful furniture and textiles create an optimistic character of the living room. And all this - without additional shelves and extra accessories that collect dust.
By the way, when arranging a very small living room, it is logical to abandon the front door and even the interior walls, uniting the room with the main space of the apartment. The zoning feature in this case can be the boundaries of the carpet, as in our example from the UK.
SEE ALSO…
Design of a small living room — 22,000 photos dining table, I want to leave as much free space as possible, but what if the space is occupied by furniture?
We offer to enlarge the living room visually, for example, with the help of a mirror built into a niche. This technique works flawlessly: reflection creates the illusion that the room continues behind the mirror panel. So that the blende does not look too artificial, and you do not have to allocate an entire wall under the mirror, place any large piece of furniture in front of the mirror, such as a sideboard or a shelving unit; a large picture in a frame will do.
SEE ALSO…
Universal soldier: The tasks of a mirror in the interior
The Room Studio
Spain: optical illusions
A sensible alternative to a mirror is a photo wallpaper with a perspective: a road stretching into the distance or architectural forms will stretch the space to infinity.
To emphasize the reception, in our Spanish example, the accent wall around the perimeter was decorated with LED lighting.
An important detail: be careful which way you increase the space. If you arrange a narrow wall in this way, the living room will look like a carriage.
Read also ...
Glad to be happy: visual illusions in interiors' design
I am not a wizard: Visual illusions and tricks in interior design
02 : furniture has not only real, but also visual weight, which depends on many factors - colors, decor elements and shapes. This measurement, of course, is arbitrary, but minimalist interiors usually look noticeably more spacious than counterparts decorated in classic or other styles.
Light-colored wall and floor finishes, furniture with simple outlines and no unnecessary decor - such a scenario for a small living room was chosen in a project from Hong Kong. At the same time, storage systems were built into the TV cabinet, which stretches along the room and connects to a low window sill, where additional seats can be arranged.
SEE ALSO…
Nothing more, nothing less: Choosing furniture for a small room
Louise de Miranda
Holland: sliding doors for a single space
However, a living room combined with a hall is a bold idea for our realities, especially during the off-season. A compromise option is sliding doors with glazing between the two spaces: they will not allow street dirt to penetrate into the living room, but due to the transparent canvas they will make the interior of the apartment more solid.
SEE ALSO…
Microtrends: Barn doors in urban apartments
How and why to decorate interior doors?
Raumkleid | Anke Preywisch
Germany: living room on the podium
In a studio apartment, the living room can be distinguished by a podium without losing square meters. Another option is to slightly change the shade of the finish on the border between the zones, for example, combine gray and white plaster.
In our example from Germany, both methods were used: the interior turned out to be more precise and geometric.
Rikki Snyder
USA: priority for books
The problem of storing paper books does not become less urgent with the advent of the digital age: you want to place the family library not only compactly, but also noticeably - whatever one may say, multi-colored spines create a special atmosphere in the living room. If there are really a lot of books, equip a spacious built-in wardrobe for them up to the ceiling, leaving an opening for a sofa or TV console, as in our American example.
SEE ALSO…
Read Don't Reread: How to Store Books in a Limited Space
Japan: Enhanced Storage
How do you make small living room storage not only secure, but also stylish? The answer comes from Japan in the form of four colorful suitcases fitted into the shelves of a low pedestal.
Worn suitcases always bring an element of mischief into the interior, remind you of travels - however, if you collect as many as four copies, the accent risks turning into a home flea market. The wooden frame emphasizes the characteristic Japanese rigor in the placement of accessories, which, with such a system, are always in place and work as expressive storage systems.
SEE ALSO…
Storage: How to use the space under the coffee table?
Save and surprise: 17 ideas for using old things
MOODERN
Italy: a coffee table with a secret
A lot has been said about the benefits and aesthetic component of retro accessories, but in a small living room an old suitcase can solve two practical problems at once . Firstly, to replace the coffee table and save your budget, and secondly, to store magazines and useful little things that are difficult to find a place in a small room.
SEE ALSO…
Everything is in business: The second life of old things in the living room interior
Suitcase mood: What can be done with luggage in the interior
big problems with the arrangement of furniture: a door here, a window there, a second one nearby - and it seems that there is no room for a full-fledged headset.
Let's take inspiration from an example from Denmark and orient the set with its back to the front door. True, the reception will work only if there is a full passage behind the sofa. But such an arrangement has an interesting psychological aspect: you and your guests seem to be fenced off from the rest of the space and get a private environment for conversation.
gosto design & lifestyle
Holland: mobile furniture
If you are used to hosting large groups, and your parties are not complete without karaoke and dancing, you should think about how to free up space if necessary.
The easiest option is to have a coffee table on wheels and light chairs in addition to the sofa. When the languid tea party is over and the real holiday begins, you can easily clear the center of the room from furniture and have fun without fear that the guests will leave bruised.
SEE ALSO…
Board games: Alternatives to coffee, magazines and cocktails
Lago Design
Italy: plus a hundred points to comfort
Original design and decorative scenarios can be borrowed in Italian. The owners of the neutral living room decorated the walls with soft pillows - the same ones that were placed on the sofa. This technique works not only for the wow effect, but also looks unusually cozy: who wants to leave the living room, where pillows hug him from all sides?
Monteliushome
Sweden: additional lighting from above
A good question is how to arrange lighting in a small room.
