How to make your living room look bigger
How to make a small living room look bigger
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(Image credit: Rose & Grey )
A small living room doesn’t have to look cramped. Nor does it have to lack style. If your living space is on the small side, there are a range of clever design tricks you can use to make the most of your precious square footage.
Yes, small living rooms can be cute and cozy. But they can also be creative too. As Lick’s Head of Color, Natasha Bradley says, ‘Known as the heart of the home, the living room is the space in our homes where many of us tend to spend most of our time. It’s one of the main rooms where the design and style can affect your property’s value. If you’re working with a small living room, all is not lost. There are plenty of ways to open up the room and add the illusion of space through your interior decor choices’.
From considerate furniture placement to genius storage ideas that will keep your space looking bigger than it actually is. Here’s how to make a small living room look bigger.
How to make a small living room look bigger
1. Paint the fifth wall the same color
(Image credit: Lick )
A lick of paint does wonders. Along with giving any tired space a much-welcomed refresh, painting your walls, skirting, and ceiling the same color can elongate your room.
As Bradley tells us, ‘Paint your walls, ceiling and skirting all in the same color, as your eye does not get drawn to the corners of the room creating the feeling of space.’
When it comes to your choice of living room color ideas, of course this will come down to your own personal preference. But you’ll also need to think about the aspect of your room, to ensure you make your small living room space look bigger – not smaller.
2. Make use of mirrors
(Image credit: Lick )
It might be the oldest trick in the book when it comes to making small living rooms look bigger, but the clever placement of mirrors can help any space look larger than it actually is.
That’s because mirrors can create the illusion of more square footage by doubling your interior space and reflecting light. Bradley adds, ‘The larger the mirror, the better!’.
3. Go neutral
(Image credit: Future)
Opt for light colors in your small living room design. Why? Light hues tend to open up small spaces, especially in rooms that have limited natural light sources. But white might not be practical for every home. If that’s the case, stick to neutral living room hues or pale tones, such as creams, grays or pastel shades.
‘When it comes to colors, a lovely soft alternative to a neutral are pinks,’ Bradley says. ‘Pink 01 and 04 are great for small spaces as they make the room feel warm and welcoming but also help to reflect the light.’
4. Use lightweight blinds or curtains
(Image credit: Anna Stathaki)
Small living rooms don’t have to be impractical. But they do have to be clever – and by that we mean it’s important to work with the space you have got without over cluttering.
One word of caution? Don’t drown your windows in fabric. Instead, why not choose some lightweight roller blinds or curtains?
‘You want to make sure the room gets as much light as possible,’ Bradley says. ‘So avoid heavy curtains either side of the window and go for roller blinds.’
5. Paint the floor the same color
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball )
Fan of white? Then listen up. Along with painting your walls, skirting board and ceiling one color, go one step further and paint the flooring in a similar shade.
Patrick O’ Donnell, Farrow & Ball Brand Ambassador tells us: ‘If blessed with lots of natural light, play to the benefits of your room aspect and look to whites but avoid brilliant white in favor of something with a gentle undertone like Pointing or School House White. Use the one color in the appropriate finish on everything, walls, ceiling, woodwork, even your floor if possible – this technique will create a clean, bright space without distraction.
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6. Frame your walls
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball )
It’s time to make your space work for you. You can do so by framing your walls. This design trick is ideal for those who have ornaments, pictures, or books to house.
As O’ Donnell explains, ‘Using a dark woodwork color will help ‘frame’ your walls. Essentially this technique highlights the largest surface area (the walls) to create the illusion of more space.’
7. Go for darker to make a small living room feel bigger
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball )
Yes, we know we mentioned about keeping things neutral in small spaces to reflect light and make the living room feel bigger. But bear with us. There is actually so much value in exploring dark living room ideas painting your walls a deep and rich color to help blur the edges of the room.
As O’ Donnell explains, ‘It may sound counter-intuitive but dark walls will recede and give a sense of depth to a space and is often a solution for poorly lit rooms such as north-facing spaces.
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8. Choose the style, shade and shape of your sofa wisely
(Image credit: Snug )
Large living room furniture can dominate your small and compact space. Which is why you need to be clever with the choice of furniture you choose to put in your small living room.
Dani Burroughs, Head of Product at Snug , says, ‘Using specific color or fabric choices and considering the shape of your sofa can create illusions of more space and make a smaller living room feel bigger. Although deep tones are rich and luxurious looking, when it comes to large corner sofas it can be good to buy light colors that reflect the light, making the room feel bigger. Sofas with slim bases and higher legs let the light disperse from underneath. Also, keeping within the same color palette, the space will feel larger and more cohesive, which will allow it to feel less disjointed.’
9. Think multifunctional with your furniture buys
(Image credit: Snug )
The top small living room ideas are fun and functional, along with being in keeping with your interior style.
While the best way to make your small living room look bigger incorporate pieces of furniture that can double up for other uses. For example, a sofa that becomes a sofa bed, a footstool that has storage or a table that folds up once you’re finished with it.
As Burroughs tells us, ‘You can get more out of your space by making your living room multi-functional. It’s key to keep smaller spaces free of clutter which in turn can make your living room feel bigger. Try investing in things like shelving units and furniture that double up as storage. A sofa with hidden storage is great for hiding additional throws, cushions or unwanted mess without taking up any additional floor space.’
10. Play with scale
(Image credit: Interior Fox )
However, before you start swapping out your large homewares for small living room furniture, it is possible to live large in small spaces, you just have to know how.
As Jen and Mar, co-founders of Interior Fox say, ‘Create a backdrop with a striking wall mural, a simple design ensures the pattern fills the room without dominating the overall scheme.
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'Size up your lighting solutions, an oversized pendant or table lamp gives the space a more luxurious feel while providing ample amount of light. Finally, many people think they need to shop small when looking for a furniture, take the sofa as an example, a bigger size sofa can actually make the space feel cozier and bigger.’
11. Say ‘yes’ to shelving
(Image credit: Interior Fox)
Floorspace is scarce when you have minimal square footage to play around with. Which is why if you do have a small living room, you can make it look bigger by thinking vertically with living room shelving ideas that add both style and storage.
As Jen and Mar explain, ‘Add shelves to open areas to make the most of empty spaces. Floating shelves or a tall bookshelf that extends to the ceiling will provide ample amounts of storage and a place to showcase decorative items.’
12. Extend the height of walls through panelling
(Image credit: Andrew Martin)
When it comes to small living room ideas, the key is to trick the eye into thinking your space is bigger than it actually is.
One design trick that works every time? Paneling.
Jen and Mar, tell us, ‘Paneling is an easy way to add texture, depth, and interest to the walls. Great for all types of properties, especially new builds as it really helps to add character and interest when architectural features are minimal. This technique is ideal for small rooms when used vertically, as it makes the walls appear taller.’
13. Maximize storage potential
(Image credit: Rockett St George)
If space in your living room is limited, then getting creative with storage is a great way to create more space without overwhelming the room.
Rockett St George’s Co-founder Jane Rockett says, ‘Embracing blank space already in the room is the perfect place to start, from alcove shelving to the empty space under desks or console tables. Baskets are perfect under desks as they can be filled with anything you want to keep out of sight and kept in the corner to ensure you still have plenty of space to sit at the desk.
‘High shelving or walls of shelves are also great for storage and double up as a beautiful design feature for displaying your favorite things. While tall shelves draw the eye upwards to create the illusion of higher ceilings, wall shelves can be kept shallow to use as little space as possible.’
14. Show off your floors
(Image credit: Rockett St George)
For small living rooms, an easy interior design trick is to keep the floor on show.
Rockett says, ‘The more floor you can see, the larger the room will feel so if you are limited on space then consider opting for furniture with a good set of legs; from mid-century style coffee tables to Scandi-inspired sofas, raised cabinets, and floating shelves.’
15. Placement of furniture
(Image credit: Rose & Grey )
Careful consideration of furniture and their placement has the ability to transform your small living space into something amazing.
‘Be clever about where you place furniture,’ Lyndsey Goodger, Founder of Rose & Grey tells us.
‘Tuck armchairs in the corner of rooms and use less intrusive, lower furniture such as a sideboard against a long wall to open up the space.’
What colors make a small living room look bigger?
According to Lick’s Head of Color, Natasha Bradley, there are four colors that make a small living room look even bigger.
She says, ‘Yellow affects our emotions so is a great choice for living rooms, particularly if there is a lack of natural light. It’s bright, cheerful and brings positivity to the heart of the home. Green helps to bring the outdoor in, and encourages you to find time to relax and enjoy the natural world around you. White is a classic for a reason. It generates feelings of calm, and is perfect for designing a clean, elegant living room space. Marry this with pops of color or lots of plants to add textures into the space so it doesn’t feel sterile and cold. For living rooms with less natural light, opt for a warm, rich gray with a strong undertone like Lick’s Grey 03 or Grey 04 .
Combine this with lots of green plants to really bring out the depth of the color.’
While Nune ’s Sheena Murphy recommends using a restrained palette. Murphy explains, ‘Keeping the color palette restrained will help create visual spaciousness and prevent the room from feeling too crowded. Keep the ceilings light in tone to make them feel higher, or if you have a picture rail, paint a lighter tone above it than below it.’
How to make a small living room look bigger and brighter?
We can’t all be blessed with large windows and an abundance of natural light. But thanks to a few clever tips and tricks, our small living rooms don’t have to be. So how can we make our small living rooms look brighter, as well as bigger?
Lyndsey Goodger, Founder of Rose & Grey believes you can achieve this by using the same color for walls and all woodwork.
‘It’s an effective way of creating a cohesive backdrop,’ Goodger says. ‘Then think about the placement of lighting, a main ceiling light is rarely used in living rooms so mix floor and table lamps throughout the space to bring light into the room at different levels.
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While Charu Gandhi, Founder & Director of Elicyon , says you should be innovative with the color you put on the ceiling.
Gandhi says, ‘In smaller spaces I like painting the walls a slightly darker shade than the ceiling, in the same tone. I find it lifts the space and helps the space to appear larger.’
And Rockett St George’s Co-founder Jane Rockett believes a large mirror is an answer to all our problems.
She says, ‘Mirrors are the ultimate trick for making small living spaces appear bigger. Reflecting light back into the room, mirrors are wonderful for creating the illusion of extra light and space. Ideal for smaller spaces and north-facing living rooms where natural light is more limited, introducing a mirror can completely transform the look and feel of the space. With so many incredible options out there, from foxed mirror to mirror tiles, antique designs and more modern choices, every sitting room will benefit from a beautiful mirror on the wall.
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Becks is a freelance lifestyle writer who works across a number of Future's titles. This includes Real Homes, Top Ten Reviews, Tom's Guide, TechRadar and more. She started her career in print journalism at a local newspaper more than 8 years ago and has since then worked across digital and social media for food, fashion and fitness titles, along with home interior magazines. Her own interior style? She's big on creating mindful spaces in every corner of her home. If it doesn't spark joy or happiness, it has no place here. When she’s not writing, she’s reading and when she’s not reading, she’s writing.
How to make a small living room look bigger: 12 steps to success
(Image credit: Future)
Does your small living room need to look bigger? Is space tight or is a lack of light make it feel compact? We’ve come up with sure fire ways to make a living room look bigger, lighter and brighter – and we don’t mean by going minimalist and painting everything white – though that will work.
From options that include white ceilings, light wood flooring and not having fussy window treatments to clever ways with mirrors, these expert tips will be useful if you are looking for small living room ideas that are purely space-enhancing.
How to make a small living room look bigger
Whether you're looking for small living room ideas for apartments or want to make a small living room look bigger in a vacation home or cottage, our curated advice from industry experts will help.
1. Choose a simple color scheme
(Image credit: Future / Lisa Cohen)
The primary thing to remember when designing a small room is to ensure all tones stick to the same color palette – thus creating flow throughout the room. Bobby Berk regularly emphasizes the importance of creating a cohesive space on his blog . Despite his adoration for color, Bobby's living room paint ideas tend to be based around monochromatic and tonal hues that will accentuate the scheme further.
When choosing our palette, Bobby reminds us to think of the space as 'one cohesive space' instead of using different colors and patterns that will divide the room and make it feel smaller.
'With studios especially, the instinct is often to cut the main room into separate sections to create the illusion of a larger room – but what you're actually doing is cluttering up the space and making it appear much smaller,' he warns.
'That doesn't mean that it can't be colorful, but that does mean sticking to a tonal palette, whether that be cool tones like blues and greens or warmer tones like terracotta, beige, and rusts,' Bobby explains.
'By keeping things within the same palette, the space will feel larger and more cohesive, which will allow it to feel less disjointed. In a smaller space, we usually like to use a matte finish to help hide imperfections in the wall, which will make the dark color feel more expansive visually,' he adds.
2. Use color, but wisely
(Image credit: Neptune)
Creating a bigger and brighter living room doesn’t mean you can’t have color.
A dark shade on your walls will create the opposite feel, but if you choose a light warming shade like coral for example it will lift the space.
Use white on your woodwork and skirtings and if you have shutters all the better – if not, and you can cope without drapes, then let the light pour in. Instead of investing in dark wood furniture, opt for painted pieces instead and rustic wood suits this look really well.
3. Opt for beautiful textures
(Image credit: Kitesgrove)
To make a small living room look bigger, you will want to pare back clutter – but you don’t want to create a sterile scheme with minimalism and all-pale shades – which, we know, create space-enhancing light spaces. Instead, keep it cozy with sumptuous textures that don't take up space visually.
Sheepskin rugs, beautiful grained wood pieces, limed floorboards, velvet cushions and oh-so-soft tan leather armchairs will all warm up a scheme instantly, particularly when used in otherwise minimalist apartment living room ideas.
4. Embrace magic of mirrors
(Image credit: VSP Interiors)
We 100% believe in the power of decorating with mirrors because they can make a small living room look bigger – if you get their placement right.
VSP Interiors show you how fabulous they can look in this living room. This pair of mirrored alcoves immediately bounces the light from the windows and reflects everything back. It’s the sure fire way to add light and brightness, but go large with your mirrors – there’s no room for small and dainty here.
5. Layer lighting to make a small living room look bigger
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
Small living room lighting ideas can make your space feel bigger at night, even if the room has oodles of natural light in the day time. Layering the heights of your lighting is key – so ensure you have a pendant light overhead with a dimmable control, lots of lamp light and wall lights. Choose shades that can both direct light for tasks like reading, and create pools of light for atmosphere.
Having wall lights that direct soft shafts of light up and down will also make the space look taller.
6. Keep your furniture refined
(Image credit: Louise Bradley)
To make a small living room look bigger, you need to remove visually heavy furniture which will drain the light from your living room, and chunky pieces that are simply too big. Think ‘light’ with tapered legs and thin frames sections, glass is also worth considering. The sofa is key: knowing how to buy the right couch for a small living room will ensure your space feels as big as possible.
‘To achieve a light and spacious feel within a living room it is best to incorporate refined furniture pieces in lighter toned natural finishes such as soft timber veneers, artisan silver leaf or polished marble,’ explains Louise Bradley, Founder of Louise Bradley Design Studio .
‘When selecting a piece, be mindful to consider the scale and avoid oversized options which can sometimes make a room feel darker.
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Plus, choosing furniture with show legs (the legs on furniture that you can see as part of the design) instead of legs hidden beneath upholstery is one of the most effective ways to ensure your room does not appear smaller. Funiture that sits on the floor without legs is amongst the top items home organizers say make rooms feel small. Other things to avoid include board game packaging and small appliances on your kitchen worktop.
7. Go for neutral pieces as a starting point
(Image credit: Sofology)
The sofa is going to be the largest piece of furniture in your living room, so it pays to get the color and size right.
‘A neutral sofa can help lighten the space, however it's worth remembering that neutral doesn’t have to mean selecting a plain design. Opting for styles with beautiful details, such as curves, buttons or fluting, will add character to a small space without overpowering your scheme, advises Suzy McMahon, Buying Director at Sofology .
‘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.’
8. Choose light and airy drapes
(Image credit: Jonathan Adler)
What you use on your windows is really important, dark heavy drapes will block the light and create a moodier feel in your living room – fine for creating an autumnal feel, but not conducive to a light and bright scheme.
Follow Jonathan Adler’s lead – you can still use pattern and color, simply choose pale shades and a subtle design. These drapes enhance the living room perfectly and the design is reflected in the huge chequered rug – something else to consider as it helps to draw the eye to another light aspect in the room.
9. Invest in good storage
(Image credit: Future/Paul Raeside)
Ensuring you have invested in the very best small living room storage ideas is key to making a small living space feel bigger.
Using vertical space is a key way to maximize storage potential while taking up the smallest of footprints.
10. Embrace the space enhancing fifth wall
(Image credit: Davide Lovatti/Future PLC)
The best way to make a small living room look bigger without really changing much about a current scheme is to pay attention to the fifth wall – and even the sixth. We're talking about ceilings and floors.
White or pale-colored finishes for both will make the room feel lighter, brighter, and bigger. 'A gloss finish for ceilings is a hot trend at the moment, and it has its uses if you're trying to make a small living room feel bigger,' says Lucy Searle, Homes & Gardens' Editor in Chief. 'I'd advise against choosing a gloss finish for the floor in this case – and a gloss ceiling should only be attempted if the finish is 100% perfect or imperfections will be highlighted.'
11. Choose compact furniture
(Image credit: Future)
In smaller homes, ideally, look for multifunctional pieces to save on space.
Ottomans with integrated storage and sofa beds are some of the most widely used. Living spaces, especially, will really benefit from multifunctional pieces. A living room might be doubling up as a guest room, a home office, or a playroom, so will need to cater to all of these.
Finding the right living room furniture often has to do with scale and putting the perfect pieces in the right spot. If you need to maximize space, it’s worth having something made or going the extra mile to find an antique with the right proportions.
12. Paint the fifth wall the same color
(Image credit: Paul Massey)
‘Ceiling ideas can add another layer of interest and make a small living room feel bigger. All too often they are an afterthought but we make sure to consider their potential,’ confides interior designer Nicola Harding. Using statement color and paint ideas on the ceiling helped extend the walls in this tiny living room.
Nicola starts by thinking about how she wants the room to feel, ultimately, and she also takes into consideration the amount of natural light – which comes here from the floor-to-ceiling glazed doors.
What patterns make a small living room look bigger?
Stripes make a small living room look bigger. Use them vertically to make a low-ceilinged room look taller or horizontally on the narrowest wall to make a narrow space feel wider. You do not have to use pronounced stripes – they can be subtle to have an effect. And they do not have to be limited to walls – striped curtains can make windows feel taller.
What are the best tricks to make a small living room look bigger?
The best tricks to make a small living look bigger are:
- Painting walls and ceilings a pale or light color.
- Choosing reflective finishes for walls and floors – in tasteful moderation.
- Hanging mirrors.
- Decluttering and investing in smart storage to keep surfaces as clear as possible.
- Ensuring furniture has small or low proportions too or is visually small, ie, in clear glass.
- Displaying one large piece of art rather than busy gallery walls.
- Ensuring the windows are clutter-free and that curtains and blinds can pull back or up to allow in as much light as possible.
Sophie has been an interior stylist and journalist for over 20 years and has worked for many of the main interior magazines during that time, both in-house and as a freelancer. On the side, as well as being the News Editor for indie magazine, 91, she trained to be a florist in 2019 and launched The Prettiest Posy where she curates beautiful flowers for modern weddings and events. For H&G, she writes features about interior design – and is known for having an eye for a beautiful room.
How to visually enlarge a small living room: 18 secrets - INMYROOM
Tips
Light palette, proper lighting, ergonomic furniture - even a small room can be made hospitable and comfortable for life. We tell you how
A cramped living room can become more spacious if you use design tricks. We talk about the advantage of light shades that reflect surfaces, open shelves and other simple visual tricks - they make a small room a little bigger.
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Idea #1: A bright start
Interiors with neutral colors tend to look warmer and more inviting. And light shades reflect light better and visually increase the space of the interior. Therefore, pastel colors are the best fit for decorating a small room.
Idea #2: whiter than white
Various shades white color - a classic version of interior design. This The color is easy to adapt to any style and goes well with other shades of the palette. And the white color visually enlarges the space of the room and fills it with air. nine0003
Idea #3: Start with a clean slate
When choosing a color for the ceiling, forget about dark shades: they reduce the space of the room. Fill your home with light by painting the ceiling in a soft pastel tone. So it will appear taller, and the living room more spacious.
Idea #4: let there be light!
Hang in the center of the living room is a beautiful lamp. When entering a room, the first thing to look at is an overhead light source, making the ceiling in the living room appear higher.
Idea #5: Lightness of being
Choosing curtains, make sure they match the color of the walls. Such a color the solution will help to make the space more voluminous. Curtains not should be too dense and heavy: it is best to combine roller blinds and light cotton tulle or curtains.
Idea #6: The formula for comfort
With the right lighting, even the smallest room will appear larger. To achieve the desired effect, place the lamp in front of the mirror: your interior will become bright and spacious - good lighting works wonders. nine0003
Idea No. 7: take the height
Win-win option to visually enlarge interior space - hang a cornice as close to the ceiling as possible. And reach maximum effect will help curtains flowing to the floor.
Idea No. 8: for all occasions
Multifunctional furniture is a great option for those who who is limited in square meters: it makes the interior more spacious. The main thing, to make it convenient for you to lay out the sofa bed or pull out the dining table.
Therefore, choose the right place for transformable furniture - taking into account its sizes. nine0003
Idea #9: the magic of glass
Small pieces of glass and other lightweight furniture materials look stylish, bring variety to the interior and visually expand its space. And to give the room more spacious and bright view, choose furniture with legs.
Idea No. 10: complete order
Order - the first step to visually enlarge a small room: free window sill from books and plants. Windows let in light and fill the room air, so try to leave them open and not stuffed with extra stuff. nine0003
Idea #11: Nothing to hide
If the rack is high, if the shelves are up to the ceiling: so you it will be possible to visually "raise" the ceiling. And in order not to overload the interior, try not to force the shelves with items - leave free space, remember the air.
Idea #12: two in one
Sitting window sill – An absolute must-have for a small living room or bedroom.
He is lucky fits into the space, replacing at the same time a sofa and a bulky cupboard. Making a sitting window sill is easy: just move it to the window rack and cover it with a soft blanket. nine0003
Idea #13: in the country of mirrors
Don't forget about mirrors - they work wonders! Creating the illusion of open space in the interior, mirrors fill the room with light and air.
Idea #14: size matters
Large-format paintings are not only attract attention, but also make the interior more voluminous, and therefore more interesting. What not to say about the collection of miniature accessories that clutter up the space of the room and create a sense of disorder. nine0003
Idea #15: More is better!
When choosing wallpaper or textiles, give preference for large patterns - they optically expand the space interior. A small pattern, on the contrary, visually narrows the boundaries of the room.
Idea #16: striped flight
Perhaps one of the most successful drawings for small-sized interior design - it's a stripe.
Longitudinal wide stripes on wallpaper, curtains or carpet Not only decorate and diversify the interior, but also visually expand it space. nine0003
Idea #17: like a feather
Lightweight glass furniture is a great option for owners of small spaces. After all even large pieces of glass furniture look weightless and therefore do not clutter up the interior space.
Idea No. 18: an oriental guest
You can also increase the space of the living room with the help of a carpet. Laying it under the dining room table or TV, you will not only highlight the central area of the interior, but also visually expand its space. The main thing is not to buy small rugs - they unprofitably crush the room. nine0003
How to visually expand your living room: design tips
With the help of simple visual tricks, you can make a cramped living room more spacious. Designers are advised to think over the color scheme, choose and place furniture correctly, and find the right decor.
Take a close look at your living room and find out which elements look good and which do not. The first step to expanding the space is re-evaluating, getting rid of excess things that are not needed in the living room. And the right selection of furniture and redevelopment can work wonders in the smallest room. nine0003
Choosing a color for a small living room
Color can completely change the rules of the game and visually expand a small living room. Choose muted tones and soothing hues to help create a pleasantly relaxing atmosphere.
When choosing primary colors for your living room, think about how the room should feel. Consider soothing greens or more natural neutrals to bring warmth and harmony. Neutral muted tones reflect nature in its purest form and can bring light and air into a cramped room. nine0003 Source: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore
Lay a large rug
If you're looking for a rug for a small living room, buy a large piece. It may seem counterintuitive, but a long rug will help expand the space.
The floor will become larger visually. If the rug is too small, it may appear to float in the middle of the room and out of proportion to larger pieces of furniture.
Choose a carpet the width of a sofa or even wider. It will become the base that will combine pieces of furniture into a single ensemble. Place a coffee table in the center of the carpet, the front legs of the sofa and chairs should also be placed on the edge. The distance from the wall to the carpet should be at least 25-30 cm so that the floor is visible. nine0003 Source: Future PLC/Jo Henderson
Move the furniture away from the walls
The idea of moving all the furniture against the walls and freeing up space in the center is self-evident. But in fact, such a decision can have the opposite effect. When everything is pressed against the walls, there is a feeling of limited space. Try moving the sofa and chairs away from the walls to create more space around them. This will make the room more comfortable and inviting.
There is no longer a lifeless spot in the center, which is not occupied by anything. The room will become more lively, and the atmosphere will facilitate easy communication. nine0003 Source: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore
Let in more light
Natural light helps expand a space. A small living room will become brighter, fresher and visually larger. Avoid heavy curtains and sheer blinds that block sunlight. Instead, opt for light curtains and tulle that let in the maximum amount of light.
Another small living room tip that can help expand the space is to install a longer curtain rod on a standard size window. This will make the window visually wider, and you will also be able to fully open the curtains and let in more sunlight. nine0003
Save space
Too many bulky pieces of furniture will clutter up a small living room and make it feel cramped. Built-in furniture is a great way to tap into underused niches and free up space. The shelving can be painted to match the color of the walls, which will also enlarge the room.
It is not easy to arrange furniture in a living room with a complex layout. But with proper planning, niches can become points of extra space, a feature that will make a room feel cozier. You can order custom-sized furniture from Done Art. It can be shelving, tables or small sofas that fit perfectly into the interior. nine0003 Source: Sharps
Blur the boundaries
Envelop your living room in color by painting the walls and ceiling in the same hue. This is a good technique for small rooms, especially irregular ones, or rooms with sloping ceilings. Painting in one color ensures that the corners will not draw the eye.
The photo shows a small blue living room and it looks good despite the fact that many consider this color too dark for small spaces. But here it is important to choose the right shade. Colors in rooms that face north tend to appear flatter and colder. Therefore, you can experiment with brighter tones to achieve a warm hue. nine0003 Source: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore
Make your ceilings taller
Painting your ceiling a lighter color is a great way to make your living room look brighter and more spacious.
The top of the wall can be painted to match the color of the ceiling. Because of this, the border between the walls and the ceiling will become less noticeable, which will create the feeling that the ceiling is higher than it actually is. Proper lighting will help add height.
Free up space
In an open-plan living room, furniture should be placed so that it does not block the view to the free space. Large pieces of furniture should be placed away from the routes that you use to move around the room. Place a round or oval table near the sofa. Such models look great, in addition, you do not have to stumble on sharp corners.
Source: Future PLC/Jo HendersonFlower Focus
To make a living room look inviting, you need some kind of focal point that will become the centerpiece of the room. The thing that catches your eye when you enter a room. And such a focus can be one wall, pasted over with wallpaper with a bright print.
Saturated pattern attracts attention. Choose the widest wall and this will help visually expand the space. Do not obscure the wallpaper with massive furniture. nine0003 Source: Future PLC/Jo Henderson
Windows and curtains
A small living room can be enlarged with the right windows. Avoid heavy curtains and blinds that can make you feel cramped. Give preference to simple and easy options. For example, a combination of light-colored roller blinds and air curtains or tulle will not overload the room.
Source: Future PLC/Dominic BlackmoreUse mirrors
This is not a new and well known trick, but it works great. Place mirrors in the living room, and the small room will seem larger. A large wall mirror opposite the window will reflect the light, making the space brighter and more airy. nine0003 Source: idealhome
Shades of white
The most well-known and proven way to make a small room bigger is to decorate it in bright colors.
