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Living room arrangement ideas for small spaces


Small living room layouts – 13 ways to arrange furniture in a tiny space |

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  

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 

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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

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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

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“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

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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

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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.

Small living room layout ideas: |

Our selection of the very best small living room layout ideas include traditional and modern layouts to suit every home's size and style – and we have included a ton of added-value design advice, too.

So whether your small living room design is open-plan, family-focused, a shared home office space or on the small side, there is a living room layout to suit your lounge and make the most of space in your small living room.  

Small living room layout ideas

Functionality is key for living room ideas, and the layout you select should not only be able to accommodate your lifestyle, but enhance it. These expert small living room design tips should meet your needs – and make the most of your existing tiny living space. 

1. Turn the window into a seated area

(Image credit: TR Studio)

'If you have a bay window, creating a window seat is a great way to add additional seating for guests as well as creating a cozy corner for reading or watching the world go by providing an elevated view and bringing a sense of the outdoors in. 

The base of the window seat can be used for storage with drawers or cupboard doors easily concealed. Adding a bespoke seat pad in a complementary material to a sofa or armchair will not only make the seating extra comfy but it will help bring together the interior scheme,' says Tom Rutt, director of TR Studio .

2. Make the most of corners 

(Image credit: L. Ercolani)

Minimalist living rooms might be tricky to get right, but done well, they are a godsend if you have a small living room layout,' says Jennifer Ebert, Digital Editor, Homes & Gardens. 

'The best way to arrange living room furniture in a tiny space is to use low-level pieces in paler color schemes. 'You don’t want furniture that is going to fill the entire space. You want pieces that that still leave a lot of room so size of pieces should be a little bit smaller than usual to get the look.'

3. Use pale colors throughout 

(Image credit: Brad Ramsey Interiors/Jack Gardner)

'We all know that light colored walls can help in small spaces, but choosing off white and pale gray furniture will create an even airier feel,' says Andrea Childs, editor, Country Homes & Interiors. 'This small living room layout makes the most of this compact area – and note the textures and shapes – the curvy rattan coffee table and boucle chair helps the room to flow visually and combats the angular corners of the couch and armchair. '

4. Utilize storage in a small space

(Image credit: Kelling Designs)

'With many homes becoming smaller and more compact, there are some key design considerations you should make to maximise on the space available, especially when it comes to the living room,' says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director of Kelling Designs . 'A room in which we spend a lot of time relaxing, socialising and living, it's really important to plan it to make sure it's equally practical as it is stylish. Consider who's going to use the space, how they're going to use it and plan your design around this. This will enable you to make easier decisions on elements like the size of sofa, other upholstery pieces such as armchairs and ottomans, as well as storage furniture.'

'In terms of color and pattern, my ethos is always to bring in as much color and pattern as you can. A compact space doesn't mean bland and neutral, color, pattern and print will make sure your living space is a true reflection of your personality. '

5. Place the couch across a rug 

(Image credit: Kitesgrove)

'The hand-knotted rug in the center of the room helps bring the different elements of the space together while adding warmth and comfort underfoot,' says Clara Ewart, head of design at Kitesgrove . 'The colors and shapes echo other features and forms within the room, and its larger size means that the living room sofa can be placed upon it for a luxurious feel. The darker paint used on the window surround draws the eye to the view outside and gives the room added depth and character.'

6. Use symmetry to your advantage

(Image credit: Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop/Chad Mellon)

If you love a touch of order then let symmetry in interior design guide your small living room layout. There's something so pleasing about this space, it's easy on the eye and calming. Have two matching couches opposite each other and team them with a pair of armchairs. In this instance a square coffee table works best, soften it with books and a vase of blooms.

7. Chose slimline furniture

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'If there’s one thing that’s going to create the illusion of more space in a small living room layout, it’s investing in the right furniture,' says Jennifer Ebert.

'Mid-century modern living rooms tend to embolden an unfussy, utilitarian style that defined interior design for the post-war generation. Now its functional, fluid furniture with slimline legs has been adopted by the masses – especially those wanting small living room layout ideas that will give the illusion of space.' 

8. Prioritize the placement of a sofa or couch

(Image credit: Georgia Zikas/Jane Beiles)

'When designing a small living room layout, make it as functional as possible,' says Georgia Zikas, founder and principal designer of Georgia Zikas Design . 'By anchoring the furniture on the wall, natural light is able to come through the larger windows. This multi-purpose space is used for lounging, entertaining, and even playing music with guests. The flow of traffic allows for space to move around as the couch is pushed against the wall instead of placed in the middle of the room like you would in a larger space.'

9. Make the most of every inch

(Image credit: Jan Baldwin / Future)

'When space is tight, it pays to make a feature of the furniture instead – this works especially well if you adore bright colors,' says Lucy Searle, global editor in chief, Homes & Gardens. 'Distract the eye from the space by matching everything – blinds, rug, couch and armchairs in once compact area – plus, it creates a great social hub if your small living room layout is open plan.'

10. Mix and match a couch, armchair and footstool

(Image credit: MindTheGap)

'Opting for clever furniture choices with versatile pieces will maximize on the space in smaller living rooms, creating a comfortable space that can be used to sit back and relax, as well as welcome guests,’ says Stefan Ormenisan, creative director and founder of MindTheGap . 'For example, this combination of a smaller two-seater sofa and comfy armchair, rather than one larger sofa in a straight line, creates a more welcoming and sociable dynamic, and the upholstered ottoman is a brilliant space saving option, doubling up as seating or as an additional surface for favourite books and magazines, or trays with drinks if entertaining.'

'It is often thought that pattern and color cannot work in smaller spaces, but on the contrary creating layers of interest and detail with a mix of both can give a room a wonderful, enticing jewel box feel, drawing you into the space and bringing a smile.'

How can I arrange a small living room?

If you have or have ever had a narrow room at home, then you’ll be more than aware of the tricky task of making it look wider than it actually is, while desperately trying to make every corner look cozy. You’ve probably spent hours rearranging furniture in a frenzied attempt to make your rectangular space look more square, but in the back of your mind you know that unless you knock down the walls and rebuild the room from scratch, there’s just nothing you can do.

When it comes to the layout, the general advice is not to place all of your furniture too close to the walls. 'To make the room feel more spacious, move your sofa away from the wall, and put a console or a shelf behind it and bring the sofa in,' says interior designer, Kelly Hoppen.

Look for a table with simple or delicate lines. The table should seem to 'disappear,' so it gives your room the illusion of more space in a small living room. And steer clear of ornate furnishings that will overpower the space.

tips for choosing style, decoration and furniture - INMYROOM

The living room in the house is the place where, as the name suggests, guests are received. However, the owners themselves relax here, spending time in front of the TV or a book, with drinks, pleasant conversation and other activities. Therefore, the living room should be the most comfortable place in your home.

If your family consists of several people, it is important to consider the interests of everyone. It is quite possible that for one of the family members, when designing the interior of a living room in an apartment, they will have to give space for working at a computer, doing creative work, even sports. All these points must be planned at the stage of designing the premises.

Determine the center of the living room

Living room design is inseparable from a competent layout. After looking at examples of photos of the living room in the apartment, you can see various space planning options. Of course, the choice depends on your preferences, as well as on the size and functionality of the room.

Place sofas and armchairs around the perimeter of the room in no case is worth it. Firstly, this is the last century, and the modern design of the living room categorically does not accept such a layout. In addition, you will clutter up the space with only recreational items, leaving no free space for other functional areas.

The best option for the interior of the living room is to highlight the central group, around which the rest of the furniture will be grouped. As a rule, a recreation area with a TV and a sofa is chosen as the center of the composition.

A fireplace can also be a central element, next to which chairs, rocking chairs or even luxurious skins for relaxation will comfortably fit.

Standard set of furniture for designing a living room in an apartment:

If the room is large, or it has to take on a diverse functional load, of course, you should not limit yourself to this. The living room may well have a desktop for a computer, chests of drawers and cabinets, a bar counter.

In order not to clutter up a cramped room too much, give preference to the transformer models that are popular today. Such furniture is very functional and allows you to perfectly save scarce space.

Choice of colors

If your living room is located on the sunny side, then you are practically unlimited in the choice of colors for finishing and furnishing it. The contrasting interior design of the living room will look very interesting. For example, walls and floors can be decorated in cold colors, while furniture, in contrast, in warm colors.

Many modern interior styles welcome the clean slate living room design. This technique involves decorating the walls and ceiling with plain white plaster or paint. And furniture and decor elements can be selected in a variety of colors: bright or rich dark - to create a spectacular and stylish interior, delicate and pastel - for a light, cozy and elegant design.

For north-facing living rooms with little to no daylight, choose warm-coloured finishes. Such an interior design of the living room compensates for the lack of sun, makes the room cozy and conducive to relaxation no matter what.

And, of course, if the room is a bit dark, you should take care of good artificial lighting. Well-placed spotlights are best suited to illuminate every corner of your living room.

Of course, the choice of colors for decorating a room should also depend on what visual and emotional effect you want to achieve.

If the living room is intended for stormy parties and active pastime, then it makes sense to decorate it in bright, saturated colors.

If the owners want to indulge in a calm and relaxing holiday, then the interior of the living room should be to match. In this case, you should give preference to soft light tones or, conversely, deep and calm, but in no case flashy.

Finishing materials

The choice of finishing materials should largely depend on the style in which you would like to maintain the design of the living room in the apartment. So, paper wallpapers with romantic flowers are definitely not suitable for laconic hi-tech or minimalism. And Provence or country-style interiors will not be combined with bright carpets with psychedelic prints and ultra-modern wall coverings with fur or leather texture.

In addition, the shape and size of the room is of great importance. Properly selected finishes will perfectly smooth out the flaws of the room and focus on its merits. While a thoughtlessly chosen design can spoil even a spacious and bright room.

Walls

The classic rule is that for small rooms it is better to choose light shades. It always works flawlessly. However, if this solution seems too boring for you, you can try all sorts of interesting wall designs. Spectacular examples of wall design in the living room, photos of which are presented in our article, will help you navigate and choose the most attractive options for yourself.

For example, even smooth, light-colored walls can be made a spectacular interior detail by adding bright or simply contrasting color accents to them. See such unusual living room interior ideas in the photo below.

All kinds of plasterboard niches look very stylish. They not only diversify the interior, but also become its very functional detail. After all, they can accommodate both decorative elements and items needed in the household. And if such a niche is beautifully illuminated from the inside, this will create an interesting effect of depth.

The traditional option for decorating the living room walls is wallpaper. Fortunately, today there is a great variety of them: both classic paper, and modern non-woven, and washable, and glass, and even innovative liquid wallpaper. If you are a lover of change, then you can pay attention to the wallpaper for painting. With such a finish, you can easily change the look of the room, at least several times a year. However, please note that, as a rule, such wallpapers are designed for a limited number of repaints.

Smoothly plastered or painted walls look great in modern interiors. At the same time, if you are a fan of the original design, you can pick up plaster with all sorts of beautiful and unusual textures. With its help, you can add a twist to your design and create a truly beautiful living room interior.

One of the fashion trends in modern design is the combination of materials. It is very important to use combinations of several finishes in one room: different types and shades of plaster, paint plus wallpaper, or even a combination of two types of wallpaper with different patterns and textures. See examples of such a living room design in the photo below.

Using this technique, you will not only be able to make your interior bright, stylish and original, but will also successfully cope with the zoning of the room. As you know, for proper zoning, it is not enough to collect several diverse groups of furniture in one room. So that all this does not look like a "hodgepodge", it is necessary to highlight each of the functional areas with its own design elements. And here, the design of wall sections in different colors and even different textures is the best fit.

Ceiling

When choosing the design of the ceiling in the living room, first of all, start from the size of the room. No matter how much you like spectacular multi-tiered structures, in a small room, packed full of necessary furniture, they will look simply ridiculous. In no case do not overload the design of the room.

If the room is small, then the best option is a simple ceiling in light colors with built-in ceiling lights. A good design move would be a small cornice around the perimeter, it will add a sense of depth.

Another interesting solution for visually increasing the space is the so-called "floating" suspended ceilings. This is a two-tier structure with a small height difference and built-in lights mounted inside the "upper" tier in such a way that they themselves are not visible. This technique creates soft diffused light and an interesting depth effect. As a result, the room seems visually higher and more spacious.

However, remember that the design tricks you have listed are inappropriate for small rooms with high ceilings. If in such a room you try to “distance” the ceiling even more due to visual techniques, then you will feel in it like at the bottom of a bottomless well.

In narrow rooms with high ceilings, it makes sense, on the contrary, to reduce the height - through visual means or with the help of suspended structures. Then the living room will immediately seem more comfortable and suitable for a comfortable stay.

If you are lucky and your living room is spacious and has high enough ceilings, then feel free to experiment with their design.

Here, multi-level suspended structures, both laconic and intricate forms, stucco, columns, scallops, and complex lighting systems can be used.

The main thing is not to overdo it and stick to the intended design of the room. If the room is decorated in a ceremonial classical style, in the spirit of Baroque or Empire, then without a doubt, both bas-reliefs and columns will be appropriate. But for more concise modern styles, you should choose a simpler and more rigorous ceiling design.

If your living room will have several functional areas, then the zoning can be "supported" with an appropriately designed ceiling.

For example, a central seating area with a sofa group and a TV set can be highlighted with a second tier of false ceiling. Depending on the general style of the room, both strict rectangular shapes and soft rounded lines may be appropriate.

The ceiling does not have to be white. Delicate, warm pastel shades will look perfect in almost any room.

Fans of more extravagant options can experiment with bright shades. It is not necessary to decorate the entire ceiling in saturated colors. However, if you highlight only part of it or one of the tiers with a spectacular shade, you will get a chic look.

As far as materials are concerned, it is best to avoid whitewashing and painting. After all, this will take a long time and carefully level the surface. An excellent modern solution is plasterboard suspended ceilings or stylish stretch models. They are quick to install, provide perfectly flat surfaces, and in addition, allow you to create a wide variety of design options.

Lighting

Just a few years ago, when choosing lighting, the issue was always decided in favor of a large ceiling chandelier. Of course, today there are many lovers of such lighting fixtures, including those decorated with numerous "crystal" pendants. However, you should not get hung up on this option, because modern manufacturers offer many interesting, stylish and comfortable options.

If you - due to adherence to traditions or in order to create a certain style of interior - have opted for a massive chandelier, you do not need to limit yourself to this. In any living room, additional sources of lighting will be appropriate: wall sconces, floor lamps and portable standing lamps.

Additional light sources perform several functions at once:

If you are a supporter of laconic design, then recessed ceiling lights are the best fit. They also allow you to create separate lighting in different functional areas of the living room. And besides, with their help you can always adjust the brightness and level of illumination of the room. And with all this, they remain almost invisible, do not overload the design and fit almost all interior styles.

It's safe to say that recessed ceiling lights are the best choice for a small room with low ceilings. But, at the same time, they will also be appropriate in a spacious hall.

Style Selection

Choose a style based on the tastes of the whole family. Look at photo examples of living room designs in a magazine, on the Internet, explore the various styles that are in abundance today.

Of course, the dimensions of the room must also be taken into account. In a small room in Khrushchev, a lush baroque or any other “palace” interior will look out of place. For small living rooms, it is best to choose a laconic design in the Scandinavian style, elegant classics or strict hi-tech or minimalism. Country and Provence are perfect, as these styles suggest comfort and emphatically home furnishings.

If your living room is large, then there is room to roam. In principle, a spacious room can be decorated in almost any style that you and your family like.

When choosing the style of the living room, be sure to take into account the features of the interior of the other rooms. Maintain style and harmony.

Classic

The classic style of the interior involves the use of the most natural materials. The whole environment should breathe quality and good taste. As part of this style, traditional furniture made of solid wood or at least high-quality MDF will be appropriate.

Classic interior colors are soft, calm, usually light. But in principle, within the framework of this style, almost any shades (except bright and flashy) will be appropriate if they are correctly beaten.

Elegant wallpaper, paintings, vases, traditional chandeliers, beautiful curtains - all this will be an excellent frame for an interior in a classic style.

Despite certain design rules, there are different directions for decorating a living room in the spirit of the classics. Within the framework of the classical style, several variations can exist at once:

Minimalism and high-tech

High-tech and constructivism can also be combined under this general direction. All these styles imply laconic finishes, emphatically simple and modern furniture models, built-in lighting, and an abundance of technology.

Minimalism is characterized by soft colors, calm combinations, stylish and simple shapes.

For hi-tech, for all their similarities, saturated tones, metallic luster and a lot of glass are more characteristic. High-tech furniture or decor can have very unusual, but at the same time laconic and streamlined shapes.

Minimalist interior of the living room is best suited for young and energetic people who keep up with the times, who do not attach much importance to luxurious surroundings, preferring simplicity and elegance of lines.

However, do not think that the interior in the style of hi-tech or minimalism is something from the category of "cheap and cheerful". Such a design may well turn out to be much more expensive than some magnificent Empire style.

Country and Provence

These styles are perfect for lovers of home comfort, antiquity and rustic simplicity. If you want to enjoy peace as much as possible, relax and forget about the bustle of the city, then these are excellent options for the living room.

At the same time, country is deliberately rough, emphatically rural, with simple, almost unfinished furniture and themed textiles. It is characterized by natural, natural shades: soft light and dark green tones, the whole range of brown, light yellow, ocher. Of the prints, a large cage, as well as various variations of floral patterns, will be especially harmonious.

The Provence style, as it should be for a true Frenchman, is more refined, distinguished by a special chic and charm. It is characterized by lighter shades of furniture and finishes: white, cream, pale blue, turquoise, beige. Decor and textiles can be very flirtatious: with ruffles, scallops, flounces, etc.

Today, these design trends are very popular not only in the design of country cottages, but also in the decoration of city apartments. Therefore, in stores you can easily find furniture, decor and finishing materials that perfectly match these styles.

Scandinavian

This style is incredibly popular right now. The secret of its success is in the harmonious combination of minimalism, comfort and homeliness. It involves a simple and concise finish, convenient and comfortable furniture of simple shapes, stylish, but at the same time soft and not defiant decor.

The Scandinavian style is characterized by calm shades: white, beige, light gray, gray-green, pale blue, dark blue. Often in the colors of such an interior there is a certain marine theme.

Living room interior in Scandinavian style is the perfect balance of functionality, convenience, modernity and home comfort. Stylish and modern upholstered furniture for the living room is perfect here, a photo of which you can see below.

Choosing furniture

Before you start choosing furniture for your living room, carefully consider which functional areas will be allocated in the room. Beautiful furniture for the living room, the photo of which can be seen below, is not all. It is important to correctly arrange it so that all the inhabitants and guests of the apartment feel cozy and comfortable.

If it is intended exclusively for families, then a comfortable sofa, armchairs, a TV stand and a couple of shelving will be enough. If space allows, you can add a coffee table, as well as small cabinets where you can place various decor items.

If you often arrange parties, like to receive and treat guests, then you will need a bar counter. It looks stylish, modern, spectacular, can serve as a place to store all kinds of items and will allow you to organize the serving of drinks and treats for guests in a very small area. In addition, the bar counter can be an excellent dividing element if you need to zone the living room.

Choose the dimensions of the sofa and the number of chairs depending on the number of family members and the possible number of guests. It makes no sense to choose an airfield sofa and three armchairs if you live alone and rarely receive guests. In this case, it is worth limiting yourself to more compact options and leaving more free space in the room - to create a feeling of spaciousness or to accommodate other functional elements.

If you expect your guests to occasionally stay overnight, then the choice of sofa should be approached especially carefully. Choose folding models, on which, if necessary, you can fully sleep. If there can be several overnight guests, then it makes sense to consider options for transforming chairs that can fold out and turn into a bed.

Modern design solutions, as a rule, do not involve the placement of solid cabinets in the hall. It is assumed that this tradition should remain in the Soviet past. However, if you don't have a walk-in closet and don't have enough space to place storage items in other rooms, no one can force you to give up a spacious closet in the living room.

In a classic interior, it can even be a solid wall. However, if you prefer more modern design trends, then it is better to pay attention to stylish wardrobes. For a small room, models with mirrored doors are perfect, they allow you to visually expand the space, and will not weigh down the interior as much as their counterparts with solid doors.

A small room should not be cluttered with a large number of pieces of furniture. Such an "abundant" environment will overwhelm, distract, and simply interfere with free movement around the room. If you don’t have a lot of things, then you definitely shouldn’t put a massive closet in the living room, limit yourself to a light and elegant rack. If you want to create a truly light and stylish design, pay special attention to the modern style living room furniture, the photo of which can be seen below.

If you do not plan to receive guests often, it makes no sense to purchase a grand dining table in the hall. In order to drink coffee or have a snack in front of the TV, an elegant coffee table will be quite enough. To save space, you can choose a functional transforming table, which will serve as both a stand and a storage for books and magazines, and, if necessary, can be expanded into a fairly full-fledged springboard for home meals.

Fireplace in the living room interior

If you want your living room to breathe genuine comfort and hospitality, consider purchasing a fireplace. Naturally, it is almost impossible to establish a real hearth in a city apartment. But today there are a lot of magnificent imitations on sale that will emphasize the elegance of the interior, create an atmosphere of comfort in the room and even be able to heat it.

An electric fireplace is perfect for an apartment. Do not think that this is a more beautiful analogue of the heater. In fact, modern manufacturers produce incredibly realistic models that amazingly imitate real flames. There are even models with sound and aroma accompaniment. That is, in front of you there will be not only the illusion of an open fire, but also real crackles, as well as the smells of burning logs.

Fireplaces are produced in a wide variety of styles: exquisite classic, ultra-modern laconic high-tech models, mysterious gothic, luxuriously decorated with gilding and marble in the rococo style, cozy stoves in the spirit of the country. In addition, fireplaces in the living room can vary in location: wall, corner, island.

Such a variety of models will allow you to choose exactly the option for your living room that fits perfectly into the layout and style of decoration.

Photo

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

Basic registration rules

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

Layout and zoning

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

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

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

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

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

Selection colors

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

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

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

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

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

What should there be trim?

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

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

Work over the expansion of space

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

Lighting

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

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

Stylistic direction

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

Loft

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

Classic

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

Eco style

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

Furniture

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

Straight living room

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

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

Good an option for such a room would be the choice of transforming furniture, since it can be assembled as needed, and there will be more free space.

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