Home » Misc » Living room layout for small apartment

Living room layout for small apartment


34 Small Living Room Ideas (With Photos of Inspiring Designs)

Style

Decorating

Ideas & Inspiration

Small Spaces

by Cara Gibbs

updated Nov 10, 2022

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

SavePin It

See More Images

Small living spaces are cozy, affordable and more often than not, completely adorable. But when it comes to designing your diminutive space to make it just right for you, challenges abound. Every decision, from what furniture to buy, how to arrange it and even what colors to use, will be filtered through the lens of small-space living. A well designed living room can easily transform into a family room.

For more content like this follow

But even though your main living area isn’t large, there are tons of ways to create an inviting space that feels like home, all the while maximizing storage and placement of your favorite items. In this article, we’ve included some of our favorite small apartment living room ideas for you to browse for inspiration.  Fortunately, the beauty of creative freedom—and the power of the internet—means no matter how small your living room is, there are plenty of ideas and layouts you can find out there that will be the perfect solution for your living situation.

Small-space Design Tips

When it comes to small spaces, a few clever design tips can help you configure your living room in a way that tricks your eye into feeling like it’s plenty spacious. Below, Kathy Kuo, CEO and Founder of Kathy Kuo Home, shares some of her favorite small apartment living room ideas.

Design Tips for Small Spaces

Small Apartment Living Room Ideas

Coming up are 40 rooms—from teeny tiny spaces teeming with inspiration to larger living rooms that have adapted to living small—that all showcase the best ways to expand your square footage without any demo or renovating.

SavePin It

See More Images

1. Add an accent.

An accent wall is nice, but if you’re looking for small apartment living room ideas, try a small accent area, like the one shown in this Dutch living room. The pleasant green arch creates visual interest in this small space.

SavePin It

See More Images

2. Utilize under-bench storage.

It’s not just the natural tones and abundant light that make this small living room seem much bigger; it’s also the skilled use of storage for excess items: here, they’ve stowed several baskets under a small bench to keep clutter out of the way.

SavePin It

See More Images

3. Arrange things artfully.

Not all small apartment living rooms involve keeping items sparse. This 425-square-foot Los Angeles living room has plenty of furniture, but it’s displayed in such a way to avoid looking cluttered and stuffy. 

SavePin It

See More Images

4. Stick with a color scheme.

Incorporating a continuous color scheme throughout your entire space is a clever way to make a studio or one-room space look larger and less cluttered. We love the boho-chic look Senaida Mehmedovic used in her Denver studio apartment. 

SavePin It

See More Images

5. Go long.

Looking for small apartment living room ideas for a  narrow room? Look to this sleek Brooklyn apartment for a layout that’s perfect. To cop a similar look, search for furniture with small dimensions and leggy, airy pieces that don’t have a lot of visual weight. Place key furnishings like your sofa and large bookcases against the wall to take advantage of every square inch of floor space.

SavePin It

See More Images

6. Elevate an alcove.

Even a tiny alcove, like in this New York apartment, can work as the perfect living room. Emphasize the coziness of a small footprint with soft textures and calming colors, both of which can make a tiny area feel intentionally small.

SavePin It

See More Images

7. Embrace a multipurpose room.

Not enough space for a separate dining room, living room, and breakfast nook? Follow the example of this dreamy, pink-walled Washington DC studio and carve those areas out of one room. With the right sized furniture, this decorating strategy can make a layout look more like a deliberately open floor plan—not just a one room apartment.

SavePin It

See More Images

8. Size down and build up.

If your home has been blessed with high ceilings, you can use them to your advantage. Think vertically by decorating with tall mirrors, high shelves, and curtains mounted several inches above your actual windows, which draws the eye up and creates the illusion of a bigger home. All of these strategies—plus, the use of a smaller loveseat sofa and a tiny trunk as a coffee table—are exactly what make this stylish yet small Brooklyn studio look larger and more spacious.

SavePin It

See More Images

9.

Look to decor stores as inspiration.

Think of the room setups you see in stores like IKEA, West Elm, and Target—they’re great sources of small apartment living room ideas. If a home store vignette reflects the actual dimensions of your home , as in this artsy New York studio, you can simply replicate these ultra stylized setups.

SavePin It

See More Images

10. Get your reflection on.

Mirrors are one of the best ways to make your tiny space feel open and airy. That’s why Ayesha Curry and Parisa O’Connell chose to create this awesome optical illusion in their diminutive dwelling space. Our opinion? It totally works! 

SavePin It

See More Images

11. Fill ‘er up.

In a tiny space, you might be afraid of overwhelming things with too-large furniture, but oftentimes, if you go full throttle with a large sectional that hugs the walls, you’ll get a room that #1 seats a ton of people and #2 feels super welcoming and cozy. Take notes from this home we toured in the UK that fits a family of four.

SavePin It

See More Images

12. Embrace the cozy eclectic look.

Another example of a tiny space embracing all things cozy for the better can be seen in this comfortable, sunny Philadelphia condo. Layer in an eclectic mix of objects and furnishings that are special to you, and you’ll be left with a living room full of colorful textures you’ll never want to leave.

SavePin It

See More Images

13. Keep things linear.

To add to your list of small apartment living room ideas, try implementing varying geometric and linear prints, like the dramatic rug seen here. This gives a small space a sense of structure while also providing the illusion of additional length and width.

SavePin It

See More Images

14. Invite tiny keepsakes & treasures into your space.

In this charming living room, your attention is occupied and delighted by all the personal accents and accessories that draw you into each area of the little space.

SavePin It

See More Images

15. Use color to define spaces.

When you’re trying to carve a living room out of a smaller studio space, you can always use color blocking to your advantage. This Brooklyn renter anchored her sofa with a hunter green wall, which makes the space that also contains her bed look like two separate rooms. She kept the look as airy as possible by restricting her living room furniture to the bare minimum—just a couch, coffee table, and two pretty magenta pink stools.

SavePin It

See More Images

16. Install a wall of books.

To turn a small living space into your favorite room, consider taking an empty wall and turning it into a top-to-bottom mini library. It’ll provide plenty of storage opportunities, but also makes such a statement and gives a luxe built-in effect. For an even more stylish push, pick a rich color, like the hunter green of this room, and add molding to polish off the custom look.

SavePin It

See More Images

17. Don’t be scared of quirky set ups.

Just because this area’s called a “living room” doesn’t mean it can’t serve a purpose beyond just lounging. The roommates in this San Francisco apartment actually squeezed a washing machine in the corner of their living room. Although unexpected, the white unit almost blends into the space, since it’s close in color to the walls. It even features a fabric accent that matches the living room sofa.

SavePin It

See More Images

18. Embrace less.

If you’re averse to clutter, just put the good bones of your living room on display. A perfect example is this light and airy Michigan apartment, which has the essential pieces of furniture and just a few select decor items. Sometimes less is more, especially when you have a beautiful fireplace, nice hardwood floors, and large windows that let in tons of light.

SavePin It

See More Images

19.

The power of the tuck.

The main goal of any small living space is always to use every area as efficiently as possible. And the area under your coffee table (considering yours doesn’t have shelving) can be prime real estate! Mimic the clever space shown here, where poufs that serve as additional seating are tucked neatly beneath the coffee table.

SavePin It

See More Images

20. Keep your space alive.

It’s no secret that plants add so much value to any room in the home, but you can really get creative with them in your living area. In a tour of her home via House Beautiful, Justina Blakeney shows off just that in her compact living room, and is smart about hanging greenery so as to avoid taking up any precious floor space.

SavePin It

See More Images

21. Double duty furniture.

This ultra creative Washington DC apartment uses furniture with a dual purpose to save on space. The coffee table is able to go from regular height to the height of a proper dining room table and can seat up to four guests, erasing the need for a separate eating nook and excessive pieces of furniture.

SavePin It

See More Images

22. Add height with floor to ceiling draperies.

Curtains are the quickest way to add instant height to any space. The trick is to hang them from right around where your wall meets your ceiling and let them slightly puddle on the ground. Light-colored sheer panels are designed this way, popping against a dark background in this Colorado home. 

SavePin It

See More Images

23. Behold the power of threes.

Grouping items into threes is a great way to make a living room feel a bit bigger by adding more pieces to a space without taking up more real estate. (Not to mention you can move smaller furnishings like these around as needed.)

SavePin It

See More Images

24.

K.I.S.S.

Keep it simple, sweetie! When you don’t have a ton of room to play with but you want to inject some color, it’s best to keep it simple if you’re a newbie. Start with a foundation of neutrals and add in one feature color and one metallic and run with it, like this space which invites varying textures and finishes to add depth while remaining light and airy on the eyes.

SavePin It

See More Images

25. Fit it all in.

Packing your teeny space with lots of purpose is another way to trick yourself into thinking things are bigger than they appear. In this apartment, living room seamlessly connects to an office area, feeling cohesive and interesting.

SavePin It

See More Images

26. Brighten up with white.

Nothing brightens and opens up a space like the color white can, which is why this technique is tops on our list of small apartment living room ideas. This coastal-reminiscent apartment in California shows how even the tiniest living rooms can look larger than life when decorated in a monochrome palette.

SavePin It

See More Images

27. Layer your lighting.

This living room feels big and spacious due in large part to tall ceilings and big windows, but also of note is the layered lighting. Keeping light at multiple levels (via floor lamps, chandeliers, and task lights) creates a moody yet well-lit room.

SavePin It

See More Images

28. Don’t overlook underused spots.

If you have windows in your tiny living room, put those windowsills to work holding books, plants and other decorative objects.

SavePin It

See More Images

Watch

10 Brilliant Ideas for Your Small Living Room

29. Go big with a rug.

A large rug like this one in the West Village apartment of Lee Lenox makes a tiny space feel much bigger than it actually is, according to Kuo.

SavePin It

See More Images

30.

Go vertical.

Blankets are a must for a cozy living room experience. But when you’re short on space to store said blankets, you don’t have many options. Sure, you can stash them in a basket, but that takes up valuable floor space. A better option? A leaning ladder.

SavePin It

See More Images

31. Skip the coffee table in place of an ottoman or pouf.

This space from Cup of Jo is by no means a small living room, but let’s pretend for a second that it is to learn a thing or two from it. See those two poufs on the other side of the coffee table? Those could easily swap in for the actual coffee table itself in a tighter space, which lends flexibility; crucial in a small space. Opting for ottomans or poufs over larger furnishings is a smart way to still have a spot to place a drink or remote but be able to move things easily around as you please (and of course, create more seating).

SavePin It

See More Images

32.

Thinking clearly.

Acrylic or glass furniture has long been a designer trick for small spaces. They serve a purpose (i.e., holding drinks, etc.) while basically disappearing into the space. The result is a room with all the function you need, but without all the visual clutter.

SavePin It

See More Images

33. Be delicate.

Similar to the above trick, choosing accent furniture with delicate frames is another way to tone down the visual noise. This tiny seating living room (the home of content strategist Cole Wilson via One Kings Lane) feels full sized thanks to the delicate gold base and glass top coffee table, thin framed accent chairs and floor lamp.

SavePin It

See More Images

34. Try matchy-matchy.

While some might tell you that all-white rooms are the key to stretching a small space, we’re here to tell you that no matter what paint you go with, the effect of color is a lot more nuanced than that. A trick that always works, though, no matter what’s on your wall? Matching your drapes (bonus points if they’re a sheer material) to your wall. Here, white walls seem to go on forever as the visual line is not interrupted by different colored curtains. If you flip this and decide to go dark and moody, stick to draperies in equally dramatic tones for a super cohesive, polished look perfect for a small living room.

Small apartment living room ideas: 23 space-stretching tips |

(Image credit: Georgia Zikas/Jane Beiles/Future/Sofology)

If you are looking for small apartment living room ideas, then you’ll be more than aware of the tricky task of making a room look wider, taller or brighter than it actually is, while also trying to make every corner look cozy. 

These small apartment living room ideas will help inspire you to achieve the space of your dreams.

Though it can be challenging to find the right apartment living room ideas for a particularly small space, there are several benefits to compact living. A well-designed scheme can feel just as comfortable as a larger space, with all the coziness and comfort associated with family living. One of the main advantages of small living room ideas is also the convenient accessibility of everything that’s needed. Easy maintenance is another bonus.

All you have to do now is to find the perfect color scheme, layout and furniture style to suit your space – and that's where our apartment decor ideas come into play.

Small apartment living room ideas

If your apartment has a small living room, there are ways you can enhance it so it feels larger and thoughtfully designed, the majority focus around good organizing in a small apartment. Don't forget, too, that if you are looking for small apartment patio ideas, you can combine them with your search for small apartment living room ideas; creating a cohesive indoor-outdoor space is vital to enhancing a small space.

(Image credit: Georgia Zikas/Jane Beiles)

Approach apartment layout ideas with focus, thinking how you can create a space with great flow that still packs in everything you want in your life.

'Multipurpose design offers functionality when you're dealing with a small footprint. Clever, well thought out design can make a room work hard and serve as a dining nook, a bar, a living room and a study / work area. 

'In moments like these, good design is critical in maximizing the functionality of a smaller space,' says Georgia Zikas, founder and principal designer at Georgia Zikas Design . 

2. Create intimacy with pattern and color

(Image credit: Dado)

'Small apartment living rooms don’t need to be neutral and minimalist, pattern and color are a fantastic way to zone a living area within an open plan space, or create an intimate and personality packed living room. When space is limited keep your color palette tight and focused, take your cue from a favorite wallpaper, picking out colors from your chosen pattern to create a considered and cohesive scheme. 

'As well as zoning a space with wallpaper, consider coordinating paint work and flooring too – a well placed rug with a bold edge detail is a fantastic way to further define your living area,' says Kate French, creative director at Dado .  

3. A gold accent will give a luxury feel

(Image credit: Sofology)

If you are looking for combined small living room and apartment kitchen ideas, ensure your space feels fabulous and not just functional. You can convey this with luxe-look materials, such as marble and metallics. 

'This white, gray and gold color scheme is contemporary and fresh, it's ideal for a small apartment living room and it works across the kitchen too. The white bounces the light and the wooden floorboards add warmth. The gold highlights link the two spaces and the marble adds texture,' says Jennifer Ebert, digital editor, Homes & Gardens 

4. Look for storage and seating opportunities

(Image credit: M. Lavender Interiors/Janet Mesic Mackie)

Window seat ideas are a fantastically space-wise way to create both seating and hidden storage. They can also be used to add interest with pattern, color and even the joinery. And, they are a great apartment bedroom idea, too, for exactly the same reasons.

However you furnish your small apartment living room, think: light colors for space enhancement.

'I love the lightness of this room and the use of different textures in similar colorways to create drama. From the textured wallpaper on the ceiling to the high gloss finish on the trim, it is a great and interesting space even in a compact area. 

'We went with light, happy colors with shades of green and yellow. These shades were punctuated with more vibrant colors consistent with the rest of the home,' says Mark Lavender, principal designer of M. Lavender Interiors . 

5. Emphasize vertical lines to cheat the eye

(Image credit: Stefani Stein)

Clever living room curtain ideas can be used to play with the proportions of your space, visually at least. And it needn't be limited to curtains: whether you choose striped wallpaper or floor-to-ceiling hung drapes, you are creating a visual trick, drawing the eye up and down a wall rather than across it, which dupes the brain into seeing a small apartment living room as taller than it is. When used in long living room ideas too, this trick can help rebalance a room's narrow proportions. 

So, if your apartment living room has low ceilings, use this interior designer's trick – but soften the effect with curvaceous furniture.

6. Have apartment living rooms fitted for storage

(Image credit: Davide Lovatti)

Studio or small apartment living rooms cry out for fitted furniture that can not only hold (and hide) everything they need to, but also make use of every inch of space in a way that feels calm and uncluttered – so opt for built-in small living room storage ideas wherever you can.

Here, the storage wall has been cleverly brought into the room through the use of the orange accent color. The orange backdrop offers a dramatic contrast to the accessories displayed, further heightening its effect.

If you love a movie night, it's worth investigating space-clever small living room TV ideas like this one, too.

7. Decorate with a monochromatic color scheme

(Image credit: Richard Powers)

Living room color schemes can make or break a small space, and using different tones of the same color – the so-called monochromatic scheme – will help to make the furniture and other features recede and appear to take up less space when factored into apartment living room ideas.  

Soften the palette by adding a warm gray or blue, like in this white and blue living room, rather than a harsh black or white.

8. Keep small apartment flooring simple

(Image credit: Brent Darby)

Flooring should be unfussy so it blends into the background. Plain, neutral carpet works well in most small apartment living room ideas. Going without a rug will also open up the floor space, 'though if you have an open-plan kitchen, living space and diner, the use of rugs will create distinct zones that can make even a small apartment living room feel more purposefully designed,' says Lucy Searle, Editor in Chief, Homes & Gardens.

9. Use the same color palette

(Image credit: Kitesgrove)

When decorating small spaces, create the illusion of higher ceilings by painting walls, floors, woodwork and even fireplaces all the same color. This provides a seamless look, where your eyes are not stopped by a change in color, thus giving the illusion of a larger space.  

Paint low ceilings brilliant white, or a lighter tone of the same color that's used on the walls, to create the illusion of height. You can add color with soft furnishings and accessories.

In this entirely cream and white living room scheme, low-slung furniture has been used effectively to make the room look taller, too.

10. Play with scale

(Image credit: Rachel Smith)

Carefully consider which furniture would work best when planning small apartment living room ideas. 

Adding clear or high-shine perspex chairs or a glass coffee table will give the room the feeling of more air and space. Light will bounce around glass furniture and glossy surfaces, so plenty of shiny and mirrored furniture and accessories will make a small living room feel bigger.

11. Invest in space-saving furniture

(Image credit: Future/Paul Raeside)

Use shelves for items you really want to display. Floor-to-ceiling shelving will make good use of all the space you have at your disposal, and keep everything off the floor.

To make the room feel as large as possible, don't over-stuff the shelves – instead, decorate their interiors to complement the rest of your scheme, like in this sophisticated grey living room with red accents, and keep them under-populated.

12. Consider armless furniture

(Image credit: Jonathan Gooch)

Opt for armless chairs and sofas for space-enhancing small apartment living room ideas, and consider a corner unit sofa to create a more open feel. 

Not only space-saving, armless pieces will also give you the opportunity to reposition your furniture more frequently in a variety of combinations. An arm may not seem bulky, but when it is not there, the room appears cleaner, sleeker and less cluttered.

13. Use open storage to divide the space

(Image credit: Elicyon Photograph: Patrick Williamson)

If your small apartment living room is part of a larger space, one clever way to divide it is with open shelves, as in the apartment designed by Charu Gandhi of London-based design consultancy Elicyon, above.

'If you are looking to separate small living and dining room ideas for apartments, for example, this is an excellent way to do so,' says Sarah Spiteri, Editorial Director of Homes & Gardens. 'It can also solve layout problems caused by a limited footprint; here, the small apartment living room still gets lots of light, though it is physically separated from the window.' 

14. Match walls to woodwork

(Image credit: Richard Powers)

Make a small apartment living room feel larger by painting the walls and woodwork in the same shade. 

If you're brave enough, paint the ceiling in a brighter shade as well, to make the room feel taller. As long as your ceiling is painted in a paler color than your walls, no matter what the color, your ceilings will feel higher.

15. Hang a tall mirror 

(Image credit: Davide Lovatti)

Not surprisingly, decorating with mirrors can make a room look larger. Hang a large mirror on a wall opposite a window or very near one to reflect the outdoors, broadening the feel of your room.  

Mirrors reflect both natural and artificial light to make a room brighter during the day and night and they bounce light deep into the room, making it appear larger.

16. Use color to define a space

(Image credit: Design Lines Signature)

'Adding collected pieces and pops of color throughout a small living space is a great way to elevate the room and add interest and detail to even the smallest corner. You want the space to feel familiar and relaxed and color is a great way to do that,' says Judy Pickett, founder and principal designer at Design Lines Signature . 

Ensuring you carry these colors through to your apartment entryway will also help your whole space feel larger and more cohesive.

17. Match your drapes to your couch

(Image credit: Madeaux )

‘When embracing pattern within a smaller living room, one way to introduce it easily can be to use the same motif across different elements, such as the curtains and the upholstery. This will allow the space to be in harmony without a conflict in scale or color, ensuring the room is celebrated with personality and depth, without becoming overwhelming. 

'It’s a good idea to consider the type of pattern when you are using it across different pieces. Here the ‘Zogee’ design with its geometric vertical repeat cleverly creates a trompe l’oeil, drawing the eye and elongating the proportions of the room, whilst the monochromatic colour combination further enhances this effect,' says Richard Smith, founder of Madeaux Home .

18. Choose darker shades for coziness

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Small apartment living room ideas aren't just about creating light, airy spaces – they can be dark and cozy if that's the mood you want to create, particularly if you only really inhabit them in the evening. However, when choosing paint colors, pick warm shades for an inviting appeal.

'When creating a scheme that will feel comfortable and intimate, consider shades that have an inherent warmth to them. Stronger, jewel tones such as Puck or Hicks’ Blue can be used in an all-over scheme to create coziness and warmth in a small living space,' says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene . 

19. Layer print and pattern

(Image credit: Kitesgrove)

It's likely that small apartment living rooms have little space for you to express your creativity and add comfort with layers. But you can achieve this with a narrow console and artwork above it.

'Making a home feel comfortable is always a priority when designing a space, as is creating something that feels unique to each individual. Incorporating a mix of pattern, print and texture creates a space that feels layered and nuanced, allowing key pieces and features of the room to come to foreground,' says Katie Lion, senior interior designer at Kitesgrove . 

20. Layer textures 

(Image credit: Davide Lovatti / Future)

'There are several textures at work in this small apartment living room – a mixture of velvet upholstery and woven pillows, faux fur armchairs, a combination of footstools and coffee table in different materials, and a deep pile rug.  

'Then, there's the texture of the wallpaper, the curtain pattern and the flooring beneath the area rug, each element being key to keeping this space contemporary, stylish and uncluttered,' says Lucy Searle, global editor in chief, Homes & Gardens.

21. Create a reading nook

(Image credit: Future)

Reading nooks needn't be reserved for larger homes; you can create one in a small apartment living room.

'Maximizing all areas of a smaller apartment living room is an excellent way to ensure you get the most from the space but also the best way to create an interior with personality. Creating new places to enjoy within the room, such as celebrating little corners such as these, by adding a favorite armchair, side table and lamp will make the most of every nook and cranny. 

'People can often be nervous of adding pattern and color into smaller rooms, but on the contrary, it can add character and authentic, bringing interest and depth. A small room devoid of color and pattern can feel forgotten and overlooked, whereas a room filled with it, tells a story and will bring a smile,' says Stefan Ormenisan, creative director and founder of MindTheGap .  

22. Choose the right couch for the space

(Image credit: OKA )

Ideally, you want lots of floor space in a small apartment living room, but if your priority is seating for family and guests, look to sectional living room ideas to give you a catch-all solution. 

'If you are going for a sectional, ensure the couch itself is low-slung; doing this will make it feel smaller and won't block any light coming in via the windows,' says Lucy Searle, Homes & Gardens' Editor in Chief. 'One that is in a light color will also help the room feel larger.'

23. Use a barely there wall color as a background for art

(Image credit: Mylands )

'Light shades with glossy finishes will make the most of a small room, giving the illusion of space and openness. Pale purple shades like Early Lavender™ No. 260 are proving increasingly popular, creating a soft and refreshing background when used as the main tone,' says Dominic Myland, CEO of Mylands .  

How do you decorate a small apartment living room?

Small living rooms in apartments may be short of space but can still be big on style. A carefully designed studio apartment that incorporates plenty of concealed storage and furniture that is tailored to the space can achieve a sense of comfort and convenience that belies a modest square footage.

Select furniture pieces that are in proportion to the size of your room – oversized cabinets, sofas and chairs can make a small room feel narrow. Furniture that is the same color as your walls tends to blend into the wall, making it look wider, and make sure you arrange your furniture at an angle to create a sense of depth to the room.

Consider finishing the walls in polished plaster, a material that reflects light and increases visual perception of space. Any other reflective decorative surfaces, such as patinated mirrors, silver leaf or lacquer, will make the space seem bigger too.

When decorating a small room, create a focal point – one area or feature that will draw the eye so there’s less emphasis on the room’s layout. In apartment living room ideas this will most likely be the sofa or coffee table, so make sure that focal point is the star of the room.

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.

60 interior photos, renovation ideas

A small living room is not a problem. Even the cramped, at first glance, room can easily be turned into a cozy place for evening relaxation in front of the TV, chatting with friends and family holidays. Our ideas and tips will help you to ensure comfort, as well as create a relaxed atmosphere!

Interior style for a small living room

The living room is the face of the house and its arrangement should be given special attention. It is always a pleasure to relax in a beautiful interior, as well as invite friends. To visually increase the space of the room, it is advisable to opt for one of the styles described below. They are united by lightness, unloaded details and predominantly light colors in the finish.

Contemporary living room

This style combines functionality and neatness. Clear graphic lines, soothing monochrome colors, cutting-edge materials and the latest in electronics are the perfect environment for busy people. Modern style is reminiscent of the office, but it can always be complemented with cute home decor, textiles, cushions or houseplants. nine0005

Classic living room

The luxurious classic style is characterized by harmony and symmetry. The abundance of white, crystal chandeliers and sconces, mirrors in gilded frames will fill the room with a soft glow.

The main decoration of a small living room in a classic style is carved furniture in ivory color or expensive wood polished to a shine.

Stucco molding, relief cornices, arches, columns are required. The windows are covered with heavy curtains with vertical drapery and jewelry-made tiebacks. nine0005

Provence style living room

The charming simplicity of southern France is the best solution for a small romantic living room. The distinctive features of Provence are lace, floral prints on the wallpaper, as well as pastel beige, peach, blue and gray shades. It remains only to get a beautiful service, put a vase with homemade jam and have a tea party!

Loft style living room

The design of a small loft-style living room provides for bare walls, panoramic windows and a minimum amount of furniture. Abstract paintings, black and white photographs, metal floor lamps can act as decor. nine0005

Minimalist living room

The name of this direction speaks for itself - a minimum of things, no decorations, only the necessary compact furniture and modern appliances.

Only one of the colors is used, in extreme cases - two. Available in white, grey, beige, silver or blue. Accents can be saturated, but always in a calm range.

Scandinavian style living room

Scandinavian interior style - a snow-white background with a slight admixture of beige, bright accents, as well as a lot of natural light. This design will create a feeling of freshness in a small living room. nine0005

Color matters!

To visually enlarge a small living room, it is necessary to keep the design in two or three light or neutral colors. Darker ones can be used in flooring, furniture, neat decor. The pattern should be on one thing - if the walls are decorated, then the textiles are plain, and vice versa. Restrained palette, conciseness, lack of flashy details - this is the secret of a room in which nothing will distract or annoy.

White living room

nine0004 White color is ideal for the background (walls, ceiling), goes well with other colors - gives them contrast. Makes the living room more spacious and brighter.

Gray living room

Neutral grays tone down objects that are too bright. For vertical surfaces, a bleached tone of dry asphalt, silver, is suitable. Furniture and decor could be darker.

Brown living room

Brown color looks great in autumn colors - from sand to chocolate. Interspersed with orange, red, burgundy or light green shades are possible. nine0005

Blue living room

Blue color has a calming effect on the human psyche, cools. A white ceiling, blue walls and light furniture are a magical option for a small living room interior design.

Green living room

Green color has a good effect on vision and improves well-being. Looks beautiful surrounded by natural elements in shades of wood, stones, water and flowers.

Lilac living room

Shades of sunset and lavender fields. A small living room in lilac color will set you in a romantic mood and will become a favorite vacation spot for all the inhabitants of the apartment. nine0005

Small living room decoration

To make the living room look impressive, you should choose high-quality, but not necessarily expensive materials for its decoration. The main criterion in this case is aesthetics.

Floor

For flooring in a small living room, natural parquet, laminate and carpet are most often used.

An extravagant design can also be created with self-leveling floors, artificial stone, tiles or porcelain stoneware. A glossy or polished surface will visually add height to the room. nine0005

If there are small children in the house, it is worth laying carpets - they will soften falls and warm the kids while playing on the floor, and protect expensive finishes from damage.

Walls

The side background of a small living room should be light, without noticeable color spots. Monochromatic painting, seamless wallpaper (with narrow vertical patterns), brick or stonework, polished stone, plastic panels are suitable.

Panoramic wallpaper with 3D effect, mirror and glass partitions, artistic painting can be an interesting addition. nine0005

You can make interesting illuminated niches in plasterboard walls to place appliances, an aquarium, a collection of souvenirs or books.

Ceiling

Best of all in a small living room will look stretch mirror ceiling, two-level plasterboard or combined.

In an economical version, it is enough just to level it and paint it white. All kinds of plastic panels should be abandoned - squares and stripes will visually reduce the height of the room. The same goes for massive hanging chandeliers. nine0005

Decor and textiles

The choice of fabrics will largely depend on the overall style of the interior. So, for the classics, satin, silk, velvet textures are ideal; for the loft - translucent white, for Provence and country - in a small flower.

To visually increase the space of a small living room, it is recommended to use light and shiny textiles. Curtains should be in harmony with the rest of the finish, partially repeat the patterns on the wallpaper, emphasize the color of the walls or merge with it. nine0005

Attaching a cornice to the ceiling and lowering the curtains to the floor will make the room appear higher. A good solution for a small-sized hall is curtains throughout the wall, always light and with vertical drapery.

Large perspective paintings, mirrors, modular images, family photos and interesting panels are suitable for decoration. Vases with flowers or branches, indoor plants will also be appropriate in the living room.

Collector's editions of books, figurines and interior candles can be placed on open shelves. In order not to disturb the harmony of a small space, it is advisable to use the decor very sparingly. nine0005

Placement of furniture and appliances

The location of the sofa, TV, coffee table, shelves and other important things in a small living room largely depends on its layout. So, in a studio apartment, you will have to combine a recreation area with a dining room, and perhaps also provide for a folding bed; the walk-through living room should somehow be protected, made more comfortable; a rectangular room will need to be balanced using geometric techniques.

Small square living room

The symmetrical harmony of the square allows you to beautifully arrange any furniture under the wall or in the center. Using corner structures, the situation can be made diamond-shaped.

Narrow (rectangular) small living room

In such rooms, usually the door is located opposite the window and the effect of the corridor is obtained. You can improve the situation as follows: curtain the window with white curtains with a smooth horizontal drapery, make the front door large and light - this will increase the narrow walls. Free areas should be trimmed with elements like brickwork or racks with elongated shelves should be arranged. nine0005

The broad sides should be mirrored, glossy, with prominent vertical lines of contrasting color and clear form from floor to ceiling.

Plank flooring should be laid parallel to narrow walls.

It is advisable to choose furniture with high backs - a squat one will “smear” the room.

Small irregular living room

If the living room turned out as a result of complex zoning or the owners decided to equip the attic for this purpose, the problem of non-standard planning arises. nine0005

In this case, it is worth ordering corner or semi-circular furniture, walls with beveled edges, unusual tables and taking care of the access of light to every part of the space.

Small living room lighting

Proper placement and aesthetic appearance of luminaires can greatly transform any small space. The living room definitely needs at least one powerful lamp on the ceiling, but you should not hang a bulky chandelier if the actual height of the room is less than 4 meters. nine0005

Neat spot diodes can be installed along the perimeter, wall lamps can be attached to the wall near the sofa (for example, to make it convenient to read books), and decor or shelves with favorite things can be illuminated with flexible ribbons. In some design options, stylized lanterns, garlands and luminescent elements will look very nice.

Get rid of the feeling of hanging overhead ceiling will help the light coming from below, vertically from the floor. Reflected in a glossy film, it will make the room look higher. nine0005

Design of a small living room in Khrushchev

In Khrushchev, as a rule, one cannot do without redevelopment - in such cases the living room is often combined with the kitchen. This helps to increase the area and turn a familiar room into a modern studio.

To save space, it is recommended to stick to minimalism: use compact narrow racks, doors without handles, hang a flat-screen TV on the wall, and not install it on a bulky cabinet.

Upholstered furniture is better to choose folding - so in case of spending the night guests will have an extra bed. nine0005

A free corner of a small living room in Khrushchev should be equipped as a workplace: put a computer, a lamp and attach hanging shelves for books.

Integration with other premises

In cramped conditions, a good way to increase the area is to combine the living room with adjacent rooms.

Combination of a small living room and kitchen

This is a very logical option - in the living room they receive friends, relax, and can not do without tea or festive feasts. It is enough to visually separate the cooking area with a bar counter, and on the other hand put a sofa, TV, wall - and you get a comfortable multifunctional studio. nine0005

Combination of a living room with a balcony or loggia

By removing the partition between the small living room and the loggia, due to the latter, you can significantly expand the space, as well as arrange a greenhouse or work area. To prevent heat from escaping from the apartment, the balcony will have to be glazed, the cracks closed and well insulated.

Combination of a living room with a hallway or a corridor

This redevelopment option is often found in private houses, but it is also quite suitable for apartments. A few square meters at the entrance can be left for storing clothes and shoes, separating this area, for example, with ceramic floor tiles (to make cleaning easier), and cover the rest of the space with carpet or parquet and use it as a living room. nine0005

Small living room design ideas - photo

Our gallery contains the most interesting design solutions for small living rooms. In the photo you can see what effect this or that finish gives, how different combinations of colors look, where it is better to put furniture and appliances. Get inspired!

Video: Small living room design

nine0000 Design of a small living room, 127 photos. Beautiful interiors and design

Designing a small space is always a challenge for a designer. After all, here we are talking not only about creating an interesting interior, but first of all about making the interior not just beautiful, but ergonomic, comfortable in absolutely everything. And, of course, I want to avoid this unpleasant feeling, as if the walls are “pressing” on you: the room, despite its small size, should still seem spacious. This is exactly what we will talk about today - how to create the right design for a small living room. nine0005

Interior of a small living room - light walls

In any small room, walls are best painted in light, light shades like beige or light gray. Thanks to this technique, the room will appear larger, and beautiful modern furniture will come to the fore.

Interior design for a small living room - choosing a sofa

A low sofa is best suited for the interior of a small living room. Place a seemingly weightless coffee table with a glass top on an aluminum frame in front of the sofa. However, solid wood will also look good. nine0005

Read also: ideas of beautiful magazine tables, 48 ​​photos

The interior of a small living room with a glass coffee table

Small living room, combined with a kitchen

Design of a small living room in black and red-white, 9000

Complete the interior with furniture or accessories made of transparent acrylic or on thin legs that take up almost no space visually and give the room a modern look. Coffee tables, bookshelves, desks, even acrylic plant pots are easy to find in stores. Place a floor lamp with a clear acrylic base and a black or white shade next to the reading chair. nine0005

Small living room interior - mirrors

Hang a mirror above the sofa to make the room appear larger. A mirror in a silver metal frame or frameless will perfectly cope with its task, besides it will give the interior a modern touch. And different-sized mirrors of a round or oval shape can be interestingly grouped, forming a whole composition.

Photo of a small living room with color accents

Opt for an accent color that will brighten up the neutral color scheme of the entire room. Scatter bright decorative pillows on the sofa, put an eye-catching carpet on the floor. Place a large glass vase of sunny yellow tulips on your coffee table. There are many options, as well as bright colors.

Bright colors for a living room in a small apartment

The most suitable colors for the design of a small living room are blue, green, orange and yellow. Cold shades of blue and green may seem too pale, but pastel shades of the same colors will create the perfect spring atmosphere. Warm orange and yellow, depending on the intensity of the color, will give the interior either a calm and cozy mood, or energize the room. Pink can also be used to design a small living room, but in small quantities and not very bright, unless you really, really like this color. nine0005

Blue walls in the interior of a small living room

Combination of green and orange for a small living room

Walls painted in different colors can always “revive” the design of a small living room. By painting one wall, you will create a bright accent; if you want to paint all the walls at once, which is also possible, consider a more neutral color scheme for furniture and accessories.

Design of a small living room in neutral colors with a separately painted wall

Another interesting technique is to use the combination of different color palettes, for example, to combine the cool tone of the walls with the warm tone of the furniture. Thus, you can create an unusual creative environment.

The combination of warm and cold colors in the interior of a small kitchen-living room

In general, the bright interior of a small living room is by no means a taboo. A carpet of flashy shades, decorative pillows of cheerful shades will refresh the room and improve your mood. And the best thing is that these decorative elements can be put away in the closet at any time and replaced with others that best suit your mood at the moment. nine0005

Sofa in the interior of a small living room

What living room is without a sofa, right? This is the central element of each living room, the arrangement of all other pieces of furniture will “dance” from the location and configuration of the sofa. But when choosing a sofa for a small living room, you must, of course, take into account its size: choose two or three-seater models, no more. However, multi-seat corner sofas, despite their bulkiness, can be very useful in terms of space zoning, especially in studios.

Learn more