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Long narrow living room furniture placement


Long Living Room Ideas - Narrow Room Design Tips

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Interior Design

Living Room

by Eleanor Büsing

published Sep 22, 2018

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

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1. Create Separate Zones

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

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

2. Alternate your Furniture Groupings

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

3. Arrange Things Across the Space

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

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

4. Work with the Middle

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

5. Utilize an L-Shaped Sofa

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

How to Decorate a Long Narrow Living Room

Is your living room a hallway?

No?

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

Well, it doesn’t have to.

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

Furniture arrangements

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

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

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

Courtesy of decorsteals.com on Pinterest

The Straight Pathway

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Courtesy of patticakewagner.com on Pinterest

The Curved Pathway

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

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

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

Courtesy of decorsteals.com on Pinterest

Separate the Space

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

These could be:

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

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

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

Courtesy of settingforfour.com on Pinterest

Decorating a Long Narrow Living Room

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

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

Courtesy of modsy.com on Pinterest

Recommended Round Pieces

A long narrow living room is essentially a big rectangle. 

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

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

Courtesy of classiccasualhome.com on Pinterest

Rely on Rugs

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

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

Courtesy of decorsteals.com on Pinterest

Space Saving Shelves

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

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

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

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

Courtesy of thesavvyheart.com on Pinterest

Maximize Vertical Space

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

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

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

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

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

 

Now It’s Your Turn

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

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

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

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

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

Content

12/23/2021

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

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

Basic rules for decorating space

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zoning

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

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


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

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


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

Which furniture to use

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

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

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

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

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

Features of furniture arrangement

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

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


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

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

Styling

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


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

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



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



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

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

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Living room interior design in a modern style

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

Interior design of a living room in a classic style

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

What furniture to choose for the living room

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

Return to list of tips and ideas

real photos and life hacks to expand the room

Designer life hacks to expand the space

The main task when decorating a narrow living room is to make it wider. This will help:

Furniture arrangement

Before arranging furniture in a narrow room, it must be chosen correctly. Give preference to low, mundane models. A chest of drawers instead of a tall wardrobe, a floor or hanging console for a TV instead of a wall. It is also advisable to choose upholstered furniture with a low seat and back. If the narrow living room is also small in size, replace the overall bulky interior items with light, airy ones. That is, instead of a huge sofa - a pair of light chairs, instead of a large wooden table - a round glass or mirror one. nine0003

When planning, avoid the standard arrangement of furniture along long walls - this technique narrows the living room even more, making it look like a corridor.

Pictured is a lounge area by the window with curtains

The main rule of ergonomic hall planning is not to leave the center empty. It is better to make an additional passage along the wall, but arrange in the center an area with a table, chairs and other pieces of furniture. For example, arrange two short sofas opposite each other, placing a coffee table between them. nine0003

If a sofa in the living room along the long side is required, because a TV is hanging opposite, let it be a corner model with an ottoman. Lay a bright carpet on the floor and place a coffee table or bench on top.

To make a long, narrow space a little shorter, add a pair of colorful armchairs to the window or balcony setting at the end of the room on the short side.

What color is better to arrange?

The design of the narrow living room allows you to play with colors, but first determine the size of your room. For spacious narrow rooms, the use of darker (coffee, graphite, burgundy, emerald) shades is allowed. A small room requires light colors - beige, gray, white. nine0003

Color temperature is also important. Northern living rooms lack sunlight, so warm cream, yellow, orange tones will brighten it up. In the halls that are located on the south side, where it is already hot, it is better to give preference to cold colors - blue, greenish, lilac, pink.

In the photo, the zoning of a bright living room

At the same time, the color scheme for long and short walls will be different. Long ones are always lighter and colder, narrow ones are brighter, darker and warmer. This allows you to bring the far wall closer and visually make the room more square. nine0003

Finishing details

Let's start with the floor. We have already mentioned that laying must be done across. But diagonal placement of planks or tiles is also allowed, this also changes the shape of a narrow living room for the better. A carpet will help to complement the effect - either with a horizontal transverse pattern, or a plain one, laid along a short wall.

The photo shows a narrow hall in a modern classic style

The main thing you need to know when decorating walls is that all decor, color and brightness should fall on the narrow sides. That is, long walls are decorated in a neutral, monophonic way. And between them make as much color as possible. Suitable for accent wall:

An excellent tool - photo wallpaper. The image of the perspective on the elongated side will balance the irregular shape of the passage room and will look appropriate.

Leave the ceiling as standard white, or complete it with stripes across. Stripes can be drawn in full width, or lining, beams and other architectural elements can be used. nine0003

What to consider when organizing lighting?

Light is your main assistant in the design of a narrow living room. Because with poorly thought out lighting, even the correct arrangement of furniture will not play as it should.

One of the ways we have already mentioned above: if you highlight long partitions with directional lights, they will appear further apart.

The photo shows a living room combined with a bedroom

Also, do not leave an empty central area. To do this, use a stylish large ceiling chandelier, which will divert attention from the architectural features of the narrow hall.

A variety of natural and artificial light sources in different areas will also play into your hands, add coziness - highlight separately a cozy relaxation area, a functional work area and a media area.

Avoid hanging and elongated lamps parallel to the long sides, in your case it is better to give preference to floor or ceiling lamps. nine0003

Design ideas in different styles

Popular today Scandinavian style is known for light finishes and special love for textiles. Use it to transform the interior of a narrow living room. Play on the contrast of surfaces, put a dark or bright sofa perpendicular, lay a carpet with a geometric print at the foot.

For a classic style, go for a solid wall and ceiling design, but pay special attention to decor. Pictures hanging across, expensive carpets, framed mirrors along the long sides. nine0003

In the photo, a bright armchair highlights one of the walls

The loft is known for its love of textures; in a narrow living room, accent walls are chosen shorter. The rest are neutral. Metal shelving will help to zone the space.

The forte of modernity is glossy surfaces.

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