Renovation ideas for small living room

Alexandra Ribar; DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors

Resist the urge to push all of your furniture up against the walls. If you create space behind the furniture, it makes the room look wider than it is. An antique stool vibes well the Chesterfield sofa in this room designed by Leanne Ford.

41

Hang a Chair

Hecker Guthrie

Swing chairs are super fun and seem to be having a design moment right now. More importantly, they can be a life saver in a small living room or family room. You can add seating without taking up a ton of floor space, like you would with a traditional armchair. This mod style in a Hecker Guthrie-designed space is all the convincing we need.

42

Shrink Your Sofa

Douglas Friedman

In designer Ann Pyne's New York City apartment, a small red settee fills the entire living room with personality. A leopard print stool and matching pale yellow armchairs ensure plenty of seating, too.

43

Make It Multi-Purpose

Josh Franer; DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors

When space is lacking, the only option is to get creative and make things multi-purpose. For example, if you don't have room for a separate living room, family room, and home office, combine each concept into one space. This living room and office by Leanne Ford proves that the right layout and pieces can look great, no matter what shape or size the room.

44

Build Shelving

Trevor Tondro

Use ottomans in place of a traditional coffee table to make better use of your space (because a tiny house means your living room often does double or triple duty when people come over). You can top them with a tray to hold flowers and books, or use as extra seating. Then when it's family time, they become footrests. These red leather ottomans in a small family room designed by Redmond Aldrich strike that perfect balance between formal and casual.

Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House.

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

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

In small-sized apartments, the renovation of the living room causes a lot of problems, because this room most of all needs competent design. Quiet family evenings are held here, guests gather for celebrations, and sometimes business negotiations are conducted. Each apartment owner understands that the living room is a business card that demonstrates good taste and material wealth. But what to do if its dimensions do not allow you to install chic furniture and decorate the interior with rich decor? In our article, we will look at how you can turn a small living room into a stylish, comfortable room that can become a real pride of its owners. nine0005

Enlarge space

Renovation of a small living room should begin with the consideration of opportunities to increase the area. This can be achieved by combining a room with adjacent rooms. The easiest option is to connect a loggia or balcony to the layout. True, it will be necessary to additionally insulate the attached area, but it will be a great place to organize a dining, desktop or relaxation area with armchairs and a coffee table. When attaching a balcony, most often only window and door frames are demolished, and part of the wall is converted into a bar counter. The opening can be beautifully beaten with an arched vault, creating a decorative highlight in the interior. nine0005

A more troublesome but effective way to increase space is to combine the living room with the kitchen. In this case, you can not do without zoning - you can separate the working area from the guest area using finishing materials, lighting or furniture in the form of a sofa or bar counter. One-room small-sized apartments are often turned into studio apartments, where almost all interior partitions are demolished, with the exception of the bathroom. Such a room will look light and spacious.

If there is no possibility or desire to engage in redevelopment, you can use techniques to visually expand the area of ​​the room. To do this, choose light colors of finishing materials, install only the necessary interior items, endow the room with a variety of light sources. Glass and mirror surfaces help to make the space lighter and freer: a glossy stretch ceiling, lacquered furniture fronts, mirrored wardrobe doors, glass tables, shelves. nine0005

In a small living room there is an opportunity to "push" and "raise" the walls due to the peculiarities of finishing materials. One of the walls can be decorated in a solid dark color - it will give depth to the space, focusing on itself. The same effect is created by photo wallpapers and large prints. Placing patterns on the walls vertically will create the illusion of a high ceiling, and horizontally will expand the plane of the walls. Such techniques can be combined in a single room. Small drawings, as well as those arranged in a diagonal order, create dynamics, lightness of the atmosphere. nine0005

Color solutions for a small living room

A small room will look much more spacious if you choose a light palette for its decoration. Dark tones are also present in the interior, but not as the main background, but as auxiliary elements that focus on a particular area.

You can use a white color scheme that visually expands the space, gives a feeling of cleanliness and freshness. Against such a background, any dark and bright details harmoniously look. White is able to emphasize cold tones and muffle warm ones, streamlining the situation. nine0005

Beige tones will add more coziness and warmth to the atmosphere, creating a neutral background for a confidential conversation. In such an environment, you can relax and rejuvenate after a hard day's work. At the same time, the beige palette harmonizes perfectly with any cold and warm colors that help diversify the interior, make it more dynamic.

The base color for designing a small living room can be gray, which is very popular with modern designers. It is great for any style decision, and using its various halftones, you can create unique fashionable interiors. Pastel colors look best against the background of an ashy palette, but bright contrasts will blend in no less harmoniously. nine0005

To design a small living room, you can also use color solutions, decorating the room in blue, light green, lemon, pink colors. The introduction of their brighter shades should be moderate and combined with a white palette.

Finishes and materials

The modern market is full of various materials for interior decoration, and for a living room that does not have microclimate features, you can choose absolutely any. But it is worth considering that in small rooms it is better to avoid decorating with finishes that will steal part of the space, such as plasterboard wall coverings or PVC panels installed on a metal frame. nine0005

Floor

It is better to lay a warm material on the floor, such as laminate or compacted linoleum. Self-leveling and porcelain tiles are also used, but they are quite cool, so you will need a warm carpet. If the living room is combined with any other room, you can create different combinations of materials by highlighting areas.

Walls

Walls in a small living room are available in a variety of finishes. In most cases, the choice depends on the personal preferences of the owners, the style concept and financial capabilities. Before finishing the wall, it is necessary to carefully align and eliminate existing defects. They can be wallpapered, combining plain and patterned surfaces, painted, decorated with decorative plaster or PVC panels. On accent areas, artificial stone, photo wallpapers, as well as cork, leather canvases are used. nine0005

Ceiling

The easiest way to decorate the ceiling is plasterboard sheathing followed by painting. You can use stretch fabrics, glossy coatings that create a reflective effect will be especially good in a small living room. With the help of drywall, you can create various stepped structures, highlight functional areas.

Small living room furniture

The choice of furniture for a small living room is an important point that requires special attention to detail. It is important here to prioritize correctly and select only the necessary elements. A sofa, armchairs, a TV panel remain mandatory interior items. nine0005

You can purchase a transforming coffee table, which, if necessary, turn into a large dining table, install a suspended modular set with glossy fronts. If you can’t refuse a closet, give preference to a compartment design with mirrored doors. For some styles (classic, Scandinavian), a false fireplace would be a good solution.

Lighting and decor

In a small living room, the lighting must be intense enough so that no corner is left unattended. You can arrange multi-level lighting: install a chandelier, spotlights, hidden lighting around the perimeter of the ceiling and local lighting of individual areas, for example, a floor lamp or a wall lamp by the sofa, hanging appliances above the bar counter. nine0005

Do not oversaturate a small room with decor, so as not to bring confusion into the atmosphere. Choose details that match the style. Live flowerpots, bright decorative pillows, family photos will be appropriate in any interior. You can use decorative finishing materials as decorations: voluminous or patterned wallpapers, fabrics, photo images, etc.

Interior styles

For a small living room it is very important that the environment is as ordered as possible, so you need to choose a certain style direction. We propose to consider several options that will perfectly fit into the conditions of a compact hall. nine0005

Minimalist small living room

Perhaps the best option for a small living room can not be found. The minimalist trend, which has gained great popularity recently, involves a light interior design, equipping it with only useful furnishings. Clear lines and the correct geometric proportions of all details, the absence of decorative excesses - such conciseness does not prevent the interior of the living room from being cozy and friendly.

Japanese style small living room

The interiors of the people of the Land of the Rising Sun are a combination of Japanese traditions and European practicality. Natural motifs are quite popular in the premises, as the philosophy of culture is based on the harmonious reunification of man with nature. In the design, natural colors and materials, landscapes and natural ornaments are preferred.

Japanese-style living room furniture is limited to the presence of extremely functional squat pieces. The spirit of Japan is ideally emphasized by hanging chandeliers-lanterns, traditional shoji partitions or their authentic imitation, bamboo wall coverings, philosophical sayings made in hieroglyphs. nine0005

Scandinavian style small living room

Northern peoples, who, due to climatic conditions, experience a lack of sunlight, most of all needed and still need bright spacious rooms, which clearly confirms the Scandinavian style of interiors.

Here, light tones of decoration are welcome, among which the white palette occupies a leading position. The ethnic orientation is emphasized by a deliberately rough finish - the walls are plastered or decorated for brickwork even without prior leveling, the ceiling is whitewashed, and the floor is laid with a wooden board (can be replaced with laminate or parquet). Warm decorative details give a special comfort: pillows, rugs, wooden furniture, green flowerpots. nine0005

Small Loft Living Room

Fans of extraordinary design of their homes should pay attention to the loft trend in design, where you can find amazing combinations of careless finishes, aged furniture with modern products of technological progress.

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