40 Small Living Room Ideas
Small living room? There’s no need to scrimp on style.
We’ve lost count of the number of tiny living rooms that we’ve seen decorated in the same way: a couple of pot plants dotted around,
maybe a funny little ornament on the table, and a couple of frames on the wall.
It’s not that there’s anything wrong with these things, but there are so many ways that you can make a small living room feel a little bit more special.
If you’re looking for small living room ideas,
take inspiration from our gallery of beautiful small space designs to unlock the potential of your compact living room.
1. Make a center spot
In a small living room, it’s important to create a focal point in the room. This could be a large piece of furniture, like a sectional, or a fireplace.
In this small living room, the focal point is the sofa, which is centered on the wall and flanked by a pair of matching chairs.
The coffee table is also centered in front of the sofa, and the rug is centered under the coffee table.
This creates a sense of balance and order in the room, which makes it feel more spacious.
2. Use light colors
This is one of the most common small living room design tips, and for good reason.
Using light colors in a small space can make the room feel larger and more open.
In this living room by Color Joy Interiors, a palette of soft blues and whites makes the room feel bright and airy.
The light colors are balanced with warm wood tones, and a few pops of black add contrast to the space.
3. Choose furniture that does double duty
When you’re working with limited square footage, it’s important to choose furniture that can serve multiple purposes.
For example, in my own small living room, I have a storage ottoman that can be used as a coffee table, extra seating, or a place to prop my feet up.
I also have a small side table with a built-in USB port so I can charge my phone without needing extra cords.
The key is to look for pieces that are both stylish and functional.
4. Decorate vertically
If you’re running out of floor space, consider using your walls for storage and decor.
This living room designed by Arent & Pyke is a great example of how to do that.
They added a tall bookshelf, a gallery wall, and a hanging plant to utilize the vertical space in the room.
5. Add a hanging pot
If you have a small living room, chances are you don’t have a lot of space for house plants.
That’s where hanging pots come in. Hang a few pots from the ceiling or wall to give your space some greenery without taking up any precious floor space.
We love the way this hanging pot coordinates with the blue and orange color scheme in this living room.
6. Use neutral colors
One of the most effective ways to make a small living room feel larger is to use a neutral color palette.
This doesn’t mean you have to stick to white. You can use a variety of soft, muted colors to create a calming, cohesive feel in your small space.
Neutral colors are also a great backdrop for layering in different textures and patterns.
In this small living room, we used a soft blue on the walls and brought in a variety of neutral colors and textures in the furniture and decor.
7. Use small furniture
Don’t be afraid of using larger pieces in a small living room, but do be mindful of the size of your furniture.
A large sofa can actually make a space feel bigger, rather than cluttering it up with lots of smaller pieces.
However, if you are working with a really small living room (like the one above), opt for more minimalist designs.
8. Use a mirror
We all know how a well placed mirror can make a room feel bigger, but where should you put it in a small living room? We would say, go big.
If you can, choose a large mirror and hang it across from a window, this way it will reflect the light and the view, making the room feel so much more open.
If you are after a more decorative mirror,
you could also hang one above the mantel or even use a mirror as art and make it the focal point of your small living room.
9. Use transparent furniture
One of the easiest ways to make a small living room feel less cluttered is to use transparent furniture.
It’s a design trick that’s been used in small kitchens for years, but it works just as well in a small living room.
When you can see the floor under your furniture, your room will feel more open and spacious.
This doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite sofa,
but you might want to consider using a glass coffee table or a lucite side table to keep things feeling light and airy.
10. Use the corners
If you are designing a small living room, you might want to avoid using the corners of the room to help the space feel bigger.
However, that can have the opposite effect, and the room can feel a bit awkward and underused.
Instead, use the corners to add in some extra seating. A small sofa could be used to create a cozy nook or a chaise lounge could be a stylish addition.
A small armchair or a couple of floor cushions could be all that’s needed to fill the space.
Conclusion
I hope you found these tips helpful and can put them to good use. I would love to hear from you if you have any tips that you would like to share. Please leave me a comment below.
