How to Make the Most of a Small Living Room
Supersize your space with these tips.
Nothing beats browsing through living room furniture when you're moving or are just in need of a bit of an update. But if you're hitting a wall because your living room is on the small side, we've got you covered. Check out our favourite small living room ideas below and make the most out of your petite (but cosy) living space.
1. Use Your Legs
Leggy furniture is one of the most easily recognisable modern small living room ideas. If your living room is barely more than a nook, opt for a couple of comfy accent chairs with tapered legs. Furniture with thin legs creates a clean, modern aesthetic and gives off a simple (but still welcoming) vibe. Pair accent chairs with a side table instead of taking up space with a coffee table.
When looking into small living room ideas, it's okay to choose a corner sofa. It's important to choose the largest sofa you can fit into your living room since it's where you'll probably be spending the most time. Corner sofas can maximise corners by creating as much seating as possible. Because of their L shape, corner sofas can also help zone off a small living room from a hallway, dining room or home office. Choose a tufted but not overstuffed sectional; if the sofa is too plump, it can make the room feel smaller.
Tip: Check out our how to measure for a sectional sofa guide for easy tips for finding the right size sofa for your space.
3. Centre Yourself (+ Your Furniture)
One of the quickest ways to incorporate small living room ideas into your design is to refigure your seating. Push all the furniture into the centere of the living room to create a floating seating arrangement. This setup is reminiscent of the conversation setups of the ʼ70s and is ideal for creating a cosy Friday night in. Choose a rug that is large enough to fit under every piece of furniture to anchor the seating area – that could even mean just the front legs of your sofa and chairs.
Tip: Need a little help figuring out what size rug is right for your living room? We've got you. Check out our how to choose the right rug sizes guide.
4. Play with Scale
A bold piece of art or a quirky mirror can make a dramatic statement in a small living room. A big mirror will instantly make even the smallest living rooms feel bigger by reflecting sunlight. If you have large art, you can hang it high up on the walls to draw the eye upward and make the room seem taller. Why not try using a retro credenza or sideboard to display art and store clutter - a cleaner and artier living room in a snap.
Tip: If you rent your apartment or studio and don't want to nail artwork onto the walls, then prop pieces up along the credenza instead. Bonus: You can move or swap items around whenever you want.
5. Brighten Up
Instead of taking up floor space with a floor lamp, optimize your square footage with wall sconces. We're loving these swinging wall lamps – the arms let you adjust the light to see your book no matter where you're lounging.
Glass furniture can create an illusion that there's more open space than there really is. A glass coffee table will make the floor area seem bigger. If you don't have the space for a coffee table, try out a glass console table for your TV instead.
Tip: Since glass furniture can eliminate storage space, make sure to keep baskets on hand for extra throw blankets and books.
If you're looking for small living room ideas, you're going to love this tip. We're all about finding furniture that can serve more than one purpose. This ottoman can be used as a footrest, as extra seating, or as surface area for a bowl of popcorn. If you need hidden nooks and crannies, choose a storage ottoman with a lid to store chargers and remotes. Alternatively, consider nesting coffee tables. You can tuck the smaller tables underneath when not in use and then pull them out when you have guests over. Takeout containers and wine bottles definitely deserve the extra space.
Natural light makes everything brighter and feel bigger. If you're able to, try not to block windows and glass doors. If you need curtains, choose something light and breezy so that you still get a lot of natural light. Hang curtains a few inches from the ceiling and let them run all the way to the floor instead of hovering a foot above it – they will instantly make the ceilings appear higher.
A low-profile sofa, accent chair or chaise can create the visual effect of a higher ceiling. Add a throw pillow or three to ensure cosiness. The low bookcase in this living room is just the thing for keeping things clutter-free and well curated. You can also place the bookcase along one side of the living room if it needs to be visually separated from another room.
If you work from home and live in a studio or tiny apartment, a home office and living room combo isn't out of the question. Place a leggy wood desk and minimalist-inspired chair along one wall or corner of the living room. Set a desk lamp on top to light up your WFH setup. Visually separate the space from the rest of your living room by hanging a mirror or wall art above it.
Tip: In need of more small room ideas and inspiration? Then take a look at:
- Smart and Simple Ways to Arrange Furniture in a Small Living Room
- Expert Space-Saving Tips for Your Small Bedroom
- Quick & Easy Small Kitchen Ideas
