A small living room still has all the potential of a larger space, as it all comes down to being mindful when picking out furniture, lighting, accessories, and paint colors.
For instance, a small living room can quickly feel overwhelmed with larger furniture, so it pays off to opt for smaller pieces that are multi-functional and won't allow the space to feel cluttered. You can also give your small living room some much-needed light and brightness by adding mirrors to the walls and choosing soft and muted paint tones. Installing floating shelves brings more storage space, while wall sconces add warmth while freeing up floor space. Items like a slim sofa table or side nesting tables add function without taking up much room.
Our design experts will take you through all the details, including the best seating option for a small living room and how to fully maximize your space.
Select Multipurpose Furniture
Maximize space and functionality in your small living room with multipurpose furniture like the elegant wooden coffee table with discreet built-in drawers. Perfect for a modern look, complement the centerpiece with comfortable couches and soothing ambiance. Ideal for relaxation and leisurely moments.
Strategically Place Mirrors
Enhance the perceived space in your small living room with mirrors strategically placed across from windows. This creates the illusion of a larger, brighter area while the stunning yellow couch and luxurious decor provide an elegant atmosphere. Perfect for those who appreciate sophistication and style.
Incorporate Vertical Storage Solutions
Take advantage of vertical space in your small living room with tall shelves or a wall-mounted TV. Free up floor space and maintain an open, airy feel for a modern ambiance with wooden floors, a white couch, and a round coffee table. Ideal for those seeking a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Opt for Light Colors
Open up your small living room with light-colored walls, furniture, and decor. This minimalist aesthetic exudes modern elegance with its pristine white couch, coffee table, and well-placed chair. Perfect for lovers of simple, sleek lines and neutral, airy spaces.
Embrace Minimalist Design
Keep your small living room clutter-free with minimalist design elements and essential items. Achieve a calming aesthetic with clean white walls, hardwood floors, and simple furniture. The multifunctional space can double as a bedroom, perfect for a contemporary and cozy abode.
Install High Curtains
Create an illusion of height in your small living room by hanging curtain rods close to the ceiling. Drawing attention to the tall windows and spacious feel with white curtains, blue couch, and decorative pillows. Ideal for those seeking a serene, elegant atmosphere.
Maximize Wall Niches
Utilize wall niches in your small living room for displaying decor or storing items. Maximize space and add visual interest with a relaxing seating area, fireplace, and unique decorative elements. Perfect for those seeking an indulgent and lavish atmosphere.
Pick Smaller Furniture
Choose smaller-scale furniture pieces that fit comfortably within your small living room without overcrowding. Achieve easy elegance with a sleek gray couch, black dining chair, and modern pendant light. Ideal for those with a taste for contemporary design and an airy atmosphere.
Establish a Focal Point
Draw attention to a specific area like a fireplace or artwork with contrasting colors or bold patterns in your small living room. The striking green chair and vibrant decor create a dynamic atmosphere. Perfect for those who enjoy aesthetically pleasing and cozy spaces.
Install Floating Shelves
Maximize space in your small living room by installing floating shelves for displaying items and storing books. Achieve a sleek, modern touch with a cozy fireplace, comfortable leather couch, and rattan chair. Ideal for those seeking a warm and inviting atmosphere with stylish storage solutions.
Choose a Light Rug
Create a sense of openness in a small living room with a light-colored rug. Best suited for minimalist or modern spaces, the stylish rug anchors the room while enhancing the refined design theme, as seen in the photo with a white sheepskin chair and marble side tables. Add natural elements like wooden bowls for an inviting atmosphere.
Layer Different Lighting
Achieve a warm and spacious feel in your living room by combining floor lamps, table lamps, and wall sconces. Ideal for elegant spaces with white and gold accents, the layered lighting illuminates exquisite details while providing a cozy atmosphere for relaxation and contemplation.
Pick Transparent Furniture
To create the illusion of more space in your living room, opt for clear furniture like acrylic or glass pieces. As shown in the photo, a sleek glass coffee table paired with a modern white couch and natural elements creates a serene atmosphere that is effortlessly elegant and inviting.
Introduce Vertical Lines
Draw the eye upward in a small living room by incorporating vertical lines through tall bookshelves or vertical artwork. Perfect for contemporary spaces, this tactic creates the illusion of taller ceilings and can facilitate engaging conversations with intellectual touches like carefully curated bookshelves.
Utilize Corner Spaces
Maximize your living room space by using corner furniture and shelves for storage and display. Ideal for cozy spaces like the one pictured with a beige couch, striped chair, and stylish glass coffee table, corner arrangements provide a relaxing atmosphere for socializing and unwinding.
Integrate Built-Ins
Save space and add a polished look to your small living room with built-in shelves or cabinets. Ideal for warm, cozy spaces, built-ins offer a blend of style, comfort, and functionality, as showcased in the photo with a glass decanter and leather ottoman.
Opt for Armless Seating
Choose armless chairs or sofas to create an open and spacious feel in a small living room. Perfect for modern spaces, this option enhances the room's elegance and depth, as demonstrated in the 3D rendering with sleek lighting, marble side table, and unique fireplace.
Select Rounded Furniture
To create a smoother traffic flow and reduce visual weight in your living room, select round coffee or side tables. The featured space's modern and minimalist vibe showcases how rounded furniture can contribute to an inviting and comfortable atmosphere.
Display Wall Art at Eye Level
Create a cohesive and balanced look in your small living room by hanging artwork at eye level. Seen in the image with a large, vibrant painting, this approach adds human connection and intrigue to the room while encouraging a serene and cozy environment.
Incorporate Greenery
Make your living room more inviting by adding plants for a sense of freshness. Illustrated in the photo with a lavish living room and a tree centerpiece, the presence of greenery enhances the connection to nature and creates a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.
Pick Compact Electronics
To maintain a clean, uncluttered look in compact living rooms, choose smaller TVs and sound systems. Ideal for contemporary spaces, this idea brings warmth and a sleek aesthetic, with furniture like a grey chair and a wall-mounted TV. Complement the look with lush green plants and artistic wall decoration. Make this look an inviting space for relaxation by blending modern and cozy elements.
Utilize Ottomans as Seating
Maximize space in small living rooms by incorporating ottomans for seating and storage. Ideal for cozy and sophisticated rooms with soft blue hues, adding a plush beige couch with throw pillows. Complete with a coffee table, hutch for storage, and a fireplace as a focal point. Add a touch of nature with blue flower arrangements and Asian influences through a Chinese garden stool.
Install Wall-Mounted Sconces
Save space and create a cozy ambiance in small living rooms by using wall sconces instead of floor or table lamps. Perfect for spaces with a blue couch and minimalist black marble coffee table, the sconces add elegance while a black and white abstract painting creates visual interest. The outdoor seating area offers a serene spot to relax, and a furry pillow adds texture and comfort.
Add a Narrow Console Table
Place a slim console table behind your sofa to add extra storage and display space in small living rooms without consuming much room. The table works well in comfortable living spaces, complementing sofas and stools to create a cozy seating area. Enhance the room's ambiance with art pieces, a potted tree, and contemporary ceiling decor. The design creates an ideal space for relaxation and socializing.
Paint Ceiling a Light Color
Create the illusion of a taller, more spacious living room by painting the ceiling a light color. Ideal for modern spaces with gold accents, elegant white couches, and silky beige pillows, this idea adds sophistication. The cozy living space is completed with a white table lamp on a silver side table, a brown vase for natural touch, and pristine white curtains.
Introduce Patterned Accents
In small living rooms, add patterned pillows or rugs for visual interest and a more dynamic feel. Combine cheerful, colorful furniture with a dazzling chandelier and a charmingly decorated interior to create an inviting space. Add coastal charm with seashell decorations and maintain comfort with couches and seating areas. Let natural light in for a bright and lively atmosphere.
Adopt a Monochromatic Color Scheme
Stick to a single color palette for a cohesive, spacious feeling in small living rooms. Embrace modernity and sleekness with black walls, grey couches, and minimalistic decor. Illuminate the room with soft lighting from a nearby kitchen and maintain a sophisticated atmosphere with clean lines and simple designs.
Arrange Furniture Diagonally
For the illusion of more space and a dynamic feel, position your living room furniture on a diagonal. Create a striking contrast with a white couch, black coffee table, and corner window with black frame letting in natural light. Add a cozy reading nook with chairs, lamps, and cushions. This arrangement combines contemporary elegance and dark accents.
Create a Gallery Wall
Personalize your small living room by designing a gallery wall to display favorite artwork or photos. In serene spaces with white and blue hues, use a tufted blue ottoman, delicate blue pillows, and an open book on a chair. A soothing ambiance is perfect for unwinding after a long day, with a harmonious combination of colors and textures that evoke calmness and tranquility.
Incorporate Bold Patterned Accents
Add depth and character to small living rooms with bold patterns on accent pieces like pillows and rugs. Create a vibrant space featuring a colorful chair, stylish coffee table, eye-catching chandelier, and a fireplace for warmth. Include unique decor like a grandfather clock and a deer head statue for a touch of personality in the room.
Highlight a Focal Wall
Create a visually striking living room with a bold focal wall that adds depth and character. Ideal for modern or contemporary spaces, use contrasting furniture, artwork, and wall clock to enhance the effect. For a dramatic flair, opt for deep, matte black and white or metallic accents. Illuminate this space with a tall gold table lamp.
Choose a Small Sectional Sofa
Maximize seating while maintaining a sleek design in your living room with a compact sectional sofa. Perfect for modern interiors, place it near a large window to enjoy city skyline views. Complement the space with a white coffee table, artistic accents, cozy reading nook, and potted plants. Keep the color scheme monochromatic for a refined look.
Incorporate a Stylish Bar Cart
Entertain guests in your small living room with a chic bar cart, perfect for compact spaces. Coordinate with stylish gray furniture, a plush couch, an elegant coffee table, and unique driftwood accents. Include a cozy reading nook with a lounge chair and an inviting fireplace to exude warmth. Add framed artwork and orchids for extra touches of sophistication.
Install Recessed Lighting Fixtures
Achieve a clean, uncluttered look by opting for recessed lighting in your living room. This works well in elegant spaces with a beige palette, a plush couch, minimalist coffee table, and large windows. Enhance the design with a potted plant, a luxurious lounge chair, and a cozy separate bedroom area.
Add a Space-Saving Bench
Introduce a bench to your living room for added seating that can be easily tucked away when not in use. This fits well in spaces showcasing an eclectic mix of modern and rustic charm, including a cozy fireplace, a captivating tree mural, wooden side tables, colorful paintings, and intricate light fixtures. Utilize plush cushions and natural greenery for added style and comfort.
Use a Slim Sofa Table
Increase storage and display space in your small living room with a narrow sofa table placed behind the couch. This works well in spaces with large windows that offer serene lake views, and with contrasting pops of color like red chairs, a black floor lamp, and sleek television. Include a beautiful vase with flowers and a cozy fireplace for added elegance.
Incorporate a Multi-Functional Daybed
Upgrade your living room with a daybed that doubles as seating and a guest bed for optimum space and functionality. This suits spaces with a majestic fireplace, refined seating arrangements, a cozy window nook, and carefully curated artwork. Personalize the room with your interests, be it a white table with floral arrangements or a quirky cow statue.
Opt for Nesting Tables
Save space and maintain a stylish aesthetic with nesting tables that tuck away when not in use. This works well in serene living rooms featuring a gray color palette, plush gray couch, white coffee table, and a yellow and white tree mural. Add a sleek television for entertainment and a side table with a flower vase for a touch of elegance.
Add a Versatile Pouf
Incorporate a pouf in your living room for extra, portable seating that can be stored with ease. Ideal for spaces with a captivating artwork centerpiece, comfortable sectional couch, and a rattan chair for rustic elegance. Use a hanging lamp for warm lighting and place a vase with colorful flowers on the coffee table for an inviting atmosphere.
Hang an Oversized Mirror
Create the illusion of spaciousness in your living room with a large mirror on one wall. Enhance the elegance of the space with a plush white couch, black coffee table, and a rattan chair. Include vase arrangements with roses and greenery, a cozy fireplace, and soft lighting for an inviting atmosphere in modern or classic interiors.
Stick to a Simple Color Palette
To achieve a cohesive and spacious living room, consider a simple color palette. Ideal for contemporary spaces with a sleek, modern aesthetic, this design approach highlights key furniture, such as a wall-mounted TV, cozy lounge chair, and stylish couch. Complete the look with a beige rug, black and white ceiling light fixture, and adjustable floor lamps for added ambiance.
Use a Creative Room Divider
For increased functionality and the illusion of a larger space, employ a creative room divider in your small living room. This technique helps define separate zones while maintaining an inviting atmosphere. Suitable for contemporary, cozy spaces, try adding wooden chairs, a light blue couch, and a coffee table. Accentuate the area with cactus plants, brown pots, and sliding doors that open to a balcony for a touch of nature.
Add a Slimline Bookcase
Maximize storage and display options while saving floor space with a slimline bookcase in your living room. This modern and open layout complements wooden flooring, a comfortable couch, and dining spaces. Finish the look with a white shelf against the wall, setting the stage for a black and white tray as a decorative focal point.
Incorporate a Folding Screen
A folding screen creates separate zones, making your small living room feel larger and more functional. Ideal for minimalist, modern spaces, this design includes a serene seating area with a black and white bed, patterned blanket, and a sleek TV near a well-placed plant. Complete this look with green chairs around a round table for an intimate dining nook.
Introduce a Ladder-Style Shelf
A ladder shelf provides both storage and display while occupying minimal floor space. This stylish addition is perfect for cozy living rooms, accompanied by a comfortable blue couch, coffee table, and adjacent television. Other elements such as a wooden bookcase, leather chair, and neon sign add character and ambiance.
Opt for Wall-Mounted Lighting Fixtures
Save space and create a cozy ambiance with wall-mounted lighting in your small living room. Ideal for elegant and simple spaces with beige couches and wooden coffee tables, this approach adds a touch of modern flair. Complete the look with black and white details, wooden tables, and ambient floor lamps.
Add a Wall-Mounted Workspace
Implement a wall-mounted desk to create a functional workspace without taking up much room. Perfect for modern bedrooms, this design features wooden desks with elegant computers and an ergonomic office chair. Add other modern touches such as a mounted television, comfortable bed, window seating, and a radiator for a complete look.
Select a Compact Coffee Table
Choose a small coffee table to provide a surface for drinks and decor without overwhelming your living room. This contemporary design pairs well with sleek white couches, sectional sofas, and brown leather benches. Add artistic elements like an eye-catching brown sculpture to create a captivating focal point.
Incorporate a Floor Cushion
Enhance your small living room with a versatile floor cushion for extra seating that can be easily stored away. Ideal for cozy spaces with vibrant blue couches and wooden coffee tables, this design allows for comfortable relaxation. Complete the look with a wooden side table, rope-hung mirror, and white furnishings.
Arrange Artwork in a Grid Pattern
Display artwork in a grid pattern to create a cohesive, organized look in your small living room. For serene spaces with white furniture and blue accents, this design emphasizes tranquility and sophistication. Accentuate the room with framed prints, a table lamp, a plush couch, and a dining nook area in a corner of the space, creating an inviting environment.
Caroline Patterson
Caroline is a young, New York-based interior designer and home decor writer, obsessed with textiles and designer furniture. Backed with rigorous training from a prestigious design school, as well as a profound understanding of material quality and fabric care, she offers spot-on advice on how to furnish your place with reliable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing pieces.
