Decorating a small living room can be a challenge, but it can also be a great opportunity to create a cozy and inviting space. With a few thoughtful design choices, you can make your small living room feel larger, brighter, and more comfortable.
One of the most important things to consider when decorating a small living room is the layout of the furniture. Arrange the furniture in a way that maximizes the available space and allows for easy movement. Avoid overcrowding the room with too many pieces of furniture, and choose pieces that are appropriately scaled for the space. If you have a small living room, it’s a good idea to choose furniture that is multifunctional. For example, an ottoman that can also be used as a coffee table or a sofa that converts into a bed.
In addition to the furniture, there are a number of other factors to consider when decorating a small living room. These include the color scheme, the lighting, and the accessories. The color scheme should be light and airy, with a few pops of color to add interest. The lighting should be bright and inviting, and the accessories should be chosen carefully to avoid cluttering the space.
Make the most of your small living room with these 9 decorating ideas:
- Choose multifunctional furniture.
- Arrange furniture for easy movement.
- Use a light and airy color scheme.
- Add pops of color for interest.
- Maximize natural light.
- Use artificial lighting strategically.
- Choose space-saving accessories.
- Hang mirrors to create illusion of space.
- Keep it clutter-free and organized.
With a little planning and effort, you can create a small living room that is both stylish and functional.
Choose multifunctional furniture.
One of the best ways to save space in a small living room is to choose multifunctional furniture. This type of furniture serves multiple purposes, which can help to reduce the amount of furniture you need in the room and make it feel more spacious.
- Ottoman with storage. An ottoman with storage can be used as a coffee table, a footrest, and a place to store blankets, pillows, and other items.
- Sofa bed. A sofa bed can be used as a couch during the day and a bed at night. This is a great option for small living rooms that also need to function as a guest room.
- Nesting tables. Nesting tables can be used together as a coffee table or end table, or they can be separated and used in different parts of the room.
- Murphy bed. A Murphy bed is a bed that folds up into the wall when it is not in use. This is a great option for small living rooms that need to be used for multiple purposes.
When choosing multifunctional furniture, it is important to consider the style of your living room and the other furniture that you have. You want the furniture to be functional, but you also want it to look good and match the overall design of the room.
Arrange furniture for easy movement.
When arranging furniture in a small living room, it is important to consider the flow of movement through the space. You want to be able to move around easily without feeling cramped or bumping into furniture. Here are some tips for arranging furniture for easy movement:
1. Leave enough space between furniture pieces.
When arranging furniture, leave enough space between pieces so that people can walk comfortably between them. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least 2 feet of space between pieces of furniture.
2. Create a clear path from the door to the seating area.
Make sure that there is a clear path from the door to the seating area. This will make it easy for people to enter and exit the room, and it will also help to make the room feel more spacious.
3. Place furniture along the walls.
When possible, place furniture along the walls. This will help to create a more open feel in the room and make it easier to move around. If you need to place furniture in the center of the room, be sure to leave enough space around it so that people can walk around it easily.
4. Use furniture that is appropriately sized for the space.
Choose furniture that is appropriately sized for the space. Oversized furniture will make the room feel smaller and more cramped. Conversely, furniture that is too small will make the room feel empty and unfinished.
5. Avoid blocking windows and doorways.
When arranging furniture, avoid blocking windows and doorways. This will help to keep the room feeling bright and airy, and it will also make it easier to move around.
By following these tips, you can arrange furniture in your small living room in a way that maximizes the available space and allows for easy movement.
Use a light and airy color scheme.
A light and airy color scheme can make a small living room feel larger and brighter. Light colors reflect light, which helps to make the room feel more spacious. Airy colors, such as white, cream, and light blue, create a sense of openness and airiness.
- Use a white or neutral color for the walls.
White is the most reflective color, so it is the best choice for making a small living room feel larger. However, if you find white to be too stark, you can use a light neutral color, such as cream, beige, or gray.
- Add pops of color with accessories.
While you want the overall color scheme of your living room to be light and airy, you can still add pops of color with accessories. This can help to add interest and personality to the space. For example, you could add a colorful rug, throw pillows, or artwork.
- Use light-colored furniture.
Light-colored furniture will help to reflect light and make the room feel larger. If you have dark-colored furniture, you can lighten it up by adding slipcovers or throws in light colors.
- Use sheer curtains or blinds.
Sheer curtains or blinds will allow natural light to filter into the room, which will help to make it feel brighter and more spacious. Avoid using heavy or dark curtains, as they will block out light and make the room feel smaller.
By using a light and airy color scheme, you can make your small living room feel larger, brighter, and more inviting.
Add pops of color for interest.
While you want the overall color scheme of your living room to be light and airy, you can still add pops of color with accessories. This can help to add interest and personality to the space.
One way to add pops of color is to use colorful throw pillows. Throw pillows are a great way to add a splash of color to your couch or armchair. You can choose pillows in a variety of colors and patterns to create a unique look. Another way to add pops of color is to use a colorful rug. A rug can help to define the seating area and add a touch of warmth to the room. You can choose a rug in a solid color or a rug with a colorful pattern.
If you have a fireplace, you can also use it to add a pop of color. Paint the fireplace surround a bright color or hang a colorful piece of art above the fireplace.
Finally, you can also add pops of color with plants. Plants are a great way to add life and color to any room. Choose plants that are easy to care for and that will thrive in the conditions in your living room.
By adding pops of color with accessories, you can create a small living room that is both stylish and inviting.
Maximize natural light.
Natural light can make a small living room feel larger and brighter. There are a number of ways to maximize natural light in your living room:
1. Use light-colored curtains or blinds.
Heavy or dark curtains can block out natural light and make the room feel smaller. Instead, use light-colored curtains or blinds that will allow natural light to filter into the room. If you want privacy, you can use sheer curtains or blinds that will still allow some light to come through.
2. Keep windows clean.
Dirty windows can block out natural light and make the room feel darker. Make sure to clean your windows regularly to allow as much natural light as possible to enter the room.
3. Place mirrors opposite windows.
Mirrors can reflect natural light and make the room feel larger. Place mirrors opposite windows to reflect the light back into the room. You can also use mirrors to create the illusion of more space. For example, you could place a mirror on a wall that is perpendicular to a window. This will create the illusion of a larger window and make the room feel more spacious.
4. Use light-colored furniture and accessories.
Light-colored furniture and accessories will reflect light and make the room feel larger. Avoid using dark or heavy furniture and accessories, as they will absorb light and make the room feel smaller.
By following these tips, you can maximize natural light in your small living room and make it feel larger and brighter.
Use artificial lighting strategically.
Artificial lighting can be used to create a warm and inviting atmosphere in a small living room. It can also be used to highlight certain features of the room or to create different moods. Here are some tips for using artificial lighting strategically in a small living room:
- Use a variety of light sources.
Don’t rely on just one light source in your living room. Instead, use a variety of light sources, such as overhead lights, table lamps, and floor lamps. This will create a more even distribution of light and make the room feel larger. You can also use different types of light bulbs to create different moods. For example, you could use warm white light bulbs for a cozy and inviting atmosphere, or you could use cool white light bulbs for a more energizing and productive atmosphere.
- Place lamps strategically.
When placing lamps, consider the layout of your furniture and the activities that take place in the room. Place lamps near seating areas so that people can easily read or work. You can also use lamps to highlight certain features of the room, such as a fireplace or a piece of art.
- Use dimmers.
Dimmers allow you to control the brightness of your lights. This is a great way to create different moods in the room. For example, you could dim the lights for a cozy evening at home or brighten the lights for a party.
- Use task lighting.
Task lighting is used to provide focused light for specific activities, such as reading or working. Task lighting can be provided by table lamps, floor lamps, or overhead lights. When choosing task lighting, consider the type of activity that will be taking place and the amount of light that is needed.
By using artificial lighting strategically, you can create a warm and inviting atmosphere in your small living room and make it more functional and enjoyable.
Choose space-saving accessories.
Every inch of space counts in a small living room, so it’s important to choose accessories that are both stylish and functional. Space-saving accessories can help to maximize your storage space and make your living room feel more spacious.
- Floating shelves.
Floating shelves are a great way to add storage space without taking up any floor space. They can be used to display books, DVDs, plants, or other decorative items. Floating shelves are also relatively easy to install, making them a great option for renters or people who don’t want to damage their walls.
- Wall-mounted furniture.
Wall-mounted furniture is another great way to save space in a small living room. Wall-mounted furniture includes items such as TV stands, bookcases, and desks. Wall-mounted furniture can help to create a more open and airy feel in the room, and it can also make it easier to clean the floor.
- Ottomans with storage.
Ottomans with storage are a great way to add extra seating and storage space to your living room. Ottomans with storage can be used to store blankets, pillows, toys, or other items. They can also be used as a coffee table or footrest.
- Nesting tables.
Nesting tables are a great way to save space and add flexibility to your living room. Nesting tables can be used as a coffee table, end table, or side table. They can also be used to create a makeshift dining table or work surface. Nesting tables are also relatively easy to store when they are not in use.
By choosing space-saving accessories, you can maximize your storage space and make your small living room feel more spacious and inviting.
Hang mirrors to create illusion of space.
Mirrors can be used to create the illusion of more space in a small living room. When light hits a mirror, it is reflected back into the room, which makes the room feel larger and brighter. Mirrors can also be used to reflect interesting objects or views, which can add depth and interest to the room.
- Place mirrors opposite windows.
One of the best ways to use mirrors to create the illusion of space is to place them opposite windows. This will reflect the natural light back into the room and make it feel larger. You can also use mirrors to reflect a view of the outdoors, which can bring the outside in and make the room feel more spacious.
- Use large mirrors.
Large mirrors are more effective at creating the illusion of space than small mirrors. When choosing a mirror for your living room, opt for the largest mirror that you can find. If you have a small living room, you could even use a full-length mirror to create a dramatic effect.
- Hang mirrors at eye level.
When hanging mirrors, it is important to hang them at eye level. This will create the most natural and realistic illusion of space. If you hang mirrors too high or too low, they will not be as effective at creating the illusion of more space.
- Use mirrors to reflect interesting objects or views.
Mirrors can also be used to reflect interesting objects or views. For example, you could place a mirror opposite a fireplace or a piece of art. This will reflect the object or view back into the room and add depth and interest to the space. You could also place a mirror opposite a window that looks out onto a garden or a park. This will bring the outside in and make the room feel more spacious.
By hanging mirrors strategically in your living room, you can create the illusion of more space and make the room feel larger and brighter.
Keep it clutter-free and organized.
Clutter can make a small living room feel even smaller and more cramped. It can also make it difficult to move around and find things. By keeping your living room clutter-free and organized, you can make it feel larger, more spacious, and more inviting.
Here are some tips for keeping your living room clutter-free and organized:
- Declutter regularly.
The first step to keeping your living room clutter-free is to declutter regularly. This means getting rid of anything you don’t need or use. Be ruthless when decluttering. If you haven’t used something in the past year, it’s probably time to get rid of it.
- Put things away when you’re done with them.
One of the best ways to keep your living room clutter-free is to put things away when you’re done with them. This includes things like putting away toys, books, magazines, and clothes.
- Use storage containers and furniture.
Storage containers and furniture can help you to keep your living room organized and free up floor space. Use storage containers to store things that you don’t use on a regular basis, such as seasonal decorations or extra blankets. Use furniture with built-in storage, such as ottomans with storage or coffee tables with drawers, to store things that you need to access on a regular basis.
- Create a designated space for everything.
One of the best ways to keep your living room organized is to create a designated space for everything. This means having a place for your keys, your mail, your shoes, and your coats. When you have a place for everything, it’s easier to keep things tidy.
By following these tips, you can keep your living room clutter-free and organized. This will make your living room feel larger, more spacious, and more inviting.
