Small Living Room Ideas: Functional Solutions for Tiny Spaces

Living in a small space can present some challenges when it comes to decorating and organizing your home. However, small living rooms don’t have to feel cramped or cluttered. With some creative small space solutions, you can make a small living room feel airy and open. In this article, we’ll share some of our favorite small living room ideas to maximize your tiny square footage.

Choose Multifunctional Furniture

One of the keys to decorating a small living room is selecting furniture and decor that serves multiple purposes. Look for sofas and chairs with hidden storage space underneath, ottomans that open up for extra seating, coffee tables with shelves, and end tables with drawer storage.

Multifunctional furniture allows you to declutter by keeping items tucked away, while also making your small living room work double duty. Some examples include:

Sofas with storage space under the cushions or that fold out into a bed for overnight guests.
Ottomans or benches that have removable lids allowing you use them for storage.
Coffee tables and side tables with shelves or drawers built in.
An entertainment center that has cabinets and shelves rather than an open design.

Choosing the right multifunctional furniture lets you maximize every inch of space in your small living room.

Create the Illusion of Space with Light Colors

When choosing a color palette for a small living room, light and bright is the way to go. Light colors help reflect light and make the room feel more open and airy. They also create the illusion of more space.

Some good options for small living rooms include:

Soft whites or very light greys on the walls. Stay away from stark white, which can feel too sterile.
Light earth tones like sand, oatmeal, or light taupe on larger furniture pieces and area rugs.
Pale pastels like light blue, lavender, or sage green for accent pieces and decorative items.
Metallic accents in silver, gold, or copper add a touch of glam.

In general, limit the amount of dark colors you use in a small living room. Darker hues can make the space feel closed in. Use them sparingly on accent walls or smaller decor items.

Choose Small-Scale Furniture

When furnishing a small living room, scale down the size of pieces you choose. Oversize furniture will overwhelm a tiny space. Instead, look for:

Compact sectional sofas or settees instead of large sofas.
Apartment sized armchairs with narrow profiles.
Coffee tables and end tables with small footprints.
Low profile media consoles and entertainment centers.
Narrow bookcases to flank the fireplace or use as room dividers.

Measure the room carefully before shopping so you can choose the right sized furniture. Also consider elevating larger pieces, like a sofa or shelves, on legs to make the room feel more open underneath. The smaller scale pieces you choose, the roomier your small living room will feel.

Take Advantage of Vertical Space

In a small living room, don’t forget to utilize vertical space to open things up. Hanging curtains close to or all the way up to your ceiling makes the room feel taller. Choose curtain rods that extend a few inches beyond the window frame on each side.

When arranging furniture, opt for:

Tall bookcases for storage.
Floating wall mounted shelves.
Narrow floor lamps that direct light upwards.
Gallery walls or collections of framed art.
Tall plants in hanging planters.

Drawing the eye upwards also makes your small living room appear more expansive. Use vertical space stylishly to keep things feeling airy and balanced.

Mirrors Visually Double Space

Strategically placed mirrors are a go-to trick for small living rooms. The reflective surface makes any space instantly feel twice as big.

Mirror ideas for small living rooms:

Hang a large mirror above the fireplace or a sofa to expand the view.
Use mirrored coffee tables, consoles, or accent tables to reflect light.
Add a mirrored wall with panels or tiles to create the illusion of more depth.
Place tall leaning mirrors in corners or on blank walls.

Avoid going overboard on mirrors or it may feel busy. But one or two large statement mirrors can work magic in a tiny living room.

Define Spaces with Area Rugs

Area rugs help delineate spaces in an open concept living room. They anchor seating areas and instantly make a small living room feel more polished.

Some tips for using area rugs in a small living room:

Choose a rug that’s large enough for all front legs of furniture to fit on top. This helps define the space.
Use pale, muted, or monochromatic rugs so the floor doesn’t feel too busy.
Layer a smaller print or textured rug on top of a larger sisal or jute rug for visual interest.
Place furniture like sofas and chaises directly on the area rug to avoid excessive bare floor space.

Floating furniture pieces off an area rug can make them appear disjointed. Place at least the front legs on a rug to bring everything together.

Maximize Hidden Storage

Finding creative ways to tuck away clutter is a must in a small living room. Look for ways to stash items out of sight.

Hidden storage ideas for small living rooms:

Store media like games, movies, or remotes in baskets or bins tucked under the coffee table.
Add a long console table behind your sofa with drawers to conceal items.
Use lidded baskets or trunks for toy storage and slip them under side tables when not in use.
Place decorative boxes on shelving for display and extra storage.
Install floating wall mounted shelves high up to hold items you use less frequently.

Take an inventory of everything you need to store in your small living room to determine the best options. Prioritize concealed storage wherever you can.

Create Flexible Seating Zones

Don’t limit yourself to a single rigid furniture arrangement in a small living room. Create flexible zones that can serve different purposes.

Some ideas for movable seating zones:

Place two chairs on either side of a sofa table against the wall when not entertaining.
Pull ottomans or stools up to a coffee table to create instant extra seating.
Arrange two armchairs near the fireplace to define a seating nook.
Float a small sofa or settee in the center of the room to create a reading zone.

Having flexible furniture makes it easy to reconfigure your small living room depending on your needs. Set things up one way for normal use and another for when you have guests.

Layer Textures and Patterns

A simple way to add visual interest in a small living room is to layer different textures and patterns. Mixing materials creates depth and dimension even in a tiny space.

Some examples of layered textures include:

A fluffy area rug on top of hardwood floors.
Throws and pillows in different fabrics and knits.
A leather ottoman and linen sofa.
Coarse woven shades combined with sleek metallic lamp bases.
Natural fiber baskets and rustic wood shelves.

Vary patterns by combining:

A subtle tone-on-tone wallpaper with vibrant graphic pillows.
A striped rug under a coffee table with a bright floral bouquet on top.
Curtains with a damask or medallion print over a houndstooth chair.

Play with different textures and prints in moderation. Limit patterns to 2-3 per space so it doesn’t get too chaotic.

DIY Your Own Storage Solutions

One of the upsides of being crafty is that you can create custom storage perfect for all those nooks and crannies in your small living room. DIY projects are also an inexpensive way to maximize space.

Some DIY storage ideas to try:

Make a rolling cart from thrifted pieces to hold media components. Add baskets for remotes.
Turn a ladder into shelving anchored on the wall to hold books and decor.
Paint and stencil crates or cigar boxes to stack on bookcases and hold your collections.
Transform old drawers into narrow pull-out organizers you can stash under furniture.

Take measurements so DIY storage solutions fit your small living room’s unique dimensions. Add a touch of personality by painting pieces bold colors or stenciling patterns.

Use Furniture That Doubles as Play Space

If you need your small living room to multitask as a kid-friendly play space, look for furniture that does double duty. Items like ottomans, storage cubes, and short tables can all pull triple duty as extra seating, storage, and surfaces for playtime.

Some ideas for play space furniture:

Large upholstered ottomans kids can use as crash pads for lounging or playing games.
Short cube storage units to hold toys with flat tops that work as play tables.
Nesting coffee tables at different heights to play on and store games inside.
Benches with under seat storage to stash craft supplies or hide toys.

When not in use, pieces like ottomans can be tucked against another piece of furniture. Cubes and tables can be clustered in designated play areas.

Opt for Slipcovered Furniture

Furniture with removable slipcovers is a smart choice for small family living rooms. Slipcovers can be easily removed for cleaning all those inevitable kid spills and are replaced affordably.

Look for sofas, chairs and ottomans with slipcovers featuring:

Durable washable fabric like cotton, microfiber, or twill. Stay away from delicate materials prone to stains.
Fitted styles that won’t slide around but are still easily removable.
Fun mix and match options so you can change up colors and patterns.
Replaceable cushion covers to make your seating feel brand new.

Slipcovered furniture is an inexpensive way to keep things looking fresh in a high-traffic family room. Switch up slipcovers seasonally for an instant room makeover.

Build Custom Cabinetry for Media Storage

Media components and gaming consoles can be clutter magnets in a small living room. regaining visual order is as easy as adding custom built cabinetry to neatly tuck everything away.

Some ideas for built-in media storage:

A recessed wall unit with adjustable shelves to hold components.
Enclosed cabinets with ventilation to conceal and organize media.
A floating media stand with cabinets to stash games and accessories out of sight.
Under-window cabinets for electronic storage without taking floor space.
Tower compartments next to the TV for media, styled like built-in shelving.

Custom built-ins can be designed to make the most of the unique dimensions of your small living room. They offer concealed storage that helps keep your space looking tidy.

Incorporate Secret Storage Ottomans and Benches

Another way to add discrete storage space in a small living room is to use Secret Compartment Furniture like ottomans, benches, and stools that conceal interior storage space. Look for options with:

Hinged, lift-top, or slide out tray designs that keep the contents hidden from view.
Tufted or upholstered tops that serve as extra seating.
Large interior storage areas to hold books, blankets, toys, or media accessories.
Smaller scale styles that tuck easily next to chairs and sofas.
Nesting tables with room inside to hold board games or craft supplies.

Secret storage ottomans and benches offer the ideal place to stash clutter quickly in a small living room while keeping it easily accessible. They instantly de-clutter instead of adding to the visual chaos.

Hang Decor High for Less Visual Clutter

Resist the temptation to line your small living room walls with art and accessories. Too many pieces at eye-level make the space feel overcrowded fast.

Instead, hang wall decor higher up to keep the room feeling airy. Try mounting:

Floating shelves near the ceiling to display collectibles or plants.
Macrame, banners, or prints a foot or two above furniture.
Sconces and pendant lights high up on walls to direct light downwards.
Tall brass Étagère leaning on the wall or mounted high.
Gallery style picture ledges with art about a foot below the ceiling.

Keep the overall look clean and avoid cluttering every bit of wall space. Place only a few key pieces higher up to maintain an open atmosphere.

Streamline with Neutral Colors

Sticking with a neutral color palette is a smart approach for small living rooms. Neutrals make the space feel light and airy. They also serve as a neutral backdrop that shifts easily as you update different elements in the room.

Some go-to neutral color options include:

Creamy off-whites that read as warm and welcoming rather than stark.
Champagne and oatmeal hues that pair well with metallics and natural wood.
Dove grey for a soft but sophisticated look.
Earth tones like sand or tan that complement rattan and woven textures.
Crisp navy as an alternative neutral that still anchors a room.

Ground your small living room in multiple neutral shades. Then bring in colorful accents through changeable decorative pillows, art, throws, and accessories. Keep the walls, larger furniture, and rug neutral.

Maximize Natural Lighting

Make the most of every ray of natural light in your small living room. Take steps to amplify incoming daylight and make the space feel open and airy.

Maximize natural light with:

Sheer curtain panels that filter rather than block sunlight.
Pale reflective paint colors to prevent light absorption.
Mirrors and metallics that bounce light around.
Floor and table lamps in lighter finishes like brass or nickel.
Glass tops on coffee tables, consoles, and side tables.

Avoid heavy drapes or dark paint colors that absorb light. Position seating near windows when possible so the space feels bright and sun-filled.

Add Architectural Interest with Molding

Installing trim molding is an easy upgrade that adds polish to a small living room. Moldings add architectural detail that enhances the overall look of the space.

Consider adding:

Crown molding where walls meet the ceiling for an elevated look.
Chair rail molding halfway up walls to add subtle detail.
Picture ledges built into walls to float frames and decor.
Baseboard and doorway trim to finish off the room.
Wall paneling placed strategically rather than all over for texture.

In addition to its decorative appeal, trim molding also helps define areas in an open concept living room. Use it to transition between spaces and add architectural flair.

Define Conversation Areas with Furniture

Rather than floating furniture aimlessly, create intimate conversation areas in a small living room. Use furniture placements to carve out separate zones within the open space.

Ways to define sitting areas include:

Placing two armchairs and a side table together near the fireplace.
Creating a reading nook with a chair flanked by a floor lamp and bookshelf.
Adding a loveseat or settee facing a couple chairs with an ottoman in the middle.
Anchoring a sofa on a rug and topping it with side tables and lamps.

Align furniture so it faces in toward each other to create a sense of enclosure. Repeat design elements like rugs, lighting, or side tables in each area to tie them together.

Smart Arrangement Ideas for Small Living Rooms

How you arrange furniture makes a huge impact on how functional and spacious a small living room feels. Avoid cramming in too many oversized pieces. Instead stick to a lighter, well-thought-out layout.

Some smart furniture arrangement tips:

Float the sofa or sectional off the wall to open sightlines and walkways.
Angle furniture toward the focal point rather than lining up squarely with walls.
Allow at least 36-48 inches for walkways so traffic flows smoothly.
Use side tables or tall floor lamps to define seating areas.
Layer an accent chair or two chairs opposite the sofa for flexible seating.

Take measurements and make a rough floor plan before moving furniture. This helps prevent rearranging again and again. Always keep walkways and main traffic paths clear.

Frequently Asked Questions about Decorating Small Living Rooms

What size rug should you use in a small living room?

In a small living room, choose an area rug that’s big enough to fit the front legs of all seating. Size it to leave at least 18 inches between the rug’s edges and the walls. Avoid oversized rugs that make the room feel boxed in. Generally 5×8, 6×9 and 7×10 feet rugs work well in most small living rooms.

Should you put a sectional sofa in a small living room?

Sectional sofas can work in small living rooms depending on the layout. Stick to more compact sectional shapes rather than a big L-shape. Float it away from the walls to keep the room from feeling crowded. Make sure there is enough space for traffic flow around a sectional before purchasing.

What color paint makes a small living room look bigger?

Light, soft neutral paint colors make a small living room look more expansive. Some good options are airy whites, pale greys, light taupes and cream tones. Painting walls, trim and ceilings the same color enhances the feeling of a larger continuous space.

How do you arrange furniture in a narrow living room?

In a narrow living room, avoid lining furniture up squarely against the walls. Float pieces out and angle them to open up sightlines. Place a narrow console table behind the sofa rather than wider side tables. Position a thin floor lamp in corners rather than a bulky chair. Choose narrow bookcases and use low profile coffee tables.