7 Game-Changing Design Tips For Small Living Rooms
Small living rooms are a challenge to design. They often have awkward layouts, open into multiple spaces leaving very little usable footprint, and can feel cramped if not carefully planned. If any of this resonates, this blog post is for you!! I have shared 7 game-changing tips that will make your life very easy and transform your small living room!
1. Repaint Walls If They Aren’t White
First things first, take a good look at the wall colors in your living room. Are they white, light, and bright? If so, you’re good to move on to the next tip. If not, keep reading! The color of your walls has a big impact on how spacious a room feels. The lighter the wall color, the more it reflects natural and interior light, creating an airy and open atmosphere. Plus, a lighter wall color provides a great backdrop for displaying artwork without clashing with a dominant color palette. Just picture a scenic piece of wall art on a dark purple wall versus a crisp white wall….it makes a world of difference!
And when I say "white," remember there are over 100 shades of it. Head to your favorite paint store, grab a few sample pots, and experiment to find the perfect shade for your space. Here are my favorite white paint colors:
White Dove - Benjamin Moore
Mayonnaise - Benjamin Moore
Swiss Coffee - Benjamin Moore
Greek Villa - Sherwin Williams
2. Don’t Push The Furniture Against The Walls, Bring It Closer
A common mistake seen in a lot of living rooms, no matter the size, is furniture pushed against the walls. This gives an illusion of a wider living room but it’s far from reality. When everything is pushed back, there’s no defined seating area, and the room ends up feeling disconnected and awkward. Instead, try anchoring just one large piece, like a sofa, against a wall, and bring in other pieces, such as accent chairs, closer to create a more intimate and cohesive seating arrangement. This not only enhances flow but also makes the living room feel more grounded and inviting.
3. Avoid Creating Closed Seating Area
In most living rooms, you'll often see a large sofa paired with a smaller one and a pair of accent chairs. While this is a classic setup, it doesn’t always work well in small spaces. In a compact living room, this layout can make the seating area feel closed off, cramped, and overcrowded. To create a more open and inviting look, opt for just one large couch placed against a wall if necessary, and pair it with a couple of accent chairs. For a more dynamic arrangement, place one of the accent chairs at an angle facing the sofa or another seating piece. This setup keeps the space feeling open and airy while still offering plenty of seating.
4. Add A Large Area Rug To Make The Room Look Bigger
Rugs are a foolproof way to anchor furniture and make a room look larger and more cohesive. You might assume that a large area rug would overwhelm a small living room, but it can actually have the opposite effect. A generously sized rug that extends under all the main furniture pieces, like the sofa, coffee table, and chairs, helps tie the room together and creates a unified, spacious look. This approach adds visual interest and gives the room a designer-style finish, making even a small space feel polished and well-thought-out.
5. Place A Round Coffee Table
In a small living room, the biggest challenge is incorporating a variety of shapes, sizes, and textures to achieve that luxurious, designer look. When selecting a coffee table, consider opting for a round shape. Among the typical coffee table shapes, rectangle, square, and circle, a round coffee table works best in a small space. Other shapes can make the area feel cramped and take up more visual and physical footprint. A round coffee table, on the other hand, softens the room by breaking up the straight lines of surrounding furniture, provides a clear pathway around it, and adds a visually appealing element to the overall design.
6. Take The Ambience To The Next Level With Lamps
To elevate the design of your living room, add lamps! In a small living room, lighting can be a true game-changer, enhancing the ambiance and making the space feel more inviting. Incorporate floor lamps, table lamps, and picture lights to add layers of light throughout the room. When choosing lamps, stick to simple, clean designs and opt for tapered shades on floor lamps and tapered or cylindrical shades on table lamps. White lamp shades paired with warm bulbs are an excellent combination, casting a soft, welcoming glow that complements the overall decor without overwhelming it.
7. Finish Off The Look By Adding Styling & Decor Pieces
To complete the look, add styling and decor pieces like candles, throw pillows, blankets, wall art, vases, and books. These finishing touches are what truly elevate a space and give it a designer feel. When selecting these items, keep the room’s color palette in mind and avoid overly bold or gaudy pieces that could overwhelm the space. This is especially important in a small living room, where decor items will be placed close together, and any mismatched or overpowering pieces will be more noticeable. Choose items that complement each other and create a cohesive, well-curated look.
This blog post was all about designing and decorating a small living room. Check out the before after makeovers I have designed where I also share practical tips on how to decorate a small living room. Happy reading!
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