Decorating Guides
4 Must-Have Features for a Small Living Room
A designer shares important ways to live large in a tight space and make it look stylish
I’ve shared how I help homeowners maximize their small kitchens. But there are also plenty of ways to perform similar design magic in other small rooms. Here I’ll focus on compact living rooms. First, it’s worth pointing out that what’s small for one person might not be so small to another. But I’ve narrowed down these tips to the four I think can work for any living room that needs to feel larger without sacrificing style.
Built-in shelving also creates an extra spot for decorating, which helps a space feel complete — something extra important in a small room.
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Shop for living room furniture
There can be other “framing” opportunities in a small living room. Notice how the built-ins here fit tightly around the petite sofa, maximizing the wall space and giving the room tons of storage.
The designer could have added even more storage where the artwork currently hangs, but I like how the openness creates more head space and helps break up all the cabinetry. The design also allows for a punch of personality.
Where Designers Would Spend and Save in a Living Room
The designer could have added even more storage where the artwork currently hangs, but I like how the openness creates more head space and helps break up all the cabinetry. The design also allows for a punch of personality.
Where Designers Would Spend and Save in a Living Room
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Built-in window seating is a smart way to transform underused or even “dead” spaces into functional and stylish additions. And it also can include hidden storage below for things like blankets, pillows, games and toys.
You could also consider lining multiple sides of a room with built-in seating. Cushioned backing would eliminate the need for stand-alone furniture such as sofas and chairs, freeing up valuable floor space.
You could also consider lining multiple sides of a room with built-in seating. Cushioned backing would eliminate the need for stand-alone furniture such as sofas and chairs, freeing up valuable floor space.
Off-the-shelf TV storage units are often bulky to accommodate a wide range of television sizes. Instead, consider going the custom route to create the right-size piece that also aligns with your decor style.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
2. Alternative Furniture
While it can be a hard truth to accept, some small living rooms just can’t — or shouldn’t — fit a standard-size sofa. But another truth is that a sofa isn’t always necessary. A great alternative is an array of club chairs. This arrangement provides adequate seating, creates a stylish look and encourages conversation.
7 Ways to Make Your Living Room Sociable
While it can be a hard truth to accept, some small living rooms just can’t — or shouldn’t — fit a standard-size sofa. But another truth is that a sofa isn’t always necessary. A great alternative is an array of club chairs. This arrangement provides adequate seating, creates a stylish look and encourages conversation.
7 Ways to Make Your Living Room Sociable
Chairs provide plenty of options in terms of style and function. You might feel more comfortable going with a bold color and fabric, such as green velvet, on a chair than you would on a large piece like a sofa. Plus, chairs offer a bit more flexibility in creating traffic paths through a tight living room.
Consider chairs with a swivel function, which will allow you and your guests to comfortably face one another, another area of the room or a view.
Consider chairs with a swivel function, which will allow you and your guests to comfortably face one another, another area of the room or a view.
Chaise lounges also are great alternatives to a sofa if lying down in your living room is a must for you. When you want to maintain a view, have good traffic flow or stretch out to watch TV, this just might be the better option.
3. Statement Pieces
The fact that your living room doesn’t boast tons of square footage doesn’t mean you have to forgo big design statements. Creating a showstopping moment with a statement piece can often distract from the size. A statement piece is an item that becomes the focus of your design and draws people’s eyes when they walk into the room. It can come in many forms.
Where to Splurge and Where to Save When Decorating
The fact that your living room doesn’t boast tons of square footage doesn’t mean you have to forgo big design statements. Creating a showstopping moment with a statement piece can often distract from the size. A statement piece is an item that becomes the focus of your design and draws people’s eyes when they walk into the room. It can come in many forms.
Where to Splurge and Where to Save When Decorating
4. Plenty of Decor Items
It might sound counterintuitive, but I recommend filling your small living room with lots of furniture and decor items that reflect you and your family members’ personalities — without making it feel overcrowded, of course.
It might sound counterintuitive, but I recommend filling your small living room with lots of furniture and decor items that reflect you and your family members’ personalities — without making it feel overcrowded, of course.
An easy way to give your space that filled-in look is to layer rugs. This works best when the rugs are different sizes. One rug should be large and more dominant. The other should be smaller and contrasting in material, color or pattern. Also, the large rug should lie straight, aligning with the perimeter of the room and your furniture arrangement. The second layer often works best offset from the bottom layer.
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Shop for rugs
Mirrors help bounce light around and give the illusion of more space — two important factors in a small room.
Your turn: What features make your small living room feel larger than it is? Leave your ideas in the Comments.
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Your turn: What features make your small living room feel larger than it is? Leave your ideas in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more stories
Get more home design ideas
Find pros in your area
Shop for furniture and other products
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This is an obvious one, but it needs to be here. Built-ins are the ultimate when it comes to making the most of a small space. Custom fitted units can be built into awkward angles and alcoves, and store-bought furniture simply cannot compete in this area.
Storage is necessary to keep a home uncluttered and show that’s it’s been thoughtfully designed; it also can improve the shape and function of interior spaces overall.
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