It’s time to think differently about small living rooms.
They are not bad or undesirable. While some people may dream of a large living room, a small one can be cozy and welcoming for quiet evenings at home.
As it gets colder and we stay inside more, your small living room can be a perfect place to relax. The key is to arrange it neatly so it doesn’t look messy.
If you need ideas for fixing up your room or starting a home makeover, check out these 60 ideas from designer spaces for some great tips. No matter how big your room is, there are many ways to make a small living room look good.
Some ideas make the room seem bigger by choosing the right size furniture and colors. Other ideas help you enjoy your small space without it feeling crowded or too busy. Don’t let the size of your room limit your creativity.
Look at these 60 ideas for small living rooms. They will show you how to make your living room both pretty and practical. Get ready to turn your living room into a comfy, stylish spot that everyone in the family will enjoy.
Float your sofa
Don’t push all your furniture against the walls. Leaving space behind the furniture can make the room seem wider. In this room, an antique stool goes well with the Chesterfield sofa, adding to the room’s charm.
Embrace the small size
Sometimes, living rooms can feel too big to make them feel just right. If you want a cozy living room for fall, try going for a smaller one. It’s easier to create a warm vibe in a smaller space.
For example, in this room, the designer added a small gas fireplace and stove to make it homey. This cozy touch might be harder to pull off in a bigger room.
Separate zones with lighting
In his small New York City apartment, this designer created separate areas for sitting and dining. He hung a big pendant light over the dining table to mark the dining area. The dining chairs can also be used in the living room when needed.
Bright yellow accents match well with the old wood furniture and add a nice contrast to the neutral colors. A dark curtain rod placed high up makes the walls seem taller.
Find unique storage solutions
In small living rooms, clever storage is key to keeping things tidy and open.
For instance, you can store books under a low coffee table and use a small table next to your chair for drinks. This keeps your space from feeling too crowded and leaves enough room to walk around easily.
Place mirrors strategically
You don’t have to cover every wall with mirrors to reflect light. Try hanging just a few large mirrors and paint their frames the same color to tie them together.
In this living room, using green frames helps the mirrors look good together and adds a nice touch of color.
Wall-mount your TV
In a small living room, it’s smart to save floor space.
Wall-mounting your TV is a good way to do this. In the picture, the TV is mounted flat against the wall, which lets the room look more open and lets you have a big screen without making the room feel cramped.
Take advantage of high ceilings
Eliza Crater Harris, who is the great-great-granddaughter of Sister Parish, used her high ceilings to her advantage in her New York City apartment.
She hung curtains from the ceiling to the floor to make the room look taller and feel bigger. She chose simple furniture to keep the room from feeling too crowded.
Face seating towards each other
For a small living room focused on spending time together, position chairs to face the couch. This setup helps everyone in the room talk and connect comfortably without focusing solely on the TV.
This way, the family can sit facing each other and have great conversations.
Let an area rug do the work
If you don’t know where to start with decorating, try using a big rug or a piece of art as your inspiration. In a small living room by Tamsin Johnson, everything from the paint to the leather sofas is inspired by a beautiful Art Deco rug.
A clear Lucite table has a low profile, which helps keep the space open and connects with a mirrored ceiling to make the room seem bigger.
Invest in your furniture
When Ashley Gilbreath designed this bright living room, she chose furniture that would look better over time. Buying pieces that age well can make your small living room feel special, like the best part of your home.
Opt for open furniture
In this picture, instead of a regular sofa, the designer picked a daybed-style piece. This choice helps keep the small Parisian living room open, so you can easily turn to talk to anyone in the room.
Choose a minimalist design
A minimalist design doesn’t have to be cold or plain. In this room, the designer made a beautiful, warm Nordic-style living room that doesn’t have too much clutter.
Choose low accent tables
Instead of using a big side table or console, the designer used a short wooden stool in his Chicago apartment.
This small table doesn’t take up much space and keeps the focus on the marbled sectional sofa, making everything look balanced and stylish.
Float the furniture
Designer Sarah Solis wanted a peaceful but useful space for a Los Angeles family’s den, especially for homework time. She chose a floating desk.
This desk looks like it hovers in the air and doesn’t take up much space because it doesn’t have legs. This makes it great for small areas. A backless stool also helps keep the room looking neat.
Buy small
In a design by Alexandra Loew from Los Angeles, there’s a small loveseat by the windows. It fits the size of small children but is also comfy for adults. This makes good use of the space and keeps the room welcoming for everyone.
Try tonal colors
In this small living room, beige is anything but boring. The room uses a single color scheme with red highlights, inspired by old European skiing chalets.
This keeps the room from looking too busy. The warm colors also make the room feel cozy, just like in small spaces.
Don’t think too hard
In this New York City studio apartment, every inch counts. Instead of using big bookshelves or tables, books and decorations are stacked on windowsills and any available spot on the floor. This setup makes the apartment look creative and artsy.
Accessorize with care
Instead of filling the walls with bold art, Caitlin Wilson chose delicate framed intaglios for House Beautiful’s 2023 Whole Home.
These are copies of artwork that were popular with travelers long ago. This choice makes the room feel softer and keeps your focus on the people in the room.
Choose double-duty pieces
In small apartments, rooms often need to serve more than one purpose.
This designer was clever in setting up a library that also works as a living room and dining room. The dining chairs can be used for extra seating when you have guests over for dinner and games.
Use paneling
Paneling can change how a room looks just like stripes in clothing can flatter your shape. In this California living room, horizontal wood paneling makes the room look wider, which is great for a small space.
Raise the shelves
Storage is key in a small living room. If you don’t have enough floor space for a bookshelf, try putting shelves high up on the walls like in this designer’s bungalow. These high shelves give you lots of storage without using up floor space.
Wallpaper the ceiling
In tight spaces, too many colors and patterns on the walls can be overwhelming. Instead, consider putting wallpaper on the ceiling.
Alicia Hassen did this in a Brooklyn apartment, drawing eyes upward and making the rest of the room feel more open.
Ditch the coffee table
In a minimalist area designed by Raji Radhakrishnan, a traditional coffee table was swapped for a small, low cocktail table. It’s not big enough for resting your feet, but it’s just right for a coffee cup and a book.
Work in twos
Sometimes, small spaces are great for trying bold colors and patterns. In this living room, designer Katie Rosenfeld used matching ideas.
She picked the same floral pattern for both the sofa and the curtains. She also matched cheetah prints on the carpet and a throw pillow.
Then, she paired bright green paint with a striped ottoman. If you like this style but want something more modern, you can use Rosenfeld’s idea but choose modern fabrics and artwork instead of traditional ones.
Plan for company
If you prefer to use your living room more for chatting than lounging, consider not having a sofa. In this small room, there are four rattan chairs painted blue and facing each other, perfect for talking.
These chairs are also comfy enough for relaxing quietly.
Play up period details
In a Parisian apartment designed by Lichelle Silvestry, luxurious velvet chairs and sofas make the old-fashioned details look even more special.
Silvestry loves to use materials that make the room feel unique and full of life. She says it’s like a feast for the senses.
Use refreshing colors
In this small bungalow living room, a modern linen loveseat is decorated with old-fashioned and 1970s-style accents.
A bright shade of purple makes the room feel lively and new.
Forgo armchairs
Instead of armchairs, this simple living room uses lots of different textures to stay stylish and relaxed. The mix of the rug, sofa, and plants keeps it fresh and inviting.
Hang plants
In Virginia, Amber El-Amin found a clever use for an odd space above the sofa in her living room. She hung a plant there, which adds life and a fun surprise to the corner. She also placed two vintage lamps perfectly to light up this cozy and stylish area.
Use fewer, brighter pieces
In the Novogratz family’s New York City townhouse, there’s a small sitting area near the entrance and kitchen. It’s set up for guests and kids to hang out. This space shows a good way to design a small area to look formal.
Use a few simple pieces of furniture, some colorful art, and a couple of small decorations. Choose bright colors to make everything stand out.
Display heirlooms on open shelves
In a living room, old books and heirlooms on open shelves or in glass cabinets make the room feel special and personal.
Even in a small space, these items add character and warmth.
Use an upholstered ottoman
An upholstered ottoman can be a coffee table, footrest, or extra seat. It’s also safe for homes with small kids or pets because it has soft edges. Choosing a fun pattern, like the triangle print in this sitting room, adds more style to the space.
Call on clear furniture
Use clear furniture like Lucite and acrylic when your room starts to look too busy. These pieces are see-through, so they don’t make the room feel crowded.
For example, the clear coffee table in this small living room blends into the background perfectly.
Upholster the walls
Make your living room extra cozy by covering the walls with soft fabrics. Add a patterned ottoman, a velvet sofa, a big rug, a fun armchair, and fabric-covered walls. All these soft items make the room feel warm and inviting.
Be flexible with seating
In a bohemian living room, you can mix different types of seating. Try this combination: a daybed, a side chair, an armchair, some floor pillows, and a couple of stools. This setup creates a comfy space for hanging out.
Also, adding a big rug and some focused lighting can make the room look great.
Keep it cozy
Making a small space feel cozy can be a good thing. Keep your chairs and sofas close to each other to create a warm, inviting area.
Tamsin Johnson did this by adding lots of soft textiles and rugs in calm colors. She also used the walls for lights and colorful pictures.
Skip the sectional
If you don’t have much room, you might want to fill it with big furniture, but that can make the space feel too tight.
Instead of a big sectional sofa, try using two smaller sofas facing each other with a double-layer coffee table in the middle. David Mann chose this setup.
Install smart lighting
To save floor space, choose lighting that attaches to the walls or hangs from the ceiling. In this small living room, swing-arm sconces add interest to the walls, which is perfect for tight spaces.
Think outside the box
For a unique, natural-looking room, try different ways to arrange your seating. In this space, two small stools are painted white instead of using traditional coffee tables.
Cushions are stacked on a ledge to make a creative couch, and a swing is hung from a low ceiling for a fun touch.
Create zones with area rugs
Area rugs can help divide different areas in a studio apartment. This setup includes extra chairs that stay out of the way when not in use, a smart trick for small spaces.
Let the light pour in
In This living room also serves as a kitchen and a small dining area, so the designer chose just a few pieces of furniture: a sofa, coffee table, and chair. They used semi-sheer curtains to let in lots of light.
Even if your windows are small and don’t get much sunlight, using light-colored curtains can help make the most of the light you have.
Choose a large rug
Using a big rug, even with a bold pattern, is a trick to make a room look bigger. It doesn’t break up the floor like smaller rugs do, which helps the space feel larger.
A big rug also sets the foundation for decorating the rest of the room. Corner seating, like in this room, is another way to use space wisely.
DIY a barn door
In city apartments, “small” can mean really small. But Shari Francis knows how to make the most of limited space. Her first tip is to use a sliding barn door to separate a bedroom nook from the living area.
This adds privacy and creates distinct spaces for different activities. You can do this yourself, and you can find cool, affordable barn doors on Etsy.
Her second tip is to choose a smaller sofa instead of a big one to save space, and one armchair instead of two to keep pathways open.
This not only saves space but also looks stylish.
Choose a coffee table with storage
In a small Nantucket living room, a repurposed trunk is used as a coffee table. It offers hidden storage for things like extra blankets and gadgets. A small sofa fits well in this room because of its size.
Nest your coffee tables
If a set of small nesting tables is too tiny and a huge coffee table is too big, try a different approach. Layer two slim coffee tables for a modern, Scandinavian look, as done by the design firm Fantastic Frank.
Build shelving
If you have an awkward nook or are renovating, install built-in shelves to create more space for displaying items or storage. Paint them the same color as the wall for a seamless look, like Robert McKinley Studio did.
If you can’t do custom shelves, floating shelves are a good alternative. You can also make the bottom shelf wide enough to serve as an extra seat.
Display artwork strategically
Hang your artwork high on the walls to make the room look taller. A gallery wall that reaches to the ceiling can make a small space seem bigger.
In this family room, glossy red paint on the ceiling reflects light and makes the room feel larger and more glamorous.
Pick a dark paint color
Dark, glossy walls can make small spaces feel better. Painting your ceilings the same color makes the room feel even cozier. After painting, you can add bright furniture for fun, just like the designer did in this small living room.
Play with scale
Don’t be scared to use big decorations in a small room.
A big, bold chandelier in a small living room isn’t just clutter—it’s an exciting design choice that adds contrast and interest.
Fill the room
Sometimes, you can fill up a room with furniture and it still feels cozy, not crowded. For example, in this living room, the modular seating fits perfectly.
The neutral carpet, wallcovering, and heavy curtains add to the cozy feeling. The coffee table has room for things but doesn’t stand out too much, and a matching wall light works better than a floor lamp.
Use unexpected furniture
Pick furniture that fits well in your small space and matches the style you want.
In this living room, Anthony Dunning chose a tall, thin pedestal for a corner to hold a big floral arrangement. This draws attention upward and makes the room feel taller, instead of using a short side table that takes up floor space.
Swap a sofa for club chairs
If there’s not enough space for both a sofa and club chairs, choose two cozy armchairs instead, like Jae Joo did in this sitting room. If there’s a fireplace, place the chairs facing it to make it the center of attention and a cozy spot for chatting.
Stick to a tight color story
You can still use fun colors in a small space. If you like pastels or bright colors but don’t want the room to look too busy, use a consistent set of colors. It’s also okay to mix patterns, especially if you do it as well as in this cheerful room.
Paint the walls white
Painting walls and ceilings white can make a space look brighter.
Adding large black-and-white artwork can draw attention without making the room feel cluttered. This lets you highlight a colorful piece of furniture without feeling overwhelmed by the room.
Hang a chair
Swing chairs are not only fun but also practical, especially in small spaces. They add extra seating without taking up much floor space. The modern swing chair in this Hecker Guthrie-designed room shows just how stylish they can be.
Look up
Pet ownership means having lots of pet stuff like bowls and toys. In Tammer Hijazi’s living room, Cleo the cat can climb on the walls. He uses Ikea Lack shelves to make a climbing area that doesn’t get in the way of the rest of the room.
Make it multipurpose
When you don’t have much space, it’s smart to use areas for multiple purposes.
For instance, if there’s no room for separate living, family, and office spaces, combine them into one. This living room that doubles as an office shows how the right setup can work well, no matter the size or shape of the room.
Build banquettes
To make a small bonus area feel like a living room, try banquette seating. It can make you feel like you’re in a fancy old bar or a European train car. Adding a classic board game to the coffee table is a fun touch.
Accentuate the curves
Low, curved, or angled ceilings can make a living room feel smaller. But if you work with the shape instead of against it, like the designer did here in his Rome apartment, it can actually make the room seem bigger.
He put up subtle, diamond-patterned wallpaper that makes the curved ceiling seem taller, giving the illusion of more space.
Use strategic shelving
In a small house, using ottomans instead of a traditional coffee table can help you make the most of your space.
Ottomans are versatile: you can put a tray on them to hold flowers and books, use them as extra seats when guests come over, and then use them as footrests during family time. The red leather ottomans in this small family room are both stylish and practical, fitting well for both formal and casual settings.