Simple ideas for a small living room

Running out of ideas for your cramped up living area? Well, it’s good that you came, since we’ll talk about some of the best, yet simple ideas for a small living room. Our main goal is to show you how to transform your room into a warm and spacious area by utilizing color, scale, weight, and some other neat tools. Some of the more traditional decors may not work well with a specific type of space such as yours, making it seem more claustrophobic than inviting. Here are some of our favorite ideas to make you feel inspired and get you started.

Mirror, mirror on the wall

It’s no wonder designers often opt for mirrors in order to make a small room appear larger. Adding them to your living space will make it feel open and airy without a doubt. In order to create a focal point, hang a mirror in a central location. You can add a light source behind it, such as a lamp or a candle, to reflect light and create a nice atmosphere. A good idea would be to position a mirror so that it’s standing across a window. This way you’ll create an illusion of having another window.

Raise the gaze

Don’t forget the vertical dimension. If you have a high ceiling, take the most out of it. Decorate it in such a way that it draws the eye upward. Go for some small to midsize artwork, or just paint the wall in an interesting way. It will make the room feel more spacious since the eye will naturally go beyond the eye-level horizontal space.

Nicely furnished white living room with interesting ceiling
Small living room, big plans.

Make use of the hues

Neutral colors are a safe and a good choice for every part of the room. A palette of off-whites or beiges on your walls, furniture, floors, and ceiling will expand the area and illuminate the room. It will also convey a calm and sophisticated look.

Having said that, do not think that adding a dash of color is a mistake. Since you don’t have a lot of room to play with, take a simpler approach, especially if you are inexperienced. In order to make it more lively, implement one bold color to that neutral base we previously suggested. You can also try out various textures and finishes to add depth, but keep it open and light.

Colorful artwork is a clever way to give your space some structure while adding to the character and personality. Line framed pictures and posters following geometric patterns and it will provide the illusion of additional length and width.

Yellow and comfy chair with a colorful pillow on it
Colour is a creative element, not a trimming.

Finding the right place = creating more space

Don’t be afraid to furnish your small living room with large items. We know it can seem overwhelming when thinking about it, but oftentimes it has a very positive effect. Big furniture can hug the walls and transform the area into a welcoming and cozy corner. Plus, you’ll have more sitting options.

We strongly recommend opting for floating shelves. They can hold a lot of books, pictures, and trinkets on a wall or in alcoves. Another way of approaching this storage issue is to go for a wall of books. It can be your top-to-bottom mini library. It offers an abundance of storage opportunities while making quite a statement. Both of these options can be in the same color as the wall, or in some rich hue that will pop.

When looking for that extra space, here are some of your options:

  1. Tuck whatever you can wherever you can, but do so wisely. Consider the area under the coffee table as a perfect place for items that are used often.
  2. Window sills can pose as shelves for books, plants, and other decorative objects.
  3. Make the unused space under the stairs into your favorite spot. A small sofa and a few books will make it a perfect reading corner.
  4. Small living room needs to be kept meticulously tidy and uncluttered in order to make it feel larger and inviting. Keep everything in its proper place at all times and be smart with storage choice.
Black table in front of a gray sofa with three colorful pillows
Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication. – Leonardo da Vinci

Let’s talk about the elephant in your small living room

I know what you’re thinking: there’s no way I could fit an elephant in there! But, let me let you in on a secret – it’s all about the furniture. You should choose pieces with a lightweight appearance because heavier ones tend to constrict space in the room. In order to do so, think about the objects perceived heaviness based on its size, color, and design. Select light colors rather than dark ones, as well as furniture that has legs, instead of the boxy items. Being able to see through an object will make it seem like it takes up less space, so go for glass coffee tables if it suits your style.

Opt for furniture that will complement the room, rather than dominate and overpower it. A sofa with tightly upholstered back and thin arms is a better choice than the one with clumpy arms and multi-cushion back. However, you can even go without a sofa at all. Choosing a loveseat or a couple of comfy chairs can make a nice living area.

An extra storage room is a very strong argument for buying multi-functional pieces of furniture. Lidded stools, tables with storage bins and sofas with space under the seat are all good choices.

Gray sofa with colorful cushions.
Sofa, so good.

Visually expanding rooms is all about the clever usage of colors, lighting, shapes and finding the right arrangement. It’s not easy, but practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to bring out your creative side and have fun with decorating your small living room. There are no strict rules, but these simple guidelines ought to set you on the right track.

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