20 Small Living Room Ideas For A Cozy & Spacious Feel
In need of some small living room ideas? Cramped, small spaces can feel like a design death sentence to those who love to decorate and organize.
But the truth is that you can still create a beautiful home despite limited square footage. You just need to know a few tips and tricks to make it happen.
There are lots of benefits to having a small living room.
They’re cozy and intimate, and they encourage you to spend time with family and friends. Plus, smaller spaces are easier to clean.
You can also experiment with bold and fun colors and patterns that you might not want to commit to in a larger room.
And, because you can’t fit as much furniture and decor in a small space, each piece you choose will have a big impact.
If you’re struggling to make your tiny living room work for you, we’re here to help.
Here are our best small living room ideas to make your space feel cozy, comfortable, and stylish.
1. Let The Light Pour In
If you have large windows, make the most of them.
Don’t block them with heavy curtains or furniture. Instead, let the light pour in and allow the view to be the focal point of the room.
If you need to add window treatments, consider light and airy options, like sheer curtains, Roman shades, or bamboo blinds.
2. Maximize Your Storage
If you’re working with a small living room, you’ll want to maximize your storage space so that clutter doesn’t take over.
“Storage is key in a small living room,” says interior designer Liz Caan. “Find ways to incorporate storage into your furniture, and don’t forget about the walls.”
Built-in cabinets are a great way to add storage to your living room without taking up any floor space.
If that’s not an option, consider adding a wall of floating shelves instead.
You can use them to store books, decorative objects, and even baskets filled with items you want to keep out of sight.
3. Don’t Be Afraid To Use Dark Colors
Dark paint colors can actually make a room feel larger.
It’s all about how you use them. In this small living room, the dark navy wall color is balanced by the large windows and light-colored furniture.
If you’re worried about using a dark color in a small space, try using it on just one wall.
It can create a dramatic focal point in the room and make the space feel more open and inviting.
Pro Tip: Balance a dark wall color with light furniture and decor. Dark colors can make a room feel smaller if they’re not balanced with lighter elements.
4. Mirrors Make The Space Seem Bigger
Mirrors are a great way to create the illusion of a larger space.
This small living room designed by Gina Langford of The House Face features a large floor-to-ceiling mirror that reflects light and the rest of the room.
If you don’t want to commit to a large mirror, you can also create a gallery wall of mirrors.
This is a great way to add some personality to your space while also making it feel bigger.
5. Add Storage Behind the Sofa
If you’re struggling to find space for a sofa and a console table, try a storage cabinet instead.
This small living room from us features a low-profile storage piece that adds both style and function to the space.
The cabinet provides a spot to store toys, books, and other living room clutter, keeping the space looking tidy and organized.
6. Create An Optical Illusion
If your living room is on the smaller side, you can easily create the illusion of more space.
One way to do this is by hanging curtains higher than the top of the window to make the room feel taller.
You can also use mirrors to create the illusion of more space.
This can be done with a large, decorative mirror, or by creating a gallery wall of smaller mirrors.
Another trick is to use the same color on the walls and the ceiling.
This will blur the lines between the two and make the room feel more open and airy.
7. Add Some Greenery
Houseplants are a quick and easy way to add some color and texture to your living room.
They help to purify the air and can make your space feel more inviting. If you don’t have a green thumb, you can always opt for faux plants.
There are so many realistic-looking options available now that no one will be able to tell the difference.
If you have the space, consider adding a large floor plant to your living room.
This is a great way to fill up an empty corner and add some height to your space.
If you’re short on space, you can always add a small plant to your coffee table or bookshelf.
8. Add Some Curtains
If you don’t have curtains in your living room, you might be surprised at what a difference they can make.
Curtains can add color, texture, and pattern to your space, and they can also make your windows look larger.
Hanging curtains high and wide on the wall will help create the illusion of larger windows, and it can also make your space feel taller.
You can also use curtains to frame your windows and add visual interest to your walls.
9. Create A Gallery Wall
Don’t let a small living room stop you from getting creative with your decor.
If you’re a fan of art, a gallery wall can be a great way to showcase your favorite pieces.
You can make your gallery wall as big or as small as you like, and you can always add to it or switch out pieces as your collection grows.
It’s also a budget-friendly way to fill your space with large-scale art.
10. Raise The Roof
If your small living room has a high ceiling, you can create a cozy, more intimate feel by adding a hanging light fixture or a ceiling fan.
This can help draw the eye upward and make the room feel taller and more spacious.
If you want to add some color to your ceiling, you can also paint it a different color than the walls.
Or, you can add a bold wallpaper to create a focal point in the room.
11. Add Some Stripes
If you’re a fan of minimalism, but you’re also looking for a way to make your space feel larger, consider adding some horizontal stripes to your walls.
This is a great way to add some personality to a room without overwhelming the space.
In this living room, designer Sarah Sherman Samuel used a simple color palette and added some stripes to the walls with a little bit of paint and some patience.
You can also achieve this look with wallpaper if you want to skip the hassle of painting.
12. Create Space Under The Bed
If you’re trying to make the most of a small bedroom, consider raising your bed up off the ground.
You can then use the space underneath as storage or even a cozy nook for a small sofa.
If you’re in need of more storage, you can use the space for dressers or shelving.
If you’d rather have a place to relax, add a small sofa and a coffee table.
13. Add A Floating Shelf
If you’re short on space, you may not have room for a bulky bookshelf, but you can still get the same effect by adding a floating shelf.
You can use it to add decor, store books, or even use it as a bar.
I love how this small living room by us uses the floating shelf to add a little extra color and texture to the room.
14. Add Some Color
Don’t be afraid to add some color to a small living room.
You can use color to create a focal point or just to add a little fun to the space.
You can go bold with a bright color or use a more muted shade to add some interest without overwhelming the room.
In this small living room, the bright green sofa is the focal point of the space.
The rest of the room is kept fairly neutral, with the exception of the blue and white rug and the colorful throw pillows, which add a little extra interest to the space.
15. Use A Daybed
If you don’t have enough space to fit a sofa and a bed in your small apartment, consider using a daybed.
Not only will this piece of furniture save you space, but it also doubles as a sofa and a bed.
You can use pillows to make it look like a sofa during the day and then switch them out for sleeping pillows at night.
16. Add Some Legs
Another way to create the illusion of more space is by choosing furniture that’s raised on legs.
This makes the room feel more spacious as more of the floor is visible.
However, you don’t have to opt for a full mid-century modern look to make this work in your space.
Instead, take a note from this small living room designed by Emily Henderson and add a few leggy pieces.
The coffee table, console, and side chair are all raised on legs, but the sofa and other chairs are not.
This helps to create a sense of balance in the room while still making it feel open and airy.
17. Use A Large Rug
A large area rug helps to anchor the space and define the living area in this open concept room.
The rug is placed in front of the sofa and armchairs, creating a cozy seating arrangement.
When you’re working with a small space, it’s important to make sure that your furniture fits comfortably on the rug.
If the rug is too small, it can make the room feel even smaller.
18. Make Use Of Corners
If your living room is on the smaller side, you may be wondering how to make the most of the space you have.
One of the best ways to do this is to use every inch of your room, including the corners.
This living room from us is a great example of how to use a corner of your room for more seating.
A small sofa or loveseat can be a great way to add more seating to your room, and it can also help to break up a larger space.
19. Add A Console Table
If you’re wondering how to fill an awkward space in a small living room, the answer is a console table.
Not only does it provide a spot to display decor and plants, but it also helps to break up the room and define the area.
Plus, you get bonus storage space with the drawers and shelves.
This console table is styled with a large piece of art, a lamp, a plant, and a few decorative objects, but you can style it however you like.
If you already have a gallery wall or large piece of art on the wall, you can skip that and just add a few decorative objects and a lamp.
20. Add Some Stools
If you’re short on space, but need plenty of seating, add some small stools to your living room.
You can easily tuck them away under a console table or in a corner when you don’t need them, and they can be used as side tables if you top them with a tray.
Conclusion
We hope you gathered some inspiration from these small living room ideas.
We know that with a little creativity and the right furniture and accessories, you can make the most of your space.