18 Ideas For Small Living Room Designs That Will Maximize Your Small Space

This post shows you th best small living room designs to try.

I understand that designing a small living room is a puzzle that many have yet to solve.

After moving into my apartment, I experienced the true challenge and excitement of transforming a small living room into a stunning and practical space.

Eventually, all my hard work paid off, and my living room became a delightful place for relaxing and entertainment.

So here I’ll share 18 ideas for small living room designs that will maximize your small space.

Pin it for later! ⤵️

Install a Stone fireplace flanked by built-in shelves

Incorporating built-in shelves around a central fireplace maximizes functionality and style in your small living room.

The built-in shelves provide ample room for displaying your artifacts or personal belongings, which helps maintain a clutter-free environment.

The fireplace adds warmth and coziness, making the living room a perfect relaxing spot.

Try modular seats

Modular sofas in soft, neutral colors are an excellent design for a small living room.

These sofas can be easily rearranged to fit various layouts, providing flexibility and adaptability to suit your desires.

The neutral color palette and nested coffee tables help create a calm and cohesive look, making the room feel larger and more open.

Incorporate Rounded Furniture with Built-In Shelves

Using rounded furniture and built-in shelves is an excellent strategy for small living room designs.

Rounded furniture pieces can help create a smoother flow in tight spaces, eliminating harsh edges that can make a room feel congested.

The built-in shelves offer valuable storage without taking up additional floor space.

Choose multi-functional types of furniture

Multi-functional furniture and a neutral color palette are excellent strategies for maximizing small living room spaces.

The low-profile coffee table offers a surface for essentials without dominating the room, and its minimalist design contributes to an open and airy environment.

Integrate simple design furniture with Indoor Plants

A small living room with low-profile furniture is a go-to idea.

The simple sectional sofa and a small coffee table occupy little space, making the living room more spacious.

You can also add indoor plants that grow vertically to enhance the perception of height in your living room.

Consider low furniture

Furniture that lies nicely low on the surface maximizes the space in a small living room while maintaining class.

For instance, a low sofa and coffee table keep the space unobstructed and functional.

The simple decor, including a tall floor lamp, delicate vases, and soft cushions, exude a cozy, welcoming feel.

Utilize light tones

Light and neutral tones easily reflect more light, making a living room appear large, open, and airy.

This color scheme produces a harmonious and uncluttered appearance, which is essential for maximizing a small space.

This approach also ensures a fresh, clean, and spacious feel.

Opt for unique furniture

Unique furniture items that brim with character and style can easily distract one from the idea that your living room is small.

For example, characterful furnishings, like the rattan pendant light and the textured pillows, add visual interest without overwhelming the space.

They create focal points that draw the eye, making the room feel larger and more dynamic.

Allow natural lighting in

Allowing natural light in is a practical small living room design.

It enhances the mood and ambiance of the room, making it feel larger.

You can install large windows to bring in ample daylight, which also helps highlight the room’s decor, colors, and textures, making everything look more vibrant and appealing.

Ensure minimum furnishing

Classy furnishing and minimalist decor contribute to a clean, modern aesthetic that adds style to a small living room.

This minimalistic approach makes your living room appear moreexpansive than it is.

Also, adding a bold color, like turquoise, adds personality and interest without overwhelming the room.

Distract the Eye with Creative Artifacts

By incorporating eye-catching decor and unique wall art, the focus is drawn away from the room’s size and towards its exciting details.

This technique creates a visually engaging space, making it feel larger and more dynamic.

Additionally, using varied textures and patterns in the cushions and rug adds depth and dimension to your small living room.

Add Decorative Throw Pillows and Rugs

Decorative throw pillows and rugs enhance the visual appeal of a small living room.

They add texture, warmth, and color, making the room more inviting, bigger, and comfortable.

These elements also allow for easy updates to the room’s decor, helping to keep the space fresh and stylish.

Opt for clever storage solutions

Clever storage solutions help to keep a small living room organized and clutter-free.

Furniture with built-in storage, like the TV stand, and decorative storage options, such as baskets, ensure that everything has a place, making the room feel more spacious and orderly.

Try Vertical Storage Solutions

Vertical storage solutions, like tall shelves or bookcases, make the most of the small living room’s height, freeing up valuable floor space.

This layout keeps the room organized and allows additional storage without crowding the living area.

Go for Textured Accents

Incorporating different textures, from the plush upholstery of the furniture to the patterned rug and the wooden wall panels, can make a small living room feel rich and layered.

Textured accents add visual interest and can create focal points in the room, drawing attention away from the space’s size and toward its design elements.

Use a Large Area Rug to Define the Space

An area rug helps separate different areas within a small living room.

It anchors the furniture and creates a distinct living area, making the room appear well-organized and spacious.

It also adds a cozy and cohesive look to the small living room.

Built-in shelving Around the Fireplace

Built-in shelving makes excellent use of vertical space without encroaching on the floor area of your small living room.

This design provides ample storage and creates a focal point around the fireplace, adding functionality and class to the living room.

Use large-scale art and statement light fixtures

Large-scale art and unique statement light fixtures, such as a stunning chandelier, can make a small living room feel grander by creating a striking focal point that enhances the room’s aesthetic without taking up physical space.

They draw attention upward, making the ceiling appear higher and the room more spacious.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I make my small living room feel larger without major renovations?

You can make a small living room feel larger by using light and neutral colors on the walls and furniture.

Mirrors are another excellent trick; they reflect light and create an illusion of depth.

Choosing multi-functional furniture, like a coffee table with storage or a sofa bed, also helps keep the space organized and clutter-free.

Finally, using vertical space with tall shelves or artwork draws the eye upward, making the room feel more spacious.

2. What are some space-saving furniture ideas for a small living room?

Opt for furniture that doubles as storage, such as ottomans with hidden compartments or coffee tables with shelves.

Look for smaller-scale furniture like loveseats instead of full-size sofas, and choose pieces with slim legs to create an airy look.

Sectional sofas can also work in small spaces by utilizing corners efficiently.

Nesting tables and foldable chairs are perfect for flexibility and can be tucked away when not needed.

3. How should I arrange furniture in a small living room?

The key is to avoid clutter and maintain clear walking paths.

Place larger furniture pieces like the sofa against a wall to maximize open space in the middle.

Use smaller furniture to fill in gaps, like accent chairs or side tables, without overcrowding the room.

Consider floating furniture, like a couch away from the wall, to create distinct zones and make the room feel more open.

4. What type of lighting is best for a small living room?

In a small living room, layering lighting is essential.

Start with overhead lighting, like a chandelier or ceiling light, for general brightness.

Add floor or table lamps to create cozy corners, and consider wall sconces to save floor space.

Using dimmers allows you to control the mood, while natural light, when possible, is always the best way to make a room feel larger.

5. What are some easy ways to add style to a small living room without overwhelming it?

Stick to a neutral base palette and add pops of color through accents like pillows, rugs, or art.

Choose a statement piece, like a bold sofa or eye-catching artwork, and keep the rest of the room simple.

Incorporate texture with different fabrics or a mix of materials like wood, glass, and metal.

Lastly, keeping the décor minimal helps maintain a clean and airy feel, even in small spaces.

If you love these ideas, don’t forget to pin the above image to your “Living Room” board.