45 Top Ideas for Stylish, Space-Saving Living Rooms

Small living rooms present unique design challenges, but thoughtful choices in furniture layout, color, and architectural details often provide solutions.

Careful planning of seating, lighting, and traffic flow is crucial to prevent a cramped feeling.

By strategically using decor, storage, and visual tricks, you can make even a tight space feel surprisingly spacious and comfortable, maximizing both function and style within your budget and timeframe.

Build Above the Windows

PinChristian Harder

When you’re short on space, decorate your small living room by hanging shelves above the windows.

This area is often empty, but in this living room by designer Serena Dugan, the designer hung handy bookshelves to display a welcoming collection of paperbacks without making the space feel crowded.

Paint the Ceiling

PinMali Azima

Since much of this house by Suzanne Kasler is an open floor plan, she made sure to differentiate this smaller living area by painting the ceiling to section off the space.

The deep blue is relaxing and elegant, and the slight glossy shine helps to make the room feel larger.

Small Living Room with Large Rug

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One design mistake we often see in smaller spaces is inappropriately sized area rugs.

Your initial instinct may be to go with a small 5-by-7-foot rug in your small living room.

However, a larger 10-by-12-foot rug can make the space feel less cramped.

RELATED: 25 Space-Maximizing Layout Ideas for Small Living Rooms

Arrange Furniture Efficiently

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The right furniture arrangement is a small living room idea you don’t want to skip.

Although pushing all the furniture against the walls might seem like it would maximize space, the layout can make a room feel closed in.

Instead, pull the furniture toward the center of the room to create a cozy conversation area.

Leaving space behind the furniture for walking helps to enhance the small room’s open elements, including the large window, two paned doors, and elegant arched entryway.

Use a Two-Tier Coffee Table

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One easy way to instantly add more storage space for your books and collections is by investing in a coffee table with two tiers rather than just one surface.

This will give your coffee table decor some much-needed breathing room.

Choose Double-Duty Furniture

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Outfit a small living room with furniture that can do double duty, such as an ottoman or pair of poufs instead of a coffee table.

A tray can quickly take these upholstered pieces from a casual place to put your feet up to a surface fit for entertaining.

In this tight living room, the plush poufs also ease the pain of inevitable knee bumps and add a bold pattern to an otherwise neutral space.

Sconce Lighting for a Small Living Room

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In terms of small living room ideas, this one can make a huge difference.

It’s easy to run out of space for table and floor lamps, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for turning on the big light.

Try installing a few sconces on the walls for instant mood lighting that takes up hardly any space.

If investing in new hardwired sconces isn’t realistic, go with a version that plugs into an outlet. There are many ways to disguise the cord.

High-Hung Curtains

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There’s a reason interior designers are always encouraging their clients to hang their curtains higher and wider than the windows themselves.

It can make your windows, and room in general, feel much larger.

Always use this optical illusion to your advantage, especially in a small living room.

Small Living Room with White Ceiling

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Color drenching has been rising exponentially in popularity, but it’s a timeless design choice rather than a fleeting trend.

Color drenching typically involves painting the walls, ceilings, and trim the same hue but in different sheens.

However, a medium-toned ceiling can make an already tiny living room feel smaller.

Consider altering the painting method just a bit by leaving the ceiling white.

Sneak in Storage

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Hide clutter in a small living room using furniture doubling as a storage unit.

For a coffee table alternative that provides hidden storage, try a trunk.

Books, children’s toys, extra blankets, and other items can be stashed inside for easy access, and this small living room idea looks great in almost any room.

Add more storage by stashing baskets under an open bench or using tote bags as decorative objects while keeping dog leashes handy for daily walks.

Small Living Room with Just One Accent Chair

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In most living rooms where space isn’t an issue, you’ll notice two accent chairs sitting across from each other or the couch, which creates a nice space for conversing.

However, just one accent chair positioned at a slight angle toward the couch is just as effective for chatter.

You can always pull in additional seating from a folding chair or borrowed kitchen chair if you have extra company.

Dark and Moody Walls

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It’s a common misconception that dark walls make a room feel more enclosed, but if you want to go dark and moody, the key is to commit.

Going with a color like navy or charcoal gray, as opposed to a medium blue or gray, can create the illusion of more space.

Just think of the vastness of the night sky.

Skip the TV in a Small Living Room

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Hear us out—consider ditching the TV in the living room.

Large TVs draw extra attention to themselves in smaller living rooms.

Alternatives could be using a portable projector to watch shows and movies or installing the TV in a different room, like a bedroom.

Add Your Personal Style

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You don’t need to skimp on style when it comes to small living room ideas.

The trick is to scale down the size and amount of furniture and decor so they don’t overwhelm the space.

Start with a few pieces of right-sized furniture, then layer in a curated selection of accessories to provide texture and personality.

The green-painted campaign chest is a bold statement among the subdued hues, which commands attention and reflects the homeowner’s aesthetic.

Clever Room Divider Use

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Some necessary things serve their purpose in a small living room but may not look the prettiest.

We’re talking things like Wi-Fi routers and cat litter boxes.

If you don’t have any other room to store these things inside, you can turn the attention away from them and use a room divider as a mask.

Establish a Soft Background

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Visually fade the perimeter of your space for an expansive small living room idea.

To make the walls appear to recede into the background, paint the walls, trim, and ceiling the same or similar shades of white.

For the windows, choose sheer curtains that match the walls and let in as much light as possible.

This tidy room has a soothing and relaxed feel because of the careful editing and monochromatic color scheme.

Small Living Room with Large-Scale Art

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What your living room lacks in width, it just might make up for in height.

If you have tall ceilings, flaunt them.

Hang large pieces of artwork that reach nearly the top of the ceiling to draw the eyes upward.

Maximize Seating with a Sectional

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A sectional can be your best bet for maximizing seating in a tight living room.

These corner-hugging pieces offer multiple seats in one, providing plenty of lounging space without chopping up a small room.

Here, a sectional is positioned in front of built-in bookcases, leaving just enough room to access the lower cabinets.

A round coffee table nestled the seating makes getting around easier and adds a soft profile to the room.

Small Living Room with Books as Decor

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Before you go purging your book collection to fit into your mini bookshelf in your pint-sized living room, try moving some of them off the shelf and into your decor.

In some cases, stacks of books can even double as accent furniture.

If you don’t have room for your large coffee table books on your actual coffee table, they may just make the perfect plant stand.

Open Up Walls

Pin @reflektiondesign / Instagram

Consider opening up walls if you are a homeowner.

“A bright and fresh feeling is created when you open up the space, allowing natural light to enter,” says interior designer Kate Diaz of Swanky Den.

“You can install floor-to-ceiling windows or doors, or side panels. You can also paint your walls in light colors with white trim, which will make it seem large.”

Hang Smaller Artwork

Pin @oursouthwestnest / Instagram

Choose smaller artwork that will allow your walls to breathe and make the room look more expansive than it is.

“You’ll want to keep any pictures or wall art small and only hang them if they are meaningful,” says Diaz.

Use Multipurpose Furniture

Pin @reflektiondesign / Instagram

Save space and increase functionality with multipurpose furniture.

Diaz says that this could be placing bookshelves near windows so they can double as window seats or using an upholstered ottoman as a coffee table that can also be used as seating.

Hang Decorative Mirrors

Pin @love_in_1000_square_feet / Instagram

Decorating with mirrors is a small space hack that works every time.

According to Diaz, adding a mirror leading into your living room will help give the space a more light and airy feel.

Contrast Walls and Floors

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Light colors are great for your walls—but you can opt for a darker floor color if you’re looking to create a sense of warmth.

“Using light colors on the walls with dark floors will create a clean look,” says Diaz.

Be Strategic With Artwork

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Add visual interest to a small space with artwork.

Diaz suggests hanging artwork directly above your sofa rather than all around the room to keep visual clutter to a minimum.

Consider Wall Sconces

Pin @weepingwillow.farmhouse / Instagram

Brighten a small living room with wall sconces.

Diaz suggests grouping sconces together for a bold wall statement or positioning them over picture windows for a gallery-like effect.

Move Decor Around

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Decluttering your living room creates space to allow your favorite pieces to shine.

Diaz suggests decluttering by putting items in different places around the room to keep the space interesting.

Decorate With Vases

Pin @oursouthwestnest / Instagram

You don’t need to forego decorations in order to make your space feel neat and tidy.

“Adding vases to your space can offer visual interest without looking cluttered,” says Diaz. “I suggest using a glass or porcelain vase for a tall, clean look.”

Take Advantage of Alcoves

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Utilize recessed spaces such as alcoves for seating, suggests Diaz.

Nestle a smaller sofa into an alcove, or create a seating nook to maximize space.

Hang Statement Art

Pin Alvin Wayne

Take advantage of tall ceilings to hang oversized art.

Skip the frame for a light and informal feel.

Minimize the TV

Pin Brexton Cole Interiors

Decorating around the TV is a constant challenge for interior designers and home decorators alike, especially in a small living room.

Paint your fireplace wall in a dark shade of navy to obscure a large flat-screen.

Zone an Open Floor Plan

Pin Alvin Wayne

Create a small living room area in an open-plan space by defining zones.

A freestanding open shelf divides one end of the conversation area from the home office, while the armchairs are positioned with their backs to the kitchen island.

Choose a Colorful Sofa

Pin Alvin Wayne

Choose a colorful sofa to add personality to your small living room.

A mustard yellow modular sofa keeps a low profile beneath the large windows in this New York City apartment living room, making the ceilings feel even taller.

Install Open Shelving

Pin @darbywallisdesign / Instagram

Hang open shelving to display decor and personal items.

Just be sure to keep it tidy and neatly styled.

Choose Neutral Wall Paint

Pin @love_in_1000_square_feet / Instagram

Paint walls in a single neutral shade to make a small space feel more expansive.

If you do want to add more personality, you can always add pops of color in select furniture pieces and accessories.

Vary Furniture Heights

Pin @thecollectivedallas / Instagram

Choose furniture with varying heights and depths to give your small living room a sense of dimension, helping it to feel more visually interesting.

A low-slung sofa will make the ceilings feel taller.

Incorporate a Floor Mirror

Pin Alvin Wayne

Lean a large decorative floor mirror against the wall of a small living room.

The large glass will reflect the rest of the room, visually doubling its size.

Choose Neutral Rugs

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Neutral colorways will make a tiny space appear larger—but that’s especially true for your carpets or rugs.

You’ll want to opt for light-colored textiles, which will make a room look light and spacious, regardless of the size.

Optimize Vertical Space

Pin @sanctuaryhomedecor / Instagram

Free up floor space by utilizing walls for storage and decor.

“As much as possible, you’ll want to focus on hanging cabinets or open air coffee table storage,” says Jeneva Aaron of The House Wire.

“The floor space can still be used for something else, so choosing hanging cabinets or coffee table storage that isn’t too bulky is key.”

Keep It Minimalist

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Take a minimalist approach to give your small living room a light and airy feel.

“Choose multifunctional furniture,” says Aaron. “Be creative and try to mix and match.”

Consider Mirrored Furniture

Pin Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona

Incorporate mirrored furniture pieces that reflect views, expand sightlines, and bounce light around.

In this cottage-style living room, a pair of round mirrors illuminate a dark corner and a vintage-inspired mirrored buffet does the trick.

Work Those Weird Angles

Pin @lasthouseonbedfordlane / Instagram

A living room with an awkward layout might seem like a challenge to decorate and furnish—but it’s actually a great opportunity to take the emphasis off the small size.

Opt for a salon-style gallery wall or jewel box-inspired decor to help make your quirky space shine.

Optimize Natural Light

Pin @darbywallisdesign / Instagram

Smaller living rooms can appear more spacious when flooded with natural light.

Optimize natural light using mirrors, sheer curtains, regularly cleaning windows, and clearing window sills of clutter.

Choose a Light Palette

Pin @weepingwillow.farmhouse / Instagram

Use a light palette to make a small room feel more spacious.

“Colors such as white have a higher reflectance, and this can make your room seem a lot bigger than it is,” says Roman Ramona, founder of Living Beyond Design.

“This trick works well when we’re dealing with small spaces as it lets the light bounce around the room.”

Avoid Statement Rugs

Pin @trevorfulmerdesign / Instagram

Some designers advise against using bold or statement rugs that will create a focal point that visually shrinks the size of the room.

“Try to make everything as uniform as possible,” Ramona says, “because that contrast can draw attention to that rug and your room will seem even smaller.”

Hang Mirrors Strategically

Pin @lasthouseonbedfordlane / Instagram

Place a mirror on a wall to double the space visually.

Hang it opposite a window to reflect natural light, making the room feel more expansive.