If your small living room lacks illumination, try employing a lighting strategy that draws the eye upward. Instead of opting for one single chandelier or sconce installation, layer different types of fixtures on top of each other for greater visual impact.
Opt for multipurpose furniture such as an ottoman that serves multiple functions – for instance, it could double up as both seating and coffee table – to help maximize space efficiency and keep things tidy. This approach will keep the space efficient.
Make the Most of Natural Light
“Don’t block the view with large dark or bright pieces when looking through windows,” advises interior designer Corey Diaz.
Opt for lighter and neutral hues that amplify the brightness of your space – such as white paint. However, other great choices might include taupe, gray or even green to add dimension and add interest.
Play with mirror-adorned furniture pieces that help extend sightlines and reflect light around the room, such as console tables that serve double duty as lampstands and mirrors – an effective way to add visual interest and illumination without taking up floor space – as well as decorative floor mirrors placed over sofas for an eye-catching wall statement.
Go Multifunctional
Applying one hue across all elements in a room creates an appealing aesthetic, visually expanding it. Selecting darker tones on end walls may also shorten distances and visually widen a room.
Wayfair Resident Style Advisor Nadia McCowan Hill recommends adding multifunctional pieces as one of the best ideas for small living room designs. Look for storage-savvy furniture such as a coffee table that doubles up as both footstool and storage box.
Wall sconces can help add drama and atmosphere to a small living room without taking up floor space. Use them in groups for an eye-catching gallery wall effect, or mount them above an alcove for ambient mood lighting without taking up valuable floor space. Lastly, opt for round furnishings to offset harsh angles of narrow rooms; round tables, chairs and money plants’ leaves all help make the room less corridor-like.
Add a Statement Piece
Decorating a living room may tempt you to choose large pieces such as sofas. But this may not always work best when dealing with limited space.
Opt instead for strikingly beautiful yet smaller pieces that will bring life and personality into the space, such as an antique-inspired desk that doubles as a bar, or transparent chairs that blend in seamlessly.
Decor with rounded edges also serves to soften hard angles, taking the focus off of a room’s petite size and emphasizing its soft corners. This works for various items like rugs, curtains and even round plants such as money plants that add warmth.
Create a Reading Nook
Reading nooks can add special moments to any room of the living space, from cozy window seats and closets to closets and even hallways. From bookcases with sleek lines to shelves mounted openly on walls for easy storage of books, magazines, blankets or whatever else makes you cozy – old books with their layers of warmth can really elevate a reading nook design!
Explore a black settee (long seat with back), upholstered with luxurious fabric such as boucle, to create an inviting yet sophisticated space. Add wall-mounted art prints and decorative items for a personalized touch, while mood lighting such as scented candles or task lamps will further elevate this intimate environment.
Section Your Space
As with any tight space, to create the illusion of increased size is to divide and subdivide it through furniture placement – for instance by positioning a sofa between dining room table and sofa to define conversation area in an open plan layout. After that, select smaller furniture items for scale adjustments by opting for slim chairs in place of bulky sofas and smaller tables in lieu of large coffee tables.
If your living room features an expansive floor plan, choose pale L-shaped sofas to open up the area and create cozy corners. Also make sure that mirrored artwork or decor reflects light back into the space and makes the room seem larger.
Wayfair Resident Style Advisor, Nadia McCowan Hill, suggests multifunctionality is essential when designing small spaces. One such solution would be a storage footstool that doubles as a coffee table as this homeowner has done.