How Designers Make the Most of a Small Living Room
Follow these small-space tips from interior designers and architects to help you plan your compact room
Amanda Pollard
February 16, 2024
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
When it comes to designing a small living room, most professionals have a few golden rules they use to make the most of the space. Here, two architects and two interior designers share their go-to tips and tricks to ensure a small room is big on style and function.
They Look at the Space Beyond the Walls
“It’s important to think about how a space is perceived, rather than focus on its dimensions,” says Sean Ronnie Hill of RISE Design Studio. “When designing a living room, especially a small one, we have to assume there’s little scope to change its shape or extend its area without compromising other parts of the home.
“However, we do have control over what it feels like to inhabit the space,” he continues. “An oriented view through a large glazed feature, for example, can make a room feel twice its size.”
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“It’s important to think about how a space is perceived, rather than focus on its dimensions,” says Sean Ronnie Hill of RISE Design Studio. “When designing a living room, especially a small one, we have to assume there’s little scope to change its shape or extend its area without compromising other parts of the home.
“However, we do have control over what it feels like to inhabit the space,” he continues. “An oriented view through a large glazed feature, for example, can make a room feel twice its size.”
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“Get your room layout right, starting at the door,” says Eva Byrne of Houseology. “In a traditional house, doors open so you look at the wall of the room when you enter. If budget allows, re-hang the door, so you can see the whole room as you walk in. It makes it seem more spacious and easier to get into.”
They Go Custom for Storage
The best way to maximize storage in your small living room is to go for customized cabinets and shelves, rather than freestanding ones.
“Use every millimeter of space,” says Claudia Dorsch of Claudia Dorsch Interior Design. She suggests a balance of open shelves and closed storage. “Lots of open shelving can make a smaller living room feel oppressive and cluttered,” she says. “Storage that’s painted in the same color as your walls will not only give you somewhere to put stuff, it will also recede into the background.”
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The best way to maximize storage in your small living room is to go for customized cabinets and shelves, rather than freestanding ones.
“Use every millimeter of space,” says Claudia Dorsch of Claudia Dorsch Interior Design. She suggests a balance of open shelves and closed storage. “Lots of open shelving can make a smaller living room feel oppressive and cluttered,” she says. “Storage that’s painted in the same color as your walls will not only give you somewhere to put stuff, it will also recede into the background.”
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They Add a Feature
Dorsch recommends bringing in a focal point. “That way, the living room’s smaller proportions won’t dominate and you’ll give the room its own identity,” she says. “Try a large piece of art or a fabulous chandelier to create a sense of indulgence.”
“Add a built-in eccentricity that will give a personal touch to a small space,” Hill says. “It could be an oriel window where you can curl up and read a book, or a built-in seating space that ends up being used as a table by the little ones.
“By taking a leap and introducing something bespoke and unexpected, you’ll bring up surprises,” he adds. “Each user will find a different purpose for it, making the room more personal and dynamic.”
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Dorsch recommends bringing in a focal point. “That way, the living room’s smaller proportions won’t dominate and you’ll give the room its own identity,” she says. “Try a large piece of art or a fabulous chandelier to create a sense of indulgence.”
“Add a built-in eccentricity that will give a personal touch to a small space,” Hill says. “It could be an oriel window where you can curl up and read a book, or a built-in seating space that ends up being used as a table by the little ones.
“By taking a leap and introducing something bespoke and unexpected, you’ll bring up surprises,” he adds. “Each user will find a different purpose for it, making the room more personal and dynamic.”
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They Pay Attention to Details
Elevate the impact of a small living room by giving it a high-quality feel, our experts suggest. “One of the most important factors that makes any room stand out is the quality of its finishes,” Hill says.
“It’s amazing how sometimes the perception of beauty in a space comes down to details, such as whether the corners are well finished and sharp,” he says.
Read more stories about decorating small spaces
Elevate the impact of a small living room by giving it a high-quality feel, our experts suggest. “One of the most important factors that makes any room stand out is the quality of its finishes,” Hill says.
“It’s amazing how sometimes the perception of beauty in a space comes down to details, such as whether the corners are well finished and sharp,” he says.
Read more stories about decorating small spaces
They Stay in Proportion
“You can trick a room into looking bigger by choosing furniture that’s comparatively modest in size,” Byrne says. “A large sofa in a small room, for example, will dwarf the space and accentuate its diminutive size. Choose a two-seater sofa, of compact design and raised on legs. This will allow for a greater sense of space and flow. Apply the same logic to every piece of furniture you choose.”
“You can trick a room into looking bigger by choosing furniture that’s comparatively modest in size,” Byrne says. “A large sofa in a small room, for example, will dwarf the space and accentuate its diminutive size. Choose a two-seater sofa, of compact design and raised on legs. This will allow for a greater sense of space and flow. Apply the same logic to every piece of furniture you choose.”
The opposite applies when it comes to choosing a rug, however. “People tend to make the mistake of using small rugs and cluttering the room, but in fact a big rug may give the illusion of a bigger space,” Alekseev says.
They Let in Light …
Simplicity is key when designing a small living space. “Use neutral colors and have simple walls, steering away from any superfluous architectural details,” Alekseev says.
“The brighter you can make the room, the larger it will feel,” Byrne adds, “so choose a pale shade for the walls and add color through accessories and art. Carefully placed mirrors will magnify the space and boost the light.”
Simplicity is key when designing a small living space. “Use neutral colors and have simple walls, steering away from any superfluous architectural details,” Alekseev says.
“The brighter you can make the room, the larger it will feel,” Byrne adds, “so choose a pale shade for the walls and add color through accessories and art. Carefully placed mirrors will magnify the space and boost the light.”
… But Aren’t Afraid of the Dark
If your living room doesn’t benefit from plenty of light, however, white walls can make it feel dull, Dorsch says. “Instead, use darker, richer tones, which will give a small room drama, or a cozier, enveloping feeling,” she says. “Make the size of the room the statement.”
If your living room doesn’t benefit from plenty of light, however, white walls can make it feel dull, Dorsch says. “Instead, use darker, richer tones, which will give a small room drama, or a cozier, enveloping feeling,” she says. “Make the size of the room the statement.”
They Layer Up the Lighting
You can use lighting to add a feeling of depth to your small living room. “Strategically placed lamps and wall lights will add a wash of light to different parts of the space, or focus on a specific feature,” Dorsch says. “This draws your eye around the room, as it creates depth and shadow.
“Hidden LEDs in ceiling coving are another great way to achieve mood and grandeur in a smaller living room,” she adds.
You can use lighting to add a feeling of depth to your small living room. “Strategically placed lamps and wall lights will add a wash of light to different parts of the space, or focus on a specific feature,” Dorsch says. “This draws your eye around the room, as it creates depth and shadow.
“Hidden LEDs in ceiling coving are another great way to achieve mood and grandeur in a smaller living room,” she adds.
Tell us: Is your living room compact and cozy? Share your thoughts and ideas on making the most of a small living space in the Comments.
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Our living room (I think small because it’s not an open floor plan like many newer homes) with TV in photo…behind the armoire in upper center left of photo. Next photo is looking the other way from the TV.
I think your living room is large. You have a piano, a fireplace and space to walk behind the sofa.
Our living room is 10x11. We have sofa and recliners up against the 2 walls and a 3' walkway between.
Since it's the access route to the dining room (8x11), we don't have a coffee table. The TV is on a stand next to the sofa so we can see it from our recliners.
Yep we're old folk and grateful for recliners. I spent a week on the sofa with one leg on pillows a few years ago after ankle surgery. Eating meals laying on my side was no fun. So I gave in and bought a smaller recliner that fits me.
I decided the fireplace and TV were the focal point. Just purchased and art tv and I think it looks great. About to re-do the mantle to lower it and the tv and rid myself of faux stone surround and a less formal mantle ( it’s a cottage home). Scale is important and comfort along with performance fabrics allow for lots of lounging and enjoying coffee or a beverage without the worry of spilling. I use 2 ottomans for a coffee table with a tray on top for balancing a cup of something. Lot’s of different types of lighting create interesting and mood.