60 Small Living Room Ideas That Make the Space Feel Larger

It's time to stop assuming that small living rooms are bad or undesirable. Though a sprawling den might be a dream for some people, a compact living space can create a cozier and more intentional atmosphere for lazy-night-in enjoyment. As we enter the colder seasons and spend more time indoors, a small living room should be a place where you can relax and unwind—the trick is to keep the style highly curated so it doesn't look cluttered. If you're looking for inspiration to jumpstart your next room do-over or home reno, these 60 small living room ideas from designer spaces are a great place to look.

No matter the exact size of your space, there are plenty of small living room ideas to consider. Some trick the eye into making the space look bigger than it is by playing with furniture scale and paint colors, while others are designed more to help you embrace your small space without it feeling too busy or overwhelming. There's no need to let your limited square footage curtail your creativity.

Check out these 60 small living room ideas that show how to balance form and function for any design style. Get ready to transform your living room into a comfortable, stylish hangout spot that the whole family will love.

Embrace the Small Size

Sometimes, living rooms can feel—dare we say—too big to create the dream space you're looking for. If you want a cozy living room, especially as we enter fall, you might want to embrace one that's a smaller size so you can create the vibe you desire. The team at White Space Design Group put in a little gas fireplace and stove to keep things homey—something that would be harder to achieve if the room were larger.

 

Find Unique Storage Solutions

In small living rooms, it's essential to find creative storage solutions and arrange furniture to avoid a cramped feel. In Liz Dutton's Ohio home, this is achieved by storing a stack of books neatly under the antique, low-to-the-ground coffee table and using a small side table for drinks. In a space with limited square footage, it's crucial not to overcrowd the walls or block walking paths. Unique solutions like these ensure a balanced and open layout.

 

Wall-Mount Your TV

With a small living room, you'll want to save as much floor space as you can to reduce clutter, and wall-mounting your TV might be a solution. Designer Rasheeda Gray mounted this large television flush to the wall, allowing her clients to have a screen as big as they wanted without forcing the room to feel tight.

 

Face Seating Toward Each Other

In this small living room idea, designer Amanda Jacobs focused the design on human connection rather than the TV. She turned the two chairs on one side of the room toward the couch on the other so the client's family could all comfortably sit and converse.

 

Invest in Your Furniture

When Ashley Gilbreath was designing this sun-drenched living room, she opted for furniture she knew would age gracefully. Investing in pieces that you know will get better with time can help make your small living room feel like the crown jewel of your home instead of a smaller-than-desired afterthought.

 

Choose Minimalist Design

Minimalist design doesn't have to feel stark and sterile. Designer Brian Paquette created this elegant, Nordic-style living room for his clients, making sure it still felt warm without having too much unnecessary decor.

 

Opt for Open Furniture

Rather than choosing a sofa with a traditional back, designer Lichelle Silvestry went for a daybed-style piece that wouldn't block half of this small Parisian living room from the other. Now, no matter where your guests are, you can turn to face them.

 

Choose Low Accent Tables

Rather than overwhelm the space with a large side table or console, Jayson Home's Devin Kirk kept a low profile in his family's Chicago apartment with a short wooden stool. Because the emphasis is on the marbled sectional, he needed to balance the proportions of the other items in the room. Mission stylishly accomplished.

 

Float the Furniture

Designer Sarah Solis wanted this Los Angeles family's den to feel restful but still be functional for homework time. Cue: a floating desk. Because the thin surface seemingly levitates, it takes up much less visual square footage than a clunky desk with legs might, making it perfect for this small space. The backless stool also keeps keep things looking streamlined.

 

Accentuate the Curves

Low, curved, or angled ceilings can make a living room seem smaller than it actually is. Working with it rather than against it, as designer Patrick Gallagher did here in his apartment in Rome's Palazzo Taverna, can have the opposite effect. He used subtle, diamond-patterned wallpaper to visually heighten the barrel-vaulted ceiling and create the illusion of more space.

 

Try Tonal Colors

In this small living room idea by Amity Worrel, beige is far from boring. The monochrome decorating palette (with pops of red) was inspired by old-fashioned European skiing chalets and keeps it from feeling too busy or cluttered. Plus, the warm tones imbue the room with the coziness you get only in small spaces.

 

Accessorize With Care

Rather than adorn the walls of the living room in House Beautiful's 2023 Whole Home with eye-catching art (which we also love, don't get us wrong), Caitlin Wilson opted for delicate framed intaglios (reproductions of incised art made popular by travelers in the 18th and 19th centuries) from Statuette instead. Not only does the choice soften the room, but it also lets your eye settle on what's important: the people around you.

 

Buy Small

In a study by Los Angeles–based designer Alexandra Loew, a small loveseat sits nestled against the windows. It was chosen to be proportionate to the family's small children, but it's cozy enough for adults to lounge on as well.

 

Look Up

Pet ownership comes with a lot of accoutrements: feeding bowls, toys, scratching posts. But in the living room of Tammer Hijazi, cofounder and design director of Bower Studios, Cleo the cat gets free reign of the space, including the walls. A stack of Ikea Lack shelves creates a streamlined climbing system that doesn't intrude on the seating area below.

 

Don't Think Too Hard

In photographer Bjorn Wallander's New York City studio apartment, no inch is wasted. Rather than take up valuable space with a bookshelf or display tables, he piles his beloved coffee table books and knick-knacks on every windowsill and open bit of floor, which gives the apartment a true artistic flair.

 

Choose Double-Duty Pieces

In a tight apartment, rooms often have to do double duty. Regan Baker exercised genius space planning when creating this library, which could just as easily function as a small living room slash dining room. Dining chairs like these could function as guest seating when a dinner party turns into a game night.

 

Use Paneling

Just like in fashion, the right stripes can make a silhouette work to your advantage. If you're not into the circus stripe trend, take a note from Jeffrey Alan Marks instead. Horizontal wood paneling visually widens his California living room, making its small size a nonissue.

 

Raise the Shelves

Storage is essential in a small living room. If you don't have enough floor space for a bookshelf, look to your walls as designer John Wooden did in this bungalow. These high-up shelves offer plenty of flat surface area without taking up any of the valuable square footage down below.

 

Wallpaper the Ceiling

In a small space, lots of colors and patterns can feel dizzying. Instead of wallpapering the walls, opt for a ceiling design instead as Brooklinteriors designer Alicia Hassen did in this East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, apartment. It draws eyes up and leaves the rest of the space feeling wide open.

 

Ditch the Coffee Table

In this minimalist sitting area by Raji Radhakrishnan, a traditional coffee table was replaced with a low, bite-sized cocktail table. While it's not large enough to put your feet up (that's what the loveseat is for), it's perfect for a coffee and your current read.

 

Work in Twos

Sometimes smaller spaces actually allow for bolder color and pattern experiments. In this small living room idea, Katie Rosenfeld worked in pairs. She used the same floral pattern on the sofa and drapes, corresponding (and wilder!) cheetah prints on the carpet and throw pillow, and then coupled the springy green paint with the striped ottoman. If you love this look but prefer something a touch more modern, use Rosenfeld's formula but swap the traditional fabric for an edgy one and modern photography or an abstract painting for the botanical prints.

 

Separate Zones With Lighting

David Frazier managed to carve out formal sitting and dining areas in his small New York City apartment. A statement pendant over the pedestal table helps separate the dining zone, and the stackable dining chairs can double as extra seating in the living room. Pops of dark yellow speak to the warm antique wood pieces and break up the neutral color scheme, while a dark curtain rod mounted high on the light-colored wall adds height to the space.

 

Plan for Company

Ditch the sofa altogether if you'd rather use the living room as a place to catch up and chat with others as opposed to lounging horizontally. Four blue-painted rattan chairs are oriented toward each other for visits, but they're comfy enough to recline and stretch out on during life's quieter moments in this small living room by Avery Cox.

 

Play Up Period Details

In a Parisian apartment by Lichelle Silvestry, luxe, warm, and texture-rich velvet seating further enhances the elaborate period elements. "I adore using materials that add character and authenticity to my interiors," Silvestry says. "It's a sensory feast."

 

Use Refreshing Colors

In this small bungalow living room by Another Human, a contemporary linen-covered loveseat gets the bohemian treatment surrounded by granny-chic accents and '70s details. A surprising and rejuvenating shade of purple (Benjamin Moore Grape Ice) keeps things fresh and exciting.

 

Hang Plants

Moroccan rug dealer Amber El-Amin worked around an odd overhang above the sofa in the small living room of her home in Virginia by hanging a plant from it. The greenery enlivens the nook and brings a touch of unexpected whimsy. She didn't forget about light here, either: The two vintage lamps are strategically placed to brighten the tonal and laid-back yet upscale space.

 

Use Fewer, Brighter Pieces

Located by the entry and kitchen in the Novogratz family's New York City townhouse, this bonus sitting room is a crash pad for any visiting kids or guests. It's also a great design formula for anyone who's looking to create a formal setup in a smaller space. Bring in colorful artwork, minimal decorative objects, and streamlined furniture—just the basics!—but in bright colors.

 

Display Heirlooms on Open Shelves

Old books and heirlooms instantly make a room feel more personal, and exposed shelving and/or glass-enclosed cabinets let them shine. In this living room by Oliver Thornton, they add character and speak to the layered warmth of the furnishings, even though the space isn't huge.

 

Let an Area Rug Do the Work

If you're feeling stuck and uninspired, a room-spanning rug or piece of artwork can be a great jumping-off point for the rest of the color scheme. Everything in this small living room by Tamsin Johnson is inspired by the gorgeous Art Deco rug, from the plaster color-blocked paint to the masculine leather sofas. A Lucite table keeps a lower visual profile while speaking to the mirrored ceiling (another small space trick).

 

Forgo Armchairs

This simple living room by Robert McKinley Studio incorporates tons of texture, from the rug to the sofa to the greenery. The mix of materials makes it feel casual while still being fresh and stylish.

 

Use an Upholstered Ottoman

A reupholstered ottoman can play the role of a coffee table, footrest, and even extra seating. (It's also a great option for anyone who has small children or pets since the edges are soft.) The upholstery allows for extra pattern play if you choose something fun, like this triangle print in a sitting room by Les Ensembliers.

 

Call on Clear Furniture

Lean on Lucite and acrylic furniture when a space is starting to feel visually chaotic. Thanks to their transparency, you can count on them to disappear into the background. The waterfall coffee table in this small living room by Ashley Whittaker is a prime example.

 

Place Mirrors Strategically

Mirroring all your walls to bounce light might sound like a tall order, but what about just hanging a few separate wall-spanning mirrors and then painting the frames in one color to make them look cohesive? The green monochrome situation in this small living room idea by Benjamin Dhong is also inspiring us to layer tonal colors.

 

Upholster the Walls

Bring on the cozy vibes with plenty of soft fabrics—even applied to the walls! An patterned ottoman, lush velvet sectional, room-spanning rug, fun armchair, and upholstered walls bring this small living room by Nick Olsen to life—it's all the convincing we need.

 

Be Flexible With Seating

In a bohemian living room, pretty much anything goes—but if you need some guidance, apply this formula: daybed plus side chair plus armchair plus floor pillows plus a couple of stools equals a space made for lounging. In this case, Commune Design also incorporated a statement rug and task lighting.

 

Take Advantage of High Ceilings

Eliza Crater Harris, the great-great-granddaughter of Sister Parish, didn't let limited square footage stop her from incorporating plenty of personality-packed patterns in her New York City apartment. Ceiling-high curtains elongate the room to make it feel larger, and clean-lined furniture prevents the room from feeling too full.

 

Keep It Cozy

Leaning into the smallness of a space can actually be what makes it feel genuinely cozy and inviting. Keep seating close together and intimate, and pile on textiles and rugs in neutral tones, as Tamsin Johnson did here. Then utilize your walls for everything else, from task lighting to colorful artwork.

 

Skip the Sectional

If you're short on space, you might have the urge to fill it up with furniture. But sometimes less is more, especially in small living rooms that can quickly become overcrowded. Instead of a large sectional, which can look bulky, float two smaller sofas across from each other with a two-tier coffee table in between, as David Mann did here.

 

Think Outside the Box

Eclectic, organic spaces like this one by Leanne Ford call for quirky seating arrangements and out-of-the-box furniture. Two small stools are painted white for a softer, cohesive, and personalized look in lieu of coffee tables, cushions are piled on top of a ledge as a makeshift sofa, and a swing hangs from the low ceiling.

 

Create Zones With Area Rugs

Area rugs separate the different zones in this studio apartment by Peter Frank. There's also plenty of accent seating on deck but out of the pathways when not in use, a small space strategy that always delivers.

 

Install Smart Lighting

Choose lighting that can be attached to the walls or hung from above to save floor space, as Tamsin Johnson did in this small living room idea. Swing-arm sconces also bring dimension to the walls, an ideal situation for small living rooms.

 

Let the Light Pour In

This living room triples as an open kitchen and small dining room, so Heidi Caillier stuck with an edited selection of just a few items in the lounge area: a sofa, coffee table, and chair. Semi-sheer curtains to let light pour in throughout the entire room. Even if you don't have large windows and tons of sunlight, choose lighter shades to maximize the light you do have.

 

DIY a Barn Door

City apartment dwellings give "small" a whole new meaning. But Shari Francis has plenty of tricks up her sleeve to outsmart limiting floor plans. Tip number one: Separate an alcove bedroom from an adjoining living room with a sliding barn door to enhance privacy and give yourself dedicated spaces for different activities. (It's a relatively DIY project, and there are plenty of cool, affordable options on Etsy.) Tip number two: A smaller sofa is better than a bulky one that takes up the entire room, and one armchair is better than two if it means keeping a pathway clear—plus, asymmetry is chic.

 

Choose a Coffee Table With Storage

The carefully collected yet laid-back vibe in Elizabeth Georgantas's Nantucket living room is the perfect setup for a small space. An upcycled trunk stands in for a coffee table and provides hidden storage for extra throws and loose gadgets, and a small sofa is an appropriate scale for the proportions of the room.

 

Choose a Large Rug

Choosing a larger rug—even in a bold pattern—is a trick that makes a room feel bigger. Unlike a smaller one, it won't visually break up the floor. This can also help anchor the space and give you a good staple piece to design the rest of the room around. Corner seating can also help you get more out of your space, as it does in this room by Katie Ridder.

 

Nest Your Coffee Tables

So, a set of nesting tables is too small for your room, but a super large and bulky coffee table is also out of the question. The solution? Layer two streamlined coffee tables for a sleek Scandinavian approach, as the firm Fantastic Frank did here.

 

Build Shelving

Whether you inherit a place with an awkward nook or are making some renovations, build in shelves to create more display and/or storage space, and keep them the same color as the wall, as Robert McKinley Studio did here, for a sleek look. You could also build the bottom shelf out so it's roomy enough to be an extra seat. Can't swing custom carpentry? Floating shelves are a great option.

 

Pick a Dark Paint Color

Dark, glossy walls actually enhance small spaces. Painting your ceilings in the same color can up the feeling of intimacy even further. Once you've drenched your room, have fun with bright furniture, as Andrew Flesher did in this small living room.

 

Play With Scale

Don't be afraid of making a big statement in a small space. There's a difference between clutter and a dramatic design moment. In this modest living room by Leanne Ford, we love how the over-the-top chandelier creates contrast and intrigue.

 

Fill the Room

Admittedly, this contradicts some of our previous tips, but when done well, you can fill an entire space with furniture without making it feel overcrowded or claustrophobic. Take this living room by Heidi Caillier, for example. The cozy modular seating fits neatly in the space, while the neutral carpet, grasscloth wallcovering, and full drapes enhance that sense of intimacy and warmth. The coffee table provides surface space but visually disappears, and there's no need for a floor lamp when you can install a matching sconce.

 

Use Unexpected Furniture

Choose strategic furniture and decor that accommodates your smaller space and helps you achieve the look you're going for. In this small living room idea, Anthony Dunning slid a slim, tall pedestal into the corner to prop up a large floral arrangement and draw the eye up, accentuating the room's height instead of cluttering the floor with a squat side table.

 

Display Artwork Strategically

Bring your artwork up to trick the eye and expand or accentuate the height of a room. A gallery wall might seem too busy for a small space, but it can actually have an expansive effect when you extend it all the way up to the ceiling. In this family room by Katie Ridder, the mirror effect of the glossy red paint on the ceiling makes the small space feel larger—and more glam.

 

Swap a Sofa for Club Chairs

If you don't have room for a sofa and club chairs, forget the sofa and opt for two cozy armchairs as Jae Joo did in this sitting room. If there's a fireplace, angle them toward it to cement it as the room's focal point and encourage cozy hangs and conversation.

 

Build Banquettes

If you're trying to transform a little bonus area into a small living room idea, take a cue from this swanky nook by Romanek Design Studio. Banquette seating instantly transports you to a speakeasy or European train car (we'll happily take either option). Bonus points if you equip your coffee table with a classic board game.

 

Stick to a Tight Color Story

As we've mentioned a few times already, a small space shouldn't stop you from having fun with color. If you love incorporating pretty pastels or vivid brights but want to make sure your living room doesn't look chaotic, the trick is to stick to a tight color palette. Mixing patterns is also fair game, especially when done as masterfully as in this cheerful room by Ellen Kavanaugh.

 

Paint the Walls White

Keep walls and ceilings all white to brighten up the space. Large black-and-white artwork is eye-catching but won't add clutter, as proven in this room by Andrew Flesher. That way, you can make a colorful piece of furniture the focal point, and it won't feel like the walls are closing in on you.

 

Float Your Sofa

Resist the urge to push all the furniture up against the walls. If you create space behind the furniture, it makes the room look wider than it really is. An antique stool vibes well with the Chesterfield sofa in this room by Leanne Ford.

 

Hang a Chair

Swing chairs are super fun, and they seem to be having a design moment. More important, they can be a life saver in a small living room or family room since they let you add seating without taking up a ton of floor space. This mod style in a Hecker Guthrie–designed space is all the convincing we need.

 

Make It Multipurpose

When space is lacking, the only option is to get creative and make things multipurpose. For example, if you don't have room for a separate living room, family room, and home office, combine them in one space. This living room slash office by Leanne Ford proves that the right layout and pieces can look great no matter what shape or size the room.

 

Use Strategic Shelving

Use ottomans in place of a traditional coffee table to make better use of your space (because a tiny house means your living room often does double or triple duty when people come over). You can top them with a tray to hold flowers and books, or use them as extra seating. Then, when it's family time, they become footrests. These red leather ottomans in a small family room by Redmond Aldrich strike the perfect balance of formal and casual.