Small Living Room Design Ideas That Will Maximize Your Tiny Space

Find out how to make the most of your small living room with tried-and-true design ideas and color schemes that won’t cramp your style.

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By: Keri Sanders

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Remove Visual (and Literal) Weight

Keep your eyes peeled for furnishings with thin legs and open bottoms (anything that doesn’t crouch low to the floor) The very fact that floor space is visible beneath storage pieces and seating, is a nifty visual trick that can give the impression of extra square footage.

From: Natalie Myers

Define the Room

The pale vintage pattern beneath the furniture in this living room nook also functions as its walls. The edges of the rug indicate the boundary between this sitting area and the rest of the home. Instead of floating a smaller piece under a coffee table or between the edges of a sofa and chairs, roll out a gargantuan piece that will cover it completely, then end where the living room does.

From: Sarah Wittenbraker

Keep the Gallery Wall Going

Hanging a handful of images at eye level is well and good, but in a room where all space is precious, letting visual interest climb all the way to the ceiling is even better.

See More Ideas: 20 Living Room Wall Decor Ideas That Are Anything But Boring

From: Kate Lester Interiors

Reference Other Rooms

When the sliding door that serves as an occasional divider between this living room and bedroom is rolled back, the two spaces function as one, open-plan area. Both spaces share black geometry and blue upholstered pieces helping the two feel as one. Continuity like this makes each of these spaces feel more expansive.

From: Breeze Giannasio

Bring In Multitaskers

Get more bang for your design buck by choosing furniture pieces that do double duty. For example, the bar cart featured here is not only the ideal spot to store bar essentials, it also works as an innovative side table, housing a lamp, books and other belongings.

See More Ideas: Bar Cart Essentials for Every Style

Let There Be Light

Oppressive, dark window treatments can weigh down a small living room. Leave windows bare (or nearly bare, as with the understated shutters in this narrow space’s bay windows) to maintain an airy, expansive atmosphere.

From: Garrison Foundry

Deploy Wall Sconces

No room for lamps? No problem. Try adding a pair of wall sconces on either side of your sofa for added lighting that won't take up any floor space.

See More Ideas: 20 Living Room Lighting Design Ideas

From: Zoe Feldman Design

Integrate Entertainment

The large television in this sitting area very nearly disappears when it’s not in use, thanks to a clever room divider, shelving and storage unit that makes it feel like part of a larger arrangement (as opposed to an electronic eyesore that dominates the space).

From: Andrew Suvalsky Designs

Hang Curtains High

To draw the eye up and create the look of extra space, hang curtains from the ceiling rather than directly above windows. In this living area, glass tables also trick the eye and make the room appear more spacious.

See More Ideas: Do's + Don'ts of Designer-Worthy Window Treatments

From: Alice Cramer

Soften the Space

Selecting an upholstered coffee table can help your small living room achieve a couple of few things. First, if your living room doubles as a playroom, the soft corners allow children to play without worrying about bumps and bruises. Secondly, in a living room short on square footage, this coffee table can double as an ottoman and additional seating for guests.

See More Ideas: 20 Living Room Coffee Table Looks We Love

From: Natalie Myers

Maintain a Pale Palette

This colorful living room's major components (the walls, the molding, the mantel, the shelving, the area rug, the chairs … you get the idea) are white. The lesson here? Even if you crave color via accessories, keeping your base monochromatic will help cultivate a sense of space.

See More Ideas: 20 Colorful Homes With White Walls

From: Michelle Gage

Provide an Anchor

This living room features crisp, white walls and a painted fireplace, which helps the room to feel larger. The black and white area rug provides a strong foundation to the design, without overpowering the space or making it feel cramped with dark colors.

From: Joni Spear

Go for Glass (or Acrylic)

A glass or lucite coffee table will lighten your small space up since its airy design makes it look like nothing is there.

From: Kerra Michele Huerta

Incorporate Built-Ins

The built-ins surrounding this sofa provide added floor-to-ceiling storage and are a great design addition to the space. If you are short on space, built-ins can provide the perfect spot to display your treasured trinkets, while making good use of that awkward nook.

See More Ideas: 20 Beautiful Built-Ins

From: Amy Elbaum

Go Low (and High)

Paired with lofty shelves that draw the eye to the ceiling, the low-slung console and ottoman/coffee table in this living room make the space look downright massive.

From: Bri Moysa

Unclutter the Coffee Table

Satisfying as it is to style a stack of art books and objects, consider how the minimal accessories that anchor this snug space make its blank expanse look luxurious. In this case, less is unquestionably more.

See More Ideas: 15 Designer Tips for Styling Your Coffee Table

From: Justin DiPiero

Hang Bold Art

The one-two punch of this large-scale abstract art is a strong counter to the argument that small rooms can’t handle big statements. In this case, that statement fills the whole room with life and color.

From: Right Meets Left Design

Resist Commitment

These handsome, faceted end tables provide plenty of space to perch a drink, and they can be rearranged in no time flat. A quick change arrangement, like the one in this living room, allows for switching to a more suitable floor plan as often as you like (try managing that with a sectional and a solid stone coffee table).

From: Maureen Stevens

Get Reflective

A well-placed mirror can work wonders in a small space. It’s decorative in its own right, and a perfectly situated mirror can add dimension and pull in extra light.

Scale Down

Nothing has the potential to shrink a room faster than large, overstuffed furniture. To make your petite space seem just right, look for smaller, tailored pieces. This two-seater fits perfectly in a tiny New York City apartment.

See More Ideas: 14 Iconic Sofa Styles + Where to Buy Them