10 Tips for Decorating a Small Living Room

So you've got a small living room. No big deal, right? With these tips in mind, we've compiled an easy guide to help make your small living room feel more spacious and stylish than ever before.

Beige and white living room furniture with wicker accents and fur rug

1. Choose small-scale furniture

When you're decorating a small living room choose small-scale pieces like end tables and coffee tables to keep the visual weight of your room light and airy. If you do have a large piece of furniture in your room, such as a sofa or armchair, choose one with clean lines or tapered legs to make it seem less bulky. Furniture with high backs can make a room feel cramped and close in on its occupants.

Small living room with grey couch and green hanging plants and small coffee table

2. Focus on function

To make the most of your space, you'll want to choose furniture that is multifunctional. For example, a small couch that can double as a bed at night and be folded up against the wall during the day. A table that can be used as both an end table and a desk is another great choice. And don't forget about folding chairs! They're perfect for extra guests but easy to store when not in use.

Living room with sectional couch, decorations on walls and throw rug

3. Prioritize comfort

Although your living room may be small, you can still enjoy a comfortable space to relax. When decorating for comfort, think about what makes you feel good and make sure that is reflected in the design of your space. Use sectional sofas or modular furniture pieces. Lay down some throw rugs, they'll add warmth as well as protect hardwood floors from scratches caused by shoes rubbing into them every day.

Living room with accent grey wall, wood floors and neutral furniture

4. Stick with a limited color palette

Decorating a small living room can be challenging, that's why limiting yourself to one or two colors is key. Use neutral tones like white, beige and gray. These colors are versatile because they blend well with everything else in your home and don't compete with any other elements in the room. If you're going for something bolder, stick with a color that's close to what's already on your walls.

Beige living room furniture with small coffee table and blank wall

5. Embrace negative space

Just because a room is small doesn't mean it has to be filled with furniture and clutter everywhere. Negative space can create a sense of calm in your living room, making the most of what little space is available. The key is to make sure that this negative space is deliberate and intentional rather than accidental. Use furniture placement to create open areas where nothing but air exists between your sofa and coffee table, for example.

Living room with glass table, big window and minimal furniture

6. Use see-through furniture

To make a small living room feel less cramped, bring in an armoire or bookshelf that has open shelves. If you want to display items on the shelves, it's best to use glass containers and vases so that your things are visible but not cluttered. Use a mirror over your coffee table to create a focal point while also making the room appear larger than it really is.

Living room with purple velvet couch, glass coffee table, statement painting and green plants

7. Form a focal point

A large piece of art or a mirror can draw the eye to your focal point and make it feel larger. A sofa that’s too small for the room will have you sitting uncomfortably, but a larger sofa with armrests will allow you to stretch out. Set aside space for bookshelves or put them in another room like an office where they won’t clutter up the flow of traffic.

Bright living room with white walls, minimal furniture, paintings and large mirror

8. Keep it light and bright

Choose furniture that's light in color. Light colored walls work well with lighter furniture such as white or off-white couches, armchairs and tables. Contrasting wood tones like oak or walnut will provide a nice contrast in the darker woods that are often used for floors or counters. Next, add some artwork with light colors as well. If you don't have enough wall space for large pieces of art then try using mirrors instead as they will reflect more light into the room.

Living room with light brown couch, leather armchair and tall bookcase

9. Don't forget about vertical space

Tall bookcases, cabinets, or even a tall lamp can help you make the most of your small living room. Another option would be using a room divider to create a second seating area on one side of the room, if you have the space.

Yellow couch with grey pillows, coffee table and open shelves

10. Get creative with storage

Decorating a small living room can be challenging, but it doesn't have to be. It's all about using storage and display options that work for you. A great option is open shelving, like bookshelves behind the couch or a console table that also functions as a media cabinet.