Although there are drawbacks, the small footprint makes your home more comfortable. Due to the lack of area, there are many design ideas for cozy small living rooms. With less space to work with, you need to make the most of every vignette, so items from floor lamps to coffee tables need to be chosen intentionally. All pieces need to work together to tie a space together. Think of this living area as incorporating all your needs, from a chic TV stand to a comfortable lounging space to a built-in bookshelf that doubles as a library or display area for home décor.
“The most important thing to keep in mind when designing a smaller living room is the scale and layout of the furniture,” says Ann McDonald, president of the Minneapolis-based firm Ann McDonald Design. . “Invest in comfort and style without the bulk. Paint, art, and rugs can add depth and interest to a room. We love layering rugs in small spaces.”
Read our roundup of small living room decorating ideas from interior designers across the country that are as inviting as they are eye-catching.
What is the best furniture layout for a small living room?
When designing a small living room, the goal is to create a central gathering area and at least one intimate area, says Frank Ponterio of Frank Ponterio Interiors in Chicago. Rent an armchair from a small setup for additional seating if needed.
Suzanne Dawson of Suzanne Dawson Interiors in New York City recommends placing two sofas of the same size side by side and facing each other in a small living room. She also suggests choosing an L- or U-shaped sectional with a coffee table in the center and club chairs directly across to create a conversation zone. The table has space for snacks, games, puzzles, and cocktails.
It may be tempting to put small furniture in a small room, but Amanda Khouri, founder and principal designer of Amanda Khouri Interiors in Nashville, encourages her clients to think bigger. “It may seem counterintuitive, but filling a small room with small pieces of furniture can make it feel smaller,” she says. Instead, consider a layout that allows for at least one standard-sized sofa or loveseat with a coffee table, and preferably two comfortable chairs.
How to style a small living room with lots of furniture?
The trick to styling a small living room full of furniture mostly comes down to dividing the space into distinct chunks. We use our living spaces for all kinds of activities: hosting groups, relaxing with a book, doing crafts, playing games, and, let’s be honest, eating. Defining these areas, even subtly, helps create an overall sense of unity. Comfort in space. It will also help you know which pieces of furniture can provide additional square footage and which pieces should be replaced with smaller ones.
What are your design tips for making the most of a small living room?
If you don’t have a lot of floor space, custom built-ins offer storage solutions designed for specific areas. Plus, hiding less beautiful items is always a bonus.
