18 Best Small Living Room Ideas for Cozy and Chic Spaces

Best Small Living Room Ideas for Cozy and Chic Spaces – The living room is arguably one of the most important spaces in your home.

It’s probably where your family gathers at night, where you wind down on a Saturday afternoon, and where your guests first rest their eyes when entering your home.

1. Add a Hanging Planter

Sure, your eyes may want the most modern, chic couch in the showroom. But your back may not. “In my apartment, the back of the sofa is the first thing you see when you walk in the door,” says Justina Blakeney, the designer behind Jungalow. “I chose to round out the back of the sofa and bring in an upholstered bench to mix things up.”

The result: A super-cozy spot that’s perfect for seating and adds tons of visual interest.

2. Choose Furniture With Exposed Legs

It may seem counterintuitive, but outfitting a small space with just a few large-scale pieces (rather than a mishmash of pint-size furniture) can actually make it feel grander. Resist the urge to push all of your furniture up against the walls. If you create space behind the furniture, it makes the room look wider than it is.

A low-back sofa and armless chairs will actually make a living room feel much larger. And, of course, what you put in the room is also important. A living room that’s both narrow and small can be particularly challenging to decorate.

3. Decorate With Bright Colors

Bold colors can make a small living room feel more expansive and give personality to an otherwise limited space. This living room designed by Aamir Khandwala is the perfect example of how to use color to make a room look bigger. The black and white patterned rug anchors the room and the deep blue sofa pops against crisp white walls.

Pro tip: Keep the rest of the room light and airy to prevent it from feeling closed in.

4. Use Mirrors to Expand the Space

You can give your small living room a sense of size by hanging a large mirror. A mirror can make any room to seem larger and is a great way to use your more decorative mirrors instead of having them on standby for their function.

This one from the ELLE DECOR collection at Walmart is large enough to be used for selfies.

5. Install Smart Lighting

If you don’t have room for a floor lamp but still want to add some extra lighting, a pair of table lamps can be a great space-saving solution.

Here, Heather Hilliard Design used a pair of matching lamps to flank this sofa, drawing the eye to the center of the room.

6. Choose Small-Scale Furniture

If your living room is on the smaller side, make sure to be aware of the furniture pieces you put into the room. If you have a big, bulky sofa, an oversized coffee table, and a media console that’s way too large, the room will feel cramped.

Instead, choose furniture that’s small-scale, but still makes a statement. The blush pink sofa in this living room is such a good size, and the upholstered ottoman in the center of the room is the perfect coffee table stand-in.

7. Rearrange Furniture

If you’re not in love with your floor plan, try rearranging your furniture to offer your space a fresh new look. The living room in this Nashville treehouse channels both natural and retro vibes. In an appropriately outdoorsy shade of moss-green, the 1950s seating encourages visitors to linger well past curfew, while the bright white walls and airy curtains give the impression of extra daylight.

8. Use the Space Under the Sofa

For extra storage, consider adding a skirt to the open bottom of your sofa to hide the clutter. Then, add a shelf or cubby under the table to show off your favorite decor pieces.

This will help keep the room from feeling too cluttered, and you can use the extra storage to stash blankets or games.

9. Add Storage With a Wire Basket

If you’re looking for a way to add storage to your small living room without taking up any floor space, try hanging a wire basket from the ceiling. It’s a great place to store extra throw pillows, blankets, and other living room essentials.

Pro tip: Use a basket with a lid to keep things looking tidy.

10. Use a Daybed With a Trundle

You can easily use a daybed as a bench in your small living room. It’s a great way to add seating to your space, and during the day, it can be used as a bed.

If you have enough space, you can even use a daybed with a trundle to add even more sleeping space for guests.

11. Add a Wall-Mounted Desk

If you’re trying to decorate a small home office, a living room can be a great starting point. A wall-mounted desk won’t take up any floor space and you can even find options that fold up for a sleek look when not in use.

Then, add in a few decorative shelves and more compact furniture pieces to keep the area from feeling cramped.

12. Use a Foldaway Dining Table

If you have a small living room but want to be able to have guests over and entertain, consider investing in a foldaway dining table.

With a foldaway dining table, you can easily turn your living room into a dining room. Plus, it can be easily tucked away when not in use, freeing up valuable floor space.

13. Add a Bar Cart

A small bar cart is great for a number of reasons. One, it can be easily tucked into a corner and taken out when you have guests. Two, you can use the top of the cart as a side table, or even a plant stand.

Three, it’s a great way to add a pop of color to your living room. And four, you can use the inside of the cart for extra storage!

14. Use a Clear Coffee Table

A clear lucite coffee table can open up a small space. Glass tabletops can also help a room feel larger.

If you have a tight corner on one side of the room, you can place a smaller table there to open up the space in the center.

15. Choose a Sofa With a Low Back

Low-profile furniture doesn’t get enough credit. Opt for a sofa with a low back to keep the attention on the room’s craftsmanship.

Interior designer Emil Dervish accentuated this living room’s striking white fireplace with a sleek white sofa and a low-profile coffee table.

16. Use Lucite or Acrylic Furniture

Acrylic or Lucite furniture is a small living room’s best friend. This barely-there coffee table is ideal for tiny spaces.

Pro tip: Avoid heavy, visually-stuffy wooden furniture and opt for see-through pieces instead. The table doesn’t weigh down the room, and it also complements the wall art.

17. Add a Single Armchair

If you don’t have room for a sofa and a couple of chairs, one of the best small living room ideas is to add a single armchair. It’s a great way to add extra seating without taking up a ton of space.

In this living room designed by 2LG Studio, a bright yellow armchair adds a punch of color and works as the perfect contrast with the graphic black and white rug.

18. Use a Small Rug

A small living room calls for a petite rug, says Elle Decor. Interior designer Corey Damen Jenkins agrees, adding that a rug is the foundation of any room. “Start with a great rug and work your way up when space planning your living room,” he says.

Conclusion

The living room is the most lived-in spot in your home, so make it a good one. We turned to the pros to find out about the best small living room ideas to transform your space.