11 Ways to Lift the Impact of Your Small Living Room
A small living room can have a big personality if you get the style and furniture configuration just right
The thing to remember is that you really don’t need much room in a living room. A living room is for socialising, gazing at the fire or watching TV. Mostly, it is for conversation. You do not need space to do yoga in the living room. In fact, as long as you can walk around the coffee table, you’re fine.
You can pack a lot of style into a small area. But whether you lean towards traditional or like to go boho eclectic, making a small living room work is all about choosing a focus and arranging the right furniture in the best configuration.
Here are 11 well-done gems in as many different styles.
You can pack a lot of style into a small area. But whether you lean towards traditional or like to go boho eclectic, making a small living room work is all about choosing a focus and arranging the right furniture in the best configuration.
Here are 11 well-done gems in as many different styles.
2. Stick to a formula that works
The classic combo: a sofa, two chairs and a coffee table. That’s really all you need to create a cosy and intentional conversation area. And as long as people aren’t bumping their knees when they sit down, you’re fine.
The classic combo: a sofa, two chairs and a coffee table. That’s really all you need to create a cosy and intentional conversation area. And as long as people aren’t bumping their knees when they sit down, you’re fine.
3. Include an ottoman for versatility
This is a time-honoured arrangement: a sofa and two chairs at a 90-degree angle with a side table serving both. A large upholstered ottoman does triple duty as a coffee table, extra seating and a footrest.
This is a time-honoured arrangement: a sofa and two chairs at a 90-degree angle with a side table serving both. A large upholstered ottoman does triple duty as a coffee table, extra seating and a footrest.
4. Connect nearby spaces
If your space is two rooms in one, make sure they are connected by decor, colour and style. Here, there is no break between the living area and the small dining area
If your space is two rooms in one, make sure they are connected by decor, colour and style. Here, there is no break between the living area and the small dining area
5. Define separate areas
The colours, materials and modern eclectic style are carried through this open space, but each small section is focused and defined by area rugs and furniture placement.
The colours, materials and modern eclectic style are carried through this open space, but each small section is focused and defined by area rugs and furniture placement.
7. Go miniature
There is no reason a two-seater can’t be the main couch. This space is formal and cosy at the same time.
There is no reason a two-seater can’t be the main couch. This space is formal and cosy at the same time.
8. Choose light tones
You can go very formal and traditional in a small space. The glass coffee table, mirror and light colours make this room seem bigger than it is.
You can go very formal and traditional in a small space. The glass coffee table, mirror and light colours make this room seem bigger than it is.
9. Rethink furniture shapes
An open-backed chaise like this one creates a sense of space and openness but keeps things close and intimate.
An open-backed chaise like this one creates a sense of space and openness but keeps things close and intimate.
10. Make furniture part of the house
A built-in couch is a major space saver.
A built-in couch is a major space saver.
11. Get clever with coffee tables
Two small side tables make a good coffee table and are easily rearranged depending on the need.
Two small side tables make a good coffee table and are easily rearranged depending on the need.
If you have a fireplace, make it the focus of the room. Arrange the furniture in an intimate arc, rectangle or square around it. And remember, you don’t have to be facing it for it to be the focus.