Cozy, intimate, petite — small living rooms go by several cute descriptions, but one thing that’s for sure is they carry a big responsibility in our homes. No other space is versatile enough to serve as the perfect spot to enjoy a movie marathon with your loved ones, or to sit, unwind, and simply enjoy having nothing to do.
That being said, with so much more time spent at home lately, it’s easy for home’s favorite place to feel a little cramped. While there’s very little that can be done to make a space physically bigger, arranging a small living room to make it look more spacious is something that is easily achievable.
Follow along for six tips to expand the feel and look of your small living room!
1. Scale down furniture
If you’re due for a furniture update, scaling down the size of your sofa, loveseat, or recliner may be the solution to open up your living room. The good news is the industry’s all about mid-century modern and minimalist furniture that feature clean lines and simple silhouettes. Of course, mid-century modern and similar styles aren’t everyone’s choice of furniture style, but you can still save space with these options.
- Convertible furniture provides flexible seating options.
- Dual-purpose pieces, such as a lift coffee table, are great as a make-shift office table by day and a place to put drinks after hours.
- Ottomans, loveseats, and sofas with hidden storage help create a little extra room when things are getting tight.
- Wall shelving won’t occupy floor space and helps keep items neat, organized, and uncluttered.
2. Play with Light
In terms of room size, light can make a huge impact on the feel of a living room. Experiment with the position of lighting to create the illusion of a larger space.
- Floor lamps cast the biggest amount of light; place them in a corner or at the edge of a room to illuminate dark corners while filling the remaining parts of a room.
- Wall lamps and sconces provide extra texture and visual interest, adding depth to a room.
- Pendant lights are a popular choice for those who want to accentuate the height of a ceiling.
3. Use Patterns Strategically
You may have heard wearing stripes can have a major impact on the shape of a body, and the same goes for the area of a living room.
Use vertical lines to make a room look taller. This can be accomplished with wallpaper, tapestries, or even large-scale art pieces.
On the other hand, horizontal lines make a room look wider. We suggest keeping horizontal lines limited to rugs, throws, and art pieces so that the geometric pattern doesn’t overwhelm your small living room.
A tried-and-true way to include horizontals into your living room is with a chevron-pattern or herringbone-pattern rug. The natural movement carries the eyeline away, creating the illusion of a large, deep space.
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4. Mirrors are a Must
Because they bounce off light, mirrors are fantastic at creating an ethereal and open atmosphere. If your room has a window, consider placing a mirror across from of it to reflect the expansive, outdoor feel and double the amount of natural light in your living room.
Additionally, using a mirror opposite a light fixture, candle, or lamp with have the same effect, making it a practical solution for rooms that may not include any windows.
5. Embrace the Spectrum
When it comes to interior design, color will always decide whether a room feel roomy or cozy. White is a go-to choice to for air designs, but a completely white room can feel sterile. Consider adding similar lighter shades, such as white, sky-blue, pink, and taupe for a variation of light shades that give a room added character.
Dark colors shouldn’t be feared, though! In fact, using darker tones is essential for giving room balance, which will also add to the illusion of a bigger room. When using darker shades, consider a matte finish. The softer effect adds a “soft” layer of dimension a glossy finish just cannot achieve.
6. Install Window Treatments High
Depending on the age of a home or apartment, ceilings can be anywhere between eight to ten feet tall. Windows, on the other hand, average between 48 inches and 60 inches in height, and when left bare, can “cut” the height of a ceiling, making a room feel squat.
To solve this dilemma, draw the eye up with high window treatments. Start by doing a quick measure; if your ceilings are closer to eight feet, opt for curtains that measure 84 inches (or seven feet). If they are closer to nine or ten feet, choose 96 (eight feet) inches and 108 inches (nine feet), respectively.
For an even more spacious feel, consider sheer curtains over light-blocking curtains.
Small Space, Big Possibilities
Redesigning your small-scale living room shouldn’t have to come with a big price tag. With affordable living room furniture in styles from traditional to modern, everything you need to turn you cozy living room into a palace of style and comfort can be found in our furniture catalog! To discover furnishings to inspire your makeover, shop today!
