51 Inspiring small living rooms using all available space

Designing small spaces presents a tricky design challenge, but since the living room is where you typically spend the majority of your time, designing a small one becomes even more problematic. Since you do a lot of entertaining in this space, it needs to showcase a great sense of style and functionality. You need to be able to strike a perfect balance between making the room feel as spacious as possible, yet trying to squeeze in extra seating for entertaining family and guests. You need to access your needs for what you will doing in this space to decide on what furniture you should select, and where to place it. We have put together a collection of small living room living room ideas with several design tips to help you make the most of your space. These rooms will show you that small living rooms can be super-functional without sacrificing style.

These spaces are examples of how one can really express and showcase your own sense of style even when space is limited. The designs range from Scandinavian chic to colorful spaces, ones with high ceilings, traditional and contemporary. This list aims to not only inspire you but to impress upon you that despite the space available in your home, if you choose — you will be able to create your own incredible living room. Have a look at the photos below and prepare to be inspired!

If you are looking for further inspiration, have a look at some of our past articles related to small spaces and living rooms, 40 Inspiring small space interiors and Small living room solutions for furniture placement.

Completely fill a corner

It’s a bit counterintuitive, but if you have a small corner living room space, sometimes going with the largest piece of furniture possible can actually make it feel bigger. Why? A generously sized sectional (like the one shown here) is comfortable and able to seat tons of people — but because it reads as just one piece, it helps the room feel uncluttered. A modern sectional with clean, straight lines works better in a small space than an overstuffed version.

Multitasking Decor

Tiny rooms need to be deft multitaskers, so this living room features a long sofa that moonlights as a guest bed. The ottoman gets a helping hand from a tray, allowing it to double as a coffee table.

Keep a stash of spare seats

In a truly small space, it may not be possible to have as many seating options as you would like. One way to get around this is by storing a few folding cafe chairs or stacking stools in a closet (or under a bed), where you can easily pull them out when company is coming. Also, dual purpose ottomans, as seen above, can be used as extra seating in a pinch.

Use mirrors and wallpaper

A small living room, especially if it’s short on windows, can feel a bit boxed in. Create a focal point, boost light and add depth all at once by papering a wall and hanging a mirror on top. If you can position the mirror across from a window, all the better — the mirror will reflect the view outside, giving the impression of an extra window.

{The above living room features a custom velvet sofa set against a wall of graphic orange and grey wallpaper. A large, white coffee table, Moroccan-style area rug, and vintage, silver side tables compliment the overall look.}

Nesting Tables

Nesting tables are perfect for squeezing a lot of storage out of minimum space. Pull out the lower table when you need an extra surface for holding drinks or reading material, then tuck it away when you’re done. On the lower shelf, books are accessible but contained.

If your small living room is blessed with high ceilings, take full advantage of that extra space! While vertical space doesn’t help with squeezing in an extra seat, drawing the eye upward does help give the impression that your room is far larger and grander that it would otherwise seem. Fill the vertical space with an eclectic art gallery.

If you have multiple uses for a small space choose furniture and an arrangement that is flexible to host any multitude of activities. In this family-friendly space, two chairs face the love seat in a conversation-friendly layout. The chairs don’t face the TV in the armoire, but the wicker chair is lightweight and can be easily repositioned for TV viewing. Swivel armchairs are also a good option in a small space because they can orient toward almost any point in a room.

Try a backless sofa

In an open-plan space, sometimes the best position for the sofa is not on the wall but in the middle of the room. But unless your sofa is quite small (see previous photo), a couch in the middle of a small room can really gobble up space. A backless sofa is a very chic alternative and can be used from both sides — quite a bonus when seating options are limited. And if you want to use it in a larger room someday, it can act as a divider between two seating area.

Delineate Spaces

In an open living room, create subtle division with a shelving unit. This floor-to-ceiling bookshelf separates the open floor plan into two distinct rooms while offering ample display space.

Add plants

Like wallpaper and mirrors, plants are a wonderful way to add depth to a small living room. Lush greenery softens corners and fools the eye into thinking there is more to the room than there really is. Plants are especially effective in corners and beside or behind chairs and sofas.

Skip the sofa

Who says a living room has to have a sofa at all? If space is tight, try circling two, three or four armchairs around a coffee table instead. For added flexibility, make the coffee table a tray-topped ottoman that can be used as a seat, or add a pouf or stool to the arrangement.

Choose small-scale furniture

There is more to living room furniture than full-size sofas and bulky armchairs. Antiques shops are a great place to look for small-scale furniture, because the average room size was typically quite small until the last half century or so. Look for small settees, love seats and chairs that can work for your space.

Add hidden storage

Pick furniture with built-in storage to limit clutter. A trunk or storage ottoman as a coffee table works well. Along the perimeter of the room, try a small chest of drawers or a small credenza instead of a console table to boost storage options.

Energize with Color

With its pale walls and light furnishings, this neutral oasis was the perfect candidate for a color transformation. A few bold pillows, a rug, a throw, and DIY artwork turn up the heat in this compact living space with little effort.

Bookshelves make great backdrops. This is a very small room with the challenge of a corner fireplace. The bookcase adds depth and visual scale to the room. This small space has room for at least eight adults because of its clever chaise lounge placement as extra seating.

Build in storage

Instead of letting lots of small pieces of furniture (a bookshelf here, a chest there) eat up space, bite the bullet and devote one entire wall to storage. A floor-to-ceiling storage wall can be customized to contain everything from books to a media center — perhaps even a pull-down desk!

Try an “invisible” piece

Acrylic, Lucite and glass are wonderful materials to use in a small living room, because they take up zero visual space. Try a coffee table or nesting side tables with a waterfall edge in one of these clear materials. Layering textures is key to creating opulence in a small space.

Try downsizing the sofa

In some spaces a full-size sofa just won’t do. Try a slimmed-down love seat or a petite sofa on for size instead. Choose one with clean lines and exposed legs for the airiest look.

Use multifunctional furniture

In a small living room, each piece of furniture should earn its keep. Think of using ottomans that work as a coffee table or extra seating, nesting side tables that can be moved around as needed or versatile little stools that can be seats or tables.

Vibrant brights and high-contrast neutrals showcase artistic flair and youthful exuberance in the Color Pizzazz color collection from HGTV® HOME by Sherwin-Williams.

Photo Sources: 1. Found Design, 2. Helene Dabrowski Interiors, 3. Serena and Lily, 4. BHG, 5. ASD Interiors, 6. Artistic Designs for Living, 7. Coddington Design, 8. BHG, 9. Bill Fry Construction, 10. Modern House Architects, 11. BHG, 12. Alvhem Makleri, 13. A Good Chick To Know, 14. Caitlin & Caitlin Design Co, 15. Alvhem Makleri, 16. BHG, 17. Corynne Pless Photography, 18. Domicile Interior Design, 19. Alvhem Makleri, 20. Hannotte Interiors, 21. Maria Killam, 22. Alvhem Makleri, 23. Soledad Alzaga Interior Design, 24. Pinterest, 25. Alvhem Makleri, 26. Etsy, 27. The Lovely Cupboard, 28. Alvhem Makleri, 29. Fastighetsbyran, 30. BHG, 31. Fawn Galli Interior Design, 32. Alvhem Makleri, 33. Garret Cord Werner Architects, 34. jamesthomas LLC, 35. Alvhem Makleri, 36. Mandeville Canyon Designs, 37. Frances Bailey, 38. Jeff King & Company, 39. Alvhem Makleri, 40. The Couture Rooms, 41. JS Interiors, 42. Kathleen Bost Architecture, 43. Alvhem Makleri, 44. JM, 45. Rindo Hamn, 46. Kelly Deck Design, 47. Tom Stringer Design Partners, 48. Rindo Hamn, 49. Mango Design Co, 50. Bosworth Hoedemaker, 51. Sherwin-Williams

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