7 Small Living Room Design Ideas to Maximize Your Cramped Space
Struggling to fit furniture, home decor, and wall art into your tiny living room? These are the small living room design ideas I wish I knew as a new homeowner decorating my cramped condo.
Designing within a limited floor plan can feel like a never-ending compromise between style and function. Every piece of furniture and decor needs to serve a purpose while also contributing to the aesthetic of the space.
But with the right design ideas and a little creativity, you can make your space feel larger than life. From maximizing storage to creating cozy seating arrangements, there are plenty of small living room design ideas that can help transform your space without compromising style or comfort.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some practical small living room design ideas and binge-worthy design inspiration that will help you create the living room of your dreams.
Let’s get started!
1. Design Vertically
Using vertical design elements, like shelves, wall art, or hanging plants will draw your eyes upward and create the illusion of a taller ceiling. I hung a pair of 4 feet tall vintage windows above my sofa, which not only added verticality to my space, but also enhanced the character of my living room.
Take advantage of the negative space in your living room to design up. You can hang wall-mounted shelves or framed art in a vertical arrangement. Alternatively, you can incorporate tall bookshelves or built-in cabinets to create a focal point in your room.
By adding vertical design elements into your space, you’ll optimize every square inch and create a more functional and aesthetically pleasing design.
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2. Use Multipurpose Furniture
When you’re working with limited space, it’s important to choose furniture that is both functional and practical. Multifunctional or modular furniture help optimize square footage and adapt to your changing needs. For example, a sofa bed serves as both a seating area to entertain guests and a sleeping area at night.
Multipurpose furniture can be especially useful if you frequently host or need to accommodate different activities, such as working or exercising. Investing in multifunctional pieces will allow you to make the most of your space without sacrificing style or comfort.
3. Get Creative with Seating Arrangements
When shopping for accent chairs, prioritize lightweight, comfortable pieces. Chairs, ottomans, and floor cushions can be easily moved around or tucked away to create more space.
You can even switch out your wooden coffee table for an upholstered ottoman that can double as seating when hosting. Avoid the big, heavy accent chairs and instead opt for seating that can adapt to your lifestyle.
We rounded up our favorite lightweight, comfortable, and inexpensive seating options from Amazon below.
Comfy Seating
4. Add Mirrors
Mirrors are a small living room’s best friend. Not only do they add a decorative touch, but they can also make your space feel larger by reflecting light and creating the illusion of more space.
Consider adding a large mirror above your sofa or hanging a collection of smaller mirrors on the wall opposite of your window to open up the space.
Here are a few of our favorite wall mirrors in a variety of styles and dimensions to fit any home.
Wall Mirrors
5. Try Color Drenching
When it comes to small living room designs, color is key. Light colors, such as whites, pastels, and pale neutrals, reflect light and make a room feel brighter and more open. When I first bought my “fixer-upper” condo, I didn’t have the budget for any major renovations. The only project I could afford was painting the walls, ceiling and trim.
I decided to paint my entire condo “Snowbound” by Sherwin Williams and it completely transformed my space. It took about 4-5 coats to cover the outdated, dark brown paint on my walls but the effort was so worth it!
If you’re a fan of dark, moody paint colors, consider painting the ceiling, walls and trim of your living room the same color. This design technique is called “color drenching“. Drenching will help create the illusion of height and space, expanding your small living room into a spacious area.
6. Embrace Minimalism
In small spaces, every square inch counts. A maximalist design can make a room feel cramped, while a minimalist design creates a sense spaciousness and calm.
Start by removing any unnecessary items from your room, such as old magazines, redundant furniture, and scattered decor. Now test out your simplified space for a few days and notice how you feel in it.
Is there anything you miss? How does the negative space make you feel? You don’t have to nail it on the first try, but going through this exercise will help determine what adds functional or aesthetic value to the space, and what detracts.
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7. Use Lighting to Your Advantage
Lighting can make a huge difference in the look and feel of your small living room. Incorporating both natural and artificial lighting will create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Don’t be afraid to draw from different lighting sources, like floor lamps, table lamps, or pendant lights, to create a layered lighting effect. This technique will not only brighten up the space, but also add depth and dimension to your living room.
Designing a small living room can be a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to get creative and make the most of your space. By following these small living room design ideas, you can transform your compact living room into a stylish and functional oasis that will make you and your loved ones feel right at home.
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