Feel like your living room will stay tiny forever? There’s a way to fix that. You did not do it right that’s all. Let fix that! Even irregularly shaped spaces can look spacious when you know how to decorate them. You do not have to empty your bank account or remodel everything, planning carefully will make a big difference.
This blog will explain how to make your living room look more spacious, suggest several decorating solutions, and teach you simple things you can do to keep your space looking open. Whether you are changing decor or charting new living room territory, these suggestions will help you craft a generous, elegant space that works well.
Steps to make a living room look larger
Start with Smart Furniture Choices
Pick Multi-Functional Pieces
Our living room chairs, tables, and sofas don’t just have to look nice. It should be like it can help us live smarter, too. Different types of furniture can help you store things and save space like using a seat that opens into a storage box or a table that folds down when you need more floor room.
These innovative tools both hide clutter and provide a larger sitting area, plus storage places, improving how your room looks.
Reassess Bulky Items
It’s time to replace your huge recliner or big sectional sofa taking up most of your floor area, since it’s not doing you any favors. Trade your current large furniture for slimmer, more comfortable pieces that won’t fill up too much room. This change alone can create breathing space.
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Use Multi-Functional Furniture: Got clutter? Keep your living room decluttered by getting storage ottomans and foldable coffee tables that serve two jobs. These pieces work both inside the living room and keep it arranged the way you want.
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Small Living Room with Recliner: Having trouble finding space for your family due to the big size of your recliner? Incorporate space-efficient seats for your household to grow easily.
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Oversized TVs: Do not let a giant TV take over your space. Choose seats that match your room’s size instead of turning it into an oversized display.
Choose Colors and Finishes that Amplify Space
Using light, bright colors transform the entire living room atmosphere. Light walls in white, cream, and quiet grey return light back at you to make a room feel bigger.
Put these colors on your walls, and you’ll notice the change right away. Mirrors are another game-changer. Having a mirror hang at a right angle with your windows can bounce light around the room and make your space both brighter and larger.
Additionally, mirrors give us a perfect way to get selfies of our new living room look.
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Choose Light and Neutral Colours: Need your living space to look larger? Stick to off-white, light colours for your walls and furniture. Light reflects easily in and around your room, giving it an uncluttered and spacious look.
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Incorporate Mirrors: Mirrors can make your room look bigger while letting you take your best photos. Place a mirror perpendicular to the window, and it will catch light inside and help expand your living zone.
Furniture Placement is Key
Changing how you pack your space won’t make it any better! When you leave empty spaces or move your sofa a little way from the wall, your room starts to feel friendly and inviting, instead of just a waiting space.
When your living room has multiple ways to enter, plan where people will go. Arrange the main pathway through your room without obstructions, and choose chairs or tables that guide people to their next destination.
When you have an open floor plan, place your seats by putting down a smaller rug. Keep the flooring free from being covered too much by the rug.
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Strategic Furniture Placement: Get rid of the habit of squeezing everything up against the walls! Spreading your furniture out that way makes your house feel bigger and more comfortable for everyday living.
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Multiple Entrances: Need to arrange your furniture with multiple rooms opening into your tiny living room? Yeah, it is tricky. Arrange your TV how it makes sense, and may have to stick with basic setups due to space constraints.
Optimize Furniture Style and Arrangement
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L-Shaped Sofa Matching: Make sure to mix things up when arranging your living room sofa. Be selective when adding things to fill your space so it looks well-put-together, not stuffy.
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Sofa in Front of Bay Window: Place your sofa in the spot suitable for the window frame, or fill that area with chairs and portable tables instead. Just do not overcrowd your room!
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Square Living Room Rug Dilemma: Sturdy sofas and narrow rugs leave more empty room space to help your house seem bigger. Do not hide the floor; flaunt it!
Use Vertical Space and Open Layouts Wisely
Got high ceilings? Lucky you! Keep your curtains close to the ceiling to best show off your tall space. Placing your curtain close to the ceiling makes people look up, which makes a room feel more spacious and impressive.
When your windows are small, long curtains that extend to the ceiling will help your room look taller. It’s a simple solution that works! You can keep your floor more open by placing shelves or hanging bookshelves from ceiling to floor.
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Curtains in High Ceilings: In small rooms with tall ceilings, put your curtains as high as possible to move the gaze upward and create an elevated atmosphere.
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Open Concept Challenges: While it may be tricky to arrange an open floor plan, an L-shaped sectional can help solve the problem. Be careful not to choose a rug that dominates your entire room!
Think Minimal but Functional
Smaller living rooms work best with only what you require. Reduce mess and pick things you really need. The L-shaped setup works well to set apart your seating area, but keep it from dominating the space.
Make your big furniture pieces smaller to fit in your tight living room. Your room needs to feel cosy, not like a store displaying furniture.
Different living room design ideas to make it look large
Design Idea 1: Scandinavian Living Room Design
Image source: volzero
Budget: 1,835 AED – 3,670 AED
Kickstart your living room Scandinavian style! Making everything in the room simple, warm, and inviting is the key idea here. Begin with a $30 paint can to give your walls a clean white or light grey look, and see a brand-new living space in just one weekend.
For furniture, IKEA is your go-to. Choose an inexpensive light wood coffee table or bookshelf, without adding too much extra stuff. Give your home that warm and cosy Scandinavian look: buy some textured blankets and pillows (keep the cost around $50) to wrap yourself up in, and bring in some green plants, even a small, inexpensive ($10) pothos plant helps.
A mirror that costs around fifty dollars will reflect light and help expand the space visually.
Design Idea 2: Mid-Century Modern Living Room
Image source: homedesigns
Budget: 2,570 AED – 4,400 AED
It’s time to add retro style to your house! Begin your mid-century modern space by getting a modern sofa with clean lines and affordable design ($500).
Look for unique vintage tables and sideboards at thrift stores and online sources – the sleek legs of these pieces mark them as perfect for a MCM look. Bring in some visual appeal by picking up a geometric rug (costs $150) and a fun tripod floor lamp ($100).
Simply use a yellow blanket and 2 throw pillows in teal colour to add uniqueness to your space. The result? A design show house with all the style you’d see in a magazine, but also convenient to use every day.
Design Idea 3: Industrial Living Room Style
Image source: blog.displate
Budget: 2,200 AED – 3,670 AED
We need to add a little more roughness and urban feel to our living room! Industrial style thrives on that raw, urban vibe. Stick wallpaper that you can easily put on your walls without harming them will look like exposed brick for just $50.
Grab some reclaimed wood at a low price, then put together shelves made of wood planks and pipes in just under $100. Join the metal coffee table of your choice (around $200) to make your room more authentic.
Any piece of furniture made from leather or faux leather, priced up to $300, can instantly add industrial flair. With inexpensive string lights by Edison bulbs ($30) you can transform your house into a hip city loft that’s much more affordable than top-tier apartments.
Design Idea 4: Bohemian Living Room Decor
Image source: pinterest
Budget: 1,470 AED – 2,935 AED
Picking out Boho style furniture brings vibrant comfort to your living area. Begin with a used or antique rug made of patterns to match your decor (about $150).
Add decorative pillows and throws for your living area without spending more than $20 each. Grab nice furniture from your neighbourhood flea market to make your space stand out. Rattan chairs and special side tables are perfect ways to personalise things.
Do not forget the plants! Fill your windows and empty corners with affordable mismatched plant pots, starting at $50. Your bonus reward: create your own macramé wall art by hand or find cheap ready-made options online.
When decorating, this /centres around creating a place that feels like your own comfortable home.
Design Idea 5: Minimalist Living Room Design
Image source: housebeautiful
Budget: 1,100 AED – 2,200 AED
Your living room looks spacious and spotless when you follow the minimalistic approach. It is ideal if you are sick of your space being filled with too many things. Begin by getting rid of all the things you do not use regularly (just like Marie Kondo teaches).
Paint your walls white or a light grey colour (30 dollars for each can of paint). Spend money on a single good-quality furniture piece – a modern sofa – for about $400. Search for pieces that do two jobs: furniture with hidden spots to store things, such as a small table with hidden compartments or an ottoman that hides things ($150 or under).
Buy a striking piece of art or a big house plant for your living room for under $100. That is it. Keep it simple and chic.
Design Idea 6: Farmhouse Living Room Style
Image source: countryliving
Budget: 1,835 AED – 3,670 AED
Creating a countryside feeling in your front room makes it a relaxing space for you and your guests. Kick off your decor with peel-and-stick shiplap or whitewashed wood walls that usually cost between $50 and $100.
Buying a slipcovered sofa that matches your budget at $400, then adding plaid or burlap throw pillows for just $10 each. Either make your own coffee table with recycled wood, or get an affordable rustic one for $200.
Place cheap options like vintage mason jars, wicker baskets, and traditional lanterns around your space. You can find all these items at thrift shops and bargain stores without spending more than $50.
Getting this style right involves stacking up different materials and fabrics, which means not cutting back on soft blankets or natural floor coverings.
Design Idea 7: Contemporary Living Room Interiors
Image source: elledecor
Budget: 2,570 AED – 5,505 AED
Want to transform your living room into a modern look? Today’s design emphasises simple shapes, limited hues, and designs that are easy to use.
Paint your walls neutral colours like grey or taupe to begin with, which only costs about $30 per gallon. Prioritise buying a comfortable sectioned sofa or plain couch for your living room, keeping the price range between $700 and $1,000. Get a contemporary glass or metal coffee table for about $200.
For décor, keep it minimal: Pick up a couple of paintings designed in abstract styles ($100) along with a couple of sculpted vases to decorate.
Your room will shine when you choose prominent floor lighting (100 dollars) or modern wall lights (also 100 dollars). Your room will have a stylish, trendy style that appears effortless.
Design Idea 8: Eclectic Living Room Design
Image source: elledeco
Budget: 1,835 AED – 3,670 AED
Looking to make your living room capture your individuality? Combining different patterned, textured, and distinctive pieces is what eclectic design is all about.
Choose neutrals like simple white or soft grey paint to cover your walls ($30), then make the room come alive with strong furniture and many eye-catching decorations.
To make your sofa pop, get bright fabric shades that fit over it ($400). The rug ($150) with a design and four inexpensive throw pillows ($50 each) can finish the room.
When you visit flea markets, look for inexpensive items like special lamps, older mirrors, and unusual art collectibles that will spice up your living room. Eclectic design works by making things mismatched on purpose, so feel free to express your style anyway you like.
Design Idea 9: Coastal Living Room Theme
Image source: southernliving
Budget: 2,200 AED – 4,400 AED
Make your living room instantly beachy with this special design theme. Begin your coastal living room with inexpensive paint in three gentle colours: white for basics, beige for earthy tones, and blue for oceans ($30 per can). For an easy-going nautical feel, get a slipcovered sofa in white or light grey for $600.
Lay down a $100 jute rug, and put woven baskets ($50) around to keep things organised and beachy. To add beach style, get driftwood, seashells, and art pieces that pay homage to boats for around $100.
To fill up your room, instal easy-moving closet curtains that keep the sun shining through. Our goal: keep the room open and easy-going, so take things easy. Do not clutter it up!
Design Idea 10: Rustic Living Room Style
Image source: countryliving
Budget: 1,835 AED – 4,400 AED
We can bring a rustic feeling to your living space. To create a rustic feel, begin by using brown and green colours and wood furniture – natural or fake – priced at $100.
To make your home look welcoming, buy a large and comfortable sofa (costing $600), and place an expensive wool rug or rug made from natural fibres ($150) on your floor. Choose lighting made to look vintage, add iron accents, and purchase $200 worth of gently beaten wood furniture.
Add cozy throws and plaid pillows for $50. Feel free to add plenty of different textures to your space to make it inviting.
Design Idea 11: Modern Urban Living Room
Image source: pinterest
Budget: 2,935 AED – 5,505 AED
Make your living room look both elegant and urban by choosing modern design elements. Choose furniture and colours that have clean lines, are dark in hue, and look like they came from a factory.
Begin your walls with a neutral coat of charcoal grey paint at $30 per container. Pick a stylish leather sofa or a current sectional that costs $800.
Combine a steel coffee table costing $200 with geometric-shaped light fixtures for $150. Liven up your space by hanging one or two bold, abstract artwork pieces for under $100 each.
Keep your budget around $100 by using pipes or metal supports that show through open shelves for that industrial style. You only need a few things to turn your living room into a stylish loft home.
Design Idea 12: Traditional Living Room Decor
Image source: keyonedesignsolution
Budget: 2,570 AED – 5,505 AED
Make your living room look classic forever with traditional design choices. Traditional décor is the way to go. When picking wall colours, go with beiges and creams, which cost around $30 per gallon of paint.
A regular sofa with rolled armrests costs $700 and helps establish the traditional feeling for the room. Put an oriental rug down ($200) and beautiful curtains up ($150).
Spruce up your space with three classic pieces: buy a wooden coffee table with fancy carvings, a lamp that looks from the past, and picture frames with artwork inside ($150 in total).
Wrap up the room with soft touchable pillows and a warm throw blanket to finish the look. Keep the outfit pulled together by making each piece coordinate with the next.
Design Idea 13: Japandi Living Room Design
Image source: mojoboutique
Budget: 1,835 AED – 4,400 AED
Japandi brings together Japanese simple aesthetics and warm Scandinavian comfort. Choose this style for your living room right now if you want an easy-to-love look.
A neutral and natural wall colour like beige or clay paint will set the tone at $30 per can. Buy a wood sofa and matching coffee table for $500 that sit close to the ground. Complete your space by adding flat, textured floor coverings and downy linen sofa cushions (each $100).
Place a miniature tree or bamboo in a plain planter for $50. In arranging lighting, go with warm, soft light and paper lantern-style fixtures priced at $100 each. Keep everything clean and organised to stay in balance with Japandi style.
Design Idea 14: Textured Oasis
Image source: euphoriainteriors
Budget: 2,000 AED – 5,400 AED
Every design choice in the space including woven baskets and fine artwork shows good taste. When you step into this room you find more than just a place to reside, you experience the chance to unwind, regain your energy, and bond with friends and family.
You can enjoy both personal moments by reading in comfort or host events with friends in this comfortable room. Our living room functions as the essential hub of our house.
You find comfort and connection with family here before you rest or simply enjoy being at home. Its open layout promotes socializing and comfortable seating areas let you read books or unwind as you spend time with people who matter.
This is the type of design where your home’s living room becomes a place to connect with others in either entertaining guests or spending peaceful moments at home.
Interior designers faced the challenges while designing the living room for the project explained which includes:
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Minimalist Aesthetic Preference: Designing minimalistic Japandi style while at the same time balancing simplicity and function was the given client’s wish, so only a few design options could be chosen to avoid overwhelming features.
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Space Constraints: It needed to use available space efficiently to include key components: a TV unit, a seating arrangement, a storage while not overcrowding the room.
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Color Choices: There was a toddler and three cats, and so the initially proposed white sofa was seen as impractical. In order to secure a desired design, the designers had to search extensively to find a taupe-coloured L shaped sofa.
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Practical Needs vs. Aesthetic Appeal:
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The room had to be functional and comfortable for daily use and somehow express the aesthetic the client wanted.
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Several adjustments were needed: blending Japandi with modern styles, adding a dining table for additional purposefulness, and maintaining a degree of practicality along with design coherency.
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Furniture Customization: It took time to find and customise furniture including the taupe-coloured sofa and all other elements to match with the client.
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Material and Design Tweaks: This added complexity to the project because materials and designs had to be adjusted based on feedback, ranging from switching the armchair to a sofa, to ensuring the sofa had enough storage for 50 pairs of shoes.
Tips for maintaining a living room look larger
Declutter Regularly
When you have too much stuff around, your large living room can get smaller fast. Get in the habit of getting rid of things you do not use or need on a regular basis.
Choose storage areas you keep hidden, like comfy seat cushions with cabinets inside or built-in cabinets, to keep important things neat and out of sight.
Tidying up an empty room both makes it look bigger and makes your room more useful and beautiful.
Lighting Matters
Having different types of lighting setup adds warmth and welcoming atmosphere to your living room. Use both overhead lights from pendants and standing lights for tasks, and LED strips to show off special parts of the room.
A mix of multiple light sources makes the living room more comfortable and gives the room several different looks at the same time, making the space look bigger.
Keep Decorations Minimal
Working with fewer items makes a room look better. Place just a few big decorative items in your living room instead of filling it with lots of little things.
To keep the living room looking neat and airy, hang a significant piece of art or put a tall, classy vase in the room.
Final thoughts
Your living room can have an open feel regardless of its actual dimensions. Designing and keeping it tidy are what makes it roomy. All the techniques mentioned here help you make any living space bigger, cosier, and easier to enter.
Get started on improving your living room right now!
