If you tend to think your small living room is destined to look forever like a sad, whipped shoebox, think again. I’ve been there, carpeting shredded and furniture shoved around, praying that my tiny apartment would somehow feel spacious, unlike the vast carpeted spaces I had as a kid.
But guess what? The truth is even the smallest space can be made to look like a dream by utilising the right tricks. Every one of these 15 ideas, whether you’re working with or without an interior designer, will elevate your space from ‘Wow, this looks basic’ to ‘Wow, this looks expensive!’
Essential Tips for Decorating a Small Living Room
I’ve got something to say to you as your oversized kitchen refrigerator is the unexpected villain of your small living room struggle. And I found this out the hard way when I attempted to force this day’s gigantic sectional into my diminutive space, then I found myself constantly bending awkwardly around furniture. Ditch that beast. Get something that fits, that looks good and choose something sleek.
Also, your walls and floors? For that, I am a big believer in floating shelves, large statement art pieces or even hanging plants. Shelves were never something I always underrated but not now.
And mirrors? Mirrors work like straight-up magic, making a room look bigger instantly. I threw a big one on the wall and suddenly my living room became a lot bigger.
15 Creative Ideas to Decorate Your Small Living Room
1. Skinny Bitch Sofas
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Add: small living room with l-shaped sofa. highlight only the keyword. The damn couch has to be right; if you get one thing right in your living room, let it be the damn couch. You know I love my couch, or rather, MY sofa, a deep, comfy one is not ever a problem, but in a small living room with L-shaped sofa? Not. I could have used this the hard way, as I had to sidestep like a crab to try and get across my own damn space. Never again.
A slim, sleek sofa with a streamlined design avoids the bulky, overpowering look of traditional couches. Bonus points if they have narrow arms, visible legs inside and built-in storage. I got one that has a hole cut out for my blankets, and random chargers and it is life-changing.
2. Floating Shelves or GTFO
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Floating shelves used to be something I believe was reserved just for girls with aesthetic Pinboards. Wrong. In a small living room, every inch of space matters. Floor space is holy, walls that are not working are a waste of precious real estate.
Also, so, floating shelves above my TV meant that I now had space to store all my plants, books and decor everywhere else without cluttering up the floor. However, be careful and do not overload them, as your “minimalist display” becomes a “chaotic garage sale.”
3. Multipurpose Everything
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If your furniture isn’t doing 2 jobs, it is an utterly pointless thing. My usual coffee table was cute but pointless. Now? I procrastinate wanting a storage ottoman that holds all the things, blankets, my endless collection of random cords, etc.
Side tables without drawers, shelves, or hidden compartments don’t get space in the house, the same rule applies. If this applies to you then stop wasting every inch of that small living room with furniture that simply looks nice in it.
4. Leggy Furniture, Always
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I was blown away, and what I first learned, is that furniture with the legs visible makes your space feel bigger.
I swapped my luxury TV unit for a sleek one with tall, thin legs, instantly making my living room feel more spacious. What I want now is just a simple breathing room with the floor. There are some basic interior design sorceries I understand now as the more of the floor you can see, the more open you appear, and I’m hooked.
5. Dramatic AF Lighting
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Stop if you are still using your sad depressing ceiling light. Overhead lighting adds to the boring and flat feeling of a small space.
Wall sconces, floor lamps and table lamps in every corner that I could muster. Now, my space has soft, layered lighting instead of one harsh, interrogation-room-style overhead light.
My best finds? Adjustable arms make this a floor lamp that can switch between “bright and productive” and “moody lighting for scrolling TikTok for three hours.”
6. Rug Size Matters (A Lot)
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The too-small rug makes the entire living room feel disconnected and awkward. I directed my own experience upon that rug, the small 4×6 one as I soon learned the hard way that it made everything feel disjointed and awkward.
Following this, after upgrading to the 8×10, everything just started to come together. The golden rule? Such as your rug should go under at least the front legs of your sofa and chairs. If you have something smaller, then your space will look bad.
7. No Naked Windows
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Bare windows? Not. It feels like “I just moved in and haven’t unpacked yet”.”
Once I discovered the secret: Hang long curtains HIGH and WIDE and way above the window frame. And it will make your windows appear cavernous and your ceilings will appear taller.
Now, my space looks polished and put together. Blackout curtains are also the sleeping life of a damn baby.
8. One Bold Accent Wall
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In a small space, some people swear to keep everything light and neutral while others are keen to bring the colour in. I say screw that. An accent wall can easily change the vibe of your living room with the combination of a bold one.
The deep charcoal grey wall gave me an instant feel of my modern and expensive space. Peel and stick wallpaper is also your friend if the paint feels like a commitment. I made this faux brick that people would not cease to touch because they thought it was real.
The trick? Pick ONE wall and go all in. But any further than that will turn your cosy space into a cave.
9. Hidden Storage = Your BFF
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Small living rooms are not doing you any favours if your furniture isn’t secretly hoarding all your junk. Every piece in my space serves a dual purpose. My ottoman? Cute looking but covers all my throw blankets, random remotes and that candle I bought some months ago but haven’t lit.
Until then, my coffee table was filled with nothing but regret. Now? A lifting up of a space for a storage coffee table. Suddenly, I get some space reserved for board games, extra cords, and the miscellaneous stuff that I would rather not let go.
And storage couches? Significant change. Under it I stash bedding, seasonal decor and my ‘I swear I’ll start working out’ dumbbells.
10. Glass & Acrylic Everything
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Do you ever have the sensation of entering a room that is too heavy? That happens when furniture is too bulky, oversized, and imposing.
I replaced the thick wooden coffee table that always took up half of my living room with a sleek acrylic one and felt twice as much living room space. Much like the furniture for small spaces just disappears but is still functioning. Magic.
Same with dining chairs. I did get the clear acrylic chairs, they look modern, but they visually don’t clutter the room and it also made clearing up a breeze, when done since I couldn’t afford new curtains. They are here and not here.
11. Clever AF Room Dividers
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Do you have open-plan spaces? Like Living room/dining room/home office all in one? I feel your pain. Walls aren’t an answer at all. The dividers, however, can be used in the room.
Since it was too tall of a bookshelf to put between my sofa and dining area, I put a tall open bookshelf there and suddenly it started to feel like two separate spaces, without feeling cramped. Bonus? It contains books, candles and decor.
And curtains? Underrated AF. I hang sheers over my living room to “divide” my work-from-home set-up where I can; at the world’s end, I pretend my job doesn’t exist. And remember, your room dividers are not boundaries to your space, instead, they create boundaries within something larger.
12. Don’t Hoard Sh*t You Don’t Need
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Look, I get it. We all have that one chair that’s covered in clothes or that decor piece from long ago will find a place. However, if it isn’t being used, it has to be removed.
When I kept SO MUCH random clutter. Cute-but-useless Knick-knacks. Old magazines. That hideous lamp from my aunt that I was guilty of tossing in the trash. Then I had a moment where I realised I was carrying stuff I do not even like.
So, I did a brutal purge. Anything that wasn’t the most beautiful thing I could make or use for my joy; they will be gone. Now, my living room feels much bigger.
13. Matchy-Matchy is Lame
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One of those things once upon a time I thought I needed was a perfectly matched set of furniture. The kind in which the couch, chairs, and tables look as if they were purchased collectively. No good luck as they just turn out to make your space look more boring.
The trick? Mix. That. Sh*t. Up.
To give my modern sofa a look, I have also paired some vintage-style coffee tables. I’ve placed a wooden side table beside a neat metal floor lamp. My chairs? Not even the same set. And guess what? It works.
14. Oversized Art, Not Tiny Junk
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At any rate how often do you see a wall filled with a million tiny frames? It’s messy. It’s chaotic. It’s giving college dorm energy.
Instead, I brought my prints world into my living room by switching out my little, mismatched prints for one huge, showstopper piece and now it all looks polished AF.
The room is given weight by big art that makes everything seem intentional. It also provides energy to “I have my life together” even if I do not.
Get ready to bring some objects to decorate your walls. DIY it. Or just grab a book for painting abstract paint on a big canvas or buy peel-and-stick wall decals. People will not even notice.
15. Accent Chairs That Slay
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Let’s talk about seating choices. Before, I thought I needed a massive recliner sectional to seat all of my guests. But guess what? I barely have guests. And when I do? They prefer to sit in pretty chairs rather than be on a disorganized sofa with the rest of the family for this reunion.
Enter: Accent chairs.
I gave up on the extra loveseat and got two sleek, stylish chairs. All of a sudden, my space seemed trendy rather than cluttered. Let me just tell you, my burnt orange velvet chairs are stealing the show.
Benefits of Decorating a Small Living Room
True story, small living rooms aren’t all bad as they are just underrated. They’re cosy, not cramped and they’re a perfect style statement of a perfectly styled little cocoon with everything in place. No weird empty spaces, and no awkward furniture layouts. The soulless showroom has been traded in for an intentional and stylish boutique setup.
In addition, it is a literal breeze to clean. My friend can spend forever looking to find somewhere to sit while I take care of my entire space in less than 15 minutes.
Talk about budget-friendly perks with small space, you invest less but better-prized pieces. No wasted money on unnecessary furniture just to fill space. Everything in my living room? Chef’s kiss.
Challenges of Decorating a Small Living Room
Of course, decorating a small living room is no easy task. Clutter takes place fast. You’re soon buried under throw pillows and random décor that you meant to ‘fit.’ This is why I had to ruthlessly purge anything that wasn’t functional or stunning.
Furniture shopping was another struggle as finding pieces that were both stylish and functional felt impossible. It is either too beautiful and massive or too ugly and small. It took me weeks to find a coffee table that wouldn’t swallow half my floor but would remain suitable for the placement of my candles and snacks.
And Lighting was another challenge as my living room is now a lamp museum since small spaces often lack proper overhead lighting.
Final thoughts
A small living room doesn’t have to be boring. If I can transform a tiny space of mine into a combination of a sophisticated and an architectural magazine, your space is not that bad either. The secret? The intention to design smart furniture is also a dose of the confidence to drop the basic elements. Whether you hire an interior designer or take on the task yourself, your living room is about to look amazing with the right choices and attention to detail.
