12 Small Living Room Ideas That Make a Big Impact

Small living rooms fail in predictable ways: too much bulky furniture, everything pushed against walls, and one giant dark sofa eating the light. Fix those three things and the room changes without a single expensive purchase. Here are the twelve ideas that consistently deliver the most for the least.

Layout first, shopping second

• Pull furniture away from the walls. Floating a sofa six inches off the wall makes a room feel larger, not smaller.
• Keep the largest sightline open - do not block the path from the doorway to the window.
• Choose one 2-seater plus an armchair over one huge corner sofa. Smaller pieces give more layout options.
• Match the sofa legs to the floor colour so light passes under the furniture and the room feels taller.

Colour, light and mirrors

• Paint walls in a light, warm neutral and add contrast with darker accents - contrast makes light colours read as intentional.
• Sheer or linen curtains hung above and wider than the window frame draw the eye up and make windows look bigger.
• One large mirror opposite a window doubles the natural light for the price of one accessory.
• Use one focal point (art, a lamp, a plant) instead of filling every surface with decor.

Multipurpose and storage

• An ottoman that opens for storage does double duty as a coffee table and footrest.
• Wall-mounted shelving over floor cabinets frees floor space and adds display room.
• Nesting side tables tuck away when guests come and take zero space when not in use.
• A slim floor lamp in the corner replaces an end table and a side table together.