Expert decorating for a small living room by Decorilla.png

When you’re tight on space, finding the right ideas on how to decorate a small living room can be quite a challenge. Still, some careful planning and a dash of creativity can help you achieve your dream space. So, to help you get started we’ve put together some of our design experts’ favorite tips for cozy and stylish small living room decor. Read on to see what they have to say!

How to Decorate a Small Living Room

Ideas on how to decorate a small living room by Decorilla designer Casey H
Ideas on how to decorate a small living room by Decorilla designer, Casey H.

Small space living room furniture might be limited in size, but in no way should it be limited in style. On the contrary, curated decorative elements are your best tool for adding interest to the arrangement, especially when the background is simple and neutral. Feel free to experiment with various styles and colors in order to find the best match. And in the end, the right decor pieces can even assist in making your small space feel larger.

1. Dynamic Small Living Room Design

Ideas to decorate a small living room by Decorilla designer Jessica S
Ideas to decorate a small living room by Decorilla designer, Jessica S.

Small space decor doesn’t mean you have to go with a flat and boring design. Add some patterns, a pop of color, strategically curate and arrange wall art and trick the eye with busyness. You can also use optical illusions to expand or emphasize the room’s dimensions. Just try to keep the features lightweight and as floating as possible in order to take the heavy visual mass off the floor. 

2. Make a Statement 

How to decorate a small living room by Decorilla designer Mladen C
How to decorate a small living room by Decorilla designer, Mladen C.

It’s not only OK to have a big statement in a small space – in fact, it’s desirable. Bold and dramatic design features will add character to the small room, taking the attention off its size and turning it towards its appeal. One cheeky chandelier, a strong graphic pattern on the feature wall, or an oversized art piece will provide contrast to the balanced layout and take over as a healthy distraction. 

Ready to update your home with the perfect small living room decor, but not sure where to begin? Schedule your Free Interior Design Consultation to get started with the finest interior designers today!

3. Go Monochrome

Monochrome small living room design by Decorilla designer Drew F.
Monochrome small living room design by Decorilla designer, Drew F.

Yes, this is a conventional, safe option for a small living room design – but that’s precisely why it’s also a classic. Bright walls and ceilings will visually enhance the space, making it feel lighter and airier. Use patterns, art, and cozy small living room decor to make the arrangement more diligent, or add a single colorful piece of furniture to make a statement focal point of the room. 

4. Multi-Purpose Small Living Room Layout

Multifunctional small living room design by Decorilla designer Gabriela S
Multifunctional small living room design by Decorilla designer, Gabriela S.

Multi-purpose spaces are modern, sustainable, and – when done right – highly functional. Instead of splitting the place into tiny separate rooms, consider the possibility of winning the floor space by uniting them. A single area can serve as a living room, a family room, a game room, and a home office. Naturally, such a solution will require some compromise – but at the same time, it will be easier to furnish and far more comfortable. 

How to Furnish a Small Living Room

How to arrange a small living room by Decorilla designer Shofy D
How to arrange a small living room by Decorilla designer, Shofy D.

Go low to make the ceiling feel higher, and go floating to take the weight off the floor. Also, use the advantages of verticals wherever possible. For instance, built-in shelves will help you keep away clutter, the worst enemy of a small living room.

5. Small Space Living Room Furniture

How to furnish a small living room by Decorilla designer Drew F.
How to furnish a small living room by Decorilla designer, Drew F.

It’s essential to define the functionality of the tiny spaces. When thinking about how to decorate a small living room, consider how you will use it. Determine what you need most and build the other features around it. Go multifunctional wherever possible, use benches, ottomans, and tables with hidden storage, along with stacking stools or modular seating. In addition, try to be creative with hiding cables, gadgets, and wires.

6. Symmetry: Small Living Room Design’s Best Friend

Small living room design by Decorilla designer Tera S
Small living room design by Decorilla designer, Tera S.

Symmetry conveys the feel of ultimate order, making a small room appear as large as possible. Careful curation of furniture pieces and a minimalistic approach can help you achieve and keep a perfectly balanced layout. Once again, try to use only visually lightweight elements. Mirrors and transparent surfaces are a great addition, such as glass side tables or a coffee table with a minimal footprint. 

7. Cozy Small Living Room Decor

Cozy small living room decor by Decorilla designer Tera S
Cozy small living room decor by Decorilla designer, Tera S.

Small spaces do feel genuinely cozy. A well-chosen decor can enhance this factor, turning it into the key advantage of your small living room. Keep seating layout intimate with features closely placed against each other. Maximize tactile quality with warm, soft textures, tactically arrange plushy cushions, and make it all feel welcoming and functional.

How to Arrange a Small Living Room

Small living room layout by Decorilla designer Stella P
Small living room layout by Decorilla designer, Stella P.

Living room designs for small spaces require clever furnishing hacks. If tiny legs and thin, streamlined frames are not your cup of tea, then go lower. Opt for the furniture that sits low to the floor, as it will promote airiness and convey the visual effect of higher ceilings. Playing with scales is also welcome, as long as you don’t suffocate the room with unnecessary oversized pieces. 

8. Go Vertical

Small living room design by Decorilla designer Kristina B.
Small living room design by Decorilla designer, Kristina B.

One of the best ideas on how to arrange a small living room is to take advantage of vertical space. When floor space is limited, using wall space is a great way to add extra storage or functionality. Not only that, a vertical feature will draw the eyes upward and distract from the smallness of the space. 

9. Incorporate Sliding Doors

Small living room design with sliding barn door by Decorilla's designer Tijana Z
Small living room design with sliding barn door by Decorilla designer, Tijana Z.

When the floor space is at a premium, every inch counts. That also means that you can save a lot of precious space by incorporating sliding doors in place of standard ones. Sliding barn doors are DIY-friendly, and still represent one of the hottest features of modern farmhouse style. Alternatively, you can divide the space using practical features such as standing bookshelves, hanging panels, or chic decorative screens. 

10. Break the Rules

Small space living room furniture layout by Decorilla designer MaryBeth C
Small space living room furniture layout by Decorilla designer, MaryBeth C.

Most ideas on how to decorate a small living room focus on functionality above all. So, feel free to bend the rules and customize your own small living room layout according to the available space. For instance, it’s not necessary to have a sofa at all costs – you might do better with club chairs only. Alternatively, pick the reclining armchairs that can be transformed into a daybed for a movie night or a guest sleepover.

Need some help decorating your small living room?

If you love these small living room decorating ideas, but would like some help incorporating them into your home, simply schedule a Free Interior Design Consultation to get started today!

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Sources: [1, Decorilla designer portfolios]