How to Choose Furniture for a Small Living Room: 10 Practical Tips

1. Don't Limit Yourself to Small Sofas

A small area does not mean you need to furnish it with small furniture. A large comfortable corner or sectional sofa is much more effective than its smaller counterparts. Simple forms and light neutral colors will help large furniture blend well into the space and become a key element of design.

2. Maximize Storage Efficiency

Small living rooms usually have minimal or no storage space. Make the most of your small room by using walls from floor to ceiling, and adding coffee tables, ottomans, and footstools that serve a dual purpose.

3. Add Transparent Elements

Coffee tables and shelves made of glass or transparent plastic work perfectly in small spaces and create an illusion of open space.

4. Choose Furniture Without Armrests

Furniture without armrests works wonders in small spaces. Armless chairs and sofas are ideal for small living rooms because they look more open and light. For convenience, you can complement them with narrow cushions or pillows.

5. Use Low Furniture

To create visual space, use low furniture with simple and clean lines. To avoid the room looking too empty vertically, add a painting or photograph on the wall, a narrow floor vase, or a tall floor lamp.

6. Choose Furniture on Legs

Even small legs visually make furniture appear lighter and help expand the space in a small room.

7. Use Open Shelves and Cabinets

Closed cabinets visually push walls forward, thus reducing the room size even more. Therefore, in a small living room, it's better to use open shelves and cabinets, and not fill them to the brim to avoid clutter and visual noise.

8. Make Dark Furniture Work for You

When decorating small living rooms, it's better to avoid dark furniture, but there are ways to make it work for you. When the entire living room is done in light tones, dark furniture gains the right balance and stops looking too bulky. On the contrary, it can add depth to the room and visually increase its size.

9. Don't Forget Mirrors

Although mirrors don't directly belong to furniture, they are one of the most reliable helpers in decorating small spaces. Hang it above the sofa or place it opposite a window to visually expand the room.

10. Think Beyond the Norm

In a small living room, it's easy to place furniture right against the walls, but this can make your space even more cramped. Try placing your furniture away from the walls and adding a narrow table, shelf, or another storage element behind the sofa or chair.