Small Living Room: 12 Tips for Furniture and Decoration Selection

Designing a small living room is always an актуальный question for residents of Russian cities. Although the living room is most often called the "big" room by Russians, it is not always so: in small apartments and especially in single-room studios, the living room space is quite limited. In this article, we will consider 13 basic tips for decorating a small living room that will help you create a functional and cozy interior.

1. White Color

White color is a classic approach in designing small spaces. Light floors, snow-white walls and curtains, white furniture and decor – and a small living room will visually become much more spacious.

2. Neutral Color Palette

Are you afraid that a snow-white interior will look like hospital walls? Prefer numerous shades of white (e.g., milk, ivory, crème brûlée) and light pastel tones: furniture will visually blend with the walls, and nothing will draw attention.

3. The Power of Natural Light

The living room is not the space where heavy, light-blocking curtains are required. Hang simple light sheer or plain roman blinds on windows. Reflected from light walls and furniture, natural light will help visually expand the space.

4. Multi-Level Lighting

Artificial lighting also plays a big role in the design of a small living room. Do not limit yourself to just one chandelier, which often gives downward, oppressive light. Create lighting spots and shadows using a floor lamp, table lamp placed on a console or sideboard, wall sconces that illuminate mirrors, or a light fixture above a painting. Multi-level lighting will make the living room cozy and intimate, while illuminated corners visually expand the boundaries.

5. Small-Sized Furniture

Choose furniture that fits the dimensions of a small space. Even if a large, bulky sofa fits in the room, it's better to go for a small two-seater sofa bed and a couple of elegant armchairs. In this case, the room will look much more spacious and roomy.

6. Visually Light Furniture

When choosing furniture, pay attention not only to its actual size but also to the visual impression. Furniture in light tones, elegant backs and armrests, sofas and armchairs on legs look much lighter than dark heavy chairs completely covered with fabric.

Transparent furniture and decor made of glass or acrylic can also deceive the eye. A transparent console, coffee table, chairs, vases visually disappear in the room, making it seem more spacious.

7. Built-in Wardrobes

Custom-made wardrobes and shelves designed for your specific apartment can help solve the problem of insufficient storage space for ready-made modules. An experienced carpenter makes the most of every millimeter of space, and such furniture often costs no more than ready-made wardrobes and dressers.

8. Multi-Functional Furniture

Pay attention to furniture pieces that serve multiple functions. For example, a footstool (ottoman) can function as a vanity table, and when guests come over, it becomes an additional seating area. Such footstools often have a spacious storage compartment for belongings. In furniture stores and online shops, you can also find fold-down tables: from a coffee table, they transform into full-size dining tables by unfolding in height and width. The backs and armrests of armchairs and sofas can also feature built-in storage areas – mini-shelves where you can place books, DVD discs, and decorative items.

9. Go Higher!

If you have a small living room, use the walls to their maximum height. Tall shelves, wall-mounted shelves, and built-in wardrobes up to the ceiling can help solve storage problems and free up space.

10. Move Furniture Away from Walls

Contrary to popular belief, furniture placed flush against walls and corners visually clutters the space. Look around your living room – do you see the baseboards? By pushing the sofa away from the wall and placing armchairs in the center of the room, you can visually increase the living room area. If your small living room is part of a studio apartment or connected to the kitchen and dining area, placing the sofa in the center can help divide the room into zones.

11. Mirrors

An indispensable item for a small bedroom or hallway – a large mirror – is rarely used in the living room. And that's a pity! Mirrors, reflecting light and surrounding objects, visually significantly expand even the tightest room. You can hang a large mirror on an empty wall, choose wardrobes and dressers with mirrored doors; consoles, vanity tables, sideboards, and light fixtures can also be mirror-based.

12. A Bright Visual Accent

When a person enters a room and instantly captivates attention with a beautiful, vibrant artwork, photograph, or poster, the room’s area takes second place. One artwork can set the tone for the entire space, and additional decoration is often no longer necessary.