Tiny sitting room ideas: 220 Best Small Living Room Ideas

Ideas on how to decorate a small living room

Posted by Megan Murray for Interior design

Style your small living room to its full potential with these home accessories and furnishings perfect for compact spaces.

You might think that a small living room presents a big challenge when it comes to decorating and furnishing, but not if you’re in the know about the brands and home accessories which work for tiny spaces.

From leaning desks that take up as little floor room as possible and hanging plants that give a lush look but optimise the space above your head, to storage floor cushions which double as a pouffe, foot rest and sleepover bed, we’ve got the nifty small space solutions you need to know about.

So, make the most of your living room with these home accessories and furnishings that cater for the space.

Loaf sleepover cushions

Loaf sleepover cushion

Loaf has a whole range of versatile seating-cum-sleeping furniture, such as this trio of pillows which are buttoned together.

Stack them and use as a pouffe, pull up one cushion as a back for a floor-seat, or lie out like a mattress for when friends stay over.

Shop sleepover cushions at Loaf, £175

Buy now

Urban Outfitter Levy 3-tier storage shelf

Urban Outfitters Levy 3-tier storage shelf

This low-key storage solution has a laid back feel which will fit in inconspicuously with any home’s decor.

Its slanted shape means that it takes up less space than a bulky, square piece of dresser or chest.

Shop Levy 3-tier storage shelf at Urban Outfitters, £49

Buy now
Mustard Made The Shorty locker

Mustard Made short locker

Mustard Made’s gorgeous range of lockers are great storage solutions and the slim shape of The Shorty means it can fit into small spaces.

Pop it next to your sofa as a place to keep bits and bobs and somewhere to rest your coffee.

Shop The Shorty in sage at Mustard Made, £129

Buy now
Beiige Jova rattan side table/stool

Beiige Jova rattan stool

If you’re struggling for seating space, why not take advantage of a piece that can do it all?

This chic rattan stool not only looks fabulous but can be used as an extra perch as and when you need it, a side table, plant stand or lighting prop.

Shop Jova rattan side table/stool at Beiige, £249

Buy now
We Are Nomads large planter/basket

We Are Nomads storage basket

Woven baskets are a go-to home accessory for small spaces because they look great but provide a bottomless pit to dump any bits and pieces hanging around.

Blankets, bed socks, magazines, cushions; throw them all in there and out the way.

Shop large planter/basket at We Are Nomads, £41

Buy now
Sarora Knots macrame plant hanger

Sarora Knots aqua plant hanger

When decorating a room, plants are the crucial finishing layer.

But if you’re short on floor space, you can still add depth and colour with a leafy friend by hanging them from up above with a beautiful, handmade hanger like this one.

We recommend popping a hook high on the wall or in the ceiling, or attaching to the end of a curtain pole.

Shop aqua plant hanger at Sarora Knots, £10

Buy now

Mawusi Ola ‘Devils Ivy’ plant

Mawusi Devil’s Ivy plant

Speaking of hanging greenery from the rafters, this Devil’s Ivy plant has lots of trailing leaves that will look lovely suspended in the air.

Plus, it will live almost anywhere, thriving happily in whatever the light conditions.

Shop Ola ‘Devils Ivy’ plant at Mawusi, £17

Buy now
Urbansize leaning small desk

Urbansize leaning small desk

Urbansize creates furniture especially designed for small spaces.

Many of the pieces feature a leaning design to free up space and be as compact as possible. If your living room is also your work-from-home office, this the perfect work station.

Shop leaning small desk at Urbansize, £160

Buy now

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Megan Murray

Megan Murray is a freelance lifestyle journalist and former writer at stylist. co.uk. She particularly enjoys writing about homeware, travel, women’s issues and her recent move to Hamburg.

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Small Living Room Decor Ideas for Your Home

Having a small living room can frustrate and overwhelm you. You don’t have enough floor space for your guests; the TV is always in the way, and you never know where to put anything.

But it doesn’t have to be like this! With some creativity and careful planning, you can make a tiny living room seem spacious and keep everything in its place.

Here are ways of setting up a sitting room if you have little space to work with.

How to set up a sitting room arrangement

When you are setting up a small living room, the main thing you could think of is having a seating area for relaxing or reading.

Or maybe you’re thinking of space for hosting your guests. You will also consider adding a small coffee table to place your food and drinks while eating.

Here are the different sofa options you can consider when buying furniture depending on the space in your house.

A three-seater Sofa

Sofas are more comfortable for seating family members or guests in your sitting room, but could also work in the bedroom if you want to make it super cosy.

A three-seater sofa is also ideal for converting into a double bed when guests come over.

The Loveseat

This is another seating option that has a single seat and a back for extra support. It can easily accommodate one or two people and is comparable to a sofa in size.

The loveseat may not be as comfortable as the sofa because of its smaller size.

In most cases, it will only have fabric wrapping on one side of its back, but some loveseats can have fabric wrapping on both sides. The loveseat will usually include buttons along the middle of the seat cushion and an armrest (or two) for added comfort.

Chaise Sofa

This is part of a small three-seater sofa sectional set, meaning it is typically the first piece to be pulled out.

This gives guests who are sitting on sofas or loveseats more room for their arms and legs because it has no armrests, but it can still accommodate one (or two) people comfortably. The chaise will usually include buttons along its middle section for added comfort.

Ottoman

These round or oval-shaped pillows are often used to provide a comfortable surface for resting one’s feet. You can use an ottoman for seating or use it as a coffee table.

How can I decorate a living room with a small budget?

Here are 10 small living room decor ideas you can try in your home that will help you maximize space.

1. Get a TV stand that doubles as storage

If you’re tight on space, consider getting a TV stand that also serves as storage. This will give you a place to put your TV and other electronics, as well as a place to store movies, games, and other entertainment items.

Some TV stands also have compartments for DVD players, cable boxes, and other electronics. This can help in keeping your living room organized and tidy.

2. Use your walls to hang artwork and other accent pieces

Small living rooms can be a challenge to decorate, but with a little creativity, you can make the most of the space you have.

One way to maximize space is to use your walls to hang artwork and other decorative pieces. This will help to fill up some of the space and make the room seem more spacious.

3. Use furniture that doubles as storage

When you move into a new home, it’s difficult to determine which pieces of furniture will work best in your living room.

If there is limited space, there are ways you can maximize what little floor space you have by using furniture that doubles as storage.

This includes items such as an ottoman with hidden storage inside or a coffee table that has drawers underneath. These types of items also create more seating in your living room!

4.

Maximize seating by using ottomans

With interior design, maximizing seating is key. One of the most efficient methods is to use ottomans.

Not only does this create more seating space, but it also helps to define different areas of the room.

When designing a room, finding furniture with compact, symmetrical shapes can be useful. This is because they fit together more easily and make the space feel more open and larger than it actually is.

One of these pieces could be an ottoman or bench instead of a traditional couch or armchair.

5. Use a mirror

Mirrors are great because they make your space look bigger. Plus they also reflect light into your living room. They can be especially useful for smaller spaces, as they also give the impression of a bigger room.

For example, placing a mirror at the end of a hallway or walkway will reflect what is behind it and make it seem larger than it actually is.

6. Have enough sockets to plug everything at once

It’s no secret that having an excess of electronic gadgets can be a nuisance. Between phones, laptops, tablets, Kindles, and who knows what else you might own in the future, it’s easy to see why outlets are in such high demand these days.

To plug everything in without taking up too much space on one outlet strip – and to avoid pesky extension cords – it’s important to make sure you have enough outlets.

Most rooms have only one or two outlets. In small spaces where it’s imperative to be as minimally invasive as possible, this is usually enough.

In larger areas, however, especially those that are open concept and include a variety of electrical appliances, try to have at least three to four if you want to be on the safe side.

7. Use the interior of cabinets and closets to store items you don’t want on display

There are always those pesky items that we don’t know where to put. You know, the ones that don’t have a specific place in our homes and clutter up surfaces.

Maybe it’s time to start using cabinets and closets to store these items instead? They’re out of sight and yet still accessible at the same time!

8.

Limit yourself to a certain number of items per surface

This trick will keep your house looking tidy! When it’s too cluttered, we get carried away and add even more stuff to surfaces, which clutters it up again.

Limit yourself to a certain number of items per surface and you won’t have that problem.

All your selected items will look lovely and balanced on the surface while also being incredibly accessible at the same time!

Aim for a total number of four or less per surface, as this looks good.

9. Use open shelves and trays to avoid cluttering up your surfaces

Open shelves and trays can help you neatly display items you don’t want in plain sight all the time.

The great thing about stuff like this is that it makes a room feel cosier while still looking polished and well-put-together.

10. Display items you love on hooks

One of the most stylish ways to display items is by using simple hooks. It doesn’t require a ton of effort, it doesn’t need to be entirely permanent, and yet it still allows you to show off your personality through your favourite objects.

Do not limit yourself when thinking of uses for the hooks; they can hold up hats, coats, scarves, and handbags.

It’s a pretty great trick, and it will make your home look much more organized in no time.

Conclusion

Try out a few of these small living room decor ideas and see which ones work best for your individual needs and lifestyle. Not only will your home stay more organized, but it will also look chic and put together with very little effort on your part.

how to make interior design with your own hands

Minimalist interiors have become a real hit lately. They allow you to achieve the effect of increasing space for small living rooms and save on repairs.

Carolina Plavina

Freepik

Scale is important in the interior

Minimalism and small space coexist perfectly together. There are several options to help you make the most of every usable centimeter. For example, instead of a sofa or a sectional chair, choose a soft corner, and instead of a bulky coffee table, put a matryoshka table. nine0003

Living room minimalism with color

If you’re into modern minimalist design but don’t want to give up on color, let this living room be your example. The materials and finishes used are inexpensive and kept to a monochrome palette, allowing heritage details and foundations to look great in their original form. Dynamism is brought with the help of a muted pink carpet and a midnight-colored armchair.

The materials and finishes used are inexpensive and kept to a monochrome palette, allowing heritage details and foundations to look great in their original form. Dynamism is brought with the help of a muted pink carpet and a midnight-colored armchair. nine0003

Design with texture

And when you think about it, why use color when you can design perfection in a small living room with all white? This will make the whole process a lot easier as you won’t have to worry about whether everything fits together or not. And just because everything is done in one color doesn’t mean you can’t include interesting details in the interior. It’s all about shape and texture.

For example, in this living room, the designer has replaced the traditional layout with a semi-circular seating arrangement (ideal for entertaining). He also added a brush-dyed carpet and rope lights. nine0003

Combine different styles in the living room

Here’s a lesson in monochromatic decor, except for the green cushion, which perfectly emphasizes individuality. This Parisian small living room combines simple modern décor with neoclassical roots.

While the backbone of the space evokes a sense of luxury, a plush Moroccan rug and spacious white sofa create a more accessible space. Proof that minimalist spaces can be dynamic and warm. nine0003

Stay down to earth

One of the key elements of minimalism is emphasizing simple, organic shapes. The other is to stay grounded. What could be more down to earth than a coffee table that literally sits on the floor?

This living room features warm leather, natural wood stools, and a subtle bookcase for an offbeat yet understated approach. Discard the table base and place the stove directly on the floor. nine0003

Give your interior a one-of-a-kind accent

Designers come up with new and fresh ways to make a space special with rich textures, unexpected accents and updated materials. In this minimalistic white-painted living room, the creators have chosen one piece that really stands out in vibrant color.

You can learn interesting life hacks for painting walls by clicking on the link.

Choose items wisely for a small room

In a minimalist living room, every item must make a significant contribution – weak links are not allowed. This room is a perfect example. Although there are only three pieces of furniture – two armchairs and a small coffee table – it makes a strong impression and conveys a sense of individual style. This is mainly due to the existing retro fireplace, combined with an ultra-modern lamp.

Focus on shapes in the interior

The clean lines of this living room do not let you relax just by looking at it. Even the details and symmetry of the vertical window pane that slopes down to the sofa cushions is reassuring. Then the green nest tables add some contrast with their rounded shape and different heights. White-painted wood-panelled walls make the space feel more inviting and accessible. nine0003

Art Accents

Striking wall art is a beautiful, chic way to personalize a minimalist living room. Despite the fact that it does not take up space, the right item can transform the space.

In this small living room, an abstract photograph of light balls extends into material space through hot orange and marigold pillows. For a similar effect, use an abstract photo like this to define the colors of your throw pillows. nine0003

We have collected other ways to create accent walls in a separate article.

Stick to a monochrome palette

Monochrome is the key to minimalist design. A clean and well-organized photo gallery will keep things interesting without creating visual chaos. Add a metal pendant and a simple midcentury coffee table and you have a simple, unfussy and stylish living room.

Don’t be afraid to be original

What it lacks in decorative details, it makes up for in innovative shapes and proportions. This corner of the living room is a masterpiece of minimalism. From the shape of a beautiful leather lounge chair to the elaborate rice paper sculpture and geometric rug, each element complements and enriches the others.

Choose an overall tone for a small living room

Who says minimalists are afraid of color? The trick is to stay within the same tone, as in this modern blue living room. Soothing tones and bulbous shapes, from the marble side table to the pendant bubble lamp and rounded sofa, create an embracing living room feel. nine0003

Find smart storage solutions

As you probably already know, minimalism is all about keeping clutter to a minimum. But no matter how hard we try, things accumulate over the years. This means that storage solutions are key, especially in small spaces like this. Floating shelves that frame the doorway make use of all the vertical space, allowing knick-knacks to be stored in stylish bins and decor items to shine without getting in the way of the floor. nine0003

Keep the classics in the living room

Here’s proof that minimalism doesn’t equate to harsh modern interiors. Elegant, simple and located right in the middle between modern and traditional, this small living room is timeless. The classic interior layout is conducive to conversation and comfort, and large windows let in a lot of natural light, which never hurts.

Use your surroundings for inspiration

In a truly minimalist form, the designer of this interior was inspired by the harsh and uncompromising landscape in which it is located. With references to the dark, ominous rocks and stoic elements that make up the coastline, the ocean is deliberately taken as inspiration.

This helped the living room designer develop a darker color palette with many textured woods, stones, textiles and metals. This is how the modern and minimalist house united with nature. nine0003

Use natural materials in the interior

This eclectic Parisian apartment is a breath of fresh air. She proves that you can use mural wallpaper in a minimalist setting (the gray color palette promises not to visually overload the room). And besides, it is the perfect example of a fun and relaxed, sophisticated and formal interior design. Here’s what makes it so sophisticated:

linen sofa,
rice paper chandelier,
rattan hoop chair,
jute rug,
stump table base.

Minimalist living room with a romantic twist

Moving from a large family home to a light-filled apartment with breathtaking harbor views, the design studio combined soft, romantic touches with minimalist design.

For example, linen curtains create a soft, filtered glow, while jute carpet promises no pretentiousness. Despite their elegance, pillows, floral arrangements and accent armchairs fill the room with the spirit of youth and fun. nine0003

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Tiny kitchen? We have ideas!

In a limited space, everything matters: layout, choice of color, finishing materials, household appliances, kitchen and dining group. Even decor works to visually expand the space.

Combine the kitchen with the living room

A five-meter kitchen is not uncommon in old panel houses. Therefore, during a major overhaul, apartment owners often prefer to combine it with the living room so that the space looks larger visually. This redevelopment allows you to transfer the dining area to the living room, and not try to fit a table and a couple of chairs somewhere in the corner. In addition, the doorway from the corridor is laid. This allows you to install a longer corner set with a large work surface and find a place for a refrigerator. nine0003

Evgenia Matveenko, designer and head of the FlatsDesign studio, did just that. In a two-room 45-meter Khrushchev, the kitchen was tiny, but gasified.

It is impossible to fully attach it to the living room – this is prohibited by paragraphs 10.16 and 10.17 of the Decree of the Government of Moscow No. 508-PP “On the organization of the reconstruction and (or) redevelopment of residential and non-residential premises in apartment buildings and residential buildings” dated October 25, 2011 ( name in the wording put into effect on January 7, 2013 by Government Decree No. 840-PP). nine0003

Therefore, a sliding glass partition was installed between the kitchen and the living room, which, if necessary, completely retracts into the wall.

Choose materials carefully

A small apartment is exposed to much more impact than a spacious one. Walls often come into contact with furniture, they are touched by residents. Therefore, in a small size, it is especially important to choose the right finishing materials. The walls are painted with a special washable paint designed for use in wet areas. It is moisture resistant and mold resistant. The main requirement for finishing materials and furniture is wear resistance. nine0003

Light shades are an essential part of the interior of a small kitchen. The white color and natural wood tones make the room appear larger than it actually is. Too bright or dark colors would visually fill the kitchen space.

Leave only the essentials

If the combination of the kitchen and the living room is not included in your plans and you will not be able to expand the kitchen set, you will have to come to terms with the idea that you cannot “shove the unpushable” – something will have to be abandoned. For example, there is definitely not enough space for a side-by-side refrigerator, a column cabinet with a built-in oven. It is possible that the washing machine will also need to be installed outside the kitchen. There will be only the necessary minimum of household appliances. But in a one-room apartment for one or two people, this will probably be enough. nine0003

The designers of Special-Style were guided by this principle. The dead “odnushka” with a six-meter kitchen was rebuilt from scratch, so folding glass doors were created between the kitchen and the living room. This visually enlarged the space and made it possible to coordinate the redevelopment (gas stove in the kitchen). This did not affect the arrangement of furniture in any way – the entrance to the kitchen from the corridor was preserved. The set was chosen compact linear, so as not to clutter up the space.

The built-in refrigerator was chosen low, but an oven with a microwave function fit above it. It was unrealistic to build it into the bottom row of cabinets: there would be nowhere to put the dishwasher. The layout made it possible not to transfer the dining table to the living room. There is plenty of room for him in the kitchen.

Make furniture to order

Standard kitchen sets are not designed for small kitchens. Often they do not fit in width in a limited space, do not allow you to build in smaller appliances or take up too much space due to the large depth of the cabinets. Therefore, the best option is to make a headset to order. nine0003

For a 9-meter kitchen in a panel house, designer Evgenia Markova designed a bright corner suite with laconic facades. It is roomy, but does not eat up space. Hanging cabinets were provided only on one wall, but they were also “brought” to the refrigerator.

The dining group was made up of an oval table and a corner sofa with compact narrow seats. It was also made to order, providing an additional storage system inside the seats.

Maximize your worktop

One of the biggest problems in five meter kitchens is the lack of a work surface. Usually, a refrigerator, a sink and a stove (or hob) are installed in a linear headset with a small distance from each other. But where, then, to cook: cut, cut, process food? Where to put small household appliances? To solve this problem, it is worth expanding the countertop as much as possible – for example, at the expense of a window sill or an adjacent wall.

This is what designer Marina Merenkova did. The area of the kitchen in a two-room Khrushchev is a little more than five “squares”, but there is a ventilation duct, next to which a refrigerator fits. Along the remaining three walls, a solid wooden tabletop was launched, which goes from the headset to the window sill and then to the bar counter. Thanks to this technique, the working area has tripled: in this kitchen there is a place for cooking and for serving dinner for two.

Add mirrors and gloss

In a small kitchen it makes sense to work not only with the physical space, but also with how it will be perceived. So, the designer Irina Krasheninnikova moved the entrance to the tiny kitchen from the corridor to the living room. In place of the doorway, a niche was formed into which the refrigerator stood.

In addition, the designer also used optical techniques to expand the space. Suppose a large mirror in a blue frame appeared in front of the window. It reflects natural light and visually enlarges the room. The same function is performed by the glossy facades of the kitchen set, and the glass suspension above the dining table, and even the metal case of the refrigerator! nine0003

The more light and play of reflections in the room, the more spacious it will seem.

Think about the location of outlets and lighting

Competent lighting can transform a room, visually enlarge it.