Rearranging furniture along the walls might appear to be an effective way of creating more space; however, this method results in making your living room appear smaller than intended. Instead, try placing seating towards the center of the room to create an intimate conversation area.
Use light and neutral colors when choosing furniture to visually expand your room’s dimensions. A bare floor also helps make it feel bigger.
Mirror Wall Panels
Mirrors can help your room seem larger in an easy and affordable way. Simply placing mirror wall panels over furniture will reflect light and widen sightlines while their diverse designs complement various decor styles; frameless, unframed, beveled or smoked mirror options are also available to meet all decor tastes.
Integrating built-in storage solutions into your space can add another touch of luxury. Not only can this keep things organized and clutter free, but you may find hidden window seats or floor-to-ceiling bookcases add a luxurious element without visually dominating the area.
Organising can be challenging, but there are ways you can overcome it. Consider built-in shelving or opt for a modular storage solution with adaptable units that you can reconfigure as your needs change. Also look for solutions with caster wheels so they’re easier to move around the home or office.
Layering a Rug Over Carpet
Reducing space by pushing all furniture against the walls might seem like an ideal solution, but this could actually end up feeling cramped and overwhelming in a small room. Instead, try leaving some pieces unattached so the floor remains clear of clutter.
An area rug placed over carpeting can help add visual interest and break up an otherwise uniform space, but be mindful to choose one with soft fibers so as to not damage your floor surface. Also avoid placing heavy furniture directly on top of it as this could leave permanent indentations over time.
Add height and space to any small room by drawing the eye up by using tall shelving or wall-mounted bookcase. These are great ways to display photos, plants and decorative accents without taking up too much floor space. Adding glass or acrylic shelves may even help spread light around more freely around the room, creating the impression of more expansiveness.
Including Seating Options
Although pushing furniture up against walls might appear to maximize space, this approach often ends up making small rooms feel crowded and overwhelming. Instead, try placing your seating centered in the room to encourage interaction and foster an inviting conversation area.
For smaller living rooms, round sofas and chairs with more streamlined shapes such as circular shapes can help visually open up a room, according to designer Natale.
Search for seats that double as storage options when living in tight spaces. A tucked-away ottoman can store blankets and books when not serving as extra seating for guests; window seats or niches could feature built-in benches to provide cozy reading corners.
Bring more storage to the room while conserving floor space by installing wall-mounted shelves and desks into your living room layout. Look for slim shelving units with hidden cubbies to minimize visual bulk.
Adding Storage
Choose furniture with multiple functions when decorating a small living room layout, such as an ottoman that doubles as extra seating and a table, or perhaps you could consider choosing a low coffee table that provides storage underneath. Wall-mounted shelving also takes up less floor area than larger bookcases or workstations.
Alternative to pushing your sofa up against the wall: try an L-shaped couch with chaise lounge for a cozy reading nook that doesn’t take up floor space and frees up floor area. Plus, its slim profile will help your tight space appear more spacious by eliminating corridor-esque qualities, according to Gorsline.
If your living room opens into an outdoor area, use this transition to blur the line between inside and out. Consider hanging matching sliding doors or bifold windows in complementary colors to visually expand space and make moving between rooms seamless.
