When it comes to decorating your home, you probably have plenty of inspiring interior design ideas to get you motivated to decorate. But what exactly do you do when the space you need to decorate is small? After all, most of the inspiration you are looking at is probably for expensive homes with thousands upon thousands of square footage—meaning you simply can’t pull it off in your smaller home or apartment. But instead of feeling like you cannot get the look and feel you want, use these five interior design ideas for small living room spaces to help you out.
1. Choose the right furniture.
When it comes to finding furniture that’s a good price for a small living room, you need to choose those pieces that aren’t too big and those that serve more than one purpose. For instance, a coffee table that can serve as additional seating, or a side table that allows for added storage space are both great options to help keep furniture to a minimum in small spaces. Also, furniture that comes in lighter colors can help make the room appear bigger, so be sure to play around with your options to determine what would work best in your space.
2. Choose a larger rug
It may seem counterintuitive but opting for a large area rug can actually make a smaller living room seem bigger. Why? Because it doesn’t break up the floor, giving the appearance that the room is much bigger than it actually is. Even if you want to choose a rug with a bold color or a bold pattern, you can make it work in a small space as long as you complement this style or color with the right furniture. And when you have an oversized area rug, opting for pieces like corner sectionals or chairs instead of traditional seating can help give the room the appeal of more space.
3. Bring the eye towards the ceiling
You can make a room appear bigger by teasing the eyes into believing it’s taller than it really is. By bringing the eye to the ceiling, you’ll provide an airiness to the room that otherwise wouldn’t be there. This can be done in a variety of ways.
- Curtains: If you have windows in the room, hang the curtains up to the ceiling instead of right over the trim of the window. This draws the eye upward by making the room (and even the windows) appear taller than they really are. This is also a very simply and affordable way to give the allure of more space.
- Chandelier: If you have space for a chandelier, drawing the eye upwards with a centerpiece chandelier will do the trick. Just be sure you are choosing one that still matches the décor and style of the room.
- Ceiling Design: Most homeowners think that a ceiling should be one flat surface, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, opting for a tray ceiling or a coffered ceiling can help you draw the eye upward and make it seem as if your room is bigger than it really is. Consider your space and your current style and see if a unique ceiling design is the right option.
4. Stick with neutral walls
The best way to make a small room appear larger is to use neutral colors on the wall and accent the room with your area rug, curtains, or furniture. With a neutral wall color, you’re creating an openness that would otherwise feel closed in with darker colors. This doesn’t mean you need to stick with white, either. Any pale or neutral shade will help create a nice feel inside your living room, so feel free to look at color swatches.
5. Try mirrors
Mirrors are a great accessory to place inside smaller rooms because it creates the illusion the room is much bigger. For instance, if you have a TV centered on a wall, consider hanging large mirrors on both sides of the TV as accent pieces. You can also hang mirrors in other places that may suit your space well – just be sure to do it where it will be stylish and not distracting.
Having a small living room isn’t necessarily a bad thing for your home. In fact, it can be quite cozy. The best way to enjoy your small living space is to find the best ways to make it feel spacious while still adhering to your specific style.