60 Small Living Room Ideas That Make the Space Feel Larger

Sometimes, living rooms can feel—dare we say—too big to create the dream space you’re looking for. If you want a cozy living room, especially as we enter fall, you might want to embrace one that’s a smaller size so you can create the vibe you desire. The team at White Space Design Group put in a little gas fireplace and stove to keep things homey—something that would be harder to achieve if the room were larger.

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In small living rooms, it’s essential to find creative storage solutions and arrange furniture to avoid a cramped feel. In Liz Dutton’s Ohio home, this is achieved by storing a stack of books neatly under the antique, low-to-the-ground coffee table and using a small side table for drinks. In a space with limited square footage, it’s crucial not to overcrowd the walls or block walking paths. Unique solutions like these ensure a balanced and open layout.

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In this small living room idea, designer Amanda Jacobs focused the design on human connection rather than the TV. She turned the two chairs on one side of the room toward the couch on the other so the client’s family could all comfortably sit and converse.

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When Ashley Gilbreath was designing this sun-drenched living room, she opted for furniture she knew would age gracefully. Investing in pieces that you know will get better with time can help make your small living room feel like the crown jewel of your home instead of a smaller-than-desired afterthought.

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Minimalist design doesn’t have to feel stark and sterile. Designer Brian Paquette created this elegant, Nordic-style living room for his clients, making sure it still felt warm without having too much unnecessary decor.

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Rather than choosing a sofa with a traditional back, designer Lichelle Silvestry went for a daybed-style piece that wouldn’t block half of this small Parisian living room from the other. Now, no matter where your guests are, you can turn to face them.

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Rather than overwhelm the space with a large side table or console, Jayson Home’s Devin Kirk kept a low profile in his family’s Chicago apartment with a short wooden stool. Because the emphasis is on the marbled sectional, he needed to balance the proportions of the other items in the room. Mission stylishly accomplished.

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Designer Sarah Solis wanted this Los Angeles family’s den to feel restful but still be functional for homework time. Cue: a floating desk. Because the thin surface seemingly levitates, it takes up much less visual square footage than a clunky desk with legs might, making it perfect for this small space. The backless stool also keeps keep things looking streamlined.

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Low, curved, or angled ceilings can make a living room seem smaller than it actually is. Working with it rather than against it, as designer Patrick Gallagher did here in his apartment in Rome’s Palazzo Taverna, can have the opposite effect. He used subtle, diamond-patterned wallpaper to visually heighten the barrel-vaulted ceiling and create the illusion of more space.

In this small living room idea by Amity Worrel, beige is far from boring. The monochrome decorating palette (with pops of red) was inspired by old-fashioned European skiing chalets and keeps it from feeling too busy or cluttered. Plus, the warm tones imbue the room with the coziness you get only in small spaces.

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Rather than adorn the walls of the living room in House Beautiful‘s 2023 Whole Home with eye-catching art (which we also love, don’t get us wrong), Caitlin Wilson opted for delicate framed intaglios (reproductions of incised art made popular by travelers in the 18th and 19th centuries) from Statuette instead. Not only does the choice soften the room, but it also lets your eye settle on what’s important: the people around you.

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In a study by Los Angeles–based designer Alexandra Loew, a small loveseat sits nestled against the windows. It was chosen to be proportionate to the family’s small children, but it’s cozy enough for adults to lounge on as well.

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Pet ownership comes with a lot of accoutrements: feeding bowls, toys, scratching posts. But in the living room of Tammer Hijazi, cofounder and design director of Bower Studios, Cleo the cat gets free reign of the space, including the walls. A stack of Ikea Lack shelves creates a streamlined climbing system that doesn’t intrude on the seating area below.

In photographer Bjorn Wallander’s New York City studio apartment, no inch is wasted. Rather than take up valuable space with a bookshelf or display tables, he piles his beloved coffee table books and knick-knacks on every windowsill and open bit of floor, which gives the apartment a true artistic flair.

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In a tight apartment, rooms often have to do double duty. Regan Baker exercised genius space planning when creating this library, which could just as easily function as a small living room slash dining room. Dining chairs like these could function as guest seating when a dinner party turns into a game night.

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Just like in fashion, the right stripes can make a silhouette work to your advantage. If you’re not into the circus stripe trend, take a note from Jeffrey Alan Marks instead. Horizontal wood paneling visually widens his California living room, making its small size a nonissue.

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Storage is essential in a small living room. If you don’t have enough floor space for a bookshelf, look to your walls as designer John Wooden did in this bungalow. These high-up shelves offer plenty of flat surface area without taking up any of the valuable square footage down below.

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In a small space, lots of colors and patterns can feel dizzying. Instead of wallpapering the walls, opt for a ceiling design instead as Brooklinteriors designer Alicia Hassen did in this East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, apartment. It draws eyes up and leaves the rest of the space feeling wide open.

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In this minimalist sitting area by Raji Radhakrishnan, a traditional coffee table was replaced with a low, bite-sized cocktail table. While it’s not large enough to put your feet up (that’s what the loveseat is for), it’s perfect for a coffee and your current read.

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