Small living room ideas to maximise your tiny space

Clever decor ideas for compact lounges

Wickes

Your cosy living room doesn't need to feel cramped and claustrophobic. With a few clever decorating tricks you can optimise every square metre to make your snug scheme feel open, airy and ample. Take a look at these ingenious living room ideas that prove that small can feel stylish and spacious too.

Choose stackable furniture

Content by Conran

If there's not a lot of space for side tables in your small living room look for narrow versions that stack on top of each other when not in use. These minimalistic table nests look sharp and stylish, while the contrasting surfaces will make the smallest of rooms look chic.

Want to make the most of a tight space? Check out these smart ideas for tiny living.

Brighten with white

English Blinds

If you're brave enough, an all-white colour scheme will maximise light in a small living room and add an air of sophistication. Give the crisp look just a touch of colour with a few warming accents – a taupe vase paired with pastel cushions is soft and subtle.

Play with proportions

Sofa.com

If you're a fan of black leather and dark rustic furnishings, you can still make this moody palette work in a compact room. Look to the walls to create balance when using a dramatic colour scheme. Here, white has been introduced to create a two-tone effect, elongating the height of the room and creating an airy, spacious feel.

Add a mirror

Sofa.com

Mounting a mirror to the wall of a small lounge will create the illusion of space by bouncing light around the room. This narrow-framed version looks super-stylish in this compact yet contemporary living room and does an excellent job of balancing the dark, dramatic feature wall.

Pick a pale backdrop

Wickes

Muted shades on walls will make a cosy living room feel fresh and spacious. Pick subtle neutrals like soft grey, chalky white or blush pink rather than brilliant white – these warmer shades will make the room feel inviting rather than cold and stark.

Go for narrow-legged furniture

sofa.com

Furniture with narrow legs not only channels mid-century chic but also helps with the design dilemma of fitting everything you want into a small space without it looking crowded. Choosing a sofa with a gap between the seat and the floor instantly creates the appearance of more space too.

Get creative with storage

DFS

Floor-to-ceiling shelving is not only a marvellous space-saving storage choice for a cosy living area, but it can also double up as a dramatic focal point for the room too. This budget unit looks visually stunning thanks to the colourful panelling. A cobalt sofa and ochre accessories tie together the uplifting scheme.

Want to brighten up your space? Check out these easy ways to add colour to your home.

Embrace a feature wall

Homesense

Just because a living room is small doesn't mean you can't have a little fun with paint effects. Bold artwork or a bright feature wall will actually open up a room by drawing the gaze upwards, whilst adding plenty of personality without taking up floor space. This fun graphic design pairs muted grey, pink and mauve with a splash of sunshine yellow.

Display books creatively

John Lewis

In a tight space, books can soon pile up and make the place look untidy. However, don't rule them out of your small living room. Instead, make them work double-time as a decorative feature in their own right. Take inspiration from the many colour-arranged bookshelves of Instagram and turn your book collection into a #rainbowshelfie display for the room.

Accessorise wisely

Kelly Hoppen

The good thing about small living rooms is that you don't need a lot to make the space look stunning. A few well-chosen accessories can complete the look and create a luxurious finish. Invest in some metallic photo frames or a designer candle votive and the whole room will look high-end in a flash.

Choose slim lighting

Laura Ashley

Ambient lighting is vital for making a compact lounge feel cosy and inviting. Wall lights or sconces are the most practical solution but floor and table lighting can really soften a scheme too. Choose slim versions that take up minimal floor space. Matching pairs will create balance and symmetry which works especially well in traditional schemes.

Bring in compact seating

Laura Ashley

Furniture combinations can make or break a small space. Many brands are becoming more aware of customer's needs and often have smaller ranges designed especially for apartment-style living. Measure the space you have first and look for a sofa or chair that fits perfectly, rather than trying to squeeze in an ill-fitting piece.

Shrink the gallery wall

John Lewis

Gallery walls make a creative and personal addition to living rooms. Avoid drowning a restricted space by choosing smaller frames – you will still get the same great effect but scaled down to proportion. We love the way this black-framed photo wall incorporates the flat screen TV too.

Balance busy wallpaper

Wilko

It can feel daunting to use bold, busy wallpaper in a compact room, but with the right colour combination, it can really make a small space sing. This tropical print has breathed new life into the room thanks to the neutral walls and earthy sofa which balance out the bright focal point.

Introduce texture

sofology

Adding texture to a small living room is a great way to transform it into a comfortable and warming space. To avoid it feeling cluttered, be discerning. Add a few tactile cushions, soft throws and perhaps an interesting rug for a super-snug finish. Choose a small number of richly textured furnishings rather than lots of pieces that could overcrowd the room.

Dress windows right

Oak Furniture Land

A small living room will benefit from a window dressing that's clean and smart rather than busy and bulky. Swap heavy curtains for stylish shutters or replace a bulky Roman blind with a flush roller version.

Invest in multifunctional furniture

Maisons Du Monde

Furniture with more than one function is always a small living room's best friend. This loft-style living space has managed to pack in a dining area thanks to this clever bookcase that features a retractable table for two – genius!

Swap out the sofa

Ikea

Swapping a large bulky sofa for two slim armchairs is a good space-saving idea if your living room is a bit of squeeze. Perhaps pop in an extra stool or collapsible chair to accommodate extra guests.

Don't shy away from dark shades

Ikea

Decorating trends are becoming braver so don't rule these darker schemes out of a compact living room altogether. When paired with the right pieces, dramatic shades like navy, forest green or gunmetal grey can look atmospheric and inviting on your walls – just ensure you incorporate pops of light bright furnishings to lift the look.

Love this? Check out these dramatic dark kitchen ideas.

Stick to a capsule collection

Apartment by Pottery Barn

A few timeless items that won't go out of fashion will serve a small living room for years to come. Be sure to choose a compact and stylish sofa, ambient lighting and if you have the room, an additional chair or coffee table. You can then enhance these essential items with seasonal cushions and on-trend decorative pieces.

Feature a corner sofa

Ikea

A space-efficient piece, a corner sofa allows you to either spread out when alone or squeeze in the whole family. Small living rooms usually don't have much room to maneuver so it's best to choose a sectional version that comes apart. If you can, squeeze in a slim occasional chair in a different material for contrast.

Install a wood-burning stove

Holidaycottages.co.uk

If you're not lucky enough to own a house with an open fire installing a wood-burner is a great alternative as it will instantly transform a box-like living room into a cosy space. Whether the stove is real or faux, there are plenty of surround options to choose from depending on the size of the room.

Let in the light

West Elm

If you have French, patio or Crittall-style doors in your small living room, make the most of the available light and arrange the furniture towards the outside aspect. It will blur the boundary between inside and out and give the illusion of a larger space.

Zone with a pretty rug

West Elm

With the right furniture, you can carve a living room out of anywhere. This alcove is part of a hallway that's been transformed into a beautiful tiny lounge with help from a textured rug. This extra-large version frames the inviting space with a soft, vintage feel.

Store up high

Marks and Spencer

Even if you don't have high ceilings, using the upper part of walls for storage will not only elongate your living room but also free up floor space for furniture and through traffic. Make sure the shelves are mounted high enough so you don't bang your head.

Get a hardworking coffee table

Cuckooland

If your living room has space for a coffee table make sure it's a multifunctional one. This unique design opens up to create a multi-level table that's perfect for a quick meal. There are also slim drawers to hide bits and bobs, plus the two-tone legs look minimalist and modern.

Love this? Check out this cool convertible furniture that transforms before your eyes.

Select see-through furniture

Cult Furniture

Furniture and fixtures you can look through will keep a small living room from looking cluttered. These industrial-style wooden shelving units are tall and narrow so they take up minimal floor space without compromising on storage capacity.

Angle large furniture

Laura Ashley

When it comes to arranging seating in a tight living room, opt for angles. Cutting harsh corners will help give a box-like room a cosier atmosphere without feeling cramped.

Get smart with storage solutions

Loaf

An upholstered ottoman is a must-have furniture piece for a small living room for so many reasons. It can act as both a seat or coffee table, as well as offering a handy space to store blankets, cushions and books. Plus, its soft finish means you won't hurt your knees if you walk into it!

Bring in light, movable furniture

Norsu Interiors

Space is often in short supply in rented apartments so pared-back schemes with light, skinny furniture are ideal – not only will they make the most of floor space but they can easily be transferred elsewhere when you come to move. This stylish set-up with a narrow locker, relaxed seating and a storage trunk coffee table is flexible enough to work in a range of different layouts.

Snuggle up on a loveseat

Sofology

If you don't have room for a sofa but don't want to rule one out altogether, a loveseat or snuggler makes the perfect alternative. A great way to add that all-important comfort factor to your lounge, pair with skinny side tables and a rug for an inviting scheme that doesn't compromise on the essentials.

Go luxe with metallics

Wickes

Like mirrors, furniture and accessories with reflective surfaces will maximise the amount of light in your small living room and make it feel bigger and brighter. Team with rich jewel tones and snug fabrics for a stylish and luxurious scheme.

Loved this? Check out these living room ideas for every style and budget.