20 Best Small Living Room Ideas for Stylish Decor

Updated On: Mar 18, 2024

Does your small living room feel cluttered and clamped?  We have discovered tips and tricks to ease the challenge of decorating and making your living room bigger and brighter. From glossy ceilings to clever ways with decorative mirrors and arranging low-seating furniture, these ideas are space-enhancing, making every inch count without compromising style.

Get ready to bookmark these ideas and spruce up your small living room with our clever expert tweaks to prove good things come in small packages!

Separate Zones With Lighting

Separate Zones With Lighting - Small Living Room Ideas

Do you know lighting can work wonders in creating distinct zones? For instance, if you want a casual setting and you have a dining room with limited space, choose a statement pendant light above a dining area that can visually break up the area while adding warmth. Mix and match styles with furniture and lighting to set the mood and add depth to the room. 

Use Multi-purpose Furniture

Use Multi-purpose Furniture - Small Living Room Decorating Ideas

When the space is limited, dig up your creativity and utilise multi-purpose furniture that serves double functions. For example, if you want to set up a workstation but lack the space to do so, combine your living room with an office space. The right furniture and layout can look great and add value to any interior decor for a small living room.

Upholstered Ottoman

Upholstered Ottoman - Small Living Room Design Ideas

A reupholstered ottoman can serve as extra seating or as a table for game nights. Since the edges are soft, it's an ideal option, especially if you have kids or pets. Bonus points if it has storage to keep the area clutter-free.

Coffee Table With Storage

Coffee Table With Storage - Small Drawing Room Design

When decorating small living room ideas, thoughtfully curate the space with furniture. An upcycled antique trunk serves as a coffee table alternative with extra storage for books, toys, and other items to hide clutter in the room.

Create a Focal Point

Create a Focal Point - Small Living Room Design Ideas

Every room needs a star of the show! If your small living space lacks a natural focal point like a vintage fireplace mantel, incorporating wall art, panelling, or mirrors can help add a visual appeal. A well-designed focal point can help divert attention from the size of the room while adding a sense of visual beauty.

Choose a Dark Paint Color

Choose a Dark Paint Color - Small Living Space Ideas

Contrary to popular belief, dark, glossy walls can create a sophisticated backdrop for small living room ideas. Use the small space to your advantage and add dramatic flair to the room. It's a bold move, but painting the ceiling in the same colour can create the illusion of space in this tiny living room. Further, decorate the space with brighter furniture to add a stunning contrast.

Add Wall Art

Add Wall Art - Small Living Room Themes

Wall art can instantly upstyle your small living area as it conforms to available space. An art display may give the impression that it's taking up too much space, but it can make a room look bigger if the pieces are distributed evenly on the ceiling. Play with the size and style of frames throughout the room to amp up the visual allure.

Play With Mirrors

Play With Mirrors - Tiny Living Room Design Ideas

Mirrors are the best home decor ideas for small living rooms as they make the space look bigger and airier. Let the transformative power of the mirrors bounce the light and reflect the room, adding brightness and stunning aesthetics. Place the mirrors strategically and customise the frames to incite a bespoke look.

Small Front Room Ideas- Keep It Cozy

Keep It Cozy - Ideas For Small Drawing Room

Bring the cosy vibe to your small living room decorating ideas with layers and textures. Pick the compact furniture and keep the seating close with plenty of throws and fluffy cushions to add a cosy vibe to the room. And don’t forget to add the finishing touch to the space- rugs ' these gorgeous elements tie the look together while bringing character to the room.

DIY a Barn Door

DIY a Barn Door  - Small Front Room Ideas

There are plenty of tricks to curate a small drawing room design. Separating your bedroom from an adjoining living room with a sliding barn door is an ingenious way to create a division and enhance privacy. These sliding doors come in various affordable options, adding functionality and aesthetics.

Furniture Ideas for Small Living Room

Furniture Ideas - Tiny Living Room Design Ideas

While designing small living room decor ideas, arrange your furniture systematically to prevent clutter. Think light furniture with tapered legs and thin frames instead of bulky sofas, and one armchair is better than two for free-flow movement in the space.

Swap a Sofa For Club Chairs

Swap a Sofa For Club Chairs - Small Flat Living Room Ideas

With limited space, try swapping the sofa with club chairs and angle them towards the focal point, like a wall art or a fireplace, to create a mini social circle. Play with colours and textures for an eclectic look, or choose cohesive hues for a refined flair.

Compact Furniture

Compact Furniture - Small Cozy Living Room Decor

Outfit the small living room design with compact furniture that saves space. Keep a look at the scale of the furniture with the right proportions to enhance the look. Choose sofa beds and petite coffee tables that offer practicality and style. In a small space, every inch counts.

Low Profile Furniture

Low Profile Funiture - Small Cozy Living Room Decor

The success of a small living room design idea depends upon furniture placement and clever storage solutions. A pair of low-profile furniture allows an unobstructed view into this living room while providing a sense of movement.

Light and Airy Drape Ideas For A Small Drawing Room

Light and Airy Drape Ideas - Small Drawing Room Design

Every decor element is essential in curating a functional yet elegant space. Windows are an element that tends to be left behind. Choose drapes that whisper tales of light and air. Opt for pale shades and a subtle design that reflects the light and creates a brighter ambience. You can also add sheer curtains that elevate the aesthetics of the room.

Invest In Neutral Pieces Modern Small Living Room Ideas

Invest In Neutral Pieces - Interior Design For Small Living Room

For small living room decor, a sofa will be a vital piece of furniture, so opt for a sleek, modern design that creates a serene setting. Experiment with detailings, such as curves, buttons or fluting, to add interest to the room. The best part is you can fashion vibrant throws and accent pieces to shine your personality in the space.

Incorporate a Soft Background

Incorporate a Soft Background - Furniture Ideas For Small Living Room

Another approach to an expansive, small living room idea is to embrace softer hues. To keep the background elegant and light, paint the walls, trim, and ceiling in the same colour, such as pale blue, white or grey. For added calmness and privacy, choose sheer curtains that match the walls and set a tranquil environment in the room.

Clever Storage Solutions

Clever Storage Solutions - Furniture Design For Small Living Room

Invest in minimal decorative objects, streamlined furniture and built-in shelving to elevate the aesthetics of your small living space. Opt for multipurpose designs and floor-to-ceiling storage that offer a more versatile look and maximise the space. Moreover, this adds an element of colour and artistic design while injecting character and personality into the room.

Space Expanding Colour Scheme

Space Expanding Colour Scheme - Interior Decor For Small Living Room

The primary element to dress up the small living space is to pick the same colour scheme that lends a cohesive look to the room. Whether you choose monochromatic or dark shades, stick to the tonal palette that makes the space feel more expansive visually. Pale shades and cool hues, like white, blue or beige, bounce light and create a more inviting look. 

Bring Character to Walls- Small Living Room Decorating Ideas

Bring Character to Walls - Interior Design For Small Space Living Room

Bare walls are the canvas of creativity. Think of dressing up the walls to add depth and intrigue to the room. For tiny living rooms without much space for accessorising, introduce texture or architectural detail to walls by panelling, moulding or paints. A deep navy blue hue graces the walls, taking the spotlight and injecting personality into one wall of this small living room design without overpowering the space.

Enhance Fifth Wall- Small Drawing Room Design

Enhance Fifth Wall - Small Drawing Room Interior Design

Look up, as the sky is the limit! The best way to decorate a small living room without changing the current scheme is to deck up the fifth wall, which is the ceiling. Choose a soft pastel shade with a gloss finish to make the room feel lighter and brighter.

You can swap out your lights with a sleek modern pendant or a chandelier that draws the eye upward and casts an elegant glow in the space.

Small Space, Big Style!

We hope these small living room design ideas create an enchanting space that speaks to your desired taste. Whether renovating a whole space or swapping out paint or light fixtures, make your small drawing room grow in style and comfort.

Need more advice and guidance on crafting living room decor ideas? Connect with our experts at Interior Company, curating livable spaces for you and your loved ones.

*Images used are for illustration purposes only. Interior Company does not hold any copyright to the images unless mentioned explicitly.

Search

    Ready for a home transformation?
    Let our designers assist you!

    Meet the Designer
    By submitting this form, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of use

    Related Category

    • False Ceilings
    • Furniture
    • Home Decor
    • Indoor Plants
    • Paint and Color
    TrendsBannerWidget
    What patterns can enhance the look of a small living room?

    Using stripes horizontally or vertically makes a room look taller, and the narrow space feels wider.

    What are some of the best tricks to make a small living room design look bigger?

    The best tricks to make a small living look bigger are:

    • Choose a pale or light colour for walls and ceilings to open the space.
    • Opt for reflective finishes on walls and floors for tasteful interiors.
    • Hang mirrors to create an illusion.
    • Declutter and invest in clever storage solutions to keep surfaces as clean.
    • Opt for low-profile and compact furniture to have a free flow of movement.
    • Display one large piece of art rather than small pictures.
    • Go for flowy curtains and rattan blinds that allow as much light as possible.
    What type of storage should a small living room have?

    From concealed storage to multi-purpose furniture with hidden storage and built-in shelving that combines practicality and aesthetics, there are numerous options to pick the right storage option for a small living room. Invest in large, impactful pieces rather than cluttering a space with small items.