Small Living Room Decorating Ideas

Do you have a small living room? Do you want to make your small living room look spacious? In this post, I’m going to give you tips and ideas on how to decorate your small living room to make it look bigger.

More and more people are downsizing and choosing smaller homes. Hence, tiny homes are becoming very popular. However, tiny homes don’t appeal to me. I’d feel so claustrophobic in such a small space.

Living rooms are one of the most important spaces in our home because it’s where everyone likes to hang out and relax.

Our living room is one of my favorite rooms in our home. In fact, it also serves as an office and sometimes, you’ll see me taking naps on the couch. To me, a living room should not only be functional but has to be cozy and comfortable as well.

How to style a small living room

A small living room can be challenging to decorate and arrange, but with some thoughtful planning and creative solutions, it can become a cozy and inviting space in your home.

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Here are some tips for making the most of a small living room:

Choose furniture wisely

Opt for furniture that is proportional to the size of the room. Avoid bulky or oversized pieces that can overwhelm the space. Consider multi-functional furniture like a storage ottoman or a sofa bed.

A sectional works great for a small living room because it saves space and provides more seating. I wrote a blog post about how to pick a couch for your living room. My advice is to choose a neutral color couch or sectional. You can always add colors to your throw pillows and accessories.

Are you having trouble figuring out a layout for your furniture? Check out this blog post for tips on how to arrange furniture. Here are furniture ideas for your small living room.

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Keep it simple

A cluttered living room can make a small space feel even smaller. Stick to a minimalist design with a few well-chosen pieces. I believe in the saying “less is more.” When you have less stuff or decor, your home instantly feels more spacious.

Choose home decor wisely. Only use a decor that you love and that will look cohesive with your overall style. My favorite design tip is to edit your decor. If you watch Nate and Jeremiah’s how on HGTV, they use this tip all the time.

Take your favorite home decor and start decorating. Say, for instance, your mantel. Decorate it with the things you love. If you need ideas, Pinterest is your best friend 🙂

Place your favorite decor on the mantel and step back and see if it looks right. Is the shape or style proportional to the space? Does it look cluttered? Does it need more color? If in doubt, use a neutral color vase and add color by using greenery or florals.

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Use light colors

Lighter colors can help make a small room feel more open and airy. A dark or moody living room is all the rage right now. I think it can work if a room has lots of windows or natural light. If your goal is to make your small living room look bigger, then opt for a neutral color palette.

How to add warmth to a neutral living room?

Add texture: Incorporating different textures is an excellent way to add warmth to a neutral living room. Use cozy throw blankets, fluffy pillows, a soft rug, and woven baskets to bring in some tactile interest.

Use warm colors. Even if you have a neutral color scheme, you can still add warmth by using warm accent colors like burnt orange, deep red, or mustard yellow to your accessories. These colors will bring life to your space and make it feel more welcoming.

Add natural elements. Bringing in natural elements like wood, plants, and stones will add warmth and texture to your space. Wooden furniture, a natural stone fireplace, and potted plants will create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Use soft lighting. Soft lighting can make a big difference in creating a warm and cozy space. Add table lamps, floor lamps, and even string lights to create a warm ambiance in your living room.

Layer your decor. Layering your decor is another way to add warmth to a neutral living room. Use different textures and heights when decorating your space. For example, place a tall vase next to a stack of books and a small plant.

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Make use of vertical space

If you’re short on floor space, consider using your walls for storage. Floating shelves, bookcases, and wall-mounted storage can help you make the most of your space.

Decorating open shelves can be a fun and creative way to add style and personality to your home.

How to decorate open shelves?

Choose a color scheme: Start by choosing a color scheme that complements the rest of your decor. You can go with a monochromatic scheme or choose complementary colors that work well together.

Use books: Books are a great way to add texture and color to your shelves. Stack them horizontally and vertically for visual interest.

Add greenery: Plants add life and color to your shelves. Choose plants that are easy to care for and fit the amount of light in the room.

Use baskets and boxes: Baskets and boxes are perfect for storing small items and keeping your shelves organized. Choose ones that complement your color scheme and add texture to your shelves.

Mix and match: Don’t be afraid to mix and match different textures and materials on your shelves. Combine wood, metal, glass, and other materials for a visually interesting display.

Use artwork and photographs: Artwork and photographs can add personality and color to your shelves. Choose pieces that are meaningful to you and fit with your overall decor.

Keep it balanced: When decorating your shelves, it’s important to keep things balanced. Arrange items in groups of three or five, and vary the heights and sizes of your objects for a visually appealing display.

Edit and refresh: Finally, don’t be afraid to edit and refresh your shelves regularly. Switch out items, add new pieces, and keep things interesting and fresh.

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Add mirrors

Mirrors can make a small room appear larger by reflecting light and creating the illusion of more space. Consider adding a large mirror or a gallery wall of smaller mirrors.

Use mirrors to create the illusion of more space: Mirrors can help make a room feel larger and more open. Place a large mirror on a wall opposite a window to reflect natural light and make the room feel brighter and more spacious.

Group mirrors together: Hang a cluster of mirrors in different shapes and sizes to create an interesting focal point on a wall. This can be a great way to fill up a blank wall and add some visual interest to a room.

Use mirrors as statement pieces: A large, ornate mirror can make a beautiful statement piece in a room. Hang it on a wall above a fireplace or in an entryway to add some drama and elegance.

Create a gallery wall of mirrors: Hang a collection of mirrors of different shapes, sizes, and styles to create a unique gallery wall. This can be a great way to showcase your personal style and add some visual interest to a room.

Use mirrors in unexpected ways: Mirrors don’t always have to be hung on a wall. You can prop a large floor mirror against a wall or use a small mirror as a tray to display candles or other decorative items.

Consider the frame: The frame of a mirror can be just as important as the mirror itself. Choose a frame that complements your existing decor or adds a pop of color or texture to the room.

Another example is to use a vertical wall design to draw the eye up and make your ceiling look taller.

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Embrace natural light

Maximizing natural light can make a small space feel brighter and more open. Avoid heavy curtains or window treatments that can block out light. Use light-colored or sheer curtains. Heavy or dark-colored curtains can block natural light from entering your living room.

Choose light-colored or sheer curtains that allow light to filter through while still providing privacy.

Position furniture strategically. Arrange your furniture to maximize natural light. Avoid placing bulky furniture in front of windows or blocking light sources. Instead, try to position your furniture to face windows or other sources of natural light.

Keep windows clean. Dirty windows can block natural light from entering your living room. Clean your windows regularly to let as much light in as possible.

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