Having a smaller living room shouldn’t limit your freedom to create an attractive space. There are interior design tips and tricks that can make it visually appealing without much effort. Think about assessing your room and identifying what works and what doesn’t. You can start by reevaluating the room, decluttering unnecessary items, choosing lighter wall colors, rearranging furniture, and ensuring a clear walkway to create a brighter and more spacious feel.
Here are some other small ideas that can significantly transform the appearance of your small living room:
Start with a simple color palette
Using a variety of colors and patterns can break up the room and give the impression of it being smaller. Therefore, the crucial aspect of decorating a small living room is to ensure that all the colors used belong to the same color scheme. This creates a sense of continuity in the room. It’s not necessary to completely avoid dark colors, but the key is to not overwhelm the space with too many bold or dark colors. Instead, opt for a single color and incorporate different shades and tones throughout the room. This approach will visually expand the room and make it feel larger and more open.
Choose soft, cooler hues
Soft, light, and cool colors have the ability to create a sense of openness and airiness in a room to make it appear brighter. For achieving this effect, consider using gentle shades of green and blue. On the other hand, darker and warmer colors can impart a cozier and more intimate ambiance to the space. Opting for light and cool colors, however, can instantly uplift the room’s atmosphere.
Create a clutter-free, organized and free space
One of the key steps is to remove unnecessary items that have been taking up space in your living area. Organize your belongings neatly in drawers, on shelves, or behind closed doors to keep them out of sight. Declutter your media cabinet and shelves by getting rid of any excess cords or cables. It’s important to regularly clean up your living space because it often becomes a convenient spot for everyone to casually leave their clothes, belongings, dishes, and more.
Wonder with mirrors
Mirrors work wonders when it comes to creating a sense of spaciousness in a room. They create the illusion of a larger area by doubling the interior space and reflecting light. Besides, mirrors can make the room feel more open because they reflect both the room itself and the incoming light.
However, it’s important to position the mirror correctly to achieve this effect. According to Vastu principles, mirrors in a living room should be placed opposite to a pleasant view so that they capture the tranquility and natural light of the view, spreading a similar sense of calm throughout the room. It’s advisable to place your mirror on northern or eastern walls, avoiding the southern or western walls based on this philosophy.
Pay attention to the fifth wall
According to interior experts, painting the ceiling (often referred to as the fifth wall) and the walls with the same color can result in a clean, well-lit space that is free from distractions. When all the surfaces – walls, ceiling, and floor – share the same color, it directs people’s focus toward the center of the room instead of the corners, ultimately creating the impression of a larger space.
Enhance your furniture
Take out any bulky furniture from your living room to create a more spacious feel. Clear any large, heavy pieces or items from walkways to ensure better flow. Bulky furniture can block light and take up unnecessary space. When selecting a sofa for a small living room opt for one with a leggy design because it allows you to see the floor underneath, which can make the space seem larger. If you’re in an apartment and want to maximize sleeping space for guests you may consider a multi-purpose couch that can be neatly folded up when not in use as a bed, saving valuable space.
Go for light and breezy window dressings
In small rooms, thick curtains can make the space feel oppressive and overwhelm the windows with fabric. In such a confined area, it’s important to ensure that plenty of light and fresh air can enter the room. Consider trying out lightweight and breezy curtains for your windows to brighten up the overall appearance of your living room.
Optimize space with smart storage
When dealing with limited space in your living room, you can get imaginative with storage by utilizing the unused areas in the room. Consider adding shelves to your walls, which allows you to increase storage without taking up valuable floor space. Placing baskets under tables is an excellent method to store items discreetly while minimizing space usage.
Having shelves, or even a wall of shelves, can be a fantastic way to showcase your favorite items and antiques, adding depth to the living room while preserving a sense of openness and spaciousness.
Go for neutrals
In rooms with limited space and minimal natural light, it’s a good idea to opt for neutral paint colors. Consider shades like creams, soft grays, or soft pastels for your living room. Choosing a neutral-colored sofa, which is typically the largest piece of furniture in the room, can help brighten up the space. To add a touch of contrast and depth, you can introduce some darker cushions or incorporate a side table with a bolder hue.
On the other hand, you can make your living room more vibrant by introducing a statement piece of furniture or a colorful chair. This will prevent the neutral sofa from appearing dull and inject some lively character into the space.
Paint the sixth wall with the same color
Once you’ve painted your walls, ceiling, and skirting board with the same color, you can take an additional step by painting the floor in that same hue. By using a bold or statement color to coat your entire living room, you can create a sense of continuity and spaciousness within the small area.
However, when selecting your color palette, exercise caution. Avoid extremely bright colors and instead opt for subtle undertones to achieve a more uncluttered and visually expansive effect.
Smaller height furniture, neutral colors, abundant lighting, airy curtains in cool hues, and visually lightweight furniture can all contribute to making a small living room feel more open and spacious.
You have various options for improving your space. You can upgrade your furniture, repaint the walls, or introduce statement furniture pieces and decorative items like a chandelier. Alternatively, you can begin with fundamental steps such as decluttering and cleaning to achieve a brighter and enhanced look.
Consider rearranging your furniture or sofa to ensure it doesn’t obstruct the flow of light and air, creating a more spacious appearance in your room. Clear out unnecessary items that are cluttering your space. You might also opt to repaint the walls with light or cool tones like creams and pastels.
You can make your room look brighter by painting the walls in light colors like white, cream, or soft pastels. If you have a sofa, choosing one in a neutral color can also help make the room feel brighter, especially if there’s not much natural light. To add some contrast, you can use dark-colored cushions or include a chair in a darker color alongside your neutral sofa.
Choose darker colors to create a cozy atmosphere in your living room. You can divide the room into different areas for various purposes and enhance them with eye-catching furniture and statement pieces.
