How to Decorate a Small Living Room

Make your small living room feel larger and more functional by choosing light colors, using multipurpose furniture, maximizing vertical space, and creating clear pathways throughout the room.

1. Start with Light, Airy Walls. Paint walls in light, neutral colors like soft whites, pale grays, or warm beiges. Light colors reflect more light and make spaces feel larger. Avoid dark colors on large surfaces, but you can add darker accents through pillows, artwork, or a single accent wall to create depth without overwhelming the space.
2. Pick Furniture That Works Twice. Choose furniture that serves multiple purposes and fits the room's scale. Use a coffee table with storage underneath, an ottoman that opens for storage, or a console table that doubles as a desk. Avoid oversized furniture that dominates the room. Opt for pieces with exposed legs to create visual space underneath.
3. Ground Your Seating with Rugs. Define different areas within your living room using appropriately sized area rugs. Place the front legs of your seating on the rug to anchor the conversation area. In a very small room, one large rug that extends under most furniture pieces will make the space feel more cohesive and larger.
4. Go Vertical, Not Horizontal. Install floating shelves or tall, narrow bookcases to draw the eye upward and create storage without eating up floor space. Mount your TV on the wall instead of using a bulky entertainment center. Use the space above doorways and windows for additional shelving or decorative elements.
5. Brighten Every Corner. Layer different types of lighting to eliminate dark corners that make rooms feel cramped. Combine overhead lighting with table lamps, floor lamps, and wall sconces. Place a mirror opposite a window to reflect natural light throughout the room. Use lampshades in light colors to maximize light output.
6. Open Up Traffic Flow. Arrange furniture to create clear walking paths through the room. Leave at least 18 inches between the coffee table and seating, and 30 inches for main walkways. Push furniture against walls when possible, but pull seating pieces slightly away from walls to create a more intimate conversation area.
7. Double Space with Mirrors. Hang a large mirror on the wall opposite or adjacent to a window to reflect natural light and create the illusion of more space. Avoid placing mirrors directly across from each other, which can create a disorienting funhouse effect. Choose mirrors with interesting frames to add personality while serving a functional purpose.
8. Draw Eyes Toward the Sky. Hang curtains close to the ceiling rather than just above the window frame to make windows appear larger and ceilings higher. Use tall plants or floor lamps to draw the eye upward. Choose artwork and decorative elements that emphasize height rather than width.