Don't know how to make your small living room look bigger? Get ready to learn 17 super easy, but mind-blowing living room hacks that'll make even the tiniest spaces seem twice as big!
Is your small living room leaving you feeling cramped and stifled? Don't worry; you're not alone! Many homeowners face the challenge of maximizing space while maintaining style and functionality.
But fear not, as I've got the ultimate guide to rescue you from the constraints of a tiny living area. In this comprehensive post, I'll reveal 17 ingenious strategies to create a spacious oasis even from the tiniest living rooms!
So, let's embark on this journey of design together and unlock the full potential of your small living room.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR SMALL LIVING ROOM LOOK BIGGER
01. First things first: declutter & organize
I know, I know, you've been hearing it all your life & it's evident, but it must be said: you NEED to declutter & organize your living room! It's the KEY to making even the tiniest spaces feel instantly bigger!
Start by assessing your belongings and only keep the essentials! Once that's done, start thinking about how you could effectively store these essentials. Pro tip: use hidden storage solutions (storage ottoman, storage sofa, etc...) to hide the not-so-aesthetic items!
Trust me, a well-organized living room will not only look more spacious but also feel more relaxing! So you definitely don't want to skip this first step!!
02. Opt for a light neutral color palette
Choosing the right color palette is crucial in creating an illusion of space! And when it comes to how to make your small living room look bigger, there's basically only ONE winning choice: a color palette of light neutrals!
Paint your walls a soft white, beige, or a light grey and also use these colors for your furniture. See, lighter shades reflect more light, making the room feel open and bright, so you can achieve AMAZING results just by incorporating these colors into your design!
Don't worry, you don't have to go monochrome: you can still have some darker accents in your living room, like a black TV stand or coffee table.
The key is to avoid OVERLY using dark colors on large surfaces, as they can make the room appear smaller!
03. Utilize mirrors strategically
Mirrors are a powerful tool when it comes to visually expanding a small living room! Mirrors not only help enlarge your space however, but they also energize & brighten it!
For best results, strategically place large mirrors opposite windows to reflect natural light and create a sense of depth! If you have an awkwardly empty corner, place a tall, but slim full-lenght mirror in it and don't forget to hang a few round ones on the walls or simply prop them against the wall on a floating shelf / fireplace!
This simple trick will instantly open up the space and add a touch of elegance to your decor SO affordably!
04. Use multi-functional furniture
This idea ties in to the first one on this list: by investing in multi-functional furniture, you can avoid clutter, making the room feel & seem much more expansive!
For example, a sofa with built-in storage will hold bedding, clothes or smaller appliances well or a lift-top coffee table will double as either a dining room or a home office!
By assigning multiple purposes to each furniture in your living room, you can DRASTICALLY reduce the number of furniture you'll actually need & you'll take up the least amount of space possible!
05. Maximize natural light with window treatments
Natural light can instantly make any room feel more expansive and welcoming, no matter how tiny it is! That is EXACTLY why when it comes to how to make your small living room feel bigger, you can't use any other window treatments than lightweight curtains & blinds!
See, when you opt for sheer, light-colored (possibly white) window treatments, you allow ample light to filter through the windows while still providing privacy!
So make sure you avoid heavy drapes that can block light and make the space feel enclosed AT ALL COSTS!
06. Hang curtains high and wide
But that's not all! When it comes to window treatments, the placement is essential too! Yes, it doesn't have as much importance as the design, color or material, but it'll further enhace that airy, expansive feeling in your home!
So hang curtains as close to the ceiling as possible and let them drape all the way to the floor! This technique draws the eye upward, creating the illusion of higher ceilings and a grander living room!
It's that easy!
07. Opt for furniture with exposed legs
One of the most underrated, but life-changing ideas on how to make your small living room look bigger is to avoid getting furniture that don't have legs! They're overcrowding your space without you realizing it!
Furniture with exposed legs however, such as sofas, coffee tables, TV stands and chairs, give the impression of a more open space!
Unlike furniture that sits directly on the floor, pieces with legs allow light to flow underneath making the room feel less cramped. The fact that the eyes can see right under the furniture tricks the brain into believing that the room is actually bigger than it seems!
08. Use rugs to define the space
Listen closely, because this is a non-negotiable: you HAVE to use rugs in even the tiniest living rooms! BUT you also have to be very mindful of your choice when it comes to size!
You should choose a rug that's not too small for your living room, but not too big either! See, a teeny tiny rug will shrink down your space even more, but a large one will make the room look disproportional.
As a general rule of thumb, top interior designers suggest you opt for area rugs that are no more than 8 inches larger than your sofa on both sides! If you're ready to learn all the best tips & tricks to choose the perfect rug size for your living room, read this extensive guide from Emily Henderson!
As for the design, try to keep it minimal! Opt for light neutral colors, minimal patterns & texture. So moroccan, boho or distressed area rugs are perfect choices!
09. Install shelves & built-ins
Make use of vertical space by installing shelves and built-ins along the walls!
These custom storage solutions will not only free up that very much needed floor space but also provide an opportunity to display decorative items and personal mementos, drawing all the attention on your display, rather than the tightness of the space!
10. Maximize your storage space
Efficient storage is crucial in a small living room! It lets you keep your space looking decluttered & organized at all times, which is a key factor when it comes to how to make your small living room look bigger!
Look for furniture pieces that offer hidden storage compartments, such as ottomans or benches with lift-up tops so that you can hide any unsightly, not so visually pleasing items!
Additionally, use dressers, wall-mounted cabinets, console tables and bookcases to keep the floor area clutter-free. Don't forget to add some decorative accents, such as statement candle holders, tall textured vases, decorative books or figurines to make the shelves look nice!
Use decorative baskets for storing pillows, blankets & even toys! It's probably the most stylish storage solution EVER!
11. Create a focal point
Designing a focal point in your living room draws attention away from its size and directs it toward an eye-catching feature! And it's not hard to do at all!
However, since you have plenty of vertical space, I suggest you prioritize creating a focal point on the walls, rather than somewhere on your coffee table or in a corner. It's just much more space-saving, and more captivating!
So consider creating a focal wall with an interesting wallpaper pattern, a gallery of artwork, some wood paneling or a captivating fireplace design! The choice is yours, really!
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12. Be mindful of furniture arrangement
The way you arrange your furniture can significantly impact the perception of space in your living room. To make the most of a tiny living room both visually AND functionally, you should utilize corners more & avoid blocking pathways!
This means that armchairs, side tables & poufs should be going into corners, while the sofa & the console TV should be placed against longer walls. If you need multiple armchairs, try arranging your furniture in an L-shape, leaving one side completely open!
The key is to maintain an open flow to make the room feel more expansive!
13. Add some greenery into your space
When it comes to have to make your small living room look bigger, plants can REALLY work their magic!
Introducing indoor plants not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your living room but also creates a sense of freshness and airiness, and also energizes the space! And you definitely want all these benefits!
However, when designers advise to incorporate plants into your design, people somehow take it as a sign to overdo it. But just know that you don't need to create a whole jungle! An excessive amount of plants can REALLY narrow down your space & make it look overcrowded.
So choose low-maintenance plants like philodendrons, aloe vera, snake plants & more that thrive indoors and place them strategically to breathe life into the space! Place one potted plant on a side table, 2-3 on your TV stand & one larger indoor tree in an empty nook, and that's all you need!!
14. Accessorize those walls
Embellish your walls with tasteful artwork and decor items!
This is a great idea, because by going vertical with your decor, you'll be able to save your precious floor space! And you'll also draw all the attention on the walls rather than the size of the room, so your space will feel much more expansive!
However, too many accessories can make a small living room feel cluttered, so focus on quality over quantity! Consider using a large statement piece to anchor the room's design and complement it with smaller, well-placed accents.
I'm thinking ONE single piece of oversized painting or textured wall art & a wall sconce to illuminate it! Don't go overboard!
15. Eye-catching lighting is a must!
Well-designed lighting can transform the ambiance of any living room & can instantly make it feel twice as big! So make sure you incorporate this idea into your very own design, because it's such a game-changer!
Install eye-catching light fixtures that suit your style and provide adequate illumination: get a contemporary globe chandelier or a caged farmhouse chandelier. These will draw the eyes in right away!
Complement the look with stunning vintage gold or brushed nickel wall sconces, as well as large ceramic table lamps to provide adequate task lighting! Further enhance the warm, inviting atmosphere with a nice floor lamp of your choice, be it a staggered glass globe or an arched one.
Oh, and don't forget to add some candles as well!
16. Keep your furniture proportional: not too big, not too small!
One of the most important but still underrated ideas on how to make your small living room look bigger is to keep your furniture proportional to your space!
You probably know that you won't be able to fit regular sized furniture, like a large L-shaped sectional couch or a bigger rectangular coffee table into your room. That's right! Oversized furniture can easily overpower a tiny living room, so ditch them!
However, when you're short on space, you might think the best solution for you is to scale down ALL your furniture & choose the tiniest options possible. But that's not true! This is only going to make your space seem even smaller!
You need to strike the right balance to ensure your furniture complements the room's dimensions seamlessly! You can have a larger sectional sofa or a statement coffee table, but definitely not together! If you want to go big on the former, you gotta go small on the latter!!
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17. Think in natural materials
When choosing furniture and decor, consider natural materials like wood, rattan, and jute.
These materials bring a sense of nature indoors and add warmth to your living room. Natural textures and elements contribute to a cozy and spacious feel!
So get a jute rug, some rattan or wicker armchairs & wooden side tables, as well as a nice linen pendant light! Accessorize the walls with boho macrame decor & place some woven wicker candle holders on your coffee / side tables for a stunning outcome!
This post was all about how to make your small living room look bigger.
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