In the property world, space is a premium commodity. So having a small living room presents a unique challenge.
Whether you’re getting ready to sell, or looking to elevate your living space, we have some clever decorating ideas to make your room feel bigger.
It’s all about strategic design choices and creative decor solutions to create the illusion of space. After all, space is key to adding value to your property.
Decorating ideas that create space & value
Choose multi-functional furniture
When it comes to selecting furniture, prioritise pieces that serve multiple purposes.
This might be a sofa that converts into a pull-out bed with built-in storage. Or a coffee table that doubles up as a storage solution.
Moreover, if you work from home, you could explore a chic floating desk that doubles up as a shelf. This is a stylish and functional way to transform your living room into a home office for the 9-5 only.
The rule of thumb is to keep clutter to a minimum to maximise airy vibes.
Make use of vertical space
Take advantage of vertical space by investing in statement pieces that focus attention on the walls.
This could include wooden rattan floor-to-ceiling bookcases to create a rustic aesthetic. Alternatively, try built-in shelving units painted in the same colour as the walls to create subtle lines that catch the eye.
As well as providing storage, decorating ideas such as these draw the eyes upward. The result is the room appears taller… and more expensive.
Add mirrors to create depth
Place mirrors in strategic places to reflect light and create depth in the room.
A large freestanding mirror placed next to a window will reflect the light to make your living room feel brighter.
Additionally, if placed as a focal point on entry to the room, it’ll create the illusion of depth.
Go for a full-length square to create an impactful industrial aesthetic within the space. Or, if you’re a lover of antiques, try a decorative panelled mirror to add a hint of period charm.
Trick the eye with transparency
Incorporate transparent decor to create a sense of openness and allow light to pass through the room.
A tempered glass coffee table will add a luxury, minimalist feel, as well as ensuring durability. While a transparent dining table will create an illuminating finish around your dining area.
Whatever you go for, glass furniture will complement a range of colour palettes. It also works very well for both a classic and contemporary interior.
Use rugs wisely
Avoid oversized rugs that take up the full floor space, as this can make your living room feel cramped.
Instead, go for smaller sizes that leave the floor space on show, and position strategically to anchor seating and lounging areas.
Moreover, you can easily use contrasting rugs to define separate zones in your living space. Play around with colour, texture & position to break up the space and add character.
Stick to neutral colours
Lighter hues on the walls and floors will create an airy and open feel, and visually expand the space.
Consider soft tones like white, cream, or pastels to reflect natural light and create a sense of spaciousness.
If you’re a fan of colour, focus on accents in your furniture and decor. Sometimes all it takes is a set of bold cushions to brighten up a living room.
But don’t overdo it.. Try and keep to 1 or 2 accent tones to add personality without making the room feel busy.
Mount on the walls
Mounting your TV is a savvy way to open up a small living room.
By eliminating the need for a bulky TV unit, you’ll free up valuable floor space. This not only maximises the square footage, it’ll also create a minimal aesthetic to appeal to potential buyers too.
Ensure you mount the TV at eye level to create a focal point that draws the eye towards the walls. This’ll divert attention away from limited floor space and make the room feel bigger.
Minimise decorative accessories
Less is definitely more in a small living space. So don’t fill the room with too many things.
Instead make tactical decisions around your decor – opting for statement pieces and carefully-curated accents.
Furthermore, avoid overcrowding by keeping surfaces and floor space clear. This means minimising the amount of coffee table books or bookshelf candles.
If you want to incorporate a floor plant, try and go for something that grows vertically, such as a yucca, to keep the vibe clean and simple.
Strategically place lighting
Use lighting to illuminate the living room evenly. Focus on ceiling and wall light fixtures to save on precious space.
Pair brighter overhead lighting with warmer wall sconces to eliminate dark corners. And when it comes to selecting fixtures, opt for sleek and elegant designs.
Bulkier fixtures will easily overwhelm the space and make it feel smaller.
Opt for elegant furniture
Go for compact, streamlined furniture that fits the scale of the room to maintain proportion.
Further to this, prioritise furniture with raised legs to make the room feel less crowded. Its best to avoid heavy, solid pieces that sit directly on the floor and steal space.
As well as creating space, this design choice will allow for more visual flow. This is because light can pass underneath furniture more easily, creating an airier vibe.
It’s incredibly easy to transform a small living room into an open and airy space.
Whether that’s through installing multipurpose furniture, playing around with rugs, or creating illusions with glass decor.
These decorating ideas will allow you to optimise every inch of your living area and create valuable space.
With a bit of creativity, you’ll be able to turn your small living room into a valuable asset that attracts potential buyers.
