The Best Furniture For Small Living Rooms

The Best Furniture For Small Living Rooms

Published: 08/30/2024

- Categories: Living Rooms -

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Are you facing the puzzle of furnishing and arranging a small living room? The challenge is real: you want comfort and style without the clutter. But don’t worry, you don’t need Mary Poppins or a magic wand—you just need smart furniture solutions (and maybe a few bonus décor tips and tricks!) 

In this article we’ll explore the best space-saving furniture designs, decor ideas for small spaces to visually open up the room, and tips on arranging pieces to maximize every inch.  

With a bit of creativity and the right compact, multi-purpose furniture, your living room can be big on comfort, style and liveability, no matter the square footage. 

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The hidden perks of small living rooms

Sure, we all dream of palatial style living spaces complete with private bar, fireside chaise lounges and three separate conversation areas. But instead of bemoaning our lack of royal-ready quarters, let’s stop to consider some of the hidden benefits of a more modest living space:  

  • Promotes cosiness: The intimate feel of a small living room will encourage quality time with your loved ones in your shared space (either that, or it’ll keep the kids out of your hair). Plush, compact furniture can really help things feel more cosy, and having a well-designed small space can feel more welcoming and intentionally curated. 
  • Easier to maintain: Smaller living spaces that are contained and well-organized take less time and effort to clean. Including some furniture with storage is especially helpful to keep clutter at bay and minimise the mess. 
  • Energy efficient: Smaller spaces eat up less energy for heating and cooling, saving on utility bills. Compact, multi-purpose furniture also has a smaller carbon footprint. 
  • Encourages mindful minimalism: The need to slim down your furniture and possessions can be very freeing and help you live with more intention. You’ll also have more budget to focus on quality over quantity and needless excess.  

Who’s to say small can’t be beautiful? Embrace the opportunities to get creative, cosy up and invest in great quality living room furniture pieces you’ll truly appreciate and enjoy. 

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How can I maximise space in my small living room? 

To maximise the benefits, you’ll want to use a smart and practical approach to maximising the space you do have in a smaller living room. 

Before we get into specific furniture and décor ideas and examples, here are three key steps to start planning and maximising your space in a small living room:    

  1. Decide on furniture priorities - The first thing is to prioritize needs over wants so you don't end up with clutter. A functional living room only needs a few essentials like seating, storage, and surfaces. For most people, a compact lounge suite or comfy corner sofa, coffee table and TV Unit or storage cabinet are the key ingredients for a functional living space.   
  2. Arrange your furniture for optimal breathing room - The way you arrange your furniture can have a huge impact on the feel and functionality of your space. It's not just about fitting everything in, it's about creating a room that flows well and feels open.
  3. Use décor and lighting to enhance space - The role of décor and lighting in a small living room is often underestimated. Clever use of décor and lighting can open up a room, making it feel brighter and more spacious. From the colours on your walls to the placement of lamps, every choice plays a part in the overall spaciousness of your room. 

Now let’s dive into some practical tips to help you navigate each of these aspects. 

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What should I consider when buying furniture for my small living room? 

Furnishing a smaller living space means taking a highly curated approach—in other words, getting a lot more picky with your furniture choices. The advantage is that you can focus on quality over quantity, and end up with a few select pieces you really love.     

To choose the ideal furniture ensemble that works hard for you and your small living space, you not only need to make the right selection of furniture items, but also consider stylistic elements that work best for a small space.  

Here are a few key ideas to keep in mind:

  • Scale and Proportion: You want to choose furniture that fits the scale of your room. Overly large pieces can overwhelm the space, while furniture that's too small can look out of place.  
  • Multifunctional Pieces: When space is limited, multi-purpose becomes your best friend. Consider furniture that can serve multiple functions, like a daybed, or a storage ottoman that can serve as a coffee table, extra seating, or a footrest.  
  • Leggy and lifted: Bulky floor-hugging furniture not only takes up more room, but poses a greater visual weight. Instead, opt for pieces with exposed legs, which help create a sense of openness and space by allowing light to flow around the room. 
  • Built-In Storage: Any furniture that comes with built-in storage is a win, helping you keep clutter at bay without sacrificing floor space. 
  • Go vertical: When you’re literally up against a wall on floor space, go vertical! Think floating shelves, wall-mounted cabinets and TVs, and sconces instead of floor lamps. 
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Modern furniture designs for small spaces 

What are some modern furniture designs for compact living? Let’s take a look at some space-saving furniture solutions for your essential living room furniture pieces. 

Smart seating solutions for small living rooms 

Seating is a vital element in any living room, but in smaller spaces, it's crucial to balance comfort and style with space efficiency. Here are some smart seating options to consider: 

  • Modular Sofas and Sectionals: Ideal for small spaces, modular sofas and petite sectionals give you ample seating without overpowering the room, and can easily be reconfigured if your seating needs change. Many come with added features like hidden storage compartments or built-in recliners. 
  • Armless Chairs and Sofas: Armless seating cuts with the bulk and creates the illusion of more space, but still gives you plenty of room to rest your rump.    
  • Benches: Versatile and stylish, benches can serve as both seating and décor. They can be placed against walls or under windows when not in use, making them perfect for occasional seating. Consider a cushioned bench that can double as a cosy reading nook or extra seating for guests.  
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Featured Product: Peyton Coffee Table

Space-saving tables and surfaces 

Any living room needs essential surface space for your electronics, coffee mugs, and those inevitable meals in front of the TV. But you want to get the balance right, or you’ll quickly end up with clutter. Here are some space-savvy solutions that offer practicality while keeping things stylish:    

  • Nested tables: Nested coffee tables and side tables are super stylish and incredibly versatile, offering an extra surface area that’s easy to pull out and tuck away neatly when not in use. They're also a perfect solution when you need to entertain guests at a moment’s notice.  
  • Coffee tables with storage: Coffee tables with storage are the perfect alternative to bulky TV cabinets. They let you keep all your convenience items in arm’s reach and keep the room clutter-free.     
  • Floating desks: Floating desks are visually less intrusive than traditional desks. They can be mounted to save floor space and folded away when your work is done, making them a smart addition to multi-purpose living areas.   
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Featured Product: Clayden TV Unit

Smart Storage 

Lack of storage space is one of the biggest small living room headaches. That’s why furniture that doubles as storage is your best friend in a small room. Stash items out of sight with these smart storage furniture pieces:   

  • Storage ottomans and benches: ottomans are one of our favourite multifunction furniture items. Use a larger storage ottoman as a coffee table that can double as seating and storage for blankets, toys or other living room paraphernalia. Or use a smaller one for a footrest that can also be used as an extra seat or a side table (just add a tray!).  
  • TV units with storage: TV cabinets don’t have to be monstrous to provide ample storage space. Look for a TV unit with lower storage compartments and convenient inlets for electric cables so they’ll be neatly out of sight. You can also use the top of the stand for extra surface space by opting to wall-mount your flatscreen.      
  • Bookcases & standing storage: A slim bookcase or vertical display unit can do double duty to display books, plants and decor while acting as a room divider in an open-plan living space.  
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How do you arrange things in a small living room?  

How you arrange your furniture has a big impact not just on the liveability of your living room, but also the visual impression of space.  

Here are some tips for arranging furniture in a small living room to create a greater sense of space:    

  • Establish a focal point in your room, such as a fireplace, window, or your TV stand, and arrange furniture around it to create a sense of order and open up the space. 
  • Float furniture away from walls to help open up the space, rather than pushing it flush against them.  
  • Angle furniture arrangements for a more dynamic layout. 
  • Use area rugs to define different spaces within the room, like a seating area or a reading nook. This helps to break up the space and add a cosy touch without overcrowding. 
  • Use tall, slender furniture pieces like bookshelves or floor lamps to draw the eye upwards, making the room feel taller and more spacious. 
  • Use a console or bookcase as a room divider in open plan spaces. 
  • Make sure there’s enough space to comfortably navigate around furniture and open doors.  
  • Pay attention to traffic flow and sightlines as you experiment with arrangements. There should always be a clear flow of movement to enter and exit the room.   

Featured Product: Helena Daybed

How to decorate a small living room?   

When decorating a small space, aim to edit out anything unnecessary and carefully curate each item for maximum visual impact.  

Picking a décor theme can help you keep your décor focused while packing a visual punch.   

You can also plan both your décor and lighting strategically to help amplify a sense of space. Follow these tips:   

  • Maximize natural light: Ensure your window treatments allow as much natural light as possible. Consider sheer curtains or blinds that can be easily adjusted to let light in while maintaining privacy. 
  • Keep colours on the light side: stick to light, airy colours on walls and furnishings to help the room feel bright and open. Consider a monochrome colour scheme to create a seamless look that will make the room seem larger and more unified. 
  • Light in layers: use different layers of lighting, like ceiling fixtures, floor lamps, and table lamps, to create a well-lit and inviting space. This not only brightens the room but adds extra depth and dimension. 
  • Mirror magic: Hang mirrors across from windows to reflect light and create the illusion of more space. You can also incorporate furniture or décor with reflective surfaces, such as a glass coffee table or metallic accents, to bounce light around the room. 
  • Vertical Lines and Patterns: use wallpapers or décor with vertical lines to draw the eye upward and create the illusion of height. 
  • Declutter Regularly: a clutter-free space feels more open and serene. Regular decluttering helps maintain a sense of spaciousness and order. 
  • Use art strategically: hang art at eye level and choose pieces that evoke openness, like landscapes or abstract art with depth, to create a sense of expansiveness in the room. 
  • Bring in some green - lush potted plants add life and help create a connection with the outdoors, which will make the space seem less boxed in.     

Ready to start styling your compact living room with the best space-saving furniture solutions?   

So there you have it – your complete guide to smart furniture and décor choices to make the most of a small living room. 

Remember, the key is in choosing furniture that's as functional as it is stylish. Whether it's a multi-purpose coffee table or a modular sofa, every piece should add value to your compact space.  

If you're ready to transform your living room into a haven of smart modern design and enviable style, explore Cielo's wide range of quality living room furniture. Visit us online to find the perfect pieces to make the most of your cosy living room.