How to Arrange Furniture in a Small Living Room

Co-authored by Kathryn Cherne

Last Updated: March 9, 2021 References

The living room is the heart of many homes. Family and friends sprawl on sofas and chairs to talk, read, watch television, celebrate holidays, and build memories together. You want your living room to look its best, and be inviting and comfortable. Even if your living room room is small, with deliberate arranging of furniture, you can create a cozy, cute, and welcoming space.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing Furniture

1
Opt for slender chairs and sofas rather than large and padded ones. Avoid sofas and armchairs with large, rolled arms. These will take up space you don’t have. Slenderer designs can still be comfy. ^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Instead of bulky armchairs, consider using ottomans as extra seats, or slender, cushioned chairs with upright backs.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
- A couch with tall legs and space underneath can create the impression of more light and space in a room.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Kathryn Cherne
  Interior Designer
  Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.}
2
Choose furniture with storage. In a tight space, having room to store your belongings can be tricky. But there are ways to keep your belongings neatly out of sight, even in a small room. Some sofas come with drawers that can pull out to store belongings. Others may have room to slide bins underneath.
- Storage cubes can make good alternatives to foot rests or coffee tables.
Advertisement
3
Consider alternatives to a coffee table. Another alternative is a small end table on one side of the sofa. Or, use two small coffee tables instead of one big one. Smaller tables will be easier to pick up and move out of the way in case you need more space.^{[4]
X
Research source}An ottoman can work instead of a coffee table.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- You can put a tray on top of the ottoman, to hold drinks, and then remove the tray and use the ottoman for extra seating when necessary.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
4
Play with throw pillows. In a small room, you may not have space for very many items of furniture. Colorful throw pillows on the sofa can add visual interest and pops of color, and contribute to a cozy, comfortable atmosphere. Make sure your throw pillows fit the color scheme of your room.
- Make sure your sofa still has plenty of room for sitting. It’s easy to go overboard when you get excited about all the cute options for throw pillows, but don’t forget to leave room to sit!

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Trying out Seating Arrangements

1
Try positioning your seating around a focal point.^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Kathryn Cherne
Interior Designer
Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.} Pick a point where you would like people to look in your living room. If you have a built-in feature, such as a window or a fireplace, these make great focal points.^{[8]
X
Research source}You can also make your own focal point out of a blank wall by hanging up a mirror, a framed poster, or a gallery wall of many framed pictures. Arrange your seating so that the focal point is within view of each seat. seat.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Play around with your furniture arrangement until you find an arrangement that feels right.
2
Face your seating toward each other. If you don’t have a focal point you want to emphasize, then use your seating arrangement to encourage conversation.^{[10]
X
Expert Source

Kathryn Cherne
Interior Designer
Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.} Place sofa or chairs facing each other. A conversation layout can accentuate the coziness of your small living room.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- The center of your conversation space does not have to be the center of the room, depending on the shape of the room.
- Anchor the center with an ottoman, coffee table, or rug.
3
Leave room for people to move around the furniture. Allow about 30 inches between items of furniture that you need to walk around, and about 14 inches between a coffee table and a sofa. Make sure that people can enter and exit the room easily.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- While it is important that people can move around your room easily, you don’t want it to feel like a hallway. An obstacle of an ottoman or coffee table will make sure that people do not stream through the room only to get to other locations.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making your Room Feel Spacious

1
Add mirrors to create the illusion of space.^{[13]
X
Expert Source

Kathryn Cherne
Interior Designer
Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.} A large mirror on the wall can make the room appear twice as big as it actually is. Or, you can create a gallery of framed mirrors for an interesting focal point. If your living room does not have a window, consider hanging a mirror in a window frame to create the illusion of a window. However you place your mirror, it will make your living room feel more spacious. ^{[14]
X
Research source}
2
Paint the walls pale colors to brighten your room.^{[15]
X
Research source}Simple white paint works very well to brighten walls. Other bright, pale colors will also work well, like pale yellow. Or, try a bright wallpaper, instead. You can wallpaper the whole room, or just one accent wall.
- For easier installation, consider peel-and-stick wallpaper, available at most home decor outlets.^{[16]
  X
  Research source}
3
Consider a large rug. A small rug will visually break up the floor, which could create a cramped feeling. A large rug will make the room feel more harmonious and spacious.^{[17]
X
Research source}
4
Install overhead lighting to free space. Overhead lighting will make your room feel brighter and airier. It will also free the floor from the clutter of floor lamps, saving precious space. Some options could include a flush light, recessed lights, or a hanging pendent light. ^{[18]
X
Research source}
- If you have a tall ceiling, consider a chandelier for a dramatic statement.
5
Accentuate windows with flowing, gauzy curtains. If you have windows in your living room, you can draw attention to them with long curtains. Gauzy curtains will not block out the light, contributing to a spacious, airy look.
- Hang your curtain rod above the top window frame, closer to the ceiling, to create the illusion that your window is taller than it really is.^{[19]
  X
  Research source}

Community Q&A
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

Question

How can I add more natural light to my living room?

Kathryn Cherne
Interior Designer
Kathryn Cherne is an Interior Designer and the Co-Founder of Design Inside, an interior design firm in Chicago, Illinois. With over 15 years of experience, Kathryn specializes in designing, remodeling, and decorating spaces. Kathryn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from the Harrington College of Design. Kathryn uses her background in Psychology and Interior Design to ensure her design spaces are unique, beautiful, and functional.

Kathryn Cherne

Interior Designer

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

I would try putting a mirror perpendicular to one of the windows. This can create the illusion of the room having more windows than it does.