How Do I Choose Furniture For A Small Living Room?
It can be difficult to design and decorate a small living room as there is limited space to play with.
Being able to utilize every inch of your space is a challenge as everything needs to be placed with purpose.
So where do you start? How do you stop your small living room from feeling cluttered and claustrophobic? Well, we’ll tell you!
This guide will help you choose the best furniture for your small living room, and help you understand the space you are designing.
Read on to find out how you can make your space look exactly how you want regardless of size restrictions.
Think About Layout
First, consider the layout of your living room. Picture where you want your furniture to be and how you want it to look.
Getting the layout of your small living room right is just as important for expanding your space as your furniture is.
When designing a smaller room, we have a tendency to keep all the furniture up against the walls to leave plenty of visible floor space.
While this is recommended for particular tiny living rooms, you should allow your furniture to breathe.
Pulling furniture away from the wall and spacing it well creates the illusion of a bigger space, even if less of your floor can be seen.
Think About Furniture Shape
The pieces of furniture you choose aren’t the only things that matter when it comes to utilizing the space in your small living room.
The shape of the furniture is also important as it can make you feel larger.
You should look for furniture that has a significant gap between it and the floor.
Be it a sofa, armchair, bookcase, or coffee table, if you can underneath it then it gives the impression of a more spacious living room.
You should also consider furniture with slim legs to enhance this effect even more.
Finally, pay attention to the overall shape of the furniture.
When there’s not much space to spare, consider furniture with slim, squared-off arms, rather than a chair with scrolled arms, as statements like this intrude the space and make it seem more cramped.
Consider Multitasking Furniture
There are many multifunctional furniture options out there that can maximize the physical space of your small living room.
Furniture with more than one function is key to creating a practical living space, regardless of its size.
This will leave more room for other pieces and decoration, as well as more visible floor space, while still giving you the functionality you need.
One example of multitasking furniture is an ottoman.
This piece of furniture is great for small spaces as it works as an extra seat, storage, and footstool.
Consider all the ways a piece of furniture can be used when choosing what’s best for your small living room.
Incorporate Built-In Storage
Picking out individual storage units can quickly fill up the space in a small living room.
Having a separate bookcase, TV unit, and cupboard can make the space feel cluttered and even smaller than it already is.
Ditch this idea and opt for an all-in-one storage unit instead.
You can place this type of unit against the wall of your living room, or you can have it fitted to the exact dimensions of your space, giving you a combination of shelving, drawers, and cupboards, with no compromise to your available space.
Having a bespoke storage unit fitted is perfect for keeping space free in your small living room.
Choose The Right Sofa
Contrary to popular belief, having a small living room doesn’t mean you need a small sofa.
A sofa is often the centerpiece of a living room, so you need it to be inviting and comfortable for you and your family. Don’t be afraid to go bigger!
Choosing a sectional sofa for your small living room is definitely a great idea, as it can hug the walls of your room and make it feel cozy.
A light color for your sofa is the best option, as it keeps the space light and open, and doesn’t completely dominate the room.
If a large sectional sofa isn’t an option for you, then you can always opt for a comfy love seat instead.
It won’t take up as much space but will still be a nice, comfortable place for you to relax.
Be sure to consider the depth of the seat cushions and the angle of the back of the sofa.
A more upright sofa with less depth leaves more room for a coffee table and won’t take up too much space.
Consider Furniture Material
If you’re considering wood furniture for your small living room, then be aware that dark woods can look heavy and make your living room feel smaller.
Choose light wood for something that’s more visually appealing and that gives a spacious illusion.
Wood that is painted white, cream, or light gray is also good for making your room seem larger than it is.
Also, painted shelving that is the same shade as the wall it’s mounted to makes the shelves disappear into the background, which is great for making your living room seem bigger.
Using furniture with glass is also a technique that opens up your living space. Try a glass coffee table or a storage unit with glass doors to add to the spacious feel.
In Conclusion
While it can be hard to make the most of the space in your small living room, it is possible with these tips and tricks for picking the right furniture, and utilizing the area you have to open up your living room, no matter how small it is.
You’ll have the living room you desire in no time if you follow this handy space management guide.
