Here are four ideas for furniture layouts for small living rooms that may inspire you and show you that less can be more. This furniture arrangement is ideal for a single adult or a couple. With the exchange of the bar for a slightly larger table, this arrangement could also work for a small family. During entertaining, the stools or chairs could be moved somewhere else in the room for temporary, additional seating, and the bar can be used as a serving area.
Choice of a sofa: Armless sofas look sleek in small spaces, but they are not especially comfortable for lounging about. Another thing to think about is that you may not have a tiny living room forever, and a sofa may last 10 years or more, so choose a sofa that is comfortable. Think of your sofa as an investment and then purchase less expensive accent furnishings. Accent chairs: When purchasing accent chairs, think “light.” Anything with a heavy look or dark colors will feel huge in the room. Armless chairs, like slipper chairs, can be a good choice. Avoid anything with a tall backrest. Transparent chairs such as “ghost” chairs look great in small spaces. Simplify: In a small space, choose furniture with clean lines so the eye will not get stuck in one place. This is designer-speak for “keep it simple.” Overstuffed chairs and shabby chic slipcovers may overpower a small living room.
An ottoman that doubles as a coffee table can provide extra seating. The dining table behind the sofa could seat two or four, making this an ideal layout for a small family.
Neutrals and light colors: Choose your larger pieces, like your sofa, first. Stick to neutrals with your larger furnishings. Then add interest and texture by mixing in smaller pieces in different styles and colors. This will keep your space interesting, and it will not have a generic, catalog-like feel. In small spaces, it is very important that you choose furnishings with a lighter feel and keep colors and patterns simple. In smaller spaces, color usually looks better in smaller amounts, like in throw pillows or accessories, such as vases or lamps.Coffee table: If you go with a center coffee table instead of an ottoman for this arrangement, look for something transparent in acrylic or glass. And steer clear of ornate furnishings. Look for a table with simple or delicate lines. The table should seem to “disappear,” so it gives your room the illusion of more space.
Unique Storage Solutions
Home Depot, Target, Lowes, IKEA, and other big box stores often offer good, inexpensive storage solutions. But, think outside of the box. To save money, look for stock kitchen cabinetry at building supply companies. Bedroom wardrobe or closet storage systems can also be modified for a living space. Set stand-alone pantries side-by-side on a longer wall to create a one-unit look. Wall-mounted clementine crates or old filing cabinets can create a fabulous look (and lots of storage) and give your room tons of visual interest. Modify storage bins, boxes, baskets, or other accent furnishings to make it more appealing. You can even attach a wardrobe to a wall and surrounded it with molding for a built-in look at a fraction of the price.
Color palette: In small spaces, use three colors maximum, but a two-color palette works best. An all-white color palette can be beautiful in small spaces. Wall color: Purchase your furnishings before choosing your wall color. Most people work backward and choose their wall color first, and later find they need to repaint or get frustrated because they cannot find furnishings to match. Minimal design: Keep furnishings to a minimum. One sofa, one chair, and one table is a great rule of thumb. After adding these elements, if you have room for more, great. If not, then let it go.
