37 Small Living Room Ideas for a Cozy Common Area

While it has its drawbacks, a small footprint can make a home cozy. A shortage of square footage lends itself to a plethora of intimate small living room design ideas. Because you have less real estate to work with, you’ve got to make the most of every vignette, so items from floor lamps to coffee tables should be selected with intention; all the pieces will need to work together to tie the space cohesively. Think of this sitting area as something that incorporates all your needs—from a chic TV stand to a comfy lounge space to built-in bookshelves that double as a library and a display area for home decor.

“The most important thing to keep in mind when designing a smaller living room is the scale and layout of your furniture,” says Anne McDonald, principal of the ​​Minneapolis-based firm Anne McDonald Design. “Invest in comfort and style without the bulk. You can add more depth and interest to the room with paint, art, and rugs. I love to layer rugs in a smaller space.”

Read on for a roundup of small living room decorating ideas that are as eye-catching as they are comforting, according to interior designers across the nation.

What’s the best furniture layout for a small living room?

In small living room design, the goal is to create a central gathering area as well as at least one intimate area, says Frank Ponterio of Frank Ponterio Interiors in Chicago. Borrow armchairs from the smaller setup for additional seating as needed.

Suzanne Dawson of Suzanne Dawson Interiors in New York City recommends arranging two similarly size sofas to face off in your small living room. She also suggests opting for an L- or U-shaped sectional with a coffee table in the middle and club chairs right across to create a conversation zone. The table offers a space for snacks, games, puzzles, and cocktails.

While it might be tempting to put smaller furniture in a smaller room, Amanda Khouri, founder and principal designer of Amanda Khouri Interiors in Nashville, encourages clients to think bigger. “It’s counterintuitive, but filling a small room with small furniture can make it feel…well, smaller,” she says. Instead, come up with a layout that can accommodate at least one standard-size sofa or love seat with a coffee table, and ideally two comfortable chairs.

The trick to styling a small living room that’s filled with furniture mostly comes down to breaking the space up into clear chunks. We use our living spaces for all types of activities—hosting a group, relaxing with a book, crafting, gaming, and, let’s be honest, dining—and defining these areas, even if subtly, can help create a sense of overall cohesion and comfort in the space. Also, it helps to know which furniture pieces you can manage to take up extra square footage for and which you’d be better off replacing with something smaller.

What are some design tricks to make the most out of a small living room?

When you don’t have too much floor space, custom built-ins offer a storage solution designed for your specific area. Plus hiding not-so-pretty items is always a bonus.

To create ambiance, designer and Ash creative director Xavier Donnelly, who just launched a lighting collection with Tulip, emphasizes diffusing light and opting for light bulbs with a warm color temperature. (Harsh, direct light coming from an overhead fixture is the antithesis of cozy.) Add a few eye-level lights with vintage table lamps to give the space interest and a sense that guests should feel enveloped, not interrogated, in the space.

What paint colors work for small living rooms?

When it comes to selecting paint colors for a small living room, consider your needs; choosing a warm and buttery hue—like Little Greene Paint Company’s Light Peachblossom, a dusty pink, or a creamy shade like Benjamin Moore’s Cake Batter—can make the space feel more expansive and airy.

On the other hand, dark and moody colors can make you feel as if you’re hugged by the space. Brooke Mennen-Talsma, principal interior designer of Brooke MT Interiors in Iowa City, recommends color-drenching your small living room—meaning, cover “the walls, ceiling, trim, and doors in one color” for an immersive atmosphere.

How can you create a focal point in a small living room?

Consider where the eye will go as you enter the room. Perhaps you have a fireplace that you can highlight by painting the surround in a bold hue. If DIY projects are not in your wheelhouse, pick up a decorative mirror or a striking piece of art.

Patterns on furniture upholstery can do a good job of adding visual interest too. “I love a sofa or lounge chair in an unexpected print that plays off the overall color scheme and provides some contrast,” McDonald says. “It creates conversation and invites your guests in to get comfy.”

1. Color-drench

When the square footage situation is petite, color-drenching is the way to go. McDonald tapped Benjamin Moore’s Pristine for the walls, trim, and ceiling of this small living room, adding coordinated Roman shades—all of which help to draw the eye up and make the space feel airier. “We installed the shades just under the trim, creating a lengthening effect,” she says.

2. Add reflective elements

To make a small space feel larger, New York–based designer Amy Kalikow brings in reflective elements to amp up the light—which makes the room feel larger. “Reflective furniture, while it does not always give a mirror reflection of a space, adds a brightness,” Kalikow says. “It also feels lighter and not so clunky.” The mirrored coffee table balances elegance with edginess in this sitting area.

3. Hidden storage and built-ins

A clutter-filled tiny living room can get out of control—and fast, especially if you have little kids. Added storage and built-ins can provide an organizational solution that is also design forward. They also add a “finished” component to any room, per Mennen-Talsma.

4. Employ a warm light

The opposite of a welcoming living space is antiseptic lighting—a cool blue light does not beckon relaxation. “Good, intentionally designed lighting schemes can make a small space feel cozy and inviting rather than cramped,” Donnelly says. “To achieve this, make sure that your overhead lighting is soft and warm.”

5. Add invisible decor

To avoid crowding a small living room, experiment with acrylic and lucite furnishings to balance a heavier sectional or armchair. “Trick the eye by using a lucite side or coffee table, which removes the visual weight from some of the furniture in the room,” Khouri advises. “Curtain panels hung near the ceiling and strategically placed tall plants also help add height and dimension to a smaller living room.”

6. Paint a mural

Murals are an easy way to create an impactful living room wall. Whether you find peel-and-stick murals, hire an artist, or test your own creative abilities, bold design is going to open up a small space. Murals that extend from wall to wall and have depth can make the room feel really spacious, Kalikow says.

7. Indulge in layers and texture

Mix patterns and materials to keep your small living room from flatlining. “Small spaces always need different layers of textures, preferably coming from both furnishings and hard surfaces, such as stone and cabinetry,” says Mennen-Talsma, who opted for a grid-patterned ottoman with hidden storage on a sumptuous rug. In a pinch to add some dimension to your space? Bring in greenery.

8. Soften the fireplace surround

It’s common knowledge that a fireplace functions as a focal point of a space. You can easily transform a fireplace’s surround to provide softness to a modern living room. Melbourne, Australia–based Georgia Ezra and Richie Morris, a husband and wife team behind Magnolia Network’s new show Design Down Under, created a bespoke design using eight-by-eight unglazed zellige tiles from Tilesofezra with a soft peachy color palette. The overall effect is almost that of a subtle accent wall. “Creating a more organic and down-to-earth ambiance can help [a small living room] feel cozier and more connected to nature,” Ezra says.

9. Swap armchairs for a chaise

Consider a chaise in lieu of more armchairs for a small space, or if you need the extra seating. “They can help break up the monotony of sofas and chairs and are a little unexpected, says Megan Evans of Megan Evans Interiors in Covington, Louisiana. “Layer them up with pillows or a throw for the perfect napping or reading spot."

10. Invest in two of a kind

When it comes to choosing room furniture, consider doubles. “Think in pairs,” says Peter Dunham, the Los Angeles–based interior designer. “Pairs of chairs and poufs give a sense of symmetry and completeness. Pairs make the singular items, like this curvy sofa, stand out.” It makes the room look twice as nice.

11. Bring in bold color

White walls may seem like an answer to a minimalist approach to home design, but when it comes to selecting a color scheme for a cozy living room, give it a pop of color—especially if it is a family room that could do with a bit of character. Bold color doesn’t have to be brash. AD PRO Directory member Devon Wegman, founder and design director of Devon Grace Interiors in Chicago, notes that paint color that focuses on deep blues, dark olive greens, or rusty reds are actually earthy colors that won’t disrupt the calm mood. For more drama, use it on bookcases (think of it as an accent wall). Moldings, trim, doors, and the ceiling are other good options. Wegman recommends selecting a satin finish to keep the paint color from feeling too heavy and help distribute the natural light.

Kalikow likes walls in a solid jewel tone, like a deep forest hue. “You feel enveloped in the room and the dark green color amplifies the moody vibe of the space,” she says.

12. Embrace white walls

Sure bold colors can awaken an otherwise sleepy living room design, but don’t dismiss crisp white walls just yet. “Cozy doesn’t have to equal dark or plain,” says Houston–based Courtnay Tartt Elias, principal and creative director of Creative Tonic Design and AD PRO Directory member. “White walls can sometimes read stark or sterile, but introducing a textural element like shiplap amps up the comfort of the space without sacrificing casual elegance.” Bonus: white shiplap walls provide a stunning canvas that allows the layers of the room’s furniture and home decor to really shine.

13. Pay attention to the finishes

Ponterio says creating a cozy living room means making sure there are layers visually and physically. For example, add a beautiful wood cocktail table that is wire-brushed or hand-scraped with an interesting stain or patina that reveals a deep grain rather than a stark and contemporary lacquer. Another way to layer is with snuggle-encouraging throw blankets, like the ultra-luxe alpaca covers from Alicia Adams and Italian-made cashmere from Loro Piana, some favorites of Ponterio. A microfiber throw from Sunday Citizen is another more budget-friendly option. For extra blankets, bring in rattan baskets to keep it all in order.

14. Dress up the coffee table with greenery

Don’t just leave coffee tables and side tables bare, even if you’re going for a minimalist or a midcentury modern aesthetic. Add a ceramic vase with flowers or greenery to soften the angular shapes of books. “Creating a natural and organic feel in a space involves incorporating elements that evoke a sense of nature, tranquility, and comfort,” says Kristina Phillips, principal of Kristina Phillips Interior Design in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

15. Plush upholstery for the win

Smart fabrics—especially velvets, like the offerings from Kravet—have the power to elevate your small space. “You can’t tell the difference between velvet that is washable and stain-resistant and a traditional velvet,” Dawson says. Design-forward brands like Rove Concepts also stock durable velvets for sofas and sections, like the marshmallow-like Belia sectional that feels, and looks like a cloud. Dawson also recommends playing with bouclé as a durable and textured fabric to make your living room cozier. “Places like West Elm offer a variety of furniture pieces upholstered in this soft and loopy fabric,” she says.

16. Add depth with built-ins

You already know that built-ins can work as hidden storage, but carving out space in a wall creates depth in the existing living room layout. AD PRO Directory member and San Francisco–based interior designer Noz Nozawa gives a room dimension by adding bookcases and shelves. “Layering is one of my favorite ways to warm up a room; especially in a multifunctional living room, built-ins around a fireplace can add warmth; around a TV they add more dimension and add an analog contrast to the screen, and the objects or picture frames fill the room with memories.”

17. Bring in floor lamps, sconces, and chandeliers

“Lighting plays a huge part in creating a cozy atmosphere,” says Ami McKay, founder and principal of Pure Design in North Vancouver, Canada. “Pendants, lamps, and sconces allow for ambient lighting at night.” Uplights behind plants, candles on the mantel, and floor lamps that light up the ceiling will create a beautiful glow.

Ponterio is also over recessed downlighting and canned lights, which he says are not great for conversation or watching a show. “You want to see the effect of the lighting and not see the source, that’s the trick,” he notes. One solution is to put those bright lights on a dimmer switch. Another thing you can do to achieve a soft and warm glow is to add table lamps or decorative light fixtures and chandeliers.

Nozawa’s alternative to overhead can lights is not only table or floor lamps but sconces too. “Don’t sleep on the walls,” she says. Sconces, whether you install them hardwired with an electrician or use a plug-in sconce, bring a warm glow at face-level and free up floor and tabletop space for other room furniture, home decor, coffee table books, and drinking glasses!

18. Curate family photos

Yes, you love your kids and all the other family members, but scattering a dozen framed photos throughout the living room can be a bit much, not to mention messy. Dawson recommends curating them into a cool photo gallery wall with a smattering of current and back-in-the-day pictures that reflect your family’s personal story. To make a real statement consider painting an accent wall with teal or another bold color such as Benjamin Moore Tarrytown Green. You can opt for slim black frames for a room look that isn’t overpowering.

19. Adorn the floor with an area rug

For a welcoming small living room, Dawson is in favor of a foot-pleasing sisal area rug, like this one from Stark Carpet. Ponterio also loves a dark sisal, especially during the winter months when winter boots and mulled wine make an appearance. Porterio also installs a lot of indoor-outdoor rugs from Perennials Fabrics for his clients who crave coziness.

McKay is all about playing up the mood with warm colors. “An area rug with red tones will quickly add warmth and beauty to your living room,” she says. “A vintage Moroccan rug is a good choice. I would pair it with blues and neutrals, add layers and texture, and woven pendant lights, plants, and wooden pieces.

20. Introduce window treatments

Dawson likes curtains and hardware to feel detailed but not fussy. She recommends hardware that is shaped like an elbow and mounts directly to the wall without a finial. She also likes solid linens from Holland & Sherry and a simple trim from Samuel & Sons for polish. Ponterio’s style includes a woven shade from Conrad for an additional layer, complemented by a flat tape finish. The key is to make sure your window treatments still let in enough natural light.

21. Roll in with a bar cart

A bar cart is a space-saving solution for a small area that can’t handle a large sideboard. “It’s a real nice sign of hospitality when you have guests over to have a tray with a couple of spirits in your living room,” says Ponterio. “This allows guests to feel comfortable and make themselves a drink.” Place a beautiful art print above it for wall decor that matches the style of the bar cart.

22. Throw in some throw pillows

Customizing throw pillows can turn even a small sofa into an irresistible crash pad. Dawson completed a living room makeover by mixing the throw pillows’ fabric patterns and sticking to a theme of blue and white. She played with dainty florals, mixed shades of blue, and used simple finishing details to create a polished yet inviting look.

23. Relocate tchotchkes

It is hard to edit sentimental items, Dawson acknowledges, but precious tiny Limoges boxes or Herend figurines don’t make a living room feel inviting, even if you have extra seating. Find a place for them in your main bedroom or bathroom. Group them together on a floating shelf or a cool tray to give them a fresh twist. Ponterio isn’t a stickler when it comes to kids’ toys in the living room. He notes that a large storage ottoman can hide a lot of Legos.

24. Scent the space

Not all living room decor has to be visible to make an impact and turn the space into a cozy enclave. Just like an accent wall, an accent scent can completely transform a small space. While candles are always a nice decor touch, a diffuser is the way to go for someone who doesn’t want to worry about blowing out the flame. Look for a cold-air diffusion, like AromaTech AroMini BT, which breaks down the fragrance mist into nanoparticles that linger. We love the Fig & Orange Blossom scent that evokes a luxurious resort setting right at home. It also uses Bluetooth technology so you can control it with an app.

25. Try café-style seating

Eating dinner at a coffee table can be a hassle—unless, of course, you don’t mind being hunched over so far your nose touches your knees. But a single person (or even a pair of people) doesn’t need a massive dining room table to suit their needs on a daily basis. If your living room needs to also serve as the dining room, consider a café table with two chairs. It can easily be pulled out from the wall to fit four in the event of a dinner party just by adding two folding chairs for extra seating.

26. Mount sconces

When you don’t have room for floor lamps or a proper surface for table lamps, sconces can be a lifesaver. Plus, they can help your living room feel oh-so-sophisticated—is it just us or does flicking on a sconce always make you feel like you’re in a chic hotel? And don’t worry if you’re a renter, or just don’t feel like dealing with hardwiring a light fixture; there are plenty of chic plug-in sconces available on the market.

27. Float a selection of furniture

In any room that’s tight on space, it’s tempting to push all big furniture up against the walls to create a kind of pool of open flooring in the middle. But, though useful for doing cartwheels—and there is some real liberation in being able to do just that—the space would be put to better use serving a function. In the living room of social media savant Amy Stone, the design team at One Kings Lane opted to float the couch across from two wicker-and-chrome chairs in the middle of the room, transforming the heart of it into a space for conversation.

28. Section with rugs

To visually set apart that floated sitting area in the middle of the room from the room’s other functions, Stone’s design team chose an area rug just larger than the couch and matching chairs. The edge of that rug doesn’t extend all the way to the walls as you’d expect; instead, the café-table dining area and console-desk sit outside of its edges. The line visually cues that you’re moving from one “zone” into another, which keeps the furniture from feeling like a jumble.

29. Scale down furniture

In a narrow living room, every piece of furniture matters. Choose leaner tables and wall sconces to save much-needed floor space. For seating, tight-back sofas and club chairs are your friends, per New York interior designer Christina Murphy. “They can be a lot less deep than loose-back options while still being just as comfortable,” she says. Consider wall-mounted shelves and a floating desk over bulky bookcases and workstations.

30. Go over-the-top with decor

“Having several different lighting sources at different heights will draw your eye to different areas of the room, making it feel bigger and more interesting,” Murphy says. She also recommends adding a larger attention-getter to balance scale, such as a piece of art or built-in bookshelves. Try an eye-catching gallery wall, a chandelier, artwork, or mirrors. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, add a bold accent wall with wallpaper or a dramatic paint color.

31. Fashion a desk from a console

Besides being the picture-perfect place to stash another bit of seating, a console that’s wide enough can also serve as a desk without looking like one. By day, stack it with books and a lamp, and maybe even your keys when you arrive home; by night, settle down at that ottoman you snuck beneath it for a bit of highly glamorous bill-paying.

32. Add a sectional

Just because your living room is small doesn’t mean you can’t fit a sectional! They make sectionals in plenty of different sizes, and, in a small space, you may be able to find something that perfectly fits and can practically pass as a built-in. If your goal is to have a seat for as many people as possible, a sectional is usually the easiest way to do just that. Bonus points if you pick a sectional with hidden storage space beneath the cushions.

33. Stick to a defined color palette

Whether you’re a minimalist who’d prefer light colors or an all-out maximalist who’d rather have every color in the rainbow visible at any given time, a defined color palette can be a blessing. If you’re in the color-obsessed category, try refining down to a handful of tones and see how much more depth the colors hold when they’re not competing with 10 other hues. If you’re in the former, consider a neutral color scheme that you can stick to without setting yourself for disaster anytime something’s spilled.

34. Get creative with the layout

Limited space challenges you to think beyond seating conventions. “I love built-in banquettes since they’re efficient, maximizing space and conversation areas,” Murphy says. If the room is narrow but also long, she recommends placing sofas back-to-back to allow for two seating areas.

35. Accentuate the room’s best features

Murphy approaches a small living room strategically. “Assessing the room’s assets and making those the focal point as much as possible is the best way to make the room appealing,” she says. If it’s got great light, play that up with lighter colors to create a sense of expansiveness; if it has a stunning fireplace, draw attention to it.

36. Use mirrors

Adding a mirror to make a room feel bigger might be one of the oldest tricks in the book, but it’s stuck around for a reason! Not only can mirrors make a small living room feel bigger, but they can bounce natural light around to create a much brighter space too. A mirror can be a simple addition to a gallery wall, or you can choose one with an eye-catching frame that serves as the focal point for the space.

37. Play off of existing elements

One of the most simple living room ideas is to use details that are already present in your space. If your living area has a ledge, a windowsill, or some other existing element that can be used as a surface, put it to work! You can go ahead and skip a side table if you do so—or even a coffee table, depending on how deep your ledge happens to be. Homeowners Coke Bartrina and Nuria Val used the upper ledge in their sitting room as a spot for a projector, allowing them to skip a TV and all of the space it would have taken up.