If you've got a small living room (we've all been there), don't worry! I've got some super easy hacks that will help you make your space feel more open and inviting. You'll be amazed at how much bigger and brighter your living room can look by just making a few simple changes. Even if your living room is TINY, you can make it both functional AND be aesthetically pleasing. Read to learn how! These decorating tips are exactly what you need. And I know you will love the end result!
1. Small Living Room: How to Optimize Your Space to Appear Larger-Color
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Using color to your advantage is the simplest(and best) interior design hack to enlarge a tiny living room. By using a monochromatic color palette on the entire room, it will make a small room appear so much more open and spacious. You'll want to use this hack on everything! Floors, wall, and ceilings! I like using cooler shades of white for extra brightness. If you choose a warmer, yellowish color it may not have quite the effect as a cooler tone. This hack is so simple and you will love the change it will make.
2. Small Living Room: How to Optimize Your Space to Appear Larger-Floors
Opting for lighter floors make your small living room appear larger than it is. This look will work well with or without a rug. If you have light finished floors they are perfect as they are, or if you have dark floors, add a light colored rug. I suggest a room sized rug as this will give the appearance of the entire room being larger. The lightness of the floor will work together with light walls and ceiling to make the whole room appear brighter, and more open.
Shop our picks of neutral rugs to brighten your space!
3. Small Living Room: How to Optimize Your Space to Appear Larger-Walls
The next decorating hack to optimize a small space, is to draw the eye upward with tall bookshelves or adding floating shelves. Also, hanging wall art a little higher than you normally would. This will have the same outcome by creating a lengthening effect for the room.
Also, I like to hang wall mirrors or place a large one over the fireplace. This will make the room seem larger, and reflect natural light. It's like adding another window to the room.
Plus, don't forget the corners of your walls. Often this space is overlooked but the perfect spot for a tall plant. Try to utilize this space by adding focal points to your corners!
Shop our favorite mirrors for a small living room
4. Small Living Room: How to Optimize Your Space to Appear Larger-Furniture
Carry your monochromatic color scheme over to furniture. The same principle applies here as well. While you are looking for furniture to coordinate with the lighter tones, it's important to choose furniture that is proportionate to a small living room. To keep an open feel, you won't want to overstuff the room with furniture. Whether by scale or by quantity. And although it is counter-intuitive, pulling the furniture away from the walls will actually make it appear more spacious. In some instances this isn't possible so only try this if you are able.
Multi-use furniture, such as nesting tables that you can expand when needed or combine when not, or storage coffee table or ottomans, are made for such a time as this. This is their time to shine.
via Victoria Solomon for The Everygirl
Another favorite furniture hack for a small room is to use furniture with thin legs, wicker, or a translucent coffee table. I love this one pictured by The Everygirl. Click here for a similar one. These all lend to an open, airy feel to the room.
5. Small Living Room: How to Optimize Your Space to Appear Larger-Textiles
And now for the finishing touches! Because we are using light, neutral colors on the rest of the room, you'll want to add a variety of textures for visual appeal through the textiles you choose to incorporate, but not too much. You can do this by layering rugs, lamp shades, throw pillows, and blankets. BUT, this look is about balance. If a small room has lots and lots of decorative pillows and trinkets-this can contribute to a claustrophobic feel. Your goal is to add layers, texture, and color but keep it all within balance. I know its hard-I love pillows too so I have to heed my own advice! Another great hack is to use sheer floor-length curtains. Hang them close to the ceiling to add another tall element to your room.
Don't let a cramped space get you down, let's work together to create a living area that is open and inviting-one that you'll love spending time in! Let me know if you love how these small living room decorating hacks turn out! I'd love to hear your hacks! Leave a comment and share with the GWS crowd!
If you love decorating your home, you'll love The Home Decor Wallpaper Trend is Red-Hot: Take Your Home From Drab to Fabulous.
