Small Living Room Decorating Ideas

Inject personality into your petite lounge with patterns, whether you opt for a curated gallery wall idea or a larger piece hung above the sofa. However, be sure to select the proportions and scale of your patterns carefully to avoid creating a visually busy space.

Not incorporating enough textural variety is another common small living room decorating mistake. Opt for eye-catching stone shelving to add a visual pop without taking up too much floorspace.

1. Keep it light and bright

Although it’s a classic decorating idea, keeping your living room light and bright is still the best way to visually open up its space. But don’t be afraid to use darker shades too, especially when paired with light-coloured furnishings. 'The key is to mix patterns rather than just sticking with plain colours, as this adds personality and helps the eye see further into the space,' says Cath Beckett, co-founder of London-based interior design studio Yellow London. 'The dark colour on the wall can also make it feel more cosy, which is great for smaller rooms that can be cold.'

A popular choice, a soft grey is the perfect backdrop for any style of furniture, as seen in the stunning home of Ideal Home’s Room Decor Editor Sara Hesikova (@hesikova). A shade that suits a wide range of trends, it allows you to change up your accessories and textiles seasonally.

White is another good option for small rooms, as it bounces light around the room and is a timeless hue that will look beautiful in any room. It’s easy to achieve a crisp white without feeling too clinical by adding warmth through wooden finishes or patterned fabrics like this gorgeous blue-and-white scheme in the home of Lucy and Andrew (@lisaanda).

Painting your ceiling, often known as the fifth wall, a neutral tone can also have a big impact on how large your living room feels. This trick blurs the lines between different elements of the room, making it feel bigger and more open, as seen in this enviable Reading house by design duo Steph and James Wright (@cuttsandsons).

2. Opt for a textured carpet

In some cases, a patterned carpet is the answer for pulling your small living room together. Floral, ornate, and even geometric designs add visual interest while blending with the furniture without overwhelming it.

Woven carpets, in particular, are a great choice for small spaces. They have tightly constructed fibres, which help them resist crushing, staining, and general wear over time, while still looking refined. A textured rug also helps draw your eye away from the walls and floor, which can help make your small space feel more open.

The key is to choose a pattern that fits your style and matches the colour palette of the rest of your decor. You can also opt for a flat-weave style that won’t show dirt or stains as easily. If you’re worried about matching the exact shade, you can always paint your carpet a custom hue instead—especially when you choose a neutral that won’t clash with your existing colours and fabrics.

You can create distinct seating zones with the help of a patterned rug, a statement painting, or other bold accents. But you can also create visual separation by using the surface areas of a room to your advantage, as homeowners Coke Bartrina and Nuria Val did in their petite living room. By adding a slim vintage trunk to a ledge, the couple was able to skip a coffee table and keep the space open.

3. Invest in a mirror

Investing in decorative mirrors is a great way to make your small living room feel larger, as they visually double the space. Plus, if placed strategically across from a window, they can help bounce natural and artificial light around the room all day and night. Unlike wall art, mirrors are also budget-friendly, so you can snag some at thrift stores, dollar stores or even the drugstore for a fraction of the price.

In addition to creating the illusion of more space, mirrors add an unexpected element of interest to a room. They can be used to frame artwork or even stand in for it, especially if they're sizable enough. For example, designer Elaine Griffin suggests reversing the traditional layout of a hallway by placing one mirror opposite of another. This helps combat the tunnel effect and creates a sense of visual balance, says Griffin. She also likes using asymmetrical mirrors or ones in the shape of a sun or star to match a décor theme.

When paired with shelving, framed photos or other decorative items, mirrors can create a layered, gallery-like effect on a wall. This technique works well in small living rooms as it helps keep the overall look from feeling too sterile or flat, says Brooke Mennen-Talsma of Brooke MT Interiors in Iowa City. However, it's important to be mindful of scale and hanging height when combining multiple elements to avoid an overcrowded look. Hanging art and other decor at a common height will also give the wall a sense of continuity, she adds.

4. Add a mixture of accessories

The best small living room ideas are those that let you add personal touches without making the space feel overwhelmed. One way to do this is by mixing up the materials of furniture pieces. This creates a more dynamic design, while also ensuring that your room feels less clinical than an all-white or all-dark palette would.

Mixing materials is also a great way to make your living room feel more welcoming and inviting. While matching upholstery can give a room a sense of order and maturity, mix-and-match upholstered seating can provide a more welcoming look that’s easy to adapt for family life. Just remember to choose fabrics that are durable and stain-resistant, especially if you have children or pets.

Patterned rugs are a smart way to add life and energy to a living room while also minimising the appearance of soil or wear. However, loud patterns can take away from the size of a room, so opt for neutrals or calm designs for your rug to avoid this.

Another great way to bring a warm and welcoming touch to your living room is by introducing some wood. This can be achieved through wall panelling, side tables, movable stools, picture frames and carved pieces of art. You can also incorporate it into your flooring by using beautiful large format porcelain floor tiles in muted tones that will effortlessly create design flow with your other decor items.

5. Keep it clutter-free

When it comes to small living room decorating ideas, the first instinct is often to keep things light, bright and de-cluttered. But that doesn’t mean you can’t go bolder. In fact, choosing a darker shade of paint can create a cosy feel, especially when combined with a warm wood floor like in Kat Collins’ and Toby Sealey’s peach-coloured Scandi-style home.

To keep their space streamlined, the couple added a number of unique storage solutions. For example, they tucked their DVDs and Blu-rays away in attractive baskets on shelving or under a console table, which is also ideal for hiding books and papers.

Another way to create a more cosy feel is by opting for a vintage piece, like the mahogany secretary Kate and Arnold chose for their room. It adds character and warmth, and it’s cheaper than buying a new piece.

The pair also hung their curtains higher than the window frame to avoid that ‘shunted’ look, and they added a textured throw on top of the sofa to add texture and cosiness.

Finally, they opted for a natural wood table and chairs to give the room an earthy appeal. Adding items made from natural materials can instantly make your space feel more homely, and these are easy to find at local thrift stores. Willow baskets are ideal for storing toys, too. They’re durable, they look great, and they come in all shapes and sizes – so you can tailor them to your space.

6. Don’t go for dark wood

Dark wood is a classic choice for a living room but it can feel heavy and overpowering if it’s used in abundance. The secret to making it work is pairing with lighter wall colours and keeping clutter at bay. Pale walls in cream, soft grey or a warm white prevent the space from feeling overly moody and help to showcase the natural character of the wood.

Similarly, opting for a light colour for the flooring and ceilings will also help to maximise the visual appeal of your darker furniture. A floor and ceiling in the same shade will create a sense of space, while also enhancing any natural sunlight that flows into the room.

When it comes to bringing in a pop of colour, velvet cushions in jewel tones (emerald green, sapphire blue or deep burgundy) work well with dark timber. For the rug, natural sisal, jute and wool options all provide texture and warmth against the backdrop of dark wood furnishings.

When it comes to wall decor, opting for a modern porcelain option can be a smart choice, as the clean lines are often more streamlined than traditional styles and help to create design flow in your room. However, if you prefer a bolder look, large wooden wall art pieces are always a stylish way to showcase your personality and complement dark woods in the same room.