The most populated space in a house is the living room. At some point, when it is cluttered and congested, it may seem to be the last option where you want to spend time in. What makes it even trickier is the limited space the living room is accustomed to. The best way to maximize the given space is by transforming it into a comfortable and serene space to spend time in. It is about time to tweak a little and bend the traditional way of arranging and designing the living room at home. We have gathered 12 space-saving ideas to try to make the most out of the small living room spaces.
1. Make Room for Storage
As much as possible, we want to terminate the idea that the living room is small. One way of doing so is by making room for all the clutter we usually place on every plain surface we see. This includes tables, dressers, and even side tables. We want to free the room from clutter to create a more vibrant space for what really matters. Storage, where you can keep all the clutter, is a nice way of keeping them out of sight. Utilize shelves, drawers, and dressers where you can store cables, magazines, books, remotes, and even collectibles. When you have a place where you can store everything in the living room, there is a designation of where these items are supposed to be when not in use.
2. Get Creative with Seating Arrangements
Not because it is a living room does not necessarily require you to have a two-seater couch and a pair of armchairs. Sometimes, it would be best to give it a try and work around the different types of layout for the seats and tables. Instead of planning the layout the traditional way, experiment on the other ways you can put together the seating furniture. Instead of dominating the entire space with the couch and armchair, why not design the layout according to the zones of the living room. Maximize the corners of the living room and do not settle for less. Bend the traditional living room layout and plan the small living room your way. Always opt for pieces of furniture that can cater to a larger number of guests.
3. Work with White Canvas Walls
Compared to other bold and dominant colors, what works the most for a small living room space is white. It gives away a bright and light environment inducing a vibrant atmosphere for the entire household to enjoy. White acquires most light that acquires an illusion that allows the living room to look bigger than it is. A white wall can easily be paired with a variety of colors to combine it with. In addition, you would not have a difficult time picking the finishes and materials to use for the pieces of furniture and decorations. With the walls and ceilings finished in white, it spreads natural lighting to the entire space. To accentuate the plain white walls, you better have a focal point. It can either be a large painting, fireplace, or even an accentuating mirror. This way, the viewers know where to look as they enter the living room.
4. Play with the Scale of the Furniture
In small living room spaces, using small furniture is the norm to match the space. That is not always the case. Sometimes, it would be better to play with the scale of everything keeping the living room together. Evaluate the living room space and think of the opportunities it upholds whether it be the wide walls, exposed structural elements, and even high ceilings. This will help you identify the variations of scale to use for the couch, chandelier, table, and chairs. Always remember not to overdo the scale. It would be best to set a sense of balance for the entire space regardless of whether the layout is symmetrical or asymmetrical.
5. Use Multi-Purpose Furniture
Small spaces make you feel like you have limited furniture to put in the entire living room. Make the most out of the living room space by working with multi-purpose furniture. Instead of just using single-purpose furniture, why not work with an ottoman with hidden storage beneath or a coffee table that can also be a working desk. Design is not just all about the aesthetic value but as well its functionality. You have to be smart in choosing the pieces of furniture to design the living room with. In spite of the limited living room space, there are ways on how to get creative with the furniture to dominate it. This would be best, especially if the living room is also the home office, playroom, or even family room.
6. Maximize the Use of Natural Lighting
During the night, it is the best time to use the lights in the living room. But during the day, the sun is your main source of lighting. It frees the space from looking too gloomy or boring. Instead, it helps in making any space look bright and productive. When a living room is poorly lit, it tends to be dull and less cozy. The lighting design of the living room is the basis of how functional the space will be. In addition, lighting helps in setting the mood of any space. Always remember that too much natural light can be visually harmful too. Do not forget to utilize window treatments to control the light passing through the window.
7. Elaborate the Vertical Space
At some point, it can be inevitable to make the living room look clutter-free. Considering that it is the busiest space at home, getting cramped can sometimes be a challenge. Running out of room for all the important items required for the living space. To keep a natural organized look, it is about time to make room for all of your important stuff. Instead of making the room look congested with everything you need, it is about time to elaborate and maximize the vertical space. The vertical space can be highlighted by vertically aligned patterns, chandeliers, wall sconces, and even lengthy artworks. Work on the vertical space rather than dwelling on the horizontal space. Horizontal space will make the room look even smaller.
8. Install Pocket, Sliding, or Barn Door
Instead of working with the typical awning door that takes up space, a pocket, sliding, or barn door will do the trick. They do not take much floor space. In addition, it introduces modernity in design. These types of doors add privacy to the living space, especially if it is treated as a multi-purpose room. It makes the room more dedicated to its purpose. They are common in city apartment dwellings defining “small” to a whole new level. A pocket door is designed to be inserted into a hollow wall. Whenever it is opened, it does not take much room. A sliding door is similar to how a pocket door is designed. What makes it different is that a sliding door can be opened one way. A barn door is similar to a pocket door, except it does not slide to the interior of a wall. Instead, it takes up the exterior of the wall. It adds a nice rustic industrial touch to the living room.
9. Highlight Coffee Tables
Coffee tables are not the first thing you look at when you enter the living room. In very small living rooms, it can be tricky to even put one. For some, it is not essential to have a coffee table considering the lacking of space. In fact, a coffee table is the center of any living room. They help in gathering the household and guests together. They make a good piece of furniture for coffee dates and even for television dinners. This is ideal if you have limited space to squeeze in a dining area. Making the coffee table multi-purpose would do the trick. Besides, these days, it is convenient to eat where you feel comfortable, especially when you are doing something else alongside. As the center of the living room, it should contribute character and function to the space.
10. Accentuate with Lighting
Apart from the character contributed by the furniture and the building materials in a small living room, lighting would really help to boost its ambiance in spite of the limited space. Even in small spaces, lighting helps in creating an illusion of making the living room look bigger than they seem. Instead of opting for the typical lighting design using pendant and recessed lights, play with lighting on the walls. Wall sconces tend to have a better-built ambiance in the living room. They are perfectly placed in reading corners, artworks, and even on shelves. A good pair of lights would suffice the need for lighting to prevent empty spots from being too awkward.
11. Be Strategic in Displaying Artwork
In every living room space, we tend to forget about the wall space and focus more on the floor space. There is more to a small living room than its limited floor space. Add flavors to the wall by organizing and putting up artwork throughout. Be strategic in displaying these fine pieces across the wall. Work with the scale of the frames and the color of the artwork and put up the things that you think would complement one another.
12. Pick a Unique Color Palette
In very small living rooms, it can be a challenge to pick a color palette that you think would suit the small space. Choosing between light and dark colors may quite be difficult but it would be best to route back to what would reflect your character. Light colors are often used to brighten up a space and tend to acquire more natural light spread throughout the living room. Its vibrance builds a dreamy and cozy atmosphere perfect for lounging, having guests, dining, and even having some personal time. On the other hand, dark colors sure do the trick in making a statement. They are bold and elegant that creating a more intimate space to spend on.
