Knowing how to make a small living room look bigger helps a limited space feel more valuable and fulfilling as a key living area, and it's easier than you may think.
From removing window treatments and decluttering to rearranging the furniture layout, there are easy tricks you can use to maximise space in even the smallest of living rooms. When you've got a smaller room, there are even some design rules worth breaking.
So while you can remove things from your living room to double its size, here are a few other creative ways to make the most of the space you have.
How to make a small living room look bigger: 10 easy ideas
We enlisted the help of professional home stager Elaine Penhaul, director at Lemon and Lime Interiors, to discover how to make a small living room look bigger with simple styling tips.
As a professional home stager, Elaine excels at giving a home maximum appeal to potential buyers the minute they walk into a room, so it's no wonder she knows all the tricks for how to make a small living room layout work harder.
1. Declutter and store
Decluttering is the key to organising a small space, so start by undertaking a thorough clear-out to ensure the limited space feels less overwhelmed by 'stuff'. "Small rooms can easily become cluttered, so it’s important to think about what you are bringing into the room and the purpose it will have," says Elaine.
"Shelving will make the space feel bigger, but only if you are tidy. Glass shelves are especially good for keeping a space light and open. Using solid shelves with mirrored glass between, especially if the mirror faces the garden and brings an unusual view into the room, is also a really interesting way to make a small living room feel much bigger."
When space is at a premium, it pays to be smart with hidden storage, too. Look for hidden compartments within sofas or TV units with extra storage. "There are now lots of furniture options with inbuilt storage available on the market which work perfectly, such as storing excess throws and cushions, " suggests Elaine. "Optimise floor space by opting for built-in storage, another great option to store items away in style."
RRP: £20 | Store all manner of clutter and even blankets in these chic gold-coloured iron storage baskets from Amazon. Each measures 28 by 22 by 12.5cm.
2. Free up floorspace to improve the flow
Elevating everything within your small living room will help to create a sense of space and a continuation of flow. It's all about perspective – clearing areas beneath the furniture enables the eye to see more floor space. Even though it doesn't change the literal floor plan, it creates a greater sense of space because more of the floor is visible.
"Furniture on legs is a great way to give a perception of space. If you can see straight through the room and your view isn’t blocked by furniture, it really makes a difference," advises Elaine.
3. Ditch the sofa
It feels like there's an unwritten rule that every living room requires a large sofa, but in fact, all you need is comfortable seating that caters to the space. If that space is limited, think about ditching the sofa in favour of other soft furnishings or chairs. Why not explore the latest armchair trends?
If entirely going without a sofa fills you with dread, choose a smaller model so it takes up less space. Not only will there be less of a solid block of furniture, but armchairs also give you much more freedom in determining the layout.
"Using armchairs instead of a sofa can be a great option to give more flexibility in where the seating is positioned. Plus, chairs can easily be moved around to change the look and feel of the room," advises Elaine.
4. Welcome light with mirrors
Using mirrors and mirrored surfaces to welcome light in small living spaces is the oldest styling trick in the book, but it's the best one for creating a sense of airiness, especially good for making a dark room feel brighter.
"Large mirrors are another obvious way to use wall hangings to open up a room," says Elaine. "Go large, and angle the mirror towards the garden if you can to bring in the perception of extra depth to the room."
Elaine elaborates on how it's not just wall mirrors that work in this way; the same effect is achievable with glass furniture and surfaces. "Glass coffee tables also reflect the light, so are great choices for continuing the flow through the room," she adds.
5. Perfectly position furniture
Work with the dimensions you have to make every inch count. "You don’t necessarily have to choose the smallest pieces of furniture to make a room feel spacious. Finding the right fit is more important," Elaine emphasises.
"For example, we found a perfectly fitting corner sofa recently that allowed a small room to be efficiently divided into a sitting and dining room. This in itself made the room feel twice as big."
Create a layout that works for your furniture rather than trying to force furniture into the 'obvious' living room layout. If a better-proportioned sofa enables space to be used most effectively, move it to a different spot. Or move a coffee table off to one side so it doesn't take up too much of the floor space, or place a small dining table into an alcove space where it fits perfectly.
Believe it or not, moving furniture ever-so-slightly away from walls is another great way to make the space feel bigger because it feels less constricted. Curved shapes and organic lines are a key interior trend for this year, which places less emphasis on pieces neatly fitting against vertical walls.
6. Maximise natural light
Utilise natural light to make the small space feel airier. "Light can have a huge impact on the perceived size and space of a room, with natural light being essential to brightening and enlarging your home," explains Elaine.
"Use a compass app on your phone to find out exactly how the light moves around your living room and orientate your furniture accordingly - helping to maximise the useful light in your living space, keeping you energised throughout the day."
"Taking down window dressings and keeping your windowsills free of clutter also allows you to get as much light as possible into the area," Elaine suggests. Ensure you've mastered how to clean windows for a streak-free finish to maximise the light even further.
"Skylights are also great for this, so if your living space is in a single-storey extension or a bungalow, this is definitely something to consider – if you have the budget."
7. Lay down a large rug
Choosing the right rug is key. "A large rug is much more effective in a small room," says Elaine, "not only does it create comfort underfoot and warmth in the room, but it helps to maximise the space".
A large rug may feel counterintuitive for maximising a small space, but it works by creating the illusion of more floor area. This is something I did when using the '60-30-10 rule' to decorate my living room to restore balance.
Positioning the rug under furniture will also make the floor feel more generous and anchor the pieces. Where a small rug would 'float' in the space and draw the eye inwards, in effect drawing attention to the limited surface area, a more generously sized rug will create a better perspective to help extend the floor.
"Rugs are also great for adding colour and personality while also being practical," Elaine adds. Just be wary of going too bold with your design, because you run the risk of overwhelming the small space. Opt for block colour over a heavily patterned rug design if you do want to add a decorative touch. Otherwise, stick to neutral and textured designs to add interest without distracting too much from the rest of the decor.
RRP: £130 | This 120 by 170cm rug has all our favourite earth tones and is the perfect balance of statement without being overwhelming. Made of soft chenille and recycled polyester, it is comfortable and suitable for high-traffic areas in your home.
RRP: £787.50 | If you're looking to make an impact in your home, then using a graphic patterned rug is an easy and effective way of doing it. This design by Brintons packs a punch but is still sophisticated thanks to the flowing florals. This design measures 120 by 180cm.
RRP: £243.75 | The circular shape of this rug really helps to offset the many harsh angles in living rooms. Available in a range of sizes, but if you have space, go for the 300cm diameter.
8. Use alternative room dividers
Use simple styling ideas to create 'zones' to create a multipurpose living space. if the room has more than one purpose, it will feel bigger simply by the sense of detachment from one zone to another.
"Finding objects to act as room dividers is a great way to create extra space in your living room. Not only can plants bring colour and freshness to a room, but they can also create a partition to break up multifunctional spaces," suggests Elaine.
" A console table, shelving unit, or sideboard with tall lamps can serve the same purpose , especially if you are using a dining table in your living space as a daytime office while working from home."
9. Choose white
An easy and effective way to open up a small space is by choosing one of the best white paint colours to determine your scheme. From walls to furniture, a splash of white can work wonders for making a small living room look bigger and brighter. There's a reason why it's one of the all-time best living room paint colours.
"Keeping the walls white may seem boring, but it is the easiest way to add light and make a room feel more spacious," explains Elaine. "It creates a clean and modern canvas which can be built upon with pops of colour in cushions and artwork."
Elaine adds, "Using lots of textured materials will also help layer the space and will add warmth. We love using lots of textures when colour will shrink the space even further."
10. Thoughtfully position artwork
When it comes to living room wall decor, it is not the scale of artwork that matters; it's more about where you choose to hang artwork that holds the key to how you can make a small living room look bigger.
"Don’t be afraid of artwork, just consider where it is being positioned," advises Elaine. "Choose to hang artwork on the largest wall space to give a sense of openness."
Contrary to popular perception, bigger canvases will make the space feel bigger, not smaller. Avoid lots of fussy prints or a gallery wall if your space is limited, and go for a big, bold statement piece."
FAQs
How to maximise space in a small living room?
Following small living room layouts will only get you so far; there are other ways you can make the most of the space you have in the room.
"Think multi-functional. Furniture that doubles up, like ottomans with storage or fold-away side tables, can help keep clutter at bay and create more open floor space," says Yvonne Keal, senior product manager at Hillarys.
"Don’t overcrowd the room. Leaving a bit of breathing space between furniture helps the room feel larger and more comfortable," she continues. This is also important to remember when looking to make a small bedroom look bigger.
What pattern makes a small room look bigger?
If you're trying to make a small or awkward space work in your home, sometimes incorporating a pattern can help. You'll just need to be careful which one you go for.
"When you're working with a smaller living room, the right pattern can help open up the space. Lighter, more delicate designs, like soft florals, subtle stripes, or small-scale geometrics, can trick the eye into thinking the room is bigger than it is," says Debbie Leigh, design manager at ILIV.
"Vertical stripes, for example, are great for adding a sense of height, while gentle patterns with a bit of flow or movement can guide the eye around the room, making it feel more spacious and inviting. The key is to keep the pattern light and not too busy," she adds.
Should you have a large room but one with a strange shape, then we've got more styling tips to help you decorate a rectangular living room.
