5 Best Small Living Room Layouts for Making the Most of Your Space
Determining the best layout for a small living room is tricky. I know because I myself have the good fortune of owning a home with a very compact living area (heavy on the sarcasm there). Between trying to define a focal point in the room and maximizing every square inch of the space, there’s a lot to consider.
However, if I’ve learned anything in the five years that my family has had our home, it’s that a smaller space doesn’t automatically equal a less functional or sophisticated one. Finding the ideal layout and employing a few designer tips and tricks is all it takes to transform a small, lifeless living room into an elegant, multifunctional space.
5 Small Living Room Layout Ideas
If you’re feeling limited in layout options, look no further. These are just a few ways to maximize a small living room layout to suit your needs and lifestyle.
Pair a Sectional with a Coffee Table
A sectional is a practical seating choice if you’d prefer to reduce the amount of furniture in your living room. We’ve had a sofa and accent chair in our small living room for a while now, and we’re seriously considering transitioning to a sectional to reduce the visual clutter. Arranging the sectional in the corner of the room can help free up floor space, or you could also use it to define an open-concept living area.
Of course, large sectionals are likely out of the question, but you can find plenty that are well-suited to small spaces, too. Bonus points if it’s modular or provides sneaky storage in the chaise section.
Use a Loveseat and an Accent Chair
Most small living rooms can accommodate a loveseat and an accent chair, so this is a safe layout option to keep in your back pocket. The setup works well with or without a coffee table, since side tables can be positioned in between the accent chair and couch as an alternative. This provides multiple seating options, and the furniture can be arranged in numerous ways depending on the focal point of your space.
Try Two Couches Facing Each Other
Styling two identical couches opposite one another is a popular configuration that even smallish living rooms can accommodate. Designer Amanda Foster, the founder of Foster Decor Consulting, says that two sofas facing one another with a coffee table in between is one of her favorite small living room layouts, which she calls the “symmetry slayer.”
“It’s balanced, it’s beautiful, and it’s bound to make your space feel larger-than-life,” she says. The key is choosing sofas that are the right size and optimizing the layout to suit your space. Loveseats are a popular choice due to their scaled-down dimensions, but small sofas can also work. You also don’t have to use the exact same sofas, either. Play around with the thought of different pieces — just don’t go too uneven in size if you want a harmonious, balanced look.
Make the Fireplace the Focal Point
Fireplaces make any small living room feel extra cozy and sophisticated. They also make laying out the room pretty simple, since they provide an obvious focal point. We chose this option for our home, and it completely transformed our space.
Depending on the size of your living room, you have a few options for furniture layouts. You can face sofas or accent chairs towards one another with the fireplace at the end, or have one large sofa or sectional positioned directly across from the fireplace. Alternatively, you may also have to simply just fit furniture wherever you have space, which we were forced to do in our living room. That could mean a chair in the corner of a room or a bench in front of the window. Play with different pieces in a variety of spots to see what makes the most sense for the room’s flow.
The other benefit of a fireplace in the living room is that it provides a convenient location for your TV to be mounted, especially if you don’t have an extra wall or corner of the room to spare.
Lose the Coffee Table
When dealing with small spaces, it’s important to reevaluate what your key furniture pieces are. For example, do you need a coffee table in your living room, or do you just think you should have one because it’s expected? If the latter is true, removing the coffee table can save a ton of real estate. Instead, opt for slim accent tables or TV tables that can be moved or folded down when not in use (there are stylish ones, don’t worry!).
4 Small Living Room Layout Issues
If you’re experiencing any small living room layout issues, like super-narrow dimensions or closet doors that can’t be blocked, you’re not alone. Luckily, simple design tricks can help overcome these obstacles and make your room feel spacious and functional.
Lots of Doors, Openings, or Windows
Hello, natural light! Excess doors, openings, and windows in a small living room aren’t inherently bad, but they can pose a dilemma when it’s time to decorate. A lack of wall space makes it difficult to anchor furniture and decor. The solution? Float big pieces in the middle of the space.
“Pull that sofa away from the wall and create a defined living area that feels open and spacious. It’s like magic,” says Foster.
Granted, this can be difficult to do in small spaces, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. Consider utilizing the wall space you do have to create a focal point (using artwork, a TV, a fireplace, etc.) and then define seating areas using furniture and decor like area rugs.
A Living Room That Doubles as an Entryway
The fact that our tiny living room doubles as the entryway to our home is the bane of my existence. So, if this is your issue, I understand completely.
It’s important to delineate the “entry” area from the rest of the room by squeezing in a few key pieces where possible. For us, this means a shoe mat, shoe rack, and wall hooks for coats, dog leashes, purses, etc. A console table is also a good idea to act as a catch-all for keys and other items that make their way through the door. A separate rug and an accent chair turned slightly away from the door help to define the living space.
A Long, Narrow Footprint
Long, narrow living rooms can feel impossible to work with. You’re seriously limited when it comes to floor space, and making the most of every square inch is important. To combat this, aim to maximize the longer walls, which will inevitably make the room feel larger.
Arrange the living room with a long, slim sofa and console table directly across from one another. The console table is perfect for a TV, artwork, family photos, or whatever else you want to display. If space permits, a thin coffee table can make a functional addition, too. Choosing furniture with hidden storage options will also make the most of even the smallest spaces.
Open-Concept Spaces or Studios
Open-concept rooms or studio apartments can be tough. These floor plans give the illusion of ample space, but in reality, you may be left with very little living room. Plus, it can be hard to differentiate between different areas — i.e., the kitchen versus the dining room versus the living room.
While it may seem counterintuitive, defining the living room area with furniture and decor is the key to making the most of an open-concept living space. This means laying down an area rug, turning furniture away from the other areas of the room, and choosing a specific focal point (like a TV) to anchor the setup. If space permits, try a room divider or open bookshelf to further visually carve up the room.
Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Pottery Barn — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need
See How a Stager Used Paint to Transform a 1950s Living Room
