Pro Panel: Designers' Golden Rules to Maximise Small Living Rooms
Follow these small-space tips from interior designers and architects to help you plan your compact living room
Amanda Pollard
11 February 2020
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
When it comes to designing a small living room, most professionals have a few golden rules they use to make the most of the space. Here, two architects and two interior designers share their go-to tips and tricks to ensure a small room is big on style and function. Houzz caught up with architects Sean Ronnie Hill of RISE Design Studio in the UK and Eva Byrne of Houseology in Ireland; and UK-based interior designers Olga Alekseev of Black & Milk and Claudia Dorsch of Claudia Dorsch Interior Design.
Designers look at the space beyond the walls
“It’s important to think about how a space is perceived, rather than focus on its dimensions,” says Ronnie Hill. “When designing a living room, especially a small one, we have to assume there’s little scope to change its shape or extend its area without compromising other parts of the home.
“However, we do have control over what it feels like to inhabit the space,” he continues. “An orientated view through a large glazed feature, for example, can make a room feel twice its size.”
“Get your room layout right, starting at the door,” says Byrne. “In a traditional house, doors open so you look at the wall of the room when you enter. If budget allows, re-hang the door, so you can see the whole room as you walk in. It makes it seem more spacious and easier to get into.”
“It’s important to think about how a space is perceived, rather than focus on its dimensions,” says Ronnie Hill. “When designing a living room, especially a small one, we have to assume there’s little scope to change its shape or extend its area without compromising other parts of the home.
“However, we do have control over what it feels like to inhabit the space,” he continues. “An orientated view through a large glazed feature, for example, can make a room feel twice its size.”
“Get your room layout right, starting at the door,” says Byrne. “In a traditional house, doors open so you look at the wall of the room when you enter. If budget allows, re-hang the door, so you can see the whole room as you walk in. It makes it seem more spacious and easier to get into.”
They consider zones
If your living room doubles as a dining space or work area, clear zones can help it feel less cluttered. “When you’re planning your space, it’s important to understand your needs,” says Alekseev. “Study your room, think about seating requirements and draw up a clear list of functions the space will have.
“Based on this information, you can divide the space into zones,” she says. Here, for instance, the seating area is zoned by a simple rug, and the dining space is differentiated by open shelving.
If your living room doubles as a dining space or work area, clear zones can help it feel less cluttered. “When you’re planning your space, it’s important to understand your needs,” says Alekseev. “Study your room, think about seating requirements and draw up a clear list of functions the space will have.
“Based on this information, you can divide the space into zones,” she says. Here, for instance, the seating area is zoned by a simple rug, and the dining space is differentiated by open shelving.
They go for bespoke joinery
The best way to maximise storage in your small living room is to go for customised cabinets and shelves, rather than freestanding ones.
“Use every millimetre of space,” says Dorsch. She suggests a balance of open shelves and closed storage. “Lots of open shelving can make a smaller living room feel oppressive and cluttered,” she explains. “Storage that’s painted in the same colour as your walls will not only give you somewhere to put stuff, it will also recede into the background.”
Here, the open storage blends in with the wall colour, while the closed cabinets tone with the accessories on display.
Need help with redesigning your small living room? Find a local interior designer or decorator near you on Houzz
The best way to maximise storage in your small living room is to go for customised cabinets and shelves, rather than freestanding ones.
“Use every millimetre of space,” says Dorsch. She suggests a balance of open shelves and closed storage. “Lots of open shelving can make a smaller living room feel oppressive and cluttered,” she explains. “Storage that’s painted in the same colour as your walls will not only give you somewhere to put stuff, it will also recede into the background.”
Here, the open storage blends in with the wall colour, while the closed cabinets tone with the accessories on display.
Need help with redesigning your small living room? Find a local interior designer or decorator near you on Houzz
They add a feature
Dorsch recommends bringing in a focal point. “That way, the living room’s smaller proportions won’t dominate and you’ll give the room its own identity,” she says. “Try a large piece of art or a fabulous chandelier to create a sense of indulgence.”
Ronnie Hill agrees. “Add a built-in eccentricity that will give a personal touch to a small space,” he says. “It could be an oriel window where you can curl up and read a book, or a built-in seating space that ends up being used as a table by the little ones.
“By taking a leap and introducing something bespoke and unexpected, you’ll bring up surprises,” says Ronnie Hill. “Each user will find a different purpose for it, making the room more personal and dynamic.”
Dorsch recommends bringing in a focal point. “That way, the living room’s smaller proportions won’t dominate and you’ll give the room its own identity,” she says. “Try a large piece of art or a fabulous chandelier to create a sense of indulgence.”
Ronnie Hill agrees. “Add a built-in eccentricity that will give a personal touch to a small space,” he says. “It could be an oriel window where you can curl up and read a book, or a built-in seating space that ends up being used as a table by the little ones.
“By taking a leap and introducing something bespoke and unexpected, you’ll bring up surprises,” says Ronnie Hill. “Each user will find a different purpose for it, making the room more personal and dynamic.”
They pay attention to details
Elevate the impact of a small living room by giving it a high-quality feel, our experts suggest. “One of the most important factors that makes any room stand out is the quality of its finishes,” says Ronnie Hill.
“It’s amazing how sometimes the perception of beauty in a space comes down to details, such as whether the corners are well-finished and sharp,” he says.
The Golden Rules of Proportion: Decor Laws You Need to Know
Elevate the impact of a small living room by giving it a high-quality feel, our experts suggest. “One of the most important factors that makes any room stand out is the quality of its finishes,” says Ronnie Hill.
“It’s amazing how sometimes the perception of beauty in a space comes down to details, such as whether the corners are well-finished and sharp,” he says.
The Golden Rules of Proportion: Decor Laws You Need to Know
They stay in proportion
“You can trick a room into looking bigger by choosing furniture that’s comparatively modest in size,” says Byrne. “A large sofa in a small room, for example, will dwarf the space and accentuate its diminutive size. Choose a two-seater sofa, of compact design and raised on legs. This will allow for a greater sense of space and flow. Apply the same logic to every piece of furniture you choose.”
The opposite applies when it comes to choosing the right proportions for a rug, however. “People tend to make the mistake of using small rugs and cluttering the room, but in fact, a big rug may give the illusion of a bigger space,” says Alekseev.
“You can trick a room into looking bigger by choosing furniture that’s comparatively modest in size,” says Byrne. “A large sofa in a small room, for example, will dwarf the space and accentuate its diminutive size. Choose a two-seater sofa, of compact design and raised on legs. This will allow for a greater sense of space and flow. Apply the same logic to every piece of furniture you choose.”
The opposite applies when it comes to choosing the right proportions for a rug, however. “People tend to make the mistake of using small rugs and cluttering the room, but in fact, a big rug may give the illusion of a bigger space,” says Alekseev.
They let in light…
Simplicity is key when designing a small living space. “Use neutral colours and have simple walls, steering away from any superfluous architectural details,” says Alekseev.
Byrne agrees. “The brighter you can make the room, the larger it will feel,” she says, “so choose a pale shade for the walls and add colour through accessories and art. Carefully placed mirrors will magnify the space and boost the light.”
Simplicity is key when designing a small living space. “Use neutral colours and have simple walls, steering away from any superfluous architectural details,” says Alekseev.
Byrne agrees. “The brighter you can make the room, the larger it will feel,” she says, “so choose a pale shade for the walls and add colour through accessories and art. Carefully placed mirrors will magnify the space and boost the light.”
…But aren’t afraid of the dark
If your living room doesn’t benefit from plenty of light, however, white walls can make it feel dull, Dorsch warns. “Instead, use darker, richer tones, which will give a small room drama, or a cosier, enveloping feeling,” she says. “Make the size of the room the statement.”
If your living room doesn’t benefit from plenty of light, however, white walls can make it feel dull, Dorsch warns. “Instead, use darker, richer tones, which will give a small room drama, or a cosier, enveloping feeling,” she says. “Make the size of the room the statement.”
They layer up the lighting
You can use lighting to add a feeling of depth to your small living room. “Strategically placed lamps and wall lights will add a wash of light to different parts of the space or focus on a specific feature,” says Dorsch. “This draws your eye around the room, as it creates depth and shadow.
“Hidden LEDs in ceiling coving are another great way to achieve mood and grandeur in a smaller living room,” she says.
Your turn
How have you designed and styled your small living room? Share your tips for success in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Do you know the most common styling mistakes people make? Find out here with this Pro Panel: 8 Common Styling Blunders You Don’t Want to Make
You can use lighting to add a feeling of depth to your small living room. “Strategically placed lamps and wall lights will add a wash of light to different parts of the space or focus on a specific feature,” says Dorsch. “This draws your eye around the room, as it creates depth and shadow.
“Hidden LEDs in ceiling coving are another great way to achieve mood and grandeur in a smaller living room,” she says.
Your turn
How have you designed and styled your small living room? Share your tips for success in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Do you know the most common styling mistakes people make? Find out here with this Pro Panel: 8 Common Styling Blunders You Don’t Want to Make
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Our living room (I think small because it’s not an open floor plan like many newer homes) with TV in photo…behind the armoire in upper center left of photo. Next photo is looking the other way from the TV.
I think your living room is large. You have a piano, a fireplace and space to walk behind the sofa.
Our living room is 10x11. We have sofa and recliners up against the 2 walls and a 3' walkway between.
Since it's the access route to the dining room (8x11), we don't have a coffee table. The TV is on a stand next to the sofa so we can see it from our recliners.
Yep we're old folk and grateful for recliners. I spent a week on the sofa with one leg on pillows a few years ago after ankle surgery. Eating meals laying on my side was no fun. So I gave in and bought a smaller recliner that fits me.
I decided the fireplace and TV were the focal point. Just purchased and art tv and I think it looks great. About to re-do the mantle to lower it and the tv and rid myself of faux stone surround and a less formal mantle ( it’s a cottage home). Scale is important and comfort along with performance fabrics allow for lots of lounging and enjoying coffee or a beverage without the worry of spilling. I use 2 ottomans for a coffee table with a tray on top for balancing a cup of something. Lot’s of different types of lighting create interesting and mood.