Maximize Space with a Small Living Room – Resource Furniture

Small living rooms are becoming more common thanks to open-concept floor plans. They can be cute, cozy and charming but challenging to furnish. When you have a small room, you want to make the most of it. That's why most people with smaller spaces look for storage solutions and space-saving living room furniture. 

We've put together this guide of small living room ideas for furniture to help you maximize your space. It covers everything from furniture selection, arrangement, storage and decor.

Furniture Selection

The furniture you select plays a considerable role in making a small living room look spacious and function efficiently. These pieces of furniture can help you save space and live flexibly:

• Built-ins: Built-in shelving and cabinets take up less space than freestanding. There are also built-in seating options that double as storage, maximizing space.
• Shelves: Adding wall shelves is an excellent way to maximize space in your room. They give you another surface to display items like decor and photographs.
• Storage: Furniture with storage is stylish and functional. You can choose tables with drawers or shelves that double as extra storage or incorporate cabinets.
• Multifunctional options: Multifunctional furniture is timeless and functional. It allows any room to have multiple uses without making it cluttered. For instance, you can invest in a sofa wall bed, adding an extra guest bed to your home without needing an additional bedroom.
• Small-scale pieces: Choose furniture that is the appropriate size for your living room and the number of people using it. If only a small number of people use your living room, you can opt for armchairs instead of a sofa.

Furniture Arrangement

Rearranging your furniture can help you maximize your space. Here are some tips on how to arrange pieces:

Find a Focal Point

When you have a smaller living room, you want to have something draw attention away from its size. Arrange your furniture around the fireplace, TV or an art piece. You want your furnishings to be around or directly facing the focal point so there is a clear view of it. 

Gather Furniture in the Center

Many people try to push furniture against the wall to save space, but this can make the space feel more crowded. By placing the furniture in the center of the room, you can create a snug area for gathering and conversations.

Distinguish the Living Room

If your home features an open-concept floor plan, you will want to distinguish the living room from the kitchen or dining area. To do this, position your sofa with its back facing out of the living room to create a practical divide. You can then arrange accent furniture around the sofa. 

Consider using slimmer items, like a potted plant, as “walls” between your living room and other spaces that you can still easily walk around. Slender but tall items establish a boundary between spaces without making your living room feel overshadowed.

Direct Traffic Around

Arrange the furniture so traffic is directed around the central conversation area, not through it. You can do this by placing an armchair on either side of the sofa rather than across the room.

Use Transformative Pieces

Coffee tables can take up a lot of space but not when they are multifunctional. Transforming coffee tables are an excellent option for open-concept floor plans because they convert into dining tables. You don't have to purchase a separate dining table or have it out all the time when not in use.

Focus on Symmetry

Symmetry creates a feeling of balance and harmony. Embracing symmetry in your living room layout makes it feel organized and tidy. For instance, instead of incorporating one shelving unit, you could opt for two. Place the units on either side of the sofa. Make sure to leave space between them so everything is open and airy.

Storage Solutions

Storage solutions make all the difference when you don't have much room. They help keep the area neat and organized. Consider these space-saving storage solutions for small living rooms.

Floor-to-Ceiling Storage Units

Floor-to-ceiling storage units and cabinets offer the most practical space. With the ability to purchase custom cabinets or shelving units, you can transform your room with unique storage options. Since the floor-to-ceiling units are against a wall, they take up less of an area. 

Cabinet units offer hidden storage that blends in with your wall, while the shelves provide open storage. Either option adds a touch of elegance to your living room while maximizing space.

Media Units

A media center keeps your television and video game console wires organized. Conceal cable boxes and other accessories to limit visual clutter in your living room, making your space feel bigger and more inviting. Choose configurable options to get the right size and setup for your home.

Niche Corners

If a corner in your living room seems too small for anything, you can convert it into a cozy nook for reading or storage. Making use of all available space is the best way to transform your small living room into a spacious one.

Decor Ideas

Decor is a great way to bring your living room to life by adding your personal touch. The right decor can create the illusion that your room is larger. As a bonus, practical decorations help save space while adding an aesthetic and functional touch. Some examples of decor that can do this include:

• Books: Most people have books in their living room. These books can quickly pile up, so you can decorate with them instead of leaving them on tables. Organize the books on a bookshelf by color or set, placing them in the center of attention.
• Plants: Natural decor creates a relaxing, peaceful environment. You can put plants in areas where other items can't go, such as window sills. This option will brighten your living room and make the most of your space.
• Rugs: A rug can brighten and separate areas. When you place your furniture around a rug, it visually separates that space from the rest of the room. This distinction is great for open-concept floor plans where the living room and dining area can blend together.
• Mirrors: Mirrors create the illusion of extra space by reflecting the light and making a room look like it expands past its actual dimensions.
• Wall-mounted lights: You can save floor space by using wall-mounted lights instead of floor lamps. Well-lit rooms can also feel bigger.
• Natural light: Natural light makes an area feel bigger. You can maximize natural light with sheer curtains. To save some wall and floor space from bulky curtains, opt for window-mounted blinds for privacy and light control.

Resource Furniture Can Help You Save Space

Various options exist to help you save space in small rooms. By making the most of your available space, you can transform your living room into a comfy, inviting space that feels open and flexible, no matter the size. 

Resource Furniture can help you save space with our transforming furniture options. We have wall beds, transforming tables and storage solutions for every room in your home. Browse our furniture online, or schedule a viewing appointment at one of our showrooms. Our team looks forward to helping you find furniture that fits your needs.