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4 Small Living Room Decorating Ideas

Small spaces don't mean you have to suffer in a cramped home. Here are a few small living room decorating ideas to maximize space.

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Small-space living doesn’t mean you have to suffer in a cramped, uncomfortable home. Even if you live in a tiny house, there are lots of ways to set up a room so it feels larger and has more functionality. Here are a few of favorite small living room decorating ideas.

1. Use Shelves Throughout

Small living room with shelves

An appropriately-sized entertainment center should easily hold the television, speakers, gaming components, and any additional accessories. Start stacking the shelves as high as the ceiling and use them to place many of the other items taking up space in the room.

This means place plants, books, vases, pictures, and knick-knacks on these shelves. Not only does it help to remove the clutter from the room, it instantly gives the small room a cozier feeling. Because you can go as high as you like on that wall, you can remove virtually every other small item that is taking up space and easily place it on the wall of shelves, making this one of our absolute favorite small living room decorating ideas.

2. Built-In Wall Units Save Space

Living room with built-in wall units

Unlike a traditional entertainment center that only takes up a portion of one wall, a custom built-in fills the entire wall and allows you to make as many shelves and cabinets that you like.

Cabinets running along the bottom of the wall unit are perfect for hiding television accessories. The shelves allow you to bring in all the books, pictures, candles, and decorative pieces that might be taking up space on tables in the rest of the room.

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Remove all the clutter and fill up your new wall center, cut-out, and shelves.

3. Be Smart About Seating

Stadium-style seating in small living room

Skip the enormous recliner sofa and go for small, functional pieces that are still big on style. We particularly love the vintage theater seats pictured above since they can fold up and take up even less space. Plus, they had vintage charm to the room. Find similar seats on Craigslist or at an antique shop.

You should also look for furniture that does double-duty like the ottomans above that are also coffee tables. When guests come over, you can use them as extra seating. They can even be pushed close to the sofa to create chaise lounges.

4. Find Some Hidden Storage Opportunities

For truly tiny spaces, call in the big guns. The sofa seat above folds up to reveal a storage box, and a dining room table is sneakily mounted on the wall under the television so it can be folded out when needed. A skylight helps open up the space, and high shelving helps hold speakers and decorations.

Whichever small living room decorating ideas you use, you’ll have a more beautiful, functional space soon!

Find the Right Contractor for Your Project

Whether you’re ready to begin your project now or need some expert advice, our network of contractors are here to help. With a few simple questions, we’ll find the best local professionals for you