In this series on Big Ideas for Small Spaces, we're taking a look at several problem spots in small homes. In the first post, we focused on Entryways. Here we'll take a look at small living rooms. Keep an eye out for upcoming posts on small dining rooms and bedrooms.

Whether you’re a renter in a smaller apartment, downsizing from a larger space or just tend to lean to the petite, many of us need solutions for living with less of a floorplan. While these homes require a bit more thought when planning their design, we know that small spaces don’t have to mean less fun.

Often used for entertaining guests or relaxing after a long day, the living room is many people’s oasis. Small living rooms can cause stress for some, especially those who need the room to perform multiple functions. A few clever solutions however can have you stress-free in your small space. Here are some of our go-to small living room ideas to keep you living large.

Scaled Solutions

While small pieces are a great solution for small spaces, using exclusively tiny furniture could end up making your room feel even littler. Make sure you understand the space you are working with; measuring the space ahead of time can take the guesswork out of fitting your furniture into your layout. You’ll want to opt for pieces that utilize the space while not disrupting the flow of the room, especially when it comes to the couch. Lower heights, especially for seating pieces, help the eye travel across your room.

When designing your small living room layout, there are a range of small sofa and other seating options available. While sofas can range from 70 to 96” in length, the most common sofa length is around 84 to 86”. Choosing a sofa on the smaller end of this spectrum is likely a safe bet for your apartment, condo or other small room. However, you’ll want to measure your space to ensure the right fit.

Many stationary seating groups have multiple size options, allowing you to choose the best option for your space. For instance, a standard sofa from the group may by 94” or similar in size; while an “apartment sofa” may come in around 79” in length.

Another option is an often looked-over part of the classic living space, the loveseat. A loveseat from the same set may cut close to a foot from the length of an “apartment” sofa option, coming in around 68”. Loveseats can be the perfect solution for those who love the plush comfort of a big sofa but don’t have eight feet of space to put one in. Going with a loveseat or other small couch option allows you to bring in seating in ways that make your space feel bigger.

However, a smaller space doesn’t necessarily mean you have to shy away from a sofa option with a lot of seating. Those looking for smart solutions for minimal space can still look to sectionals to solve their needs. Compact L-shaped sectionals provide large central seating that anchor a room without overpowering the space. Additionally, modular sectionals can be a smart option for small living rooms, allowing you to choose a more customized design that will fit just right in your space. You can go from movie night to game night to good night with one sofa piece.

Flow Your Own Way

Whichever way you choose to supply seating in your small space, don’t forget to prioritize the flow of the living room. Make sure there is plenty of room to walk around pieces of furniture, especially when it comes to main paths through the home. One secret designer strategy to increase both visual and physical flow to a layout is to float your furniture, most importantly your couch, by pulling it away from the wall. Not only does this help the space feel less cramped and more airy, but it also allows for you to use your couch as a way to divide the room into separate spaces.

Multiply Your Multitaskers

Give your furniture more than one job. When dealing with a small space, every piece you bring in must be very intentional. That’s why pieces that can perform the work of two or even three other items can be rock stars in a small space. It’s also why small-space designers love ottomans. Ottomans are the jack-of-all trades furniture piece in rooms with minimal space. Many replace their coffee tables for ottomans with a tray, as the piece can be moved around the room for additional seating when needed. Some multifunctional ottomans double as storage underneath as well, a big need in small spaces. Another member of the multifunctional furniture team? Benches. A beautiful bench can stand in for storage, an end table, or an entryway drop-zone while also providing seating in a pinch.

Another powerful multitasker is the sleeper sofa or loveseat. Most commonly converting to full or queen size beds, these pull-out couches provide seating for conversations with guests during the day, and they accommodate overnight company by night. Many sofas are available as a sleeper by custom order, allowing you to choose a style you love along with the functionality you need for your small space.

Have Vertical Vision

When looking around your small space to consider the layout, don’t forget to look up! Maximize use of your vertical space in your small living room as well with open, tall shelving. Tall bookshelves or wall mounted shelves can give you the space you need without bulking up your layout. Style your shelves with your favorite books, knick-knacks, records or other collections to add a personal touch. Just because you have a small space doesn’t mean you have to go small with the personality. Gallery walls are another way to bring a lot of style to a little space by bringing life to your empty walls. Sticking with one theme, frame style or color in your gallery wall can help in a smaller space to keep it from looking too cluttered, and to make it easier to edit down your choices.

Rug to the Rescue

If you do want to go big when you go home, there is one small space solution for that. Using a big area rug in your small living room can give all of your furniture a sense of balance and gravity. In fact, a small rug in a small living room can make the room feel like it’s shrinking. A big rug can help create division of space in a room, and center your pieces visually.

Keep an eye out for future blogs in our small space series for more of our favorite furniture and design tricks to keep your small space full of big potential!