Regardless of the size of the other rooms in your home, if your living room is small or even tiny, it can be a challenge. The reason furnishing or decorating a small living room can be such a struggle is because this is a multipurpose room, so you need a fair amount of furniture to meet the needs of your family. Living room furniture also tends to be pretty sizable, and this is often the room where everyone in the house spends the majority of their time, so you need form and functionality to come together.
Comfortable Small Living Room Layout
If your living room is on the small side, the following are some smart ways to decorate and furnish it, making the most of what you have available.
* Opt for Neutrals:
When you’re choosing furniture and primary décor items, try to choose neutral colors. Neutral colors will keep the space feeling bright and open, and they will prevent the space from feeling too overwhelming or too busy. If you do want to incorporate color, rather than doing it in the main furniture and décor items, do so in smaller ways, such as with accessories or throw pillows.
* Add a Light Rug:

If you have a small living room that also has dark floors, add a light, bright rug. It will open everything up more, and also give your living room a layered look that tends to come off as cozy and comfortable.
* Choose Furniture for Multiple Purposes:
When you’re selecting furnishings for a small living room, try to find items that can serve more than one purpose. Multipurpose functionality is essential in a small space.
For example, choose a sofa that has storage beneath it. You could also pick a coffee table or ottoman with storage, or a TV console where you can hide some items out of sight to keep the room from looking cluttered.
* Be Aware of Scale:
Also important when you’re choosing small living room furnishings is scale. If you have a huge, cavernous living room, you can choose large-scale furniture. In fact, you should so that the room doesn’t feel bare and empty.
With a small living room, you want small scale items on the other hand. Don’t choose overstuffed sofas with big curving arms, or expansive coffee tables. Make sure you’re keeping a close eye on the scale when you’re shopping for furniture.
* Keep Windows Unobstructed:
Heavy or very detailed window coverings don’t tend to work well in a small space because they not only make it seem busy, but they also block natural light. Natural light is essential in small spaces, so you can either go with bare windows or use a shade that can be pulled up. You can also opt for sheer panels that are lightweight and still let natural light in.
* Pull the Eye Upward:
As a final note, when you’re designing a small living room, try to emphasize the vertical and bring the eye up. You can do that by hanging window coverings or art higher than you might normally. Having a light wall color with matching trim color can also work well, or you could choose vertically-aligned wall art.