Great things come in small packages they say. The same holds true for small living rooms. What’s not to like? They’re cosy, compact, and comfortable. But things can get real tricky when decorating a small living room. Take for instance – striking a fine balance between making it look cosy, not claustrophobic or making it look big, not bulky.
Here, we bring to you a list of tried-and-tested, innovative decor tricks you can use to enhance and personalise your living room – all at the same time.
1. Bring Out the Great Illusionist in You

You can start by experimenting with the decor, accessories, and light elements. For instance, use floor-to-ceiling drapes instead of using blinds for windows. This will allow the room to look bigger. Or simply, place mirrors at strategic points (such as behind a lamp or opposite your window) so that it reflects more light and the scenic views outside – thereby making the room look much brighter.
2. Go Vertical
When your horizontal floor space is limited, look towards the skies. Make use of wallpapers that focus on vertically-aligned designs that naturally offer a sense of grandeur to the space. High bookshelves such as shown in the image also do the trick neatly. You could also hang huge vertical paintings or posters – as long as you’re going upwards and onwards.
3. Multi-Functional Furniture is the New “Supertool”
We all love everything convertible – from jackets to cars, you name it. The philosophy behind multi-functional furniture is the same: you get more for less. Whether it’s a sofa-cum-bed like the one provided by Furlenco, a coffee table that is also a storage chest, or a storage bed, they all take up less space and offer more utility – that too at half the cost! Need we say more?
4. Let the “True Colours” Shine
Typically, gold accents and soft, pastel shades work well in small living spaces. It’s because they reflect more light, making the space look grand, warm, and more welcoming. Additionally, people also go for neutral shades on walls, floor, and furnishings upholstery to instil a sense of sophistication and airiness.
5. Pair Character with Proportion
Start with choosing furniture that’s proportional to the size of the space. So, instead of having a chunky sofa in a small living area, choose a low-seating sofa that offers more space. You can try bold textures and greens to add more character to your living room. Trust us when we say that a little pop goes a long way!
If you’ve come across more fabulous small living room decoration ideas we’ve missed out, feel free to leave a comment below. Start writing and let’s get the conversation going.