Best Small Living Room Decorating Ideas | 5 Tips

When you’re planning a small living room decoration project, the biggest challenge is creating a pleasant, comfortable, and functional space in a room that offers limited options. However, some practical ideas and tips that can help you optimize the space, and obtain a charming living room. 

Integrate mirrors into your small living room design

photo source: shutterstock 

In terms of looks, the mirrors will open up space and will reflect light, thus making them perfect for decorating a small living room. Depending on the space’s layout, you can have a large mirror next to the window, to reflect natural light. An alternative just as effective is to place one mirror behind a lamp or wall lamp. 

But, if you prefer a small living room with a creative design, you should place a large mirror on the floor, against the wall, next to, or behind elements of furniture, such as an armchair or a coffee table.  

With some small mirrors, and unique, creative frames, you will have a showpiece on one of your small living room’s walls. The benefit of such a combination is the instant attraction, and besides its beauty side, a new 3D size to explore. 

Use natural stone to create a visual attraction  

photo source: shutterstock 

This is an efficient and elegant way to improve the overall look of your living room without cluttering it. Natural stone gives you a wide range of options that you can implement when decorating a small living room. The most noticeable option is a polished marble flooring, that reflects light, and is an instant eye-catcher while conveying a sophisticated look. 

photo source: shutterstock

Even if a fireplace is not the first decorative-functional element you would consider for a small living room, give it a chance! Go for a LED fireplace, without heat, or a fireplace with bioethanol. Then clad the surrounding wall with SKIN flexible slate panels, 3M double-sided, and a primer. Another option is to apply sheets of flexible marble to the wall. These already have adhesive on the back. You just need to peel off the protection, then apply them to the wall.  

In terms of natural stone, you have the option to use decorative brick. You can partially clad a small living room wall, an accent wall, or the area behind the shelves or an open bookcase. Brown decorative brick is matched by a rustic, shabby chic, or industrial living room. Plus, white is recommended for most design styles, from classic to eclectic.  

Choose furniture elements that match the space 

photo source: shutterstock 

When choosing furniture elements for decorating a small living room, you should look for multi-functional designs, such as a sofa with hidden storage space or a stool that can serve as a coffee table. These will save space without sacrificing aesthetics. It's also important to invest in high-leg furniture elements, that don't block the eye and create an airy atmosphere. 

If transparent materials fit in with your chosen interior design style, don't be afraid to integrate them into your decoration project. A glass coffee table or elegant chairs made of transparent polycarbonate, colored or not, will offer you functionality, without cluttering the small space. 

Choosing the right color palette for a small living room 

photo source: shutterstock 

Paint the walls in shades of white, light grey, or blue-green, and avoid dark colors or pattern wallpaper. This way, the room's larger surfaces will reflect light better, making the space seems larger. 

Balance the room's color scheme by choosing small textiles or decorative objects in bright colors. This way you will add brightness and charisma to the space, without risking a cluttered living room. 

Follow the 70/20/10 rule of color proportions: reserve 70% of the living room decor for the main color, in this case, as it is a small room, a bright one; 20% of the surface will go to the secondary color, preferably one complementary to the main color, and 10% will be dedicated to the accent color. For example, you can design a small apartment living room using white grey, and yellow or taupe, white, and light blue. 

Customize the space with decorations

photo source: shutterstock 

Paintings are the best way to add color and customize your space. Choose elements that define you, whether paintings, replicas of famous artworks, abstract images, or vintage illustrations. 

To avoid the danger of cluttering, stick to one or two large pieces of art. In terms of color, harmonize them with the rest of the decoration project, by choosing a few small items (vases, ornaments, or cushions) with painting-like colors, the one with the utmost visual impact. 

Every space is unique and has different needs, so it's important to focus on finding solutions that suit your lifestyle and preferences. Be inspired by these ideas and mix them with your charisma, so that your small living room design reflects your personality, and makes you feel at home.