No need to start searching through real estate listings for a bigger home or apartment. You can easily make your small living room look more spacious with some smart design choices. Here, interior designers from the South share eight tricks to help your small living room appear larger without any structural changes. Follow these tips to see a noticeable difference in your living room.
Opt for a Special Material: Create character and the illusion of space by wrapping the entire room in one material, such as wood planking, according to Kate Ladd Chlebowski of Vernacular Studio.
Maximize Natural Light: Let natural light in to make your living room feel bigger. Avoid heavy drapes or shades that block light, and instead, use sheer dressings for privacy while allowing light to flow in, advises Katie Skoloff of InSite Designs.
Avoid Clutter: Keep your small living room clutter-free. Overloading the space with furniture and decorations can make it feel cramped. Prioritize quality over quantity and choose multifunctional furniture pieces, suggests Kara Childress.
Utilize Vertical Space: Make the room feel taller by drawing the eye upward. Install floor-to-ceiling bookshelves or curtains to create the illusion of higher ceilings, says Skoloff.
Choose the Right Size Rug: In a small living room, opt for a larger area rug that fits under the front legs of all furniture pieces to unify the space and make it feel larger, advises Skoloff. Layering rugs can also add interest and size to the room.
Select Transparent Pieces: Incorporate see-through furniture to add a modern touch to your small living room, suggests Laura Jenkins of Laura W. Jenkins Interiors.
Interior designer Skoloff suggests using transparent pieces like a glass coffee table, acrylic chairs, or shelves to reduce visual clutter in a room. She explains that these pieces create a sense of openness and airiness without overwhelming the space, allowing the eye to move through them easily.
Adding mirrors to your living room can instantly make it appear larger. Designer Childress recommends filling an entire wall with mirrors for a dramatic effect. Additionally, positioning a mirror to reflect a window can further enhance the feeling of spaciousness, according to Cheri Etchelecu Martin of Cheri Etchelecu Interior Design in Dallas, Texas.
Another tip is to choose a monochromatic color scheme for your room. Charleston designer Megan Molten advises painting everything in the room, including the trim and ceiling, in the same color. This cohesive approach can create a harmonious and visually impactful space.
By incorporating these design strategies, you can achieve a more open and spacious feel in your living room..spacing and creating a sense of openness in your living space.
