How to Get the Seating Right in a Small Living Room
Wondering how to pack in plenty of seating without crowding your room? Check out these space-smart solutions
Amanda Pollard
28 December 2018
Houzz UK Editorial Staff. Journalist and content editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Houzz UK Editorial Staff. Journalist and content editor specialising in interiors... More
If your living room is small, there are a number of simple design tricks you can use to ensure you pick the right seating. Follow these tips to help you choose suitable pieces and plan a furniture arrangement that will make your room feel spacious, comfortable and practical.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Fill the space
Use every centimetre of space in your tiny living room by choosing an L-shaped sofa. The right-angled design will fit neatly in the corner and fill the whole area.
It might seem counterproductive to go large, but, in fact, a sofa that fits the space won’t look oversized.
Use every centimetre of space in your tiny living room by choosing an L-shaped sofa. The right-angled design will fit neatly in the corner and fill the whole area.
It might seem counterproductive to go large, but, in fact, a sofa that fits the space won’t look oversized.
Double up
A symmetrical layout can give a small room a feeling of space and balance. If your living room is compact, invest in two matching sofas and position them opposite each other so the focus is on the open centre of the room.
The mirrored layout in this scheme creates a uniform, harmonious look that feels airy and cosy at the same time.
A symmetrical layout can give a small room a feeling of space and balance. If your living room is compact, invest in two matching sofas and position them opposite each other so the focus is on the open centre of the room.
The mirrored layout in this scheme creates a uniform, harmonious look that feels airy and cosy at the same time.
Scale down
If you like the idea of sofas facing each other but space is just too tight, why not try the same idea with love seats? Big enough for two to squeeze on – if you’re good friends – and luxurious for one, they offer sociability while leaving room to manoeuvre.
If you like the idea of sofas facing each other but space is just too tight, why not try the same idea with love seats? Big enough for two to squeeze on – if you’re good friends – and luxurious for one, they offer sociability while leaving room to manoeuvre.
Mix and match
If you can’t fit larger furniture in your space, go for a variety of small seating options.
In this room, a couple of mismatched armchairs face the sofa. There’s enough seating for a few people, but with plenty of floor area. The mix of styles also encourages the eye to move around the room, creating the illusion of space.
If you can’t fit larger furniture in your space, go for a variety of small seating options.
In this room, a couple of mismatched armchairs face the sofa. There’s enough seating for a few people, but with plenty of floor area. The mix of styles also encourages the eye to move around the room, creating the illusion of space.
Think outside the box
In a small living space, it can be hard to find a functional layout, particularly when it comes to watching TV. The designers of this room have come up with a clever solution to create plenty of seating without compromising on practicality.
Rather than placing a sofa against the wall near the television, they’ve chosen a chaise longue instead. The homeowners can face each other to have a conversation, then turn around to comfortably watch a programme or film.
In a small living space, it can be hard to find a functional layout, particularly when it comes to watching TV. The designers of this room have come up with a clever solution to create plenty of seating without compromising on practicality.
Rather than placing a sofa against the wall near the television, they’ve chosen a chaise longue instead. The homeowners can face each other to have a conversation, then turn around to comfortably watch a programme or film.
Rethink dead areas
Your living room seating options don’t have to be limited to a classic arrangement of sofas and armchairs. Take a look around to see whether there are any unused corners of the room that could accommodate a seat.
A bay window, for example, is the ideal spot for a bespoke bench. Alternatively, an alcove could provide a place to create a cosy reading nook, like the one here.
Discover carpenters and joiners near you in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Your living room seating options don’t have to be limited to a classic arrangement of sofas and armchairs. Take a look around to see whether there are any unused corners of the room that could accommodate a seat.
A bay window, for example, is the ideal spot for a bespoke bench. Alternatively, an alcove could provide a place to create a cosy reading nook, like the one here.
Discover carpenters and joiners near you in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Slot in a multi-tasker
Furniture that does more than one job is a brilliant space-saver in a compact room. A simple idea is to use a footstool or pouffe as your coffee table, and pull it out to the side to use as a chair when an extra perch is needed.
Here, the upholstered stool can be moved sideways to accommodate guests, or placed between the sofas to be used as a footrest or, with the addition of a tray, a coffee table. Look for a design on castors to make it even more portable.
Furniture that does more than one job is a brilliant space-saver in a compact room. A simple idea is to use a footstool or pouffe as your coffee table, and pull it out to the side to use as a chair when an extra perch is needed.
Here, the upholstered stool can be moved sideways to accommodate guests, or placed between the sofas to be used as a footrest or, with the addition of a tray, a coffee table. Look for a design on castors to make it even more portable.
Take the edges off
To avoid cluttering up a small room, consider choosing seating without bulky additions. Go for a low back, for example, or opt for a design without arms.
The sofa and chair in this space are roomy enough to be comfortable. However, the minimal design – low-level and arm-free – means they take up less visual space than more fussy items would.
Tell us…
Will you be using any of these ideas in your small living room? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
To avoid cluttering up a small room, consider choosing seating without bulky additions. Go for a low back, for example, or opt for a design without arms.
The sofa and chair in this space are roomy enough to be comfortable. However, the minimal design – low-level and arm-free – means they take up less visual space than more fussy items would.
Tell us…
Will you be using any of these ideas in your small living room? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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Great island, Little Gem. We have a large island with space for two ajustable seats ( great for grandkids for all sorts of activities) ) which we can also use at our dining table located in the same space. Best use of our space as a U layout would have taken up more space but less storage and counter space. No sink in the island. Drawers on one side and shallow cupboards on the bar side for large dishes and other items etc, not regularly used. (Similar to Little Gem's). We love the space and because we have enough storage, it is mostly just a spot for a large fruit bowl. Easier for retired folk! We have a deep drawer for breakfast items located near the toaster and kettle which are housed in a counter cupboard, (still waiting for a roller door). And a shallow pantry cupboard ( deep just doesn't work! ) nearby but out of the work area. This was a compromise but works fine. Final comment. Our original kitchen was replaced in part because the height of the counters was too low causing backaches! Kitchen tables cause the same problem if they are designated as a work area.
I stared looking at this because we are about to sort out our small separate living room! Lots of great ideas!
I went with this design for my small room
janedale, agree with you. I was looking for images of living rooms without a sofa since in practice people don't sit in a row and it's much easier to curl up with a book or watch a film in a comfy armchair - which is also so much more flexible than a big piece of furniture. Suspect we are in a tiny minority here!