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A spacious and bright apartment in which a bright living room is a dream for many, because the realities are as follows: the presence of a room that is modest in size.
How to make the interior of a small living room cozy? Today there are many affordable interior designs available.
When planning a room, you should follow a number of tips on choosing materials for finishing, when choosing decor, in order to give style and homeliness to a tiny living room.
Interior style for a small living room
The living room is the face of the house and its arrangement should be given special attention. It’s always a pleasure to relax in a beautiful interior, as well as to invite friends. To visually increase the space of the room, it is advisable to opt for one of the styles described below. They are united by lightness, uncluttered details and predominantly light colors in the decoration.
Living room in modern style
This style combines functionality and neatness. Clean graphic lines, calm monochrome colors, cutting-edge materials and the latest electronics create the perfect environment for busy people. Modern style is reminiscent of office style, but it can always be complemented with cute home decor, textiles, sofa cushions or indoor plants.
Living room in classic style
The luxurious classic style is characterized by harmony and symmetry. An abundance of white, crystal chandeliers and sconces, mirrors in gilded frames will fill the room with a soft glow.
The main decoration of a small living room in a classic style is carved ivory-colored furniture or expensive wood polished to a shine.
There must be stucco molding, relief cornices, arches, and columns. The windows are covered with heavy curtains with vertical drapery and jewelry-made tiebacks.
Living room in Provence style
The charming simplicity of southern France is the best solution for a small romantic living room. The distinctive features of Provence are lace, floral prints on wallpaper, as well as pastel beige, peach, blue and gray shades. All that remains is to get a beautiful set, put a bowl of homemade jam and have a tea party!
Living room in loft style
The design of a small loft-style living room includes bare walls, panoramic windows and a minimal amount of furniture. Abstract paintings, black and white photographs, and metal floor lamps can serve as decor.
Living room in minimalist style
The name of this trend speaks for itself - a minimum of things, no decorations, only the necessary compact furniture and modern appliances.
One color is used, or at least two. Design in white, grey, beige, silver or blue is allowed. Accents can be intense, but always in a calm tone.
Living room in Scandinavian style
Scandinavian interior style is a snow-white background with a slight admixture of beige, bright accents, and a lot of natural light. This design will create a feeling of freshness in a small living room.
How to create a cozy living room
Even the most expensive wall decoration and choice of good furniture will not create absolute comfort in the room. Only a strict adherent of minimalism refuses decorative items, and in most interiors they are present. You shouldn’t clutter a small room, but it is advisable to purchase a couple of interesting accessories.
Depending on the preferences of the owners, this could be a candlestick, an interesting flower in a flowerpot, one or two beautiful photographs. You can also buy a couple of bright small pillows for the sofa and even a small electric fireplace. It is used more and more often in modern interiors: it does not take up much space and looks very effective. And on a cool evening you can sit comfortably near it, watching the blinking fairy lights.
Whatever the design, don't be afraid to experiment. It may not be possible to create a beautiful and functional living room right away. But many “mistakes” (with the exception of choosing furniture) can almost always be corrected, and it’s even better to immediately seek help from an experienced designer. And then even a small amount of square meters will perfectly turn the living room into an ideal room for all household members and their guests.
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Color is important!
To visually enlarge a small living room, you need to keep the design in two or three light or neutral colors. Darker ones can be used in flooring, furniture, and neat decor. The pattern should be on one thing - if the walls are decorated, then the textiles are plain, and vice versa. A restrained palette, conciseness, lack of flashy details - this is the secret of a room in which nothing will distract or irritate.
White living room
White color is ideal for the background (walls, ceiling), it goes well with other colors - it gives them contrast. Makes the living room more spacious and brighter.
Living room in gray tones
Neutral gray shades mute overly bright objects. For vertical surfaces, a bleached tone of dry asphalt, silver, is suitable. Furniture and decor may be darker.
Living room in brown tones
Brown color looks great in autumn colors - from sand to chocolate. Possible inclusions of orange, red, burgundy or light green shades.
Living room in blue tones
Blue color has a calming effect on the human psyche and cools. A white ceiling, blue walls and light furniture are a magical option for the interior design of a small living room.
Living room in green tones
Green color has a good effect on vision and improves well-being. Looks beautiful surrounded by natural elements in shades of wood, stones, water and flowers.
Living room in lilac color
Shades of sunset and lavender fields. A small living room in lilac color will set the mood for a romantic mood and will become a favorite relaxation place for all the inhabitants of the apartment.
Stylistic fashion
The fight for centimeters in the interior of a small living room is a noble cause, but upon completion you should not feel uncomfortable in the room . Think about the fact that the newfangled design in the style of minimalism, which implies almost complete asceticism in the setting and in a modern interpretation often resembles a shuttle cabin, can be really disgusting to you. But removing such bulky structures as batteries is a completely rational solution that does not cause negativity. Use the heated floor system. This method of heating will not just be a tribute to fashion trends, but also a successful tactical step, both in terms of expanding space and in terms of saving money.
Decorating a small living room
To make your living room look impressive, you should choose high-quality, but not necessarily expensive, materials for its decoration. The main criterion in this case is aesthetics.
Floor
Natural parquet, laminate and carpet are most often used to cover the floor in a small living room.
An extravagant design can also be created using self-leveling flooring, artificial stone, tiles or porcelain stoneware. A glossy or polished surface will visually add height to the room.
If there are small children in the house, it is worth laying carpets - they will soften falls and keep the kids warm while playing on the floor, and protect expensive finishing from damage.
Walls
The side background of a small living room should be light, without noticeable spots of color. Monochromatic painting, seamless wallpaper (possible with narrow vertical patterns), brick or stone masonry, polished stone, plastic panels are suitable.
An interesting addition could be panoramic wallpaper with a 3D effect, mirror and glass partitions, and artistic painting.
You can make interesting illuminated niches in plasterboard walls to place equipment, an aquarium, a collection of souvenirs or books.
Ceiling
A suspended mirror ceiling, a two-level plasterboard or a combination ceiling will look best in a small living room.
In the economical version, it is enough to simply level it and paint it white. You should avoid all kinds of plastic panels - squares and stripes will visually reduce the height of the room. The same goes for massive hanging chandeliers.
Decor and textiles
The choice of fabrics will largely depend on the overall style of the interior. So, satin, silk, velvet textures are ideal for classics; for loft - translucent white, for Provence and country - with small flowers.
To visually enlarge the space of a small living room, it is recommended to use light and shiny textiles. Curtains should be in harmony with the rest of the decoration, partially repeat the patterns on the wallpaper, emphasize the color of the walls or merge with it.
If you attach the cornice to the ceiling and lower the curtains to the floor, the room will appear higher. A good solution for a small room is full-wall curtains, always light and with vertical drapery.
Large paintings with perspective views, mirrors, modular images, family photos and interesting panels are suitable for decoration. Vases with flowers or branches and indoor plants would also be appropriate in the living room.
On open shelves you can place collectible editions of books, figurines and interior candles. In order not to disturb the harmony of a small space, it is advisable to use decor very sparingly.
Placement of furniture and equipment
The placement of a sofa, TV, coffee table, shelves and other important things in a small living room largely depends on its layout. So, in a studio apartment you will have to combine a relaxation area with a dining area, and perhaps also provide a folding bed; the walk-through living room should be fenced off somehow and made more comfortable; a rectangular room will need to be balanced using geometric techniques.
Small square living room
The symmetrical harmony of the square allows you to beautifully arrange any furniture under the wall or in the center. Using corner structures, the furnishings can be made diamond-shaped.
Narrow (rectangular) small living room
In such rooms, the door is usually located opposite the window and the effect of a corridor is obtained. The situation can be improved in the following way: curtain the window with white curtains with smooth horizontal drapery, make the front door large and light - this will make the narrow walls appear larger. Free areas should be finished with elements like brickwork or shelving with elongated shelves should be installed.
The wide sides should be mirror-like, glossy, with noticeable vertical lines of a contrasting color and clear shape from the floor to the ceiling.
The plank floor should be laid parallel to the narrow walls.
It is advisable to choose furniture with high backs - squat ones will “smear” the room.
Small living room of non-standard shape
If the living room is the result of complex zoning or the owners decide to equip an attic for this purpose, the problem of a non-standard layout arises.
In this case, it is worth ordering corner or semicircular furniture, walls with beveled edges, unusual tables and taking care of access to light in every area of the space.
Decor and design
The design and interior decoration of a small living room is a controversial issue. Many designers agree that you should stick to soft and neutral colors without strong contrasts. Others, on the contrary, argue that the interior should focus attention on certain things, such as a bright print on the wall or photo wallpaper.
Related article: Design features of a small bathroom (+49 photos)
The use of photo wallpaper in a cramped space can be very advisable if you approach this issue with a bit of ingenuity and ingenuity.
With the help of photo wallpaper, you can turn an empty wall into a kind of window, from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the metropolis or a picturesque landscape.
The choice of decorative elements should be approached with special attention, since such things can either harmoniously complement the design or negate all its charm. In conditions of cramped space, preference should be given to narrow, tall vases made in dark colors, glass shelves and metal objects. Do not forget that chrome-plated metal perfectly reflects light and gives the room a feeling of lightness.
Lighting in a small living room
The correct placement and aesthetic appearance of lamps can greatly transform any small room. The living room definitely needs at least one powerful lamp on the ceiling, but you shouldn’t hang a bulky chandelier if the actual height of the room is less than 4 meters.
You can install neat spot diodes around the perimeter, attach sconces to the wall near the sofa (to make it convenient, for example, to read books), and highlight the decor or shelves with your favorite things with flexible ribbons. In some design options, stylized lanterns, garlands and luminescent elements will look very beautiful.
Light coming from below, vertically from the floor, will help get rid of the feeling of a ceiling hanging over your head. Reflected in a glossy film, it will make the room appear taller.
Keep it in moderation
If you are organizing and designing a small living room yourself, then do not overdo it with your desires. For example, if you plan to decorate the walls with homemade paintings, then you should not hang them on all surfaces. Use one – your favorite one.
There is no need to fill all the walls with decorative elements and pieces of furniture. Designers recommend using only one accent that will attract attention. With this approach, you and your guests will focus on one specific place, which will reduce the feeling of clutter.
Design of a small living room in Khrushchev
In Khrushchev houses, as a rule, one cannot do without redevelopment - in such cases the living room is often combined with the kitchen. This helps to increase the area and turn a familiar room into a modern studio.
To save free space, it is recommended to adhere to minimalism: use compact narrow shelves, doors without handles, hang a flat-screen TV on the wall rather than install it on a bulky cabinet.
It is better to choose folding upholstered furniture - this way, in case guests spend the night, there will be an additional sleeping place.
A free corner of a small living room in a Khrushchev building should be equipped as a workplace: put a computer, a lamp there and attach hanging shelves for books.
Tips for choosing a style
Quite often, the living room performs several functions at once: it serves as a study, a place for receiving guests, and sometimes also a bedroom. When choosing its style and interior, this is worth taking into account. It is unlikely that it would be appropriate to use the classic style: he “loves” a spacious area and luxurious wooden furniture, which, due to its dimensions, requires a lot of space.
The word “won’t fit” can be applied to Provence or country style. Their “trick” is a lot of decorative items that create coziness - all kinds of vases, photographs and candlesticks. But they are contraindicated for a small area.
But minimalism and modernism are suitable for a small living room: they are based on a small number of interior items, so the space will not look cluttered. And people in the living room will not feel discomfort from the cramped space. Both styles involve functional furniture that can perform several functions at once - for a small living room this is a godsend.
Connection with other rooms
In cramped conditions, a good way to increase space is to combine the living room with adjacent rooms.
Combination of a small living room and kitchen
This is a very logical option - in the living room they receive friends, relax, and cannot do without tea drinking or festive feasts. It is enough just to visually separate the food preparation area with a bar counter, and on the other side put a sofa, TV, wall - and you will get a comfortable multifunctional studio.
Combining a living room with a balcony or loggia
By removing the partition between the small living room and the loggia, due to the latter, you can significantly expand the space, as well as create a greenhouse or work area. To prevent heat from escaping from the apartment, the balcony will have to be glazed, the cracks sealed and well insulated.
Combining the living room with the hallway or corridor
This redevelopment option is often found in private houses, but it is also quite suitable for apartments. A few square meters at the entrance can be left for storing clothes and shoes, separating this area, for example, with ceramic floor tiles (to make cleaning more convenient), and the rest of the space can be covered with carpet or parquet and used as a living room.
Small living room design ideas - photos
Our gallery contains the most interesting design solutions for small living rooms. In the photo you can see what effect this or that finish gives, what different color combinations look like, where it is better to place furniture and appliances. Get inspired!
Summarizing
Creating a modern, unique, cozy and at the same time functional interior in a small living room is quite difficult. Many factors should be taken into account: from lighting to the choice of tonality and shades of wallpaper, ceiling, flooring. Of course, if you have experience, you can do all the work yourself, but entrust the development of the general trend and style, as well as the most complex work, to professionals. The interior of a modern living room in a small apartment is shown in the photo.
