Ideas · Living room
17 Small Living Room Ideas for Apartments
Armless loveseats, consoles behind the sofa, sofa arm trays, swivel chairs and wall lights that make a small living room comfortable without crowding it.
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A small living room usually has room for one sofa, one chair and not much else. The ideas below replace the extra side tables and floor lamps with things that clip, hang or swivel.
Keep a continuous route through the room and let one compact piece of seating do the work of two.
1. An armless loveseat
No arms means more seat in less width and a lighter look.
2. A compact loveseat in a narrow room
Choose a compact loveseat, float it slightly, use one slim table and keep the route continuous.
3. A slim console behind the sofa
A console behind the sofa holds a lamp and drinks without a side table.
4. A sofa arm tray
A fitted arm tray gives you a stable spot for a drink and the remote while the floor stays open.
5. An arm tray instead of a side table
Keep drinks away from electronics and remove the tray before reclining.
6. A narrow arm table
A slim table that straddles the sofa arm keeps drinks and a phone off the cushions and the aisle open.
7. A sofa arm pocket
A structured washable pocket over the arm holds the remote, glasses and a notebook.
8. A non-slip arm organizer
Limit what goes in it so remotes and books stop sliding into the cushions. Keep drinks elsewhere.
9. A pivoting side shelf
A small shelf swings out for a drink or book and folds flush when the walkway needs to be clear.
10. One swivel chair for two zones
In a studio, one swivel chair turns between desk and dining. Check seat height and turning space.
11. Map the swivel chair's turning circle
A compact swivel chair replaces two chairs. Keep cords and tables out of its full rotation.
12. A supportive swivel chair between zones
Orient one supportive swivel chair between work and living and keep the caster area clear.
13. A wall-mounted reading light
A wall sconce frees up the side table a lamp would need.
14. A slim lamp in an unused corner
A slim floor lamp lights a dead corner and makes the room feel bigger.
15. Place the floor lamp near an outlet
Keep the cord out of walkways and never under a rug. Ask your landlord about any unsafe outlets.
16. Ceiling-hung curtains
Curtains hung from a ceiling track make the room look taller and soften the edges.
17. Plan furniture around a space heater
Follow the heater's instructions, keep anything flammable away, place it on a stable surface and never block exits.
Before you buy anything
- Choose sofas with legs and thin arms to keep the room light.
- One rug that fits under the front legs of all seating pulls a small room together.
Questions people ask
How do I arrange a small living room?
Use a compact sofa or loveseat, float it slightly off the wall, keep one clear route and replace side tables with arm trays or wall lights.
What can I use instead of a side table?
A sofa arm tray, a C-table, a pivoting wall shelf, a console behind the sofa or a wall-mounted light.
