How to Decorate A Small Living Room

Many homes have living rooms that are small, where it feels like there’s hardly even enough room to walk between the furniture. Unless you like a cluttered look, it’s hard to know what to do with a room no larger than 200 square feet. Fortunately, you have plenty of options.

If your living room or family room feels way too claustrophobic, you can start by dressing it up with vibrant colors and patterns. All too often, homeowners will lighten up the area a little too much-a common error. The fear of adding to a cluttered look can result in a boring, sterile room consisting of a sea of white: white walls and furniture, with very little hanging on the walls.

Decades ago, the presiding recommendation was that you “open up” small spaces with super-light colors such as white and linen. But now things have changed. These days, people want a living room that bursts with color and vibrancy. The room can be made to look airy, spacious, and very inviting. Using the right colors and patterns is the trick here. Here are a few tips that can help you take that small, drab living room and transform it into a beautiful space that’s just bursting with personality.

1. Choose a light shade for the room, but stay away from white. Take a swatch of the fabric you intend to use that contains the shade of paint you’re looking for. If you’re looking for a great color that lends a botanical feel to the room, consider celery green or vibrant peach. Paint both the ceiling and walls a lighter shade of whatever color you choose. Then you can paint any doors in the room, baseboards, and other trim a darker complementary color.
2. Use botanical prints to liven up a bare, uninteresting wall. You might take these from old books or anywhere else you can find them. Find a shade for the mat that complements the picture as well as the paint color you’ve chosen for the room. You might even group several together on one wall, creating a focal point splashed with color.
3. Add a light, airy feel to the room with sheer silky curtains. Place your curtain rod up close to the ceiling, allowing the sheer curtains to touch the floor. By making the ceiling appear higher, you give a more expansive look to the window area.
4. Use furniture that looks sturdy but isn’t overstuffed or bulky. Find patterns with colors that contrast and also complement your walls, curtains, and other décor. It’s great to include bold, contrasting patterns here. In fact, sometimes bold strips are a perfect touch. By creating a lively look, the smallness of the room gets lost in the inviting, vibrant atmosphere.

You might also add a unique and interesting touch to the décor by recovering the seat cushions of a solid-toned couch in a colorful, fun pattern. You might also want to use end tables or wood coffee tables that fold up or a narrow profile wood tv stand, if you have them. This way, you can open up the floor area after your guests have gone by storing them away.

This is just the beginning of the many ways you can open up those tight spaces in your home. These are just a few suggestions to help get your creativity flowing. When dealing with a small space, use your imagination, and most of all, have fun with it.