Use a Monochrome Palette
Creating an insanely chic small space is a cinch if you stick to a monochromatic palette as shown in this white living room featured on IKEA Ideas Lab.
Add Interest With Texture
When square footage is exceptionally tight, make the most of your living room with small-scale furniture as shown in this space by Boston based Jamie Keskin Design.
Include Luxe Accents
You do not need a lot of stuff to make an elegant statement. In this lovely space spotted on the Decoist, furnishings and decorative accents in a mix of luxurious materials and chic colors elevates things.
Add a Cozy Sectional
A minimalistic, "L" shaped sectional sofa is a great way to maximize seating in a small living room. A pitch-perfect example is shown in this space by Los Angeles based interior designer Haley Weidenbaum.
Mix White and Dark Hues
Dark furnishings add depth to this white, small living room by Havenly, an online interior design service. Gobs of natural light keeps the gray sofa and cognac side chair from weighing the space down.
Choose Tiny Furniture
When square footage is minimal, go for extra cozy small-scale pieces like the plush sofa in this space spotted on Haus Modelle. Colorful nesting side tables work as an expanding coffee table. A tiny bentwood stool from IKEA adds an extra seat.
Mix Design Styles
IDF Studio, an interior design firm out of San Francisco created this small living room, which is a mash-up of California causal style combined with Scandinavian inspired décor. The pale color palette gives the space it's tranquil and relaxing vibe. Notice the backward books? Facing the pages out works with the room's color scheme.
Play With Scale and Color
Here is another example of how playing with scale works in a simply designed small living room. Here the interior designers at Labl Studio based in New York City combine a mini Chesterfield sofa with what appears to be a giant-sized desk lamp.
Add Lush Greenery
Natasha, the blogger behind Candy Pop, skimps decorative features like a gallery wall in favor of small houseplants in her small living room. She says it makes times spent at home feel like summer 365 days a year.
Dress Up the Corners
Make a small living room that feels stuffed in a tight corner feel more welcoming with these simple decorating tips from this space spotted on Homepolish, a decorating service that matches homeowners with interior designers. The rug on the floor carves out the nook. The window is the central focal point. The sofa below it anchors the area. The gallery wall on the left further defines the space. A small-scale marble coffee table and midcentury side chair bring practical function.
Use Black for Depth
Black walls add depth to this small living room by Utah based interior design firm, Studio McGee. Loads of sunlight and the tall white storage unit on the left keeps the space from feeling cramped or dreary. An inexpensive striped rug anchors the room.
Paint an Accent Wall
A bright yellow feature wall carves out a small living room in a pint-size one bedroom apartment by French interior designer Marion Alberge. Two pieces of small-scale furniture in soft colors, a sofa, and an armchair, bring comfort. The tiny, leggy coffee tables do not hog precious square footage.
Follow a Theme
We love this palm springs inspired living room by interior designer Michelle Gage based in Villanova, Pennsylvania. Plants everywhere and botanic wallpaper both give the simple living room an enormous wow factor. Furniture in soft colors allows the greenery to pop.
Create Areas
If you are working with a small open floor plan, creating a little separation between your different living areas is an efficient way to maximize square footage. In this home by California based interior designer, Haley Weidenbaum a sofa doubles as a space divider.
Choose Colorful Accents
When it comes to creating a simple living room, you can get mighty creative with color. To make it this idea work, keep your walls and ceiling bright white. Here, the interior design duo at California based firm, Taylor and Taylor took this room to the next level with colorful furnishings in contrasting bold and pastel shades.