Compact Living: Expert Ways to Maximise a Small Living Room

City living often comes with a trade-off: great location, but limited square footage. However, a small living room shouldn’t limit your design aspirations. With clever planning and the right furniture choices, you can create a space that feels spacious, functional, and incredibly stylish.

Choose Furniture with “Legs”

One of the oldest tricks in the interior design book is particularly effective for small UK homes. When selecting sofas and armchairs, opt for designs raised on legs rather than boxy units that sit flush against the floor. Being able to see the floor running underneath the furniture tricks the eye into thinking the room is larger than it is. It creates a sense of flow and airiness that is vital in compact spaces.

Multifunctional Magic

In a small room, every item must earn its keep. Look for coffee tables with hidden storage for remotes and magazines, or ottomans that can double as extra seating when guests arrive. Nesting tables are another brilliant solution; they can be spread out when you’re entertaining and neatly tucked away to save floor space when not in use.

Vertical Thinking

When floor space is scarce, look up. Utilise your walls for storage and decor. Tall, open shelving units draw the eye upward, emphasising the height of the room rather than its narrow width. Additionally, using a large mirror opposite a window acts like a “virtual window,” bouncing natural light around the room and instantly doubling the perceived depth of the space.