Looking at larger living spaces of neighbors and friends, if yours is much smaller, can put you in an awkward spot. In spite of this however, what you should know is that with smart styling you can turn that small living room into a space which feels far more amplified than its measurements would suggest.
The devil is very much in the detail with this room, and the more of those details that you get right, the larger the space will feel. Here are just some examples of how you can play with the space to make it feel bigger.
Well Placed Lighting
Having an open ceiling is key to amplifying the space which rules out any kind of lighting which hangs. Utilizing smart lighting here is the ultimate option, with the inclusion of swinging arm lighting on walls around the room and installing strip lighting to the ceiling above. With regards to lamps, smaller options will be best so as to fill less space.
Adding Club Chairs
There is always the temptation to add a sofa straight into this space but the use of club chairs here would be a much smarter idea. Singular chairs can be moved easier and they also occupy less space. For best results here look for natural colors and materials, such as soft linens.
Use of Mirrors
The addition of windows may be overkill in this situation; nevertheless, the installation of a sizable mirror is an excellent choice for achieving the desired effect of expanded room size. Mirrors and windows both give the impression of additional space. Choose the wall that is the most expansive in your space and work toward covering as much of it as possible with an attractive mirror.
Build-In Shelving
In spite of the fact that you only have a limited amount of space available, it is quite likely that you will need additional shelving units because this area frequently requires their installation. The most efficient solution would be to cut into the wall and install shelving that is designed to be permanent. This provides a solution to not one but two issues: first, you may have storage without taking up all of the space, and second, the indentation that you make will contribute to the impression that the room is larger than it actually is. Because of this, you should make sure to refrain from putting doors on the shelving and instead leave it open and airy.
Build-in shelving is also to save massively on your space, and provide a more comfortable living environment. It can also customize according your personal needs, thus saving the space at the same time.
Low Tables
It is not the end of the world if you fill up the ground space; however, when you start eating into the higher layers of the room, this is when it can begin to feel like it is getting crowded. Because of this, TV consoles and coffee tables should be placed low to the ground in order to make the most of the space that is above the eye line while people are seated.
In conclusion, with regard to the color palette, a significant portion of this will be determined by the amount of natural light that is streaming into the room. If there is a lot of natural light coming in through the windows, you should choose a deeper color palette. On the other hand, if there is not a lot of natural light, you should choose bright creams and light tones.
It is possible, with careful planning and execution, to give the impression that your living room is larger than it actually is.
