6 Tricks Designers Use to Make a Small Living Room Look Bigger

A few strategic design changes can visually expand your living room.

Whether it’s fitting in enough seating or figuring out a way to decorate the walls—balancing functionality and design in a small living room can be a challenge. So, how do you transform a space from cramped to cozy and inviting? It’s all about tricking the eye. Here are eight tricks interior designers use to make small living rooms look and feel larger.

Meet the Experts

• Rachel Humphreys , co-founder of Humphrey Orr Interiors
• Kristin Harrison , Virginia-based interior designer and founder of Bungalow 10 Interiors
• Ursula Carmona , home and garden style expert, founder of the DIY and design blog Home Made by Carmona, and HomeGoods Featured Finder

When It Comes to Rug Size, Bigger Is Better

The wrong rug size can make a room feel much smaller, explains Rachel Humphreys of Humphrey Orr Interiors. “Make sure the rug is the right size for your space," she says. "People often only place rugs under the sitting area, which can make the room feel smaller and more cramped. A custom rug with a small wood margin always helps make a space feel larger.”

Hang the Curtains Extra High

One of the best tricks, according to Humphreys, is to install curtains much higher than the top of the window to draw the eye upward. A good rule of thumb is to hang the rods about two-thirds up from the distance between the top of the window to the ceiling. “This will make the ceilings feel higher and the space larger.” Be sure to measure more than once, so you don’t accidentally order the wrong size.

Consider Installing Built-Ins

Custom built-ins can change how you utilize space in a smaller living room. “Built-ins, such as bookcases, can add another dimension to the space and provide storage to reduce clutter," Humphreys says. "The top of the built-in should align with the ceiling to draw the eye upward and make the room feel grander."

Built-ins are also prime opportunities to create design moments. For example, you can have them painted in a bold color or add custom moldings for a truly unique aesthetic.

Add a Mirror

“Reflective surfaces always help enlarge a space,” shares Humphreys. “Adding a large decorative mirror to a wall can give the illusion of a larger room.”

If you’re not into decorating with mirrors, however, the designer suggests using highly reflective paint instead. This can have a similar effect, bouncing the light across the room and making the space feel more expansive.

Buy Less Furniture

While you might want a sofa, side table, coffee table, ottoman, floor lamp, and two accent chairs, you may need to pare down your choices if you don’t have a large space. “A smaller room might only need a large sofa or sectional, a coffee table, and a chair," says Humphreys. "Putting too much furniture in a room can make it feel cramped and cluttered."

If you need more storage, consider a sofa or ottoman with built-in storage, or a television console with lots of closed cabinetry.

Related: 15 Furniture Pieces and Organizers With Clever Storage Solutions to Keep Your Home Tidy

Skip the Gallery Wall

You might think a gallery wall is ideal in a small room, but HomeGoods featured finder Ursula Carmona recommends going with large-scale statement artwork instead. “Unlike a gallery wall, a single large piece avoids visual clutter and gives the illusion of a roomier space," she says.

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