Making the Most of Small Living Rooms

Making the Most of Small Living Rooms

How do you get the very most out of a room that needs to give so much — particularly when it is spatially challenged? We show you how.

As somewhere you socialise, spend time as a family and, most importantly, relax – your retreat at the end of a hectic day – your living room needs to be capable of multi-tasking.

To make a small living room really work, it needs to be practical, flexible and clever.

Start by drawing a plan of the room and then ‘zoning’ it into separate areas, mapping out sections for each function you want it to fulfil. Even in the smallest of spaces you can choose a corner for entertainment, an area for quiet relaxation and a space for children to play in.

Figure out what you are going to use each space for and what furniture you need to buy in order for it to work hard in its given role.

A Place for Everything

Well-chosen furniture is a must in a small space to avoid it feeling cluttered and claustrophobic. Fit wall shelves as opposed to floor-standing shelving units to avoid taking up valuable floor space and look at the less obvious spaces for them too — around and over doorways or archways for example, or, if you feel you have the floor space, take them right from floor to ceiling..

Choose furniture wisely too. Coffee tables that feature built-in shelving, TV stands that offer storage for more than just your television, but also space for DVDs, games consoles and the like all make sense, as do sofas and armchairs with hidden storage underneath.

Opt for sleek, fuss-free furniture that has a minimal impact on the space around it. Zespoke’s funky coffee tables and retro TV stands offer a streamlined appearance, whilst at the same time offering plenty of practical appeal.

Thinking Outside the Box

Your storage options do not have to be limited to the more obvious living room furniture ideas — coffee tables, shelving and TV stands for example. Look at other ways of gaining extra space for all your bits and bobs. Dual purpose items come into their own when faced with a small living room  — think foot stools with storage and window seats with lift up lids, for example. Fireplaces with mantlepieces are useful spots for decorative accessories such as photographs and candle holders, whilst covering radiators with radiator covers means extra shelf space. Another great idea is to use room dividers to separate spaces up and choose ones that offer storage too.

Deflect Attention

Although light, neutral colours on the walls are a great idea in small living rooms, you shouldn’t feel you are limited to pale colours. A bold pattern on one wall or a splash of colour introduced through soft furnishings can actually pull the attention away from the room’s size. Another great way of doing this is to choose a statement piece of furniture, such as a retro TV stand.

Zespoke’s range of furniture is ideal for small spaces — offering sleek design, a huge choice of customisable colour and patterns and flexibility when it comes to your storage options.

Small really can be beautiful — and very stylish too.