I had a similar setup that always felt awkward and I finally figured out how to fix it over the past couple of months. My room isn’t exactly like this but the general advice should remain the same. Get a straight couch (not L shaped) and pull it away from the wall a bit. It feels counterintuitive but leaving even just a few inches of space behind a couch can really open up a space. It’ll also give your curtains some room to breathe so they don’t look like the couch is crushing them so much. It’s hard to tell from these photos but if you have space I’d get a small cute chair in a different fabric from the couch. I’d either put it where the ottoman is now or on the opposite side of the room if it’ll leave you enough space to walk between the doorways. I’d also put a side table next to the couch. Maybe a cute vase and some coasters on it. This isn’t layout related but I’d also recommend replacing those cube shelves with a proper TV unit. It’ll look a lot cleaner. I recently bought a few IKEA Besta units and I’m very happy with them. They’re simple, clean, customizable, and most importantly very affordable. They were on sale when I bought them and I did a full 12’ wall of Besta units for about $300 IIRC. Answer from itsnottommy on reddit.com
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Apartment Therapy
apartmenttherapy.com › best-living-room-layouts-2025-37523460
The 5 Best Living Room Layouts We Saw All Year Long (They’re Great for Small Spaces!)
1 week ago - In Salli Mandel’s 550-square-foot Washington, D.C., apartment, she was given the challenge of creating zones to live, eat, and work — all within a single (and small!) open space. But she didn’t let this multi-purpose goal detract from a proper living room. Instead she opted for a classic living room layout, but did it on a petite scale.
Small Living Room Ideas?
I had a similar setup that always felt awkward and I finally figured out how to fix it over the past couple of months. My room isn’t exactly like this but the general advice should remain the same. Get a straight couch (not L shaped) and pull it away from the wall a bit. It feels counterintuitive but leaving even just a few inches of space behind a couch can really open up a space. It’ll also give your curtains some room to breathe so they don’t look like the couch is crushing them so much. It’s hard to tell from these photos but if you have space I’d get a small cute chair in a different fabric from the couch. I’d either put it where the ottoman is now or on the opposite side of the room if it’ll leave you enough space to walk between the doorways. I’d also put a side table next to the couch. Maybe a cute vase and some coasters on it. This isn’t layout related but I’d also recommend replacing those cube shelves with a proper TV unit. It’ll look a lot cleaner. I recently bought a few IKEA Besta units and I’m very happy with them. They’re simple, clean, customizable, and most importantly very affordable. They were on sale when I bought them and I did a full 12’ wall of Besta units for about $300 IIRC. More on reddit.com
How would you design this apartment living room?
You’ve got a lot of little stuff. You’ll need to balance that with a few big pieces, as well finding ways to store a little of stuff out of sight like in baskets etc. I’d recommend a long brick and board shelf for your tv, plus to store stuff and have baskets to put a way a lot of stuff. It should be most of the wall. I’d get a go art for the right of the tv. You might get some colorful crochet curtains, or get them in natural oatmeal color. Get rid of the table with legs and move the square table in the middle. Go thrift shopping and find two upholstered chairs that relate to each other well. They don’t have to match, just relate. 3 small art down the middle between the windows. Maybe some patterned colorful throw pillows. More on reddit.com
Small apartment living room is getting pretty crowded. Any advice / recommendations?
That center table looks way to big for that space. A smaller one would immediately create a more open feel. More on reddit.com
Living room layout suggestions
You should check out Mr Cliff Tan on Tik Tok. He talks about how to best arrange rooms according to Feng Shui etc. He has very nice suggestions. Tik tok handle: @dearmodern. I think he's on ig too. More on reddit.com
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Apartment Therapy
apartmenttherapy.com › small-living-room-home-design-ideas-254768
40 Small Living Room Ideas That Maximize Space and Style | Apartment Therapy
With the right sized furniture, this decorating strategy can make a layout look more like a deliberately open floor plan — not just a one room apartment. ... Even a tiny alcove, like in this New York apartment, can work as the perfect living room. Emphasize the coziness of a small footprint with soft textures and calming colors, both of which can make a tiny area feel intentionally small.
Published August 17, 2024
IKEA
ikea.com › ikea ideas › home furnishings
Living large in a small apartment living room - IKEA
A little studio apartment where the living room is a workspace too. Sound familiar? Even with its small footprint, this living-work area delivers on all fronts, offering up a corner for creative work, a generous sofa for down-time and enough storage – open, closed and secreted away – to keep every object organised and accessible.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/designmyroom › how would you design this apartment living room?
r/DesignMyRoom on Reddit: How would you design this apartment living room?
September 12, 2024 -
Moved in with my bf last year, and have been experimenting since then, but I’m always feeling like something is not quite right. He had the vintage rug that I love, and we bought the couch but I second guess it everyday. We’re artist types so spend a lot of time at home, and this is kind of the catch all office as well, but I feel distracted/unsatisfied with the space. Any suggestions would be appreciated! I’ve thought of -getting a bigger media console -replacing the two stacked side tables by the windows with an actual arm chair/reading book (it’s dead space my cat just uses now) -making the wall by the keyboard more interesting/adding some shelves
Top answer 1 of 12
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You’ve got a lot of little stuff. You’ll need to balance that with a few big pieces, as well finding ways to store a little of stuff out of sight like in baskets etc. I’d recommend a long brick and board shelf for your tv, plus to store stuff and have baskets to put a way a lot of stuff. It should be most of the wall. I’d get a go art for the right of the tv. You might get some colorful crochet curtains, or get them in natural oatmeal color. Get rid of the table with legs and move the square table in the middle. Go thrift shopping and find two upholstered chairs that relate to each other well. They don’t have to match, just relate. 3 small art down the middle between the windows. Maybe some patterned colorful throw pillows.
2 of 12
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Holy cluster fuck. Get rid of a bunch of junk first.
The Spruce
thespruce.com › small-apartment-living-room-ideas-7111452
40 Small Apartment Living Room Ideas to Maximize Space and Style
March 20, 2025 - Adapt seating to the layout of your space and your lifestyle. Try a smaller sofa with two armchairs; float a set of four large and comfortable armchairs around a round coffee table in the middle of the room; or place a sectional in the corner that fits your space to concentrate seating in one spot. Where should I put my couch and TV in a small apartment?
Within the Grove
withinthegrove.com › small-apartment-living-room
Making Over My Brother's Small Apartment Living Room - Within the Grove
April 4, 2022 - By hanging the curtains near the ceiling, it makes the apartment feel larger by making the wall appear taller. Something great for a 110 square foot area. You also don’t want to block any of the natural light from the window. To maximize the sunlight, hang the curtain panels just past the edge of the window. This will also make it look like you have a larger window. For the side tables beside the couch and the coffee table, I picked out nesting tables for both. They can become compact for small spaces like this but also provide additional surface area when needed.
Apartment Therapy
apartmenttherapy.com › long-narrow-living-room-deas-254700
11 Long Living Room Ideas: Narrow Layout Design Tips I’ve Used | Apartment Therapy
October 23, 2025 - This small Barcelona apartment is a perfect example of how this tip can make the space feel more livable. This living room is so narrow that it’s more like a hallway than a room, so to preserve the ability to walk through the space, the best bet for the furniture is to place it all along the back wall, leaving a nice open walkway from room to room.
House Beautiful
housebeautiful.com › room ideas › living + family rooms › 62 clever small sitting room ideas that designers swear by
Designers Say This Is the "Perfect" Seating Arrangement for Small Rooms
November 17, 2025 - In small living rooms, it's essential to find creative storage solutions and arrange furniture to avoid a cramped feel. In Liz Dutton's Ohio home, this is achieved by storing a stack of books neatly under the antique, low-to-the-ground coffee table and using a small side table for drinks. In a space with limited square footage, it's crucial not to overcrowd the walls or block walking paths. Unique solutions like these ensure a balanced and open layout.
Pinterest
pinterest.com › squareinchhome › small-living-room-ideas
460 Best Small Living Room Ideas
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Discover 370 Small Apartment Design and ...
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