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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House Beautiful
housebeautiful.com › room ideas › living + family rooms › 62 clever small sitting room ideas that designers swear by
62 Smart Small Sitting Room Ideas That Designers Swear By in 2025
November 17, 2025 - This area is often empty, but in this living room by designer Serena Dugan, the designer hung handy bookshelves to display a welcoming collection of paperbacks without making the space feel crowded. ... Since much of this house by Suzanne Kasler is an open floor plan, she made sure to differentiate this smaller living area by painting the ceiling to section off the space. The deep blue is relaxing and elegant, and the slight glossy shine helps to make the room feel larger.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/designmyroom › small living room ideas?
r/DesignMyRoom on Reddit: Small Living Room Ideas?
December 12, 2024 - If you’re putting something in front of the windows keep it small like a chair or bench seating. It’s hard to tell from the photos what the adjacent rooms are but that little nook in the back is great how you have it, for a Christmas tree or a bar cart or desk.
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House & Garden
houseandgarden.co.uk › decoration › design ideas › 57 small living room ideas for compact spaces
57 small living room ideas for compact spaces | House & Garden
1 month ago - A generous L-shaped sofa wraps around the walls, and a bookshelf incorporates a small desk as well as plenty of storage. Another bookshelf was custom-made for the space between the windows, and Emma designed a banquette to go beneath it, so ...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/designmyroom › furniture suggestions in small living room
r/DesignMyRoom on Reddit: Furniture Suggestions in Small Living Room
December 31, 2024 -

I need to buy new furniture for this space. Our living room looks like a kids first apartment... (Mostly because that's what this furniture was and we're just now upgrading.) I know it needs color, more homey touches and art. My biggest problem is starting with anchor pieces.

I want to get new furniture but I can't figure out how to put things in this room without it being over crowded or too empty.

I need at least 3 seats, preferably 4. And space for 2 medium dog kennels. I might get one of those entertainment center tables that had two kennels built in.

If you had this space what anchor pieces would you buy and how would you arrange the furniture?

I like cozy home stuff, antiques and cottage look. But my partner prefers a more traditional style, in his own words "like my parents house in the 90s". 🫠

*That ugly random light fixture is going, it's on the to-do list. But for now I hate everything and it provides light.

*Winter is the Shihtzu that insisted on being in the photographs.

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Amazon
amazon.com › living-room-decor › s
Amazon.com: Living Room Decor
3 days ago - Check each product page for other buying options. Price and other details may vary based on product size and color · Key Holder for Wall, Decorative Key and Mail Holder with Shelf Has Large Hooks for Bags, Coats, Umbrella – Paulownia Wood Key Hanger with Mounting Hardware (9.8”W x 6.7”H ...
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HGTV
hgtv.com › home › decorating › living and dining rooms
30 Small Living Room Decorating Ideas That Will Maximize Your Tiny Space in 2025
July 28, 2025 - Find out how to make the most of your small space living room with tried-and-true design ideas and color schemes that won’t cramp your style.
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Southern Living
southernliving.com › living-rooms-6541750
100 Living Room Decorating Ideas We Love
1 week ago - Even a rustic wood cabin can be softened and made more sophisticated with fabric and furnishings. Barn builders used post-and-beam construction in rough-hewn yellow pine in this farmhouse living room. Linen curtains with vintage trim add elegance to the rustic room.
Find elsewhere
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Houzz
houzz.com › living photos › living room › size: compact
75 Small Living Room Ideas You'll Love - December, 2025 | Houzz
On the other hand, if you have a small, narrow living room, make use of it with a long sofa and a thin coffee table. If you’re able to paint your living room, you have the option of going light and airy or creating a bold jewel box of a room. Proponents of white walls argue it makes the room feel more spacious and uncluttered — perfect for a tiny space. But if you have your heart set on an elegant small living room that makes use of rich colors, go for it!
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Arhaus
arhaus.com › collections › living-room-furniture
Living Room Furniture | Arhaus
3 weeks ago - Shop our collection of living room seating, tables and cabinets at Arhaus.com
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Pinterest
pinterest.com › sothebyshome › chic-living-rooms
Chic Living Rooms - interior design, interior, home decor
Small Space Living · Casas De Ensueño · Dark Wood Library Furniture · Ralph Lauren Library Interior Design · Mahogany Library · Mahogany Library Room · Elegant Historic Library Interior · Brown Sofa Home Library · Elegant Dark Wood Library Design · Interior Vignette ·
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Havenly
havenly.com › home › havenly posts › design 101 › 16 elevated ways to style a tv in a small living room, per havenly designers
16 Designer Small Living Room Ideas With TV | Havenly Blog | Havenly Interior Design Blog
July 2, 2025 - Matching sofas opposite one another help to ground the room, while a pair of airy accent chairs fill in the open space. If you’re lucky enough to have ample light in your small space, play it up with a statement sofa in front of your windows.
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Scandinavian Designs
scandinaviandesigns.com › home › living room
Living Room Furniture Collections | Scandinavian Designs
Whether you're updating a mid-century modern living room or adding modern touches, our expertly crafted designs will help you achieve your ideal living room design. Scandinavian Designs offers Scandinavian-inspired living room furniture that combines minimalist design with lasting craftsmanship. Our pieces are built with sustainability in mind, using eco-friendly materials that are both beautiful and durable. Whether furnishing a small apartment or designing a spacious home, our collection offers timeless solutions that cater to both form and function.
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Homes and Gardens
homesandgardens.com › interior design › living rooms
Small living room ideas – 38 clever ways to plan and decorate a compact space
October 19, 2022 - The emerald velvet green cushions create a contrast against a soft white backdrop, while the ottoman makes for a subtler distinction, then we used accents of green, inspired by the artwork, to help unite this elegant scheme.’ ... Symmetry in interior design is introduced to create balance and a feeling of calm. This works perfectly in long living rooms and is ideal for enhancing a small living space.
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Pinterest
pinterest.com › remodelaholic › living-rooms
900+ Living Rooms ideas to save today - Pinterest
Modern and Inspirational Interior Design, Decor Ideas and Trends, for the Living Room.
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Apartment Therapy
apartmenttherapy.com › living-and-dining-room-together-small-spaces-268565
13 Small Living Dining Room Ideas That Are So Functional | Apartment Therapy
July 29, 2025 - Ditch the chairs and go with L-shaped benches to cut back on bulk. This family lives in a 264-square-foot tiny home, and they make do with a small circular table when it comes to meals. Not only does it look airy and roomy, but no one looks cramped when they’re sitting in it!
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Spacejoy
spacejoy.com › interior-designs-blog › small-living-room-insp-we-love
Decorate a Small Living Room in Style: 17 Game-Changing Ideas | Spacejoy
June 5, 2020 - When you’re decorating a small living room, you want to make sure every single item in the room has a purpose. Use mirrors and wallpaper to trick the eye into thinking the space is bigger. Add hidden storage to get the most out of your room.
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The Spruce
thespruce.com › small-living-room-ideas-4129044
46 Best Small Living Room Ideas to Maximize Space and Style
January 18, 2025 - “I suggest using a glass or porcelain vase for a tall, clean look.” ... Utilize recessed spaces such as alcoves for seating, suggests Diaz. Nestle a smaller sofa into an alcove, or create a seating nook to maximize space.
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Real Simple
realsimple.com › small-living-room-tricks-for-more-style-and-space-11828283
7 Small Living Room Tricks Designers Swear By for More Style and Space
November 8, 2025 - "For example, a bench with hidden storage, a narrow console that conceals cords, or a side table that slides under the sofa can keep the space open and practical. When you clear pathways, you can instantly make a compact room feel larger and ...
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Architectural Digest
architecturaldigest.com › ad-it-yourself › living room › 13 minimalist living room ideas that are simply chic
13 Minimalist Living Room Ideas That Are Simply Chic | Architectural Digest
August 13, 2025 - “It’s knowing when to stop and allow space around something to also make a statement.” Incorporating empty space as well as focusing on function and form are at the heart of the minimalist living room ideas below. ... “I think of minimalism as a celebration of form,” says Martha Mulholland of Martha Mulholland Interior Design in Los Angeles. “When you strip away layers of decoration, the bones of a space—the architecture, the materials, the proportions—become the focal point, so they need to be strong. A minimally composed room can still feel warm and personal when it’s anchored by elegant materials, sculptural furniture, and a few carefully chosen pieces of art or design.