Compact living spaces come with their own charm and design challenges. When curated correctly, a smaller family lounge room becomes a cosy, welcoming retreat that you love coming home to. When gone about the wrong way, you risk a cramped, claustrophobic and cluttered space that doesn’t serve you the way you need it to. The good news is that, regardless of the size of your lounge room, you can easily apply these savvy design tips and tricks to instantly make your space feel airy and inviting. Below, discover the 5 key ways to turn cramped into cosy, courtesy of the experts at 1825 Interiors.
Best Small Lounge Room Ideas
Perfect the Proportions
When it comes to curating the right furniture for your small living space, it is all about the proportions. You want to avoid placing a piece close to or against the boundaries of the room or the wall itself. If your pieces come into contact with these elements, then it is quite simply too large for the space and will not assist in any visual or indeed functional harmony. For an airy and open effect, always leave negative space between the sides and edges of your furniture and the walls. You may also want to avoid visually weighty pieces in heavy tones or fabrications in order to encourage a fresh and spacious mood in the room. The Haven Sofa is a perfect example of how you can still achieve a plush and inviting effect without overinvesting in the visual weight of a piece of essential furniture. Crafted from a luxe upholstered blend and a solid reclaimed timber frame, this is a true keep forever piece that will seamlessly balance with every type of living room. The refined and neutral hue is perfect for pairing with a light and bright colour palette (the optimal choice for smaller spaces), but it will also blend effortlessly with deeper neutrals, pop shades and even dynamic patterns and prints. With customisable components and meticulous craftsmanship, this is the ultimate investment piece, no matter the size of your family lounge room.
Take on Texture
To optimise the visual impact of your smaller living room, embrace the transformative power of natural textures. Taking on textures and making them your own is one of the absolute best ways to make small living spaces feel bigger. Through layering a multitude of tactile, sensory finishes, you are ensuring a welcoming tone that looks elegant and timeless – what more could you need for your family home? A statement yet sophisticated piece, the Kailani Jute/Sisal Rug with Shuttle Weave is a great lesson in how one touch of texture can guide the overall look and feel of an entire room. Below, explore the mood board and discover how this gorgeous spun rug can coordinate seamlessly with a range of different pieces, including plush cushions, throws and woven accents, all coming together to introduce warmth, dimension, and depth without overpowering the room.
Create Curves
There are many reasons to love curvy, organic shapes in interior design, but one of the major plus points is that rounded surfaces and edges will naturally enhance the flow of your room and trick the eye into thinking that there is more space than there actually is. Graceful, elevated and modern, rounded furniture designed from reclaimed timber stands the test of time and will harmonise with every area of your taste profile, so you can confidently invest in your pieces knowing you will get to enjoy and love them for countless years to come. The Luxe Round Coffee Table combines rustic charm with modern refinement for the perfect living room addition. With a smooth and simple top and subtly textured base, this sleek piece will assist in opening up the room’s dimensions.
Maximise with Mirrors
Strategically add a mirror to your living room mix and watch the space maximise before your eyes! With reflective and light-boosting properties, mirrors are the perfect way to enhance the room and open up the space, without overcrowding your carefully curated world. Your options here really are endless: use a full-length mirror to elongate the walls, position a mirror opposite a window to introduce a stream of natural light into the space or add subtle reflective accent surfaces around the space for a multi-dimensional type of magic.
For those who are searching for that simple yet striking effect, there is no better option than the Byron Long Mirror. With a beautiful, streamlined silhouette and classic wood framing, this piece is the home addition that will bring character and design-forward dimension into the room, whilst also encouraging a bigger and brighter feel.
Layer on Light
Did you know that you can create an instant optical illusion simply by switching on a light? Lamps and lighting introduce a sense of space like nothing else! The key here is to never rely on one single source of light; instead, cast an even spread of light around the room using lamps, wall lights and even candles. Try positioning floor lamps and table side lamps in the corners of the space for a soft, focused glow that creates a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere whilst making the living room feel roomier!
Practice these 5 living room styling ideas to turn your cramped space into a cosy haven! Explore the selection of elevated family living room furniture to curate your home with 1825 Interiors.