How to Decorate a Long, Narrow Living Room to Maximise Your Space
Having a long or narrow living room might make you feel as if you’re limited in terms of decorating options. But actually, there are tons of ways to decorate a long living room and transform it into a beautiful and functional space.
Whether you’re moving into a new home with a long living room or revamping your current one, you want to do what you can to make the most out of your space.
Sure, you may not have the luxuries of a large, open living room, but long living spaces have their own unique charm and can be just as inviting and stylish with the right design choices.
It really all comes down to furniture placement and clever decorating to make the most out of your long living room, and we’ve gathered our top tips to help you do just that.
5 Top Tips for Decorating a Long, Narrow Living Room
The obvious challenge with a long living room is its width (or lack thereof). But rather than feeling like you have to make-do with what you have, think of it as an opportunity to get creative and design a unique space that works for your lifestyle.
Not every home has an atypical-shaped living room, so embrace the uniqueness of yours and let that guide your design decisions.
Here are our long living room ideas to help you create a space that you love.
#1 Zone a Long Room With Accessories
You can use statement rugs to define different areas in your long living room. For example, placing one under the seating area and another beneath a dining table creates distinct zones.
Console tables, like the Artemis Console Table, can also serve as subtle dividers while providing additional storage or display space.
The Artemis, in particular, is a fantastic choice for modern interiors, with an aesthetically pleasing design that won't create a visual barrier in the room.
By strategically positioning these accessories, you can break up the room's linearity and establish separate, functional areas within the same space.
#2 Invest in Smart Storage Solutions
Smart storage solutions, such as built-in shelving and multi-functional furniture, are essential in maintaining a tidy and organised long living room. They minimise clutter and keep your space feeling open and airy.
Opt for items like storage ottomans or coffee tables with hidden compartments, like our Fusion Laptop Storage Coffee Table or the Anna Storage Stool, to maximise functionality without sacrificing style.
These clever options ensure everything has its place, helping your narrow living room look cohesive and inviting.
#3 Create a Focal Point
Creating a focal point in your long living room can draw attention away from the room's length and add visual interest.
By strategically centring your furniture around a TV unit or incorporating accent chairs around a stylish coffee table, you create a central hub that anchors the space.
We particularly love using an eye-catching chair like the Cayman Swivel Chair to draw the eye to the main part of the room.
This setup not only breaks up the room's linear flow but also directs the eye, making the overall layout more cohesive and welcoming.
#4 Use Vertical Furniture
If you’re lacking in floor space width, why not take advantage of the vertical space you have? It’s something that many of people tend to overlook when designing a living room layout, but the space is there for the taking!
Consider adding tall bookshelves, floor-to-ceiling cabinets, or even a ladder-style shelf to maximise your use of vertical space. Not only will this provide extra storage and display opportunities, but it also adds visual interest and height to the room.
Vertical pieces, like our Fusion Open Shelf Unit, add elegance and serve as functional storage solutions. They enhance the room's overall aesthetic while keeping it organised.
#5 Scale Your Furniture
Scaling your furniture appropriately can have a significant impact on making a long, narrow living room look bigger. In other words, choose furniture that fits the scale of your room.
One common mistake people make is using oversized furniture in a small space, which can make it feel cramped and cluttered. Instead, opt for smaller, sleeker pieces that allow for more open floor space.
Another tip is to choose furniture with legs instead of pieces that sit directly on the ground. This creates an illusion of more space by giving the appearance of airflow under each piece.
To keep the centre of the room open, opt for side tables, like the Brooklyn End Table, instead of a large coffee table.
Additionally, consider using multiple small sofas or loveseats rather than a big corner sofa to avoid overwhelming the space.
Modular sofas are also a great option for small spaces and long living rooms as they can be easily rearranged and configured to fit different layouts.
The Hayden sofa range is beautifully designed with clean lines and relaxed modern styling, with a huge range of coloured fabric options to choose from.
But our customers love this sofa range most for its customisability. You can mix and match different pieces, sizes, and configurations to create the perfect sofa for your space.
How to Make a Narrow Living Room Look Bigger
Making your narrow living room appear bigger than it is can help you create a more open and welcoming space. It can also make you feel better about your living room, especially if you live in a small apartment or have limited space.
Along with our 5 top tips above, here are a few more ideas to make your narrow living room look and feel bigger…
Keep Clutter to a Minimum
Reducing clutter is essential for making a narrow living room appear more spacious. By keeping surfaces clear and storing items out of sight, you prevent the space from feeling cramped and overwhelming.
Minimalist decor and well-organised storage solutions help maintain an open, airy atmosphere, allowing the eye to move freely throughout the room and perceive it as larger than it actually is.
Keep Furniture Away From the Walls
Moving furniture away from the walls can make a narrow living room look bigger by creating the illusion of more space. This approach encourages a better flow and helps the room feel less boxed in.
It also provides areas for circulation and can highlight the room’s dimensions, ensuring that furniture placement feels intentional and airy rather than cramped and constrained.
Have an awkward empty corner in your living room and don’t know what to do with it? Read our tips in our latest blog post 8 Stylish Ideas for What to Put in the Corner of Your Living Room!
Think About the Flow of the Space
Thinking about the flow of the space is critical for maximising a narrow living room, especially if it has two entrances and exits.
A well-planned layout ensures easy navigation and a natural movement path, preventing the room from feeling cluttered or disjointed.
Strategically placed furniture and clear walkways facilitate an efficient and comfortable flow, enhancing the space's functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Narrow Living Room Flow Suggestions:
| Create Symmetry | Balance furniture, such as pairing sofas with matching chairs or tables on either side, to maintain a coherent flow. |
| Define Pathways | Use rugs to outline clear pathways for movement, ensuring that there is an unobstructed route through the living room. |
| Centralise the Seating Area | Arrange seating furniture in the middle of the room, leaving space on all sides for smooth navigation. |
| Utilise Floating Furniture | Choose wall-mounted or floating furniture to free up floor space and create an open, fluid flow throughout the room. |
| Integrate Multipurpose Furniture | Opt for pieces that serve multiple functions to reduce the need for extra furniture that can impede movement. |
It's All Light & Mirrors
Strategic lighting and mirrors are crucial for enhancing the perception of space in a narrow living room. Use a combination of overhead, task, and accent lighting to brighten up every corner, reducing shadows and creating depth.
Mirrors reflect both light and views, giving the illusion of a larger area. Position mirrors opposite windows to maximise natural light, and consider mirrored furniture or decorative objects to further amplify the effect, making the room feel more open and inviting.
Final Thoughts: Making the Most of an Awkward Living Room Layout
With the right furniture choices, you can transform an awkward living room space into a beautiful and inviting area.
Remember to opt for multifunctional pieces that conserve space and enhance functionality. Choose furniture with light finishes and exposed legs to create an airy feel, and don't shy away from using mirrors and strategic lighting to amplify the space.
Thoughtful selection and arrangement can turn any challenging layout into a cosy, stylish haven.
Decorate Your Living Room With Fairway Furniture
Here at Fairway Furniture, we have an extensive range of living room furniture that will transform your living space into the room you’ve always wanted.
Whether you’re after trendy modular sofas, elegant coffee tables or stylish storage solutions, we have something to suit every taste and budget.
With furniture pieces available in every shape and size, you can easily find pieces that fit your unique space.
With up to 4 years to pay using our finance options and a free 5-year structural guarantee, you can trust in us for quality and affordability.
So why wait? Start creating your dream living room today with Fairway Furniture.
FAQs
To make a long living room feel cosy, use warm colours, soft textures, and layered lighting. Incorporate plush rugs, comfy seating, and throw pillows. Create distinct zones with furniture to break up the space, and use various decorative elements to add warmth and intimacy.
To break up a long rectangular living room, use rugs and furniture to create distinct zones, incorporate vertical elements like bookcases, strategically place accessories, and arrange seating around a central focal point, enhancing functionality and visual interest.
To warm up a large living room, use rich, warm colours, incorporate soft textiles like plush rugs and throws, layer lighting with lamps and candles, and add wooden furniture and warm metallic accents to create a cosy atmosphere.
Neutral tones with pops of colour work best. Light shades like whites, creams, and pastels enhance natural light, while bold accents in cushions or artwork add interest without overwhelming the space.