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Decoration

9 ideas to make a small living room feel larger

Transform your small living room into a cozy and functional projects with simple and practical decorating tips.

By CASACOR Publisher

Submitted at Mar 7, 2025, 8:00 AM

10 min de leitura
Ana Weege's Project.

Ana Weege's Project. (Rafael Renzo)

A small living room is far from synonymous with simplicity. When the available space is limited, decorating the projects can seem like a challenge, but the good news is that it is possible to create a cozy, functional, and stylish space even in smaller areas. If you're having trouble planning the decor of your small living room, check out these 9 creative and practical ideas that will help you make the most of every inch in an intelligent and charming way.

Invest in multifunctional furniture


With only 32 m², the studio gains functionality with planned carpentry. Project by Leandro Neves. In the photo, kitchen with gray carpentry. Living room with TV and orange chair.

Projeto de Leandro Neves. (Luiza Schreier/Divulgação)

One of the most effective strategies for optimizing small spaces is to invest in multifunctional furniture. Sofas that turn into beds, coffee tables with storage, benches that serve as bookshelves or even chairs with extra functions are options that allow you to maintain organization without giving up comfort and practicality. These items not only save space but also help keep the projects more clean and free of clutter.

Use light and neutral colors


Rented apartment becomes a pied-à-terre facing the sea of Ipanema. Project by PKB Architecture. In the photo, living room with sofa, rug, and paintings.

Projeto de PKB Arquitetura. (Foto: Denilson Machado / Produção: Andrea Brito Velho/CASACOR)

Colors have a significant impact on the perception of space. In a small living room, opting for light hues such as white, beige, light gray or pastel shades can create a feeling of spaciousness. These tones reflect natural light better and make the projects visually airier. If you want to add a pop of color, go for decorations like cushions, paintings, and decorative accessories that can be easily swapped out to give the room a new look without taking up much space.

Mirrors to enlarge the space


Marcela Martins signs the retrofit of the country house of the co-founder of Farm. In the picture, living room with mirror, painting, and sideboard.

Projeto Marcela Martins. (Fotos: Denilson Machado e Lilia Mendel / Produção: Andrea Falchi e Rennan Scalabrin/CASACOR)

Mirrors are a classic trick in the decoration of small projects. They help to create the illusion of depth and spaciousness, reflecting light and making the project appear larger than it really is. You can choose a large mirror or several smaller pieces distributed throughout the living room, depending on the style you want to create. Also, mirrors can be used as interesting decorative elements, with frames that match the style proposal of your small living room.

Perfectly sized furniture


Apartment 160 m2 looks like a house with a pastel green and pink palette. Up3 architecture decoration living room sofa cord rug table frame curtain.

Project Up3 architecture. (Photos: Denilson Machado from MCA Studio/Visual production: Lu Algarte/CASACOR)

In small living rooms, it is vital that the furniture is proportional to the size of the project. A large and bulky sofa can dominate the space and make the project feel even tighter. Choose smaller and more compact furniture, such as 2-seater sofas or narrower armchairs. This will ensure that the space remains functional and comfortable without visually overwhelming the project. Remember that less is more: the idea is to keep the living room organized and free of excesses.

Use wall space


[caption id="attachment_188857" align="alignnone" width="4500"]With a spacious garden, the 650 m² apartment mixes French and Brazilian references. Project by Felipe Carolo. In the photo, TV room with arts, shelves, and armchairs.[/caption> In a small living room, it is essential to think about the space not only horizontally but also in a vertical manner. To do this, invest in tall bookshelves, shelves, or suspended cabinets. These pieces of furniture help free up the floor, making the project more fluid and without objects in the way. You can also use the wall to put up pictures, shelves with books or plants, taking advantage of the height of the room without compromising circulation.

Colors and textures on the walls


Living room

Project BMA Studio (Guilherme Pucci/Divulgação)

To give personality to a small living room without making it even tighter, bet on textures and colors on the walls. Wallpaper with subtle patterns or paintings with unique finishes can transform the project without requiring major changes. The use of a feature wall in a bolder color can also be a good idea to create an interesting focal point, but remember not to overdo it so as not to overwhelm the space.

Use light curtains


[caption id="attachment_182480" align="alignnone" width="7282"]European and Brazilian influences mix in this apartment in São Paulo. Project by Patricia Martinez Architecture. In the photo, the living room has a gray sofa, armchairs, rug, and curtain.[/caption> Curtains and blinds are essential for controlling natural light, but they also play an important role in the aesthetics of a project. For small living rooms, prefer light curtains in neutral tones that allow natural light to enter and do not weigh down visually. Lightweight fabric curtains, such as linen or cotton, can add a touch of lightness to the project without compromising comfort.

Invest in strategic lighting


[caption id="attachment_187717" align="alignnone" width="2000"]Sustainable beach house becomes a refuge in the middle of the Atlantic Forest. Project by Patrícia Martinez. In the photo, living room with a view of the garden, fireplace, and sofa.[/caption> The lighting has the power to transform any project, and this is no different in small living rooms. Invest in strategic lighting by using direct and indirect lights to highlight specific points of the project. Ceiling fixtures, recessed light spots, or even wall sconces are great options to create a cozy atmosphere while increasing the sense of spaciousness. Don't forget to use warm-colored light bulbs that make the project cozier.

Integrate with other spaces


[caption id="attachment_188289" align="alignnone" width="2000"]Garden apartment gains three garden areas on the balconies. Project by Mandril Architecture. In the photo, kitchen with island and dining table. Dining and living room integrated.[/caption> The integrated projects help to achieve more space and make the house more ventilated. You can integrate your small living room with the kitchen or dining room to create a much more practical and functional layout for the residents' routine. CASACOR Publisher is a creator of exclusive content, developed by the CASACOR Technology team based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Yeska Coelho.