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Decoration

Less is more! 5 tips to make your small living room minimalist

Small rooms require care not to overload the décor, and the minimalist style can be the key to harmony

By Yeska Coelho

Submitted at Jan 23, 2025, 12:18 PM

08 min de leitura
Project by architect Natalia Lemos

Project by architect Natalia Lemos (Fotos: MCA Estúdio / Produção visual: Andrea Brito Velho)

Decorating small spaces is always a challenge. Thinking about every detail to get the most out of the available space is no easy task. A small room needs to be welcoming, and avoiding the accumulation of elements helps to ensure a more harmonious look. The minimalist style goes far beyond decoration. It is a true lifestyle for avoiding the accumulation of items and waste. The combination of this technique with small spaces is always very positive, as it helps to organize and beautify the environment.

How can I make my small living room minimalist?


By the sea, a minimalist apartment takes on the air of an art gallery. Designed by João Panaggio. In the photo, living room with painting, sideboard-bar, armchairs and sofa.

Project by João Panaggio. (Denilson Machado, from MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)

It's important to be clear that the minimalist style is far from being synonymous with dull decor, lacking in personality or having little affection. Quite the opposite: by prioritizing the few items that are most important, you create a truly welcoming environment.
In just 45 m², this apartment becomes a refuge in the city with minimalist décor. Samba Studio project. In the photo, the living room with dividing bookcase and sofa. TV, bench and rug.

Estúdio Samba Project. (Gui Uemura/CASACOR)

Minimalism has emerged as a tool that helps to prioritize what is truly essential, either because of the functionality of the environment or because it adds an intangible sentimental value to the resident. To help you on your journey of decorating your small living room, here are some tips and project inspirations:

Light colors


Eclectic apartment: minimalism, shabby chic and industrial blend on 180 m². Studio Lak project. In the photo, living room with sideboard, bookcase and TV,

Projeto: Studio Lak. (Ricardo Bassetti/CASACOR)

Bet on clear and harmonious hues for your small living room. Light colors, whether used on furniture, floors or walls, reflect natural light and give the room a feeling of spaciousness.

Functional furniture


An apartment in Barra da Tijuca gets a minimalist but very cozy décor. Project by A+G Arquitetura, In the photo, living room with sideboard, organic mirror and vases.

Projeto de A+G Arquitetura (Luiza Schreier/CASACOR)

Bet on furniture that brings one or more functions to the room: a sideboard that can serve as a home bar, a side table that serves as a support for the television control or a bookshelf to organize personal items.

Textures


Wood and white mark the minimalist décor of this 450 m² apartment. Designed by Diego Raposo and Manuela Simas, from Diego Raposo + Arquitetos. In the photo, living room with neutral decor, curved sofa and floor lamp.

(Anita Soares/CASACOR)

The premise of minimalism is "less is more" and that's not just lip service. Instead of many elements, bet on a few that are of superior quality and have a texture that is inviting to the touch, such as a rug, a blanket for the sofa, a soft cushion cover, among others.

Natural lighting


Apartment 220 m2 minimalist air white wood Tres Arquitetura decoration living room armchair bench balcony wood panel

Projeto: Tres Arquitetura. (Ricardo Bassetti/CASACOR)

Bet on large windows to make your living room brighter. The natural light is able to ensure better ventilation and thus make the small room seem larger and more comfortable.

Avoid clutter


Respiro - Mariana Maisonnave. Project for CASACOR Santa Catarina 2021.

Respiro - Mariana Maisonnave. Project by CASACOR Santa Catarina 2021. (Lio Simas/CASACOR)

This is the golden tip for those who want to have a minimalist small living room: avoid leaving items scattered around the room, and bet on organizers so that each element in your room has a specific place to be sheltered. This not only helps to increase the feeling of spaciousness in the room, but also creates visual harmony and conveys peace and calm for resting.