Decorating an apartment living room with a television can be challenging, especially when space is at a premium.
Apartments with small living rooms require strategic space planning and versatile furniture to maximize every inch without feeling cramped.
The layout and furnishings must strike a delicate balance between practical seating, surface space, traffic flow, and technological components like media storage.
But with clever, multi-functional furniture choices, brightness-maximizing paint colors, and strategically placed mirrors, as well as streamlined built-in storage options, even the most compact apartment living room can feel cozy and inviting.
The following small living room ideas with TV spaces will help you arrange seating areas, select space-saving furnishings, and optimize storage so you can enjoy movie nights and host friends within your petite abode.
Tips for Apartment With Small Living Room
When working with a small living room space that needs to accommodate a television, it can be tricky to figure out the layout and decor. However, with some strategic planning and choice of decor pieces, you can make your compact living room feel open and comfortable.
1. Add Multifunctional Furniture
The first consideration is furniture placement. Be very selective about the furnishings you choose to include. Bulky items will make the room feel cramped. The key to storing belongings without visual clutter in a compact apartment? Multifunctional furnishings of course! Think futons with hidden storage underneath or trunk-style coffee tables to stash remotes, blankets, and games inside. Classic nesting tables tuck completely out of sight under each other or under sofas. Top them with decorative trays to corral accessories. An upholstered bench can slide up to create spare seating perfect for putting shoes on before going out the door.
2. Mount Flat Panel TV on the Wall to Minimize Space It Takes Up
Mounting a flat-panel TV is the perfect option for small spaces. Modern slim TVs can hang flat on the wall at just the right viewing position without protruding. Choose a simple mounted wall bracket or built-in entertainment center to anchor it. Not only does this save floor space, but it elevates the TV so it doesn’t dominate the room. Go cordless or use raceways to tidy dangling wires for a streamlined aesthetic.
3. Use Low-Profile Media Console to Avoid Blocking Room
A media console below your mounted TV can blend right in. The trick is choosing one with a low profile that enhances instead of obstructs the room. Minimal open shelving or a basic bench style blend into the decor rather than shouting “entertainment unit”. Keep it airy too with enough legroom underneath and components that don’t overload it. Measure carefully before buying so your electronics fit precisely without visual bulk.
4. Choose Compact Loveseat and Slim Armchair Over Bulky Couches
Living room seating should enhance and complement rather than overwhelm your space. Skip the oversized sectionals and clunky leather family room sets in favor of compact loveseats with narrow profiles that leave breathing room. Petite slipper chairs with sculptural shapes are also ideal. Make sure pieces are well-constructed – not too shallow – for cozy, long-session seating suited to small-scale rooms. And don’t rule out leggy ottomans which pull double duty as spare seating too.
5. Incorporate Space-Saving Floor Lamps and Sconces
With limited surface area, lighting fixtures should work smarter, not harder. Ambient floor lamps situated in corners bathe the entire room with light without claiming precious territory in the center of the room. Consider pendant lights to spotlight seating areas as needed or wall sconces for modular, as-needed brightness while eliminating the end table. Recessed ceiling fixtures, cove lighting, and track lighting all supply flexible, adjustable low-profile lighting too tailored exactly where you need it.
6. Use Tall, Narrow Shelving Instead of Wide Units
When planning storage for a compact living room, using vertical space is a must. Tall, narrow bookcases have a smaller footprint than short wide units, allowing you to store books, displays, and collections up high instead of infringing on floor space. Étagères with open-airy shelves work beautifully behind seating areas for decorative object displays. If you have the wall space, floating ledges and wall-mounted cabinets create storage real estate where there was none. Just be sure to use baskets and bins to corral everyday items.
7. Paint Lighter Wall Colors and Use Mirrors
Strategically placed lighting and mirrors are time-honored tricks for making rooms appear larger. Soft neutral paint colors in pale hues reflect the most light, instantly brightening up small dim spaces. Position mirrors across from windows so the natural light bounces around the room, giving the optical illusion of a more expansive area. Hang long leaned mirrors above console tables to give the decor extra visual punch without claiming more floor space. Avoid dark dramatic colors on walls and heavy fabrics which close in space.
8. Arrange Furniture to Keep Walking Paths Open
When laying out seating areas and furniture, having clear visual pathways is essential for keeping a small living room feeling open. Float pieces away from walls instead of cramming everything around the perimeter, which makes things feel tight and restricted. Leave ample room for navigating between the sofa, ottomans, chairs, and tables without bumping your knees or stepping over things. Creating multiple conversation areas allows for intimate gatherings and mingling without congesting traffic areas.
9. Layer in Warmth With Rugs and Throws
The final step is infusing visual richness through layers rather than clutter. Cozy textiles like woven wool throws, plush chenille pillows, and soft rugs underfoot add warmth without consuming valuable surfaces. Cluster favorite photos together in an artistic arrangement on one wall for better impact. Finish off tablescapes with earthenware vases, hand-thrown pottery, and natural baskets instead of plastic organizers or electronic cases. The goal is thoughtfully edited accessories over random clutter.
20 Small Living Room Ideas With TV
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Final Thoughts
Decorating a small apartment living room with a TV may seem limiting, but implementing a few strategic design ideas can go a long way.
By creatively incorporating multifunctional furniture, making lighting and storage choices that maximize vertical real estate, and arranging furnishings in a layout focused on openness and flow, you can transform even the most compact space into a stylish, inviting oasis tailored exactly for apartment living.
Your tiny living room can not only accommodate a wall-mounted flatscreen and media components, but also have plenty of room left over for conversation areas, significant storage, and even entertaining a few friends comfortably.
With the right small-space solutions, your apartment can feel cozy and expansive all at once.
