Small living rooms are much like puzzles. They need different shapes to fit together comfortably.

We learn early on that you can’t fit a square shape into a round hole.

Smaller Living rooms often have the same kind of restraints.

But unlike a child’s puzzle, real rooms have more leeway to put bigger or smaller furniture pieces here and there.

Even so, when a piece clearly doesn’t fit in a small living room, it feels off and can become a distraction instead of an enhancement.

The key is to plan your furnishings carefully and to always think multi-function to successfully fit that puzzle together.

If you love to rearrange your small living room often, then here’s the furniture you need to make many different layouts work.

Source: Michael Helwig Interiors for Wayfair

Upholstery

Sleeper Sofa

I went back and forth on recommending a sleeper sofa to the list.

It won out because it’s a multifunctional piece and because sleeper sofas these days don’t have to pull out and take up a ton of space on the floor anymore.

The sleepers on trend these days will fold down like a futon which will save you from having to move half the room just to get it set up.

Since you probably won’t be making the sofa into a bed every night, you have the functionality of an extra bed and the comfort and style of a sofa every day.

Now, you’ll want to keep a few tips in mind when shopping for a sleeper sofa for small rooms:

First, avoid large, rolled arms because they eat up valuable floor space. Smaller arms mean more inside space.

Second, Be mindful of the length and width of the sofa. Stick to options that could fit the length and width of your room, that means avoid frames that are in the 90” to 100” in length range and avoid super deep sofas as well. If the frame is over 40” deep, it’s going to limit where it can go in your room because you run the risk of it bumping too far off the wall or blocking pathways through the room. For small rooms, where you want many layout options, stick to frames in the 75” to 82” length, with a frame depth of no more than 36” deep.

Third, avoid skirts on the sofa because they don’t allow you to see the floor and that makes the sofa feel heavy.

When you can see under it, you’ll find that the footprint won’t make the room visually weighed down.

The sofa is usually the largest upholstered piece and you don’t want to add it’s perceived weight if you don’t have to.

Fourth, avoid dark colored upholstery. Again, since the sofa is the largest seating, you don’t want it to feel like a dark hole in the room.

Fifth, Skip sectionals. Yes, sectionals a great for added seating but, if you’re looking primarily for easy re-arranging, sectionals – for the most part – can only be configured one way.

Most small rooms have very finite space in the length and width department and when you attach 2 sections together, you’re already limiting the usable floor space in one direction or the other.

If the sectional you choose is a ‘U’ shape, then you’re practically filling an entire small living room and there will be no room for anything else and your re-arranging options are caput!

To sum up, Larger sofas eat up more floor space. Choose a smaller frame to give you more layout options.

Sleeper sofas will give you multifunction in small living rooms. This is especially true if you don’t have a dedicated guest room in your home.

Skip sectionals because they will limit layout options and can only usually be configured one way.

Swivel Chairs

Swivels are ideal for small spaces because you can find smaller frames that still offer comfort for many different body types.

For example, if you’re a tall person, choose a swivel chair with a tight back. When you skip the back cushion, you use the entire depth of the frame and you can scoot your behind all the way to the back. This is important because you won’t feel like you’re spilling out of the chair.

I think a barrel back style swivel chair is a great option for small spaces because the back is rounded.

It will fit easily into corners, or next to a fireplace, or floating in the middle of the room. That means you’ll have re-arranging options galore!

Plus, because the back is round instead of square, you’ll be able to walk comfortably around it and when you do swivel it, the rounded shape won’t interfere with anything else beside it – You won’t hit the wall or bump other furniture.

Just as with the sofa, I like sourcing swivel chairs that have no skirts because it makes the chair feel visually lighter.

I like this swivel chair because it has legs that really open of the visual field.

The more of the room you can see, the better for small spaces.

Finally, swivels are great because you can position them toward multiple focal points. You can turn toward the TV, spin around to a fireplace, and then swivel to face the sofa for conversation.

So, swivel chairs are ideal for small spaces because they can be positioned in practically anywhere and can turn towards where the action is in any room.

Barrel style swivel chairs with rounded backs fit better than squared off versions because a rounded back doesn’t have angles that will get in the way of walls or near by furniture.

Cocktail Ottoman

If you like to put your feet up, but don’t have room for a chaise, then a cocktail ottoman is the next best thing.

They’re awesome as a footrest and you can put a tray on top for some solid surface for working or resting snacks or beverages on.

For small rooms, I like a medium sized rectangular or oval shaped cocktail ottoman because you’ll have more layout options with these shapes.

Most small living rooms are usually long and narrow.

A square cocktail ottoman will eat up a lot of floor space and round ones do the same.

Rectangle and oval shapes are elongated, and they can be repositioned easier if you rearrange often.

Plus, they give everyone seated on the sofa equal access to as much surface space. That’s a win because nobody will be fighting over who has more foot space.

It’s ideal if you have something that you can see through- meaning it has an open shelf or just a simple leg construction.

I like this cocktail ottoman because the top opens for some storage space, but it has legs that bring the frame up from the floor.

Again, keeping the space under your furniture open so you can see the floor will always make your room feel more spacious.

Cocktail ottomans are dual function. They offer a place to put your feet but, with the addition of a tray, can be converted into a work top or a spot to put drinks and snacks on.

Go for rectangular or oval shaped cocktail ottomans instead of square or round to save some floor space.

Accent Tables

Console Tables

These are some of the most multifunctional pieces you can get for a small living room.

They work equally well for display and as a work surface.

They can go up against the wall or behind a sofa.

You can use them as a bistro or dining table in a pinch.

My favorite kind of console table is the demilune style.

Their half round shape makes them ideal for positioning on a wall or near a walkway.

Better yet, the rounded edge will only slightly encroach into pathways which make them ideal if you need to place a table adjacent to a room opening.

If you want multifunction and lot’s of layout options, invest in a console table that can be a display piece, a work station, or a dining table.

A demilune shaped console will fit in many tight spots better than something that has squared off edges.

Round End Tables

Round end tables can be easily positioned to fit into corners.

A square end table does not offer that same fit.

Square and rectangle end tables will not be able to be squeezed into a tight corner, they have to have space for their angles.

Round tables will offer more wiggle room in between a wall and upholstery piece.

So, if re-arranging often is your jam, then you’ll want to invest in round end tables instead of square or rectangle.

There are many options with storage drawers, open shelves and perhaps a combination of both.

Having said that, you’ll want to avoid a completely encased round end table because they will feel heavy in small spaces.

I also love small drink tables that offer a bit of surface for placing drinks, phones, tablets, and other small items on.

A little round drink table can go anywhere.

They’re visually lite and are the perfect item to have in your small living room furniture plan.

If rearranging your small room is key, then choose round end tables over square and rectangular options.

They fit better in corners and can be navigated easier than tables with 90 degree corners.

Etageres

I feel like I reference etageres every week, but I love them so much for small spaces.

They’re a better option then built-in or wall mounted shelving because etageres can be moved around the room, grouped together or used to flank things like a fireplace or sofa.

If you’re a fan of rearranging your room, these are great because they’re open which makes them visually lite and they offer vertical display, which is an ideal use of space in small rooms.

They do a bang-up job of layering a wall.

That means you can place them in front of a wall that needs depth without closing up the view of the wall.

What’s the reoccurring theme of this post? Being able to see through, under or around your furniture will make your room feel bigger.

Etageres offer a chance to create depth. They give you vertical display options and can be positioned practically anywhere in a space, which ticks that frequent re-arranging box.

Simply put, etageres offer versatility that closed or built-in options do not.

Accessories

Glass Base Table Lamps

They’ll allow you versatility for lighting up spaces around the room, but the clear glass base will not interfere with sight lines.

They’re ideal for floating behind a sofa on a console table.

They’re great for lighting corners, or for flanking sofas where you need functional light but don’t want a solid, clunky piece weighing the room down.

So, if you like to rearrange your furniture often, source clear glass lamps that will look amazing anywhere you place them.

Neutral Curtains

If you want multiple layout options, your furniture will have to be placed in front of windows at some point.

A trick that will make your room look visually cohesive and expensive, is to use curtains that are the same or close to the color of your wall. This gives everything else in the space a chance to really shine.

When the curtains are the same color as the wall you have total visual continuity.

As you look around the room, your eye can notice the fabulous art or the amazing upholstery in front of them instead of a bold curtain pattern that interrupts your gaze.

When the curtains are there to support the main color of the wall, every possible furniture layout will work.

You won’t have to worry about whether the bold accent chair will clash with the color of the curtains because they’re not in competition for attention.

Neutral curtains are there for function rather than fashion.

Choosing curtains that blend in with the wall gives your furniture and accessories a chance to shine.

There you have it, the furniture you need to make multiple layouts work in your small living room.

Get a small sleeper sofa for multifunction and best fit.
Use swivel chairs to turn toward the action in your room.
A square or oval cocktail ottoman will give you comfort, function and layout options.
Console tables are the ultimate multifunctional piece for small rooms.
Round end tables will give you more positioning options than square or rectangular end tables.
Etageres are mobile vertical storage and display, built-ins are not.
Glass base table lamps won’t obstruct sight lines.
Neutral curtains don’t compete for attention.

Adjusting the shapes and sizes of your furniture can make a world of difference for you if you love to re-arrange your layout often.

I’d love to hear what you thought of this post.

Do you have other furniture that you rely on to give your room many different styling options?

Leave me a comment below and tell me all about it.

Love Rearranging Your Small Living Room Here’s the Furniture You Need to Make Multiple Layouts Work pin.png

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“Michael Helwig was top-notch, very professional and responsive to my needs. He allowed me time to explore ideas and try out a variety of combinations until we found the perfect fit. Michael provided detailed information and offered beautiful ideas to make my dream living room become a reality. The furniture he sourced has totally transformed my living room space. Everyone that has seen my new living room has one word, WOW! A special thank you to Michael for a wonderful experience.”

— Karen B.

“Michael was very knowledgeable and guided us, with great patience and good humor, through the process of designing our dining room and helping us find the perfect sleeper sofa. He offered really helpful advice when we asked questions - which was often - but at no time did we ever feel pushed. He helped me when I felt like I couldn’t make one more decision. When my new furniture finally arrived I realized everything down to the pillows was perfect. I couldn’t be happier!”

— Sarah H.

Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.

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