So, you've made the decision to downsize. That's great — choosing to live small can be incredibly liberating, not to mention freeing up cash for other areas of your life. But what do you do when your carefully-selected assortment of sofas, armchairs, coffee and side tables doesn't fit into your teeny-tiny new living room? Well, edit.
No one wants to have to start from scratch with a new home, but the plain truth of the matter is that some items won't work in every space, no matter how you arrange them. The size, proportions or even the style can throw off an entire room, so you have to learn to think judiciously, especially in a small space.
Choose your Seating Wisely
It's best to admit right off the bat that a smaller living room won't seat all your friends at once, and not try to cram in a sofa and multiple armchairs. In fact, forgoing the sofa entirely can work well; a selection of armchairs is far more versatile. On the other hand, a small space doesn't necessarily mean small furniture is best; sometimes a larger sofa (or even an corner one) which dominates the space works just as well. The trick is to think about how you use the seating in your living room.
Edit your Technology
These days almost everybody has a flat-screen TV (if they have one at all), which is great news for down-sizers. A slim, wall-mounted television saves valuable space in a small living room. But what about all that other home cinema technology? If you can get on board with using a web-based movie service like Netflix or Apple TV, you may be able to do away with the bulky DVD player. Also consider a slim but powerful speaker dock instead of a larger sound system.
Coffee table vs. Side Tables
I sometimes think that we've been conditioned to think that every living room needs a large coffee table front and center. But a couple of small side tables, or better yet, a set of small nested tables, can do the job just as well in a smaller space. The shape of the room and the way traffic flows through it will dictate which table option works best in your space, but you probably don't need both.
Light it Up
Ideally a small living room would have a ceiling fixture, so choose a pendant which is both visually striking and gives off a lot of light. Table lamps take up valuable space (and you don't have tables to spare anymore, remember?) so if there's no possibility for a pendant, a floor lamp or two is the next best thing.
Be Creative with Storage
Downsizing obviously means getting rid of many possessions, but you're still going to need some storage. Using all your vertical space is a good option, as are storage ottomans and chests which double as tables. Once your storage is in place, it's best to operate a one in, one out policy for books, knickknacks and other things which tend to accumulate over time.
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Now try throwing in a small dining table into that space, and you'll find my conundrum.
Love these suggestions as I am downsizing. I always wondered how to deal with the coffee table/side tables and storage. Sounds like I should get a smal coffee table that has storage or side tables with storage - depending on the flow. Thank you!
DCMANDY - not knowing your space, one option if you can float your sofa is to place a console table behind it - which can seat 2 for dining with the addition of chairs or better yet stools or cube ottomans that can nest under the console table when not in use.
DC Mandy - we had the same problem. Then we found a lift-top coffee table - Instant dining table when you want it, coffee table when you don't. They can be pricey, but save space.
We've recently had a baby and decided to remain in our 750 sq ft city condo... Luckily or minimal approach to the living area made it easy to throw-in the baby extras like a couple toy baskets and "Mamaroom" swing. Still looks great, and can accommodate guests. I suggest foregoing a coffee table. We use a nice-looking trunk as a good-sized side table (that doubles as storage for items we don't often need at, like extra blankets for sleepovers and our blow-up bed). This leave loads of area on our huge, soft area rug for playing and impromptu yoga sessions :P Makes traffic through to the deck and office easier too.
When I lived in a smaller apartment I was able to use the shelf below my coffee and end tables for storage. I bought some wicker baskets with canvas inside that served as both decoration and storage containers. Also I had extra blankets folded under the coffee table for multiple purposes too. I didn't have room for a dining room table and had to use part of my kitchen counter and stools as a table and chairs. When living in smaller places you have to make sacrifices and a table wasn't as important to me as a couch and smaller tables in the living area.
Excellent article! - pinpoints where I need to focus: lighting (especially this!) and storage... the one excellent things these apts have (and rightfully should be boasted about!) is a kitchen counter that divides the living room from the kitchen which gives u room division but wait! there's more to it than that! My very rough measurement says it is 117 inches long. There are cabinets on BOTH sides. And the living room side is more than adequate to sit all the way with your legs underneath it AND to have numerous open books (deep enough to have a Who's Who open while having drying dishes more on the kitchen side right in front of it), like so! People here have all sorts of things on there counters, from lamps to microwaves, etc, etc, etc :)
Haven't had a coffee table in years! Living in small spaces, they always seem to interrupt the flow. My saving grace has always been bookcases,bookcases, book cases! And beautiful wicker baskets of all shapes and sizes to house my patterns and fabrics and now my beads and jewelry making supplies.
I use an old piano bench as my coffee table and it still feels that it takes up too much space. Half the time it gets shoved next to the sofa as an unintentional side table. The good thing about the piano bench/coffee table is the seat flips up for storage.
Our small living room has a pair of end tables and matching coffee table. (I know, matchy-matchy -- it's one way to underplay the furniture, where unique items stand out more.) They are Mission style (not antiques) with drawers. The end tables have one drawer and a shelf beneath, the coffee table has four drawers, two on each of the long sides, and a shelf. This is where lurk pet brushes, remote controls, IKEA catalogs, nail clippers, pens, and other miscellaneous items we want handy. We looked long and hard to find something this useful. Glass top tables with chrome legs are pretty, but not nearly as helpful for storage. You can often find multitasking furnishings if you keep searching. It was worth buying new to me rather than re-purposing thrift items, to get the configuration we got.
Same thing with the entry way "credenza". Technically it's a media stand. It has 2 glass door cabinets (for equipment) and four square drawers meant for DVDs, plus a shelf underneath (for the cat, it seems!) We positioned it so you face it coming in the front door, painted the wall behind a metallic moss green, hung sun mirrors and art, and use the top for decorative accents (a mini Christmas tree in season). The drawers are great storage for those weird items like Command hooks and shelf liner that you like to have on hand, and the cabinet portions hold decorative serving dishes we rarely use but want available.
My living room is 9.5 ft wide and probably less length wise. I have a love seat, a storage ottoman as a coffee table and extra seating, and a TV stand with drawers
Kind of also in the space is a small folding table and two folding chairs.
I can seat 6 ppl! and more if they sit on my bed or stand!
www.wafflingdesign.blogspot.com
While counter-intuitive a large coffee table also can effectively anchor the space if the seating surrounds it. It's the approach I used in my current small living room:
http://flockrealty.com/property_image.php?id=21180332&img=3.jpg
love those yellow armchairs!!!
My real problem is my very large upright Kawai piano. There is only one wall that it can fit on in the house which means all other furniture placement in the living room is dictated by the piano. And it is probably the one item that is exempt from editing.
picture 4 is great because the side tables appear to all double as stool seating in a pinch.
I think having tables with storage or lamps attached are also good ideas.
Indy Jeff- Where did you find your floor lamp?
We JUST did this 4 weeks ago. Moved from a large 3500sq ft home to a 1230sqft. There are 4 of us. 2 adults and 2 school age boys. We brought with us 2 chairs, sofa, ottoman, small end table. After 4 weeks we started to see where we needed storage and where we really didnt. We got a long bedroom dresser with drawers for one wall at a consignment store. The flat TV sits on top then all those drawers hold bedding, pillows & linens for us!
I tried to downsize. Now, after about 8 years, I'm looking for a bigger place, LOL. Some leopards absolutely CANNOT change their spots.
Great post - we just downsized and the living/dining area is the one spot we still can't quite figure out. Thanks for the tips.
Does anyone know where I can find a bookshelf like the one in the last picture? My boyfriend's cats are terribly destructive, and we need some storage with doors to keep them out of our stuff, but I'd like glass so we'd at least be able to see and appreciate said stuff.
"It's best to admit right off the bat that a smaller living room won't seat all your friends at once
This one turned out to be the key for me. When I surrendered and accepted that my tiny living room was really more suitable to be a "TV Room" rather than a "Living Room" it all fell into place. My much (relatively speaking) larger kitchen is a natural entertaining space and as it happens whenever I have people over we end up spending all our time there.
Also, for what it's worth, I'd much rather have an end-table (or two) and be able to stretch my feet out than be hemmed in by a large, floor-hogging coffee table.
I have a coffee table with leaves (a parental hand-me-down). Similar to this one: http://www.rubylane.com/item/307348-WBUMAR/Vintage-Cherry-Drop-Leaf-Coffee?gclid=CJ2GmcbqjLICFcRM4AodrxgAfw
When I was living in a studio, I used the coffee table as my dining table. I would just bring up the leaves and arrange some comfortable floor cushions around the table. It wasn't fancy, but it worked well and saved a lot of room.
Just a thought about lighting - I could never (and I live in 450 SF!) get rid of my lamps - while a ceiling fixture might look great and solve some space issue - who wants to live under one light? Lighting is one of the most important elements to creating an inviting livable space - regardless of size. long live the lamp!!
Speaking of lighting, anyone have an idea for an overhead fixture that bounces light off the ceiling, rather than directly lighting the room?
HAYLEYMAR - The style of bookcase is Barrister - with the glass front, and you should be able to find one on Craigslist/eBay... the one in the photo is antique (I have two of them and yes - they ROCK), and you can search for Macy, Hale, Globe Wernicke etc. Good luck!
mdmills:
The tall silver lamp with the white plastic shade is from Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams. it also comes in a table lamp size.
http://www.mgbwhome.com/NIKO-FLOOR-LAMP-P9174.aspx
I bought a set of cb2 nesting side tables of craigslist. Love them and they are made of clear acrylic and really do seem "invisible." Still looking for a small, comfy chair to fit in the space... I've been unfolding and sitting in a camping chair for a year every night :(
@dcmandy, how about a gateleg table? When folded down, some are only a few inches deep. We have an oval one, when there's just 2 (now 3-a highchair too) of us eating, t says against the wall, with half the table up, when we have guests, then furniture is moved a bit, and we can get 6 people round it. We have folding chairs for saving space too. My brother has a gateleg table that is a bit deeper when folded, but the depth is used to by storage for the 4 (folding) chairs that come with it.
@davidalex: I'm not sure I understand, but would you be looking for a lampshade that acts as an uplighter?
@ESTHER77 Yeah, maybe. I just want some kind of uplighting that can be mounted on the ceiling. Probably some kind of pendant with an opaque bottom and clear/translucent top.
@davidalex: Our landlord had the whole house fitted with shades similar to this: http://www.johnlewis.com/149191/Product.aspx
When we moved in. They were fine for a while, but I got fed up of them- they cut out a lot of the light (I recognise that this is some of the purpose, but...) and it felt quite dingy in some of the rooms. They also *really* collect the dust (and the odd dead moth...) which isn't something I twigged for a while! We still have them in the bedrooms, but in the living area, we switched to normal lampshades.
Way to sell it, Esther! ;-) Cutting back on light is what I'm looking for though... I may try to find something like this.
My living room also has to function as a dining room and office - a lot to fit into a space that's about 3.8m x 3.2m. That would be fine, but there's a fireplace along one of the longer walls that makes every furniture arrangement impossible because the raised hearth protrudes about 0.8m, taking up width and creating two awkwardly small spaces on either side of it. Gah.
I have a gateleg table on wheels that has a file drawer and a couple smaller drawer to make it the height of a dining table. It is used as a great side table with storage until needed for parties as a buffet table (dry bar) or dining area.
Davidalex- I figure it's best to be honest and be warned! My comments might mean that if you're disinclined to dusting, and you find a lightly frosted glass pendant, you might reconsider it as an option! Writing this, I've realised we have frosted glass uplighter ones in the hall and upstairs landing! This kind...
http://reviews.diy.com/2191-en_gb/10867715/reviews.htm
Considerably less dust,mainly because it's so close to the ceiling! It's also more hassle to change the lightbulb! Our land lord obviously thinks that uplighters are the solution to life...
I am moving (back) to a smaller place after living in a big three bedroom house for three years :( I am so shocked and numb, really don't know how am I gonna pull this off. I have lived in studios before but it was just me or with my hubby. Now we have kids and moving to a two bedroom apartment with little to no built storage seems like a nightmare.
The point I am taking from this article is the same as many others..that I won't be able to entertain or sit all my friends at once. Sigh
And there is no entrance hallway either :(
On a bright note..since we are on ground floor we do have a backyard so I would still be able to have my kids birthday parties there YAY. And well are saving some much needed bucks each month by downsizing.
Can't afford to pay $1700 per month in rent, it's absurd.
I like most of the suggestions, but I have to take umbrage about the technology issue. "Bulky DVD player?" Really? They take only 9-10 inches of depth. I don't think a sound dock player will take up any less space, when you count the table or shelf it must sit on. Besides, tiny flat speakers sound like tiny flat speakers. And a sound system does not need to be under the TV: it can be placed off to the side, with wires under moulding leading to the TV and speakers. The picture that they use showing the TV on the wall over the Eames chair? No wires! This speaks custom install, with wires run in the wall.
I'm about to move from a one bedroom to a studio apartment of unknown space because of the availability in the apartment building and few rooms are alike. All I want is a bed (moving from Queen to long full), my office, storage for my books, cds, and assundries, and my piano that was just given to me for free. On the plus side this building has 9 foot ceilings. I'm going up with the storage depending on the layout.
I've been told the sofa I inherited from the last tenant 15 years ago is valuable. If it is, I'm selling it and buying a West Elm bed with storage drawers under it (saw it in the store and AM in love.) Computer monitors need to be upgraded and shrunk in size. I would love to be able to keep my work area in a PAX unit from Ikea (as much as that pains me.) Wish me luck...
What,no mention of the tv on the wall idea? Funny,when Miss Minimalist suggested that,people threw a fit.
TV on the wall is, on the surface (pardon the pun) is a great idea. The most important consideration is where to place the unit. It must in a position that is comfortable for the viewer, preferably a straight on viewing. Watching TV from an angle makes the image narrower and distorts the image. If the TV is just there for casual use (it's on but no one is paying attention to it), then you have more leeway in it's position. Mounting is important: it's got to go into at least one wall stud. Two is better. TVs falling off of drywall is poor form.
Ahhh, what to do with wires. The post shows a TV with no wires.The wires were run in the walls. Not hard to do if your cable box/home theater is right below the set (make a large enough hole for the wires behind the set, run them in the wall down to another hole in the baseboard, where they exit the wall). Hard if your other equipment and outlet is away from the set. Installer will need to cut a hole in the wall at every wall stud, drill holes in the stud, run wires thru holes until they get to their destination, patch all holes in the wall. If it's new construction, determine the wire path in the planning stage and install the wires when the electrical lines are installed. Much cheaper than doing it after the walls are up.
I love the cowhide rug! Does anyone know where I can find it?
"It's best to admit right off the bat that a smaller living room won't seat all your friends at once"
This is so essential... It took me far too long standing in my 9 x 10 foot living room/dining room/office to realize that I had to make the space work for me to live in, not to entertain. If your space really is teeny-tiny, decorate for utility and minimalism, and leave entertaining guests for your next apartment!
Personally, I got a drop-leaf extendable table and it's by far my favorite design decision. We leave it very small for the two of us, but we have the option to put up the other leaf if we do happen to have guests. It allowed us to design the space for us, while keeping dinner parties a possibility!
kateradee, care to share which dropleaf table you have?