Small living room ideas: furniture and home accessories for a compact space

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Small living room ideas: furniture and home accessories for a compact space

By Megan Murray

5 years ago

Style your small living room to its full potential with these home accessories and furnishings perfect for compact spaces.

You might think that a small living room presents a big challenge when it comes to decorating and furnishing, but not if you’re in the know about the brands and home accessories which work for tiny spaces. 

From leaning desks that take up as little floor room as possible and hanging plants that give a lush look but optimise the space above your head, to storage floor cushions which double as a pouffe, foot rest and sleepover bed, we’ve got the nifty small space solutions you need to know about. 

So, make the most of your living room with these home accessories and furnishings that cater for the space.

Set of three connected cushions

Loaf sleepover cushions

Loaf has a whole range of versatile seating-cum-sleeping furniture, such as this trio of pillows which are buttoned together.

Stack them and use as a pouffe, pull up one cushion as a back for a floor-seat, or lie out like a mattress for when friends stay over.

Shop sleepover cushions at Loaf, £175

Buy now

Pine wood storage ladder

Urban Outfitter Levy 3-tier storage shelf

This low-key storage solution has a laid back feel which will fit in inconspicuously with any home’s decor.

Its slanted shape means that it takes up less space than a bulky, square piece of dresser or chest.

Shop Levy 3-tier storage shelf at Urban Outfitters, £49

Buy now

small sage green storage locker

Mustard Made The Shorty locker

Mustard Made’s gorgeous range of lockers are great storage solutions and the slim shape of The Shorty means it can fit into small spaces.

Pop it next to your sofa as a place to keep bits and bobs and somewhere to rest your coffee.

Shop The Shorty in sage at Mustard Made, £129

Buy now

Rattan stool or coffee table

Beiige Jova rattan side table/stool

If you’re struggling for seating space, why not take advantage of a piece that can do it all?

This chic rattan stool not only looks fabulous but can be used as an extra perch as and when you need it, a side table, plant stand or lighting prop.

Shop Jova rattan side table/stool at Beiige, £249

Buy now

Patterned woven storage basket

We Are Nomads large planter/basket

Woven baskets are a go-to home accessory for small spaces because they look great but provide a bottomless pit to dump any bits and pieces hanging around. 

Blankets, bed socks, magazines, cushions; throw them all in there and out the way.

Shop large planter/basket at We Are Nomads, £41

Buy now

blue macrame plant hanger

Sarora Knots macrame plant hanger

When decorating a room, plants are the crucial finishing layer.

But if you’re short on floor space, you can still add depth and colour with a leafy friend by hanging them from up above with a beautiful, handmade hanger like this one. 

We recommend popping a hook high on the wall or in the ceiling, or attaching to the end of a curtain pole.

Shop aqua plant hanger at Sarora Knots, £10

Buy now

Devil's Ivy plant

Mawusi Ola 'Devils Ivy' plant

Speaking of hanging greenery from the rafters, this Devil’s Ivy plant has lots of trailing leaves that will look lovely suspended in the air. 

Plus, it will live almost anywhere, thriving happily in whatever the light conditions.

Shop Ola ‘Devils Ivy’ plant at Mawusi, £17

Buy now

light wooden small desk leaning into wall

Urbansize leaning small desk

Urbansize creates furniture especially designed for small spaces. 

Many of the pieces feature a leaning design to free up space and be as compact as possible. If your living room is also your work-from-home office, this the perfect work station.

Shop leaning small desk at Urbansize, £160

Buy now

Images: courtesy of brands

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