Maximizing space in a small living room

Do you need more space? These small living room ideas will help you make the most of what you have. From multifunctional furniture and clever storage, to dividing up your room and getting the right light, you’ll find lots of tips to help you maximize your room.

A bright living room with sofa modules round a coffee table, and a long row of books-and-deco-filled EKET cabinets on a wall.

Furniture that makes the most of your space

Flexible furniture that does two jobs, like a sleeper sofa or an ottoman with storage, can help you get more out of a small space. And things like a utility cart or a lightweight side table are easy to move to where you want them, so you don’t need as much storage all around your room.

A KIVIK 1-seat sofa, configured as a bed, with TÅTELSMYGARE bed linen, stands on a striped rug in front of a curtain.

A white SKÅLBODA armchair and a BURVIK side table stand on a black and white VÄNDPLATS rug in a small living room area.

A black NISSAFORS utility cart stands on a colorful BRÖNDEN rug next to a black GLADOM tray table.

A red FÖRLUNDA pouffe with storage stands near a coffee table placed underneath a DYKARKLOCKA pendant lamp in a living room.

A round, bronze-coloured VÄRMBLIXT LED wall/mirror lamp hangs above a cabinet with decorative items and a speaker lamp on it.

Flexible and multifunctional furniture – small living room ideas

Declutter with sliding doors

Decluttering can make your small living room feel bigger and calmer. And with SKYTTA sliding doors you can hide things, like storage or even a TV, when you don’t want to see them.

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SKYTTA sliding doors with MEHAMN 4 panels for sliding door frame in front of a storage area with a TV and storage furniture.

Two doors of a SKYTTA/MEHAMN sliding door combination open and reveal a TV and furniture and the doors close again.

See the SKYTTA sliding door system

Using the height of your walls

With the right storage furniture, you can store lots of stuff on your walls, from floor to ceiling. We have a lot of options, so you can find what best suits your needs and style. If you want, why not start with a few pieces and then add to your storage later?

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A LÅDMAKARE storage combination, holding many things including a yellow KÄLLARHALS vase, stands against a wall.

Different EKET cabinets, including a white stained oak effect EKET cabinet, and two works of art are mounted on a wall.

Two IVAR storage boxes on wheels stand underneath a white ELVARLI open storage combination near a BURVIK side table.

An IVAR storage box on wheels stands underneath an IVAR cabinet which is attached to a wall underneath other IVAR cabinets.

A living-room wall half-covered by a white VIHALS storage combination, the other half covered by a cluster of framed art.

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Turn unused space into organized storage

What about the space you have but don’t use? For example, a few hooks or a pegboard can make a bare wall into useful storage. Boxes can help you store and organize more stuff under shelves or wall cabinets. And with a nest of tables like this, you can put one under the other to save space when you don’t need both.

Two black SKÅDIS pegboards, a pair of red headphones and a folded VIHALS folding chair hang on a wall in a dining area.

White KUGGIS boxes with lid of different sizes stand on a shelf underneath another shelf below some windows.

A HAVSTA nest of tables, set of 2, holding vases and books, stands on a rug next to a white chaise longue.

A person stacks another birch KYRRE stool on top of a stack of three other KYRRE stools in a room with a wooden floor.

A pinewood KNAGGLIG box mounted on RILL castors is pulled out from under a white cabinet with one open door.

Make more rooms!

Dividing a room can help you get more out of your space and make your home feel bigger. Different things can be room dividers. A KALLAX shelving unit for example, gives you storage, plus you can personalize it with your choice of inserts and boxes. With curtains, you can pull them back and reunite the room in seconds.

A white KALLAX shelving unit with many objects on its shelves including KALLAX inserts stands on a black KALLAX underframe.

A curtain made from dotted black and white SANDLUSERN pre-cut fabric hangs in a room near a yellow FRIDHULT sofa-bed.

Lots of ways to divide up your space

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OLIVBLAD Plant stand, indoor/outdoor black, 22 ¾ "

A magic trick with mirrors!

Mirrors on your wall reflect light back into your room, so it appears brighter and more dynamic. They also trick the mind into thinking that the room is bigger and airier than it really is. You can use a large mirror or group some smaller ones together.

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GRINSBOL mirrors are attached to a wall near a beige STRANDMON wing chair and a black-blue SKRUVBY cabinet with doors.

A gold-colour SVANSELE mirror is attached to the wall above a bed on which various cushions have been placed.

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Getting the right mix of lighting

Even a small room needs a mix of lights for the different occasions and things you want to do, from tidying up to relaxing with friends. When you have a variety, you can choose the best light or combination for every situation.

Task lighting – light in a limited area so you can do a specific task like reading a book or studying. A spotlight on the wall or a floor/reading lamp near an armchair, for example.
General lighting – gives you uniform light and a good overview of the room. Examples are pendants, ceiling lamps and chandeliers.
Mood lighting – lighting that helps create a nice atmosphere. For example, a table lamp that you can dim.
Bookcase and cabinet lighting – like a mix of task and mood lighting. It helps you find things, highlights decorative items on shelves and makes the room cozier.
Smart lighting – lets you control your mix of lighting, and the mood, with remote controls or an app on your phone.

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