Small Rectangular Living Room? Genius Decor Solutions to Save the Day

Feeling frustrated with your skinny, awkwardly shaped living room? Narrow rectangular spaces come with distinct decorating challenges when it comes to layout, furniture arrangement, and overall aesthetics. But have no fear - with clever solutions and ingenious design ideas, your small rectangle living room can be transformed into a comfortable, stylish oasis you'll be proud to show off.

Read on to discover innovative ideas for furniture placement, traffic flow, storage solutions, and decor accents that will completely upgrade your slender room.

Challenges of Decorating Small Rectangular Spaces

Narrow rectangle living rooms have an elongated layout that poses unique problems you wouldn't find in a square space. Here are some of the most common challenges:

• Restricted traffic flow - The limited width makes movement through the space difficult since there's less room for walking paths.
• Darkness and gloom - Long walls with few windows can create a dark, cave-like feeling.
• Limitations for furniture placement - With minimal floor area, there are fewer layout options.
• Visually unappealing - The awkward proportions have a tendency to look cluttered.

Choosing Furniture Built for Small Rectangular Living Rooms

In order to work with the unique shape, furniture must be carefully curated. Steer clear of bulky sectionals and overstuffed armchairs. Instead, seek out small-scale, adaptable pieces that serve multiple purposes. Here are some of our top picks tailored to maximizing narrow layouts:

Multi-Functional Items Serve Double Duty

Since available floor space is limited, make every piece work extra hard. We love convertible ottomans that provide extra seating and flip open to reveal handy storage. Or try nesting tables that slide snugly under each other when not in use. Other excellent options include sofa beds for overnight guests and compact console tables equipped with shelves and drawers built right in.

Compact Silhouettes Fit the Bill

When dealing with a shorter room, bulk is the enemy. Save inches with armless slipper chairs or narrow Parsons chairs instead of club chairs. Trade in a clunky coffee table for a refined round one placed atop a woven rug. For media storage, a slim console fits nicely while freeing up precious square footage. The smaller thefurniture footprint, the better.

Strategic Shapes Complement Proportions

Take advantage of form in addition to function when selecting fixtures. The contours and outlines of each piece play an integral role in opening up floor space visually. For example, a circular side table contrasts nicely to parallel walls instead of a bulky square one. And nothing beats a round ottoman as the perfect centerpiece in place of a large rectanglecoffee table.

Arranging Furniture Like a Pro in Small Rectangular Living Rooms

Now for the fun part - playing designer with floor plan possibilities and furniture formations to make the most of the unique shape. Use these techniques to guide and inspire your own layout.

Whip Walls Into Shape with a Stellar Focal Point

Every narrow room needs a anchor - the main visual element that grounds the space and pulls focus. Choose a wall with architectural interest, like windows and doors, as the prime spot to highlight. For maximum impact, incorporate eye catching built-ins such as a fireplace or a herself with the large flatscreen mounted above. This crucial vignette serves as a magnet for drawing sightlines and arranging furniture accordingly down the length of the room.

• Orient couches and armchairs around the focal point.
• Angle side chairs inward in a chevron formation.
• Float a rug underneath to define the sitting area.

Get Furniture Circling with a Central Hub

The circular traffic flow is a boon for rooms with length challenges. Borrowing this layout technique from home staging experts is the secret for opening up narrow floor plans. Simply arrange the main seating pieces in a U-shape. We like to use a classy round ottoman or cocktail table as the connecting centerpiece. This circular furniture placementwrapped around a central point leaves comfortable access and walkways in a slim room.

• Drape side tables and floor lamps around the curve.
• Scatter a few toss pillows on the sofa and chairs.
• Add visual balance with a console or bookcase on the empty wall.

Work Corners to Your Advantage

Take advantage of prime corner real estate in a rectangular living room by turning the intersections into functional nooks. Tuck away a dainty desk perfect for paying bills or set up a sophisticated home bar cart for entertainign. Add open shelving stuffed with decorative objects to prevent stretches of boring blank walls. The unused angles are also wonderful spots to slide in extra counter height seating around a pedestal table. This creates an intimate dining area that won't clog up main traffic lanes.

Decorating Your Narrow Rectangle Living Room

The finishing design touches involve decor elements that add visual interest while enhancing the experience of being in the space. Implement these solutions for taking your slender room to the next level.

Illuminate with Carefully Positioned Lighting

One caveat in long, limited rooms lies in dark gloomy corners or shadows along the walls. Counteract lack of natural sunlight with a layered lighting plan. Splurge on an gleaming overhead fixture as a blank canvas for general illumination. Then fill in gaps as needed with accent lighting. Affix contemporary sconces next to focal points on the narrow walls. We adore modern floor lamps in opposite corners to bathe the room with ambient glow. Light the space properly and even a tiny living room appears crisp, bright and expansive.

Mirrors Multiply Perceived Space

Take advantage of reflective surfaces by mounting lean floor mirrors along the longer walls. The mirrored effect instantly doubles visible area for a widened look. Arrange at slight angles to cultivate depth and make ceilings appear taller. For small or awkward niches, hang a statement mirror filled with intricate details. Not only does mirrored glass add lovely dimension, but it also bounces the glow of light fixtures throughout the rooms.

Sculpt With Multipurpose Accents

Separate monotonous vertical planes using slender ledges and wall shelving. This convenient display space lets you feature decor items double as pretty yet practical sculptures. Try a trail of potted succulents marching down an entire side or an assortment of framed family photos telling a visual story. Add pops of color by curating favorite ceramic vases or baskets in vibrant hues. The linear lines and multi-layered accents brilliantly break up boring expanses in the perimeter.

By now you should feel equipped to tackle decorating and designing challenges unique to small rectangular living rooms. Creative furniture arrangements, space-enhancing lighting, and a dose of decorative flair all help transform cramped proportions into a comfortable oasis. Use focal points, circular traffic flow, and corner nooks as guiding principles for layouts. Choose compact, multi-functional furniture or curved silhouettes harmonious to the shape. Lastly, don't underestimate the design impact mirrors, shelving and plants offer narrow spaces. With a bit of ingenuity and these tips in your back pocket, even the most awkward rectangle room can feel visually stunning.