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If you’re looking to make the most of your compact living room while incorporating a television, you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’ll explore 17 ingenious layout ideas tailored to small living rooms with TVs.
Mount the TV on the wall to save space
Mounting your TV on the wall is one of the easiest ways to instantly free up floor space. By doing so, you can eliminate the need for a bulky TV stand or console. It’s a clean and modern look that can help your small living room feel larger and less cluttered.
Another bonus of wall-mounting is that it keeps the TV safely out of the way, especially if you have little ones running around. Plus, it gives you the flexibility to position your furniture more freely. You won’t have to worry about accommodating a big piece of furniture underneath.
For a sleek finish, use a wall mount with hidden cable management. It helps keep those messy cords out of sight, maintaining a minimalist look in your living room.
Add floating shelves around the TV
Floating shelves are a fantastic addition to any small living room, especially around your TV. They don’t take up any floor space and provide a modern, airy feel to the room. By placing them around the TV, you can store or display items like books, plants, or framed photos.
This setup creates an interesting visual around your TV, turning it into more of a decor feature than just an appliance. It’s also a smart way to make use of vertical space that often goes underutilized.
Floating shelves come in various styles, so you can pick ones that fit your aesthetic. Whether you prefer sleek, minimalist shelves or more rustic wooden options, they can enhance the overall look of your living room.
Position the sofa opposite the TV
For the ultimate TV-watching experience, position your sofa directly opposite the TV. This ensures you have a clear, comfortable view without straining your neck or constantly adjusting your position. It’s a classic layout that works well in small spaces, offering both practicality and simplicity.
To make the most of this setup, make sure the distance between the sofa and TV is proportionate. Too close, and you’ll be overwhelmed by the screen. Too far, and you might lose that immersive feeling. Ideally, place the sofa at least 6-9 feet away, depending on the size of your TV.
Pro tip: If you’re tight on space, consider using a loveseat or compact sectional instead of a full-size sofa. It’ll still give you that cozy, front-row TV experience without overwhelming the room.
Angle the TV in a corner
Angling your TV in a corner is a great way to optimize space, especially in small living rooms. This setup can open up the center of the room, making it feel more spacious and less crowded.
It also works wonders if you have an awkward or oddly shaped living room where traditional layouts don’t fit.
Positioning the TV in a corner gives you a different perspective of the room. It can create a cozier vibe, especially when paired with angled furniture to face the screen. It’s perfect for small spaces because it utilizes a typically unused area.
Plus, it allows for more creative furniture arrangements. You’re not restricted to lining everything up along the walls, giving you more freedom to mix things up.
Place the TV above a fireplace
If you have a fireplace in your living room, mounting the TV above it can be a smart space-saver.
It combines two focal points into one, creating a streamlined look that works well in small spaces. This layout frees up floor space and helps draw attention upward, making the room feel taller.
However, you’ll need to be cautious of height. You don’t want the TV too high, or you’ll strain your neck looking up. Ideally, mount it at eye level when seated. You might also want to angle the TV slightly downward for more comfortable viewing.
Just make sure your fireplace doesn’t generate too much heat in that area, as it can affect your TV’s lifespan. If necessary, consider a mantel shelf to protect it.
Use a media console for hidden storage
A media console isn’t just for holding your TV—it’s also a lifesaver when it comes to keeping things organized.
In a small living room, you’ll want to minimize clutter, and a console with plenty of storage can do just that. Look for one with closed cabinets to hide away electronics, remotes, and other accessories.
The beauty of a media console is that it keeps everything neatly tucked away, while still offering a surface for decor. You can add a few decorative items like a vase or candle without overwhelming the space.
Choose a slim, low-profile design that fits the scale of your living room. That way, it doesn’t dominate the room but still provides all the storage you need.
Frame the TV with art or photos
If you want to make your TV blend into your living room, try framing it with a gallery wall. Surrounding the TV with art or photos takes the focus off the screen and makes it part of your decor. This approach softens the techy look and adds a personal touch to the space.
You can get creative with your gallery wall, mixing different frame sizes and styles for a curated look. The key is to arrange them in a way that feels balanced, so the TV doesn’t overpower the art—or vice versa.
Another option is to use a TV with an art mode that displays artwork when not in use. It makes the TV feel less like an appliance and more like part of your living room design.
Go Minimal with Two Armchairs and a Loveseat
In a small living room, less is often more. Opting for two armchairs and a loveseat can create a cozy, intimate seating arrangement without overwhelming the space.
This minimalist layout keeps things simple, providing ample seating while maintaining an open, airy feel. It’s perfect for casual lounging or conversation.
The loveseat offers a comfortable spot for two people, while the armchairs add flexibility to the layout. You can arrange the chairs facing each other, with the loveseat opposite the TV, creating a balanced, symmetrical look.
This setup encourages conversation and makes the room feel inviting, without the need for a bulky sofa.
Set the TV on a stylish stand
Sometimes, a simple TV stand is all you need. A stylish, low-profile stand can give your small living room a more relaxed and casual feel. It’s also easier to move things around if you like to switch up your layout from time to time.
I personally love a modern TV stand with clean lines and a bit of storage. It keeps things functional without looking bulky. You can also decorate the stand with small plants, books, or minimal decor to make it feel more like part of the room.
If you’re renting or don’t want to mount your TV, a well-chosen TV stand is a great alternative. It lets you change up your setup whenever you feel like refreshing the space.
Paint the Walls in Light Colors
Opting for shades like soft whites, light grays, or pale pastels helps reflect natural light, giving the room an airy and open feel. Lighter walls can visually expand the space, making it feel less cramped.
A light color palette also creates a neutral backdrop, allowing you to get creative with furniture, decor, and accents. You can easily add pops of color through pillows, rugs, or artwork without overwhelming the space. It’s a subtle way to keep the room feeling fresh and cohesive.
If you’re worried about the room feeling too plain, consider adding texture through accent walls, or soft furnishings like curtains or throws. Light colors keep things balanced and create a calming atmosphere, perfect for a small living room.
Angle Your Wall-Mounted TV a Bit Downward
When you mount your TV on the wall, especially if it’s higher up, angling it slightly downward can make a big difference in comfort.
This simple adjustment ensures you have an optimal viewing experience, reducing neck strain from looking up for long periods. It’s particularly useful in small living rooms where the TV might be mounted above eye level, like over a fireplace.
By tilting the TV downward, you create a more immersive experience, especially if you’re sitting on lower seating like a couch or loveseat.
The screen will be easier to see, and the picture quality won’t suffer from awkward viewing angles. Most modern wall mounts come with adjustable tilting options, making this tweak easy.
Charming Farmhouse-style Small Living Room
An inviting farmhouse-style living room is anchored by a striking hardwood floor.
Positioned behind a polished teak coffee table, a snug white sofa beckons you to relax.
A modest cabinet finds its place beneath a wall-mounted TV, completing the cozy setup.
Credit: house_of_jase
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Contemporary Take on Farmhouse Style in the Living Room
Encompassing an expansive open floor plan, this design showcases stunning wood floors that seamlessly blend with a captivating stone fireplace.
Above the fireplace, a TV takes center stage, flanked by two black leather sofas and a plush gray ottoman.
The arrangement is harmonized by a generous jute rug, while the warm color palette pays homage to the very essence of modern farmhouse style.
Credit: fromcitytosticks
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Serene Small Living Room Featuring a Light Blue Cabinet
Exuding warmth and a welcoming ambiance, this freshly adorned living room introduces a gentle light blue cabinet amidst a backdrop of soft cream tones.
Charming potted plants grace the cabinet’s top, beautifully complementing the ashwood coffee table positioned opposite.
Cream-colored sofas and armchairs provide an inviting haven for relaxation, all anchored around a wall-mounted TV.
Credit: copperpointhome
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Inviting Neutral Living Room Highlighting an Entertainment Center
Bathed in understated elegance and basked in the glow of natural light, this neutral-toned living room emanates a truly inviting atmosphere.
A touch of freshness is introduced through faux flowers and a tasteful gray coffee table.
Atop a robust white cabinet, the TV finds its perch, doubling as storage for snug blankets and decorative throw pillows.
Credit: homeonthemeadow
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Timeless Farmhouse-inspired Living Room with Television
Embodied with rustic charm, this interpretation of the traditional farmhouse style unfolds gracefully through its white tones, textural elements, and organic wood accents.
Taking the spotlight is an entertainment center, thoughtfully paired with a glass-top coffee table.
Throughout the room, carefully curated décor accents contribute to an atmosphere that feels like a warm embrace.
Credit: themerrymorriscottage
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Cozy Farmhouse Living Room Arrangement with Television
Within this rustic farmhouse-style living room, open shelves stand ready to showcase decorations and house entertainment essentials.
At the core of these shelves rests the TV, its presence assured and complemented by a gleaming polished wooden floor.
Soft beige tones harmonize seamlessly with the natural wood elements, amplifying the rustic allure intrinsic to farmhouse design.
Credit: the.vintagefarmhouse
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Intimate Narrow Living Room Adorned With TV and Spring Décor
In a small yet flourishing living space, blush-colored furnishings come together with a patterned floral area rug, creating an enchanting tableau.
Anchoring the room is a TV mounted on the far wall, flanked by vintage window panes that whisper of bygone eras.
Adding to the room’s charisma, a rustic wooden ladder leans against the wall, accompanied by an antique accent chair.
Credit: rekindledsigns
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Holiday Cottage-themed Small Living Room Design With Television
A grand vertical brick chimney envelops both a fireplace and a wall-mounted TV in its embrace.
Positioned between two gray sofas and an armchair, an oak coffee table exudes a serene sense of refinement.
Classic cottage-style elements, such as mounted deer figurines, infuse the room with an evocative charm that harks back to times gone by.
Credit: cottonandrust
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Wrap-up
When it comes to small living rooms, creative design can truly amplify the space you have available.
From strategic furniture placement to clever storage solutions, each layout serves as a testament to the harmony between style and functionality.
Whether you’re looking for a cozy nook or an open and airy arrangement, these ideas offer a roadmap to creating a small living room that’s big on both comfort and character.
