When it comes to interior design, furnishing a long living room can seem like a daunting task. Its elongated shape presents unique challenges in terms of layout, flow, and balancing different seating areas.
However, with some smart long living room ideas, you can transform the area into a beautifully designed and highly functional family room.
This guide will discuss practical tips and tricks for efficiently sectioning, styling and furnishing a long living room. From living room layout ideas to furniture placement suggestions, you will learn how to make the most of your elongated space and transform it into a welcoming area with terrific room design for relaxing and entertaining.
By following a few simple rules, you can end up with a beautifully coordinated long living room you will love.
Understanding the Space
Identifying Focal Points
In your long living room, it’s important to identify and work with the various focal points. These could be:
- A TV
- A fireplace
- A gallery wall
- A window
Consider which focal points you want to highlight and arrange your furniture accordingly, ensuring that the main seating areas have a view of these features.
Considering Traffic Flow
Another crucial aspect to consider for decorating a long narrow living room is traffic flow. Make sure that you don’t block walking pathways and leave enough room for people to move freely. You can follow these steps to ensure smooth traffic flow:
- Scale the furniture: Select furniture pieces that fit well with the size of the room. Avoid large, bulky items that make the space feel cramped.
- Center the arrangement: Use the middle of the room as the focal point for your furniture, leaving the sides as open, yet functional, areas.
- Create zones: Divide the long living room into different functional areas or zones, such as a seating area and a smaller corner dedicated to a reading nook or workspace.
- Place furniture wisely: Position your sofa and chairs on opposite sides of the room against the long walls. This allows for easy conversation and maintains open walking paths.
Choosing Living Room Furniture
Get Well Know of the Dimensions
When arranging furniture in a long narrow room, it’s essential to first assess the space, considering its dimensions and limitations. Start by measuring the length and width of the room, as well as the height of the walls.
How to Choose the Right Furniture for a Narrow Living Room
Here are some friendly tips to help you choose the perfect furniture in a narrow living room:
- Think about scale and balance: In a long living room, it’s important to choose furniture that fits the proportions of the space. Opt for a slightly larger sofa that suits the length of the room, and pair it with chairs or a loveseat for balanced seating options. Consider an L-shaped sectional or a chaise to anchor the space and provide ample seating without overcrowding the room.
- Choose the right tables: When it comes to tables, think about functionality and purpose. A rectangular coffee table is a great choice for a long living room, as it can elongate the space while providing a practical surface for entertaining. Likewise, side tables and console tables can add style and additional storage without taking up too much space. Look for tables with exposed legs to create a sense of openness and prevent the room from feeling cramped.
- Choose pieces with exposed legs: Furniture with exposed legs, such as side tables, console tables, and sofas, can give the illusion of more space, making your living room look bigger. This design choice will prevent your narrow living room from feeling too cramped or crowded.
- Opt for slim furniture: When selecting furniture for a narrow living room, choose pieces that won’t take up too much floor space. Streamlined sofas, narrow accent chairs, and rectangular coffee tables can help you maintain an open feel in your small space.
By carefully selecting the right furniture and considering these design rules, you can transform your living room space into a comfortable and stylish haven.
Tips on How to Decorate and Arrange a Long Living Room Layout
When decorating a long living room, it is essential to incorporate additional items that provide both functionality and visual interest and arrange them in the proper space.
- Windows can be crucial for opening up space; consider using floor-to-ceiling drapery to accentuate their height. Vertical stripes can also create an elongating effect, making the room appear larger than it is.
- Integrating mirrors can enhance the sense of space and light, especially when placed across from windows or light fixtures. Use large pieces, if you want, artwork and photos to personalize your space and add character. For an organized display, you can install floating shelves or bookshelves to store books, decor items, and small office supplies if you have a desk in the long room.
- Area rugs and circular pieces such as round coffee tables can help break up the linear nature of a long space. Experiment with colors, choosing lighter shades for walls and upholstery to brighten up the space. Incorporate plants to enhance the atmosphere, making it feel more welcoming and refreshing.
- For your upholstery and textiles, consider incorporating circular patterns to break up the long, straight lines of the room. This can help create a sense of flow and movement and add variety to the space.
- Consider painting the two longer walls a lighter color and the shorter walls a darker shade. This technique helps visually widen your long, narrow room.
- Also consider incorporating ottomans, daybeds, or extra side chairs to maximize seating in a long living room. These versatile pieces can easily be moved around to accommodate different arrangements and are an excellent way to make the most of a narrow space.
- To guide movement through the space, create a curved pathway. Arrange your furniture such that it guides people in the desired direction. For example, you can angle a sofa and chair on opposite sides of the room against the long walls, with the chair facing the sofa at an angle.
- To create the illusion of height in your living room, consider using tall, vertical decor elements like floor-to-ceiling curtains, long pieces of artwork, or tall bookshelves. These features will draw the eye upwards and make the room feel larger overall.
Lighting & Vertical Space
Make the most of your vertical space and lighting by incorporating various light fixtures and lampshades. Consider using a mix of floor lamps, table lamps, and ceiling lights to create a warm ambiance while drawing the eye upward.
Remember to keep your living area balanced and cohesive by using similar colors, patterns, and materials throughout. By incorporating these additional items and design tips, you’ll create a beautiful and inviting long living room in which you and your guests will enjoy spending time.
Maximizing Storage
By utilizing various storage ideas, it is possible to maintain a cozy atmosphere while avoiding a cluttered and cramped hallway-like appearance.
One effective solution is to place a console table along one of the walls. Not only does this provide a surface for displaying decorative items, but it also offers functional storage underneath. You can add baskets or boxes below the table, perfect for storing items such as blankets, magazines, or toys. Additionally, the top of the console table can serve as a spot for keys, a vase, or even a small lamp.
Making use of hidden storage can also enhance the appeal of your long living room. Consider incorporating furniture with built-in storage options, such as:
- Coffee tables with drawers
- Ottomans with storage compartments
- Bookshelves with cabinet doors
Hidden storage helps keep your living space neat and organized without sacrificing style.
A breakfast nook is another way to utilize an awkward corner or end of the room. Placing a small table and a couple of chairs can create a dedicated area for quick meals, coffee chats, or catching up on work. To maximize storage, opt for benches with storage compartments underneath or nearby freestanding shelves to hold items like cookbooks, tableware, or even kids’ art supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ideal furniture arrangement for a small living room?
To make the most of a small living room, first consider the focal point and arrange the furniture around it. Choose smaller, multifunctional pieces and create zones for different activities. Use rugs to define areas and keep pathways clear. Arrange furniture in conversational groupings to encourage interaction and make the space feel cozy and inviting.
How can I effectively light a long and narrow room?
Proper lighting is essential in a long and narrow room. Incorporate a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create a balanced and well-lit space. Use floor lamps at different heights, table lamps, and wall sconces to distribute light evenly throughout the room. Consider placing mirrors strategically to reflect light and make the space feel wider.
How do I break up and decorate a long, combined living and dining area?
To break up a combined living and dining area, create distinct zones for each space by using different area rugs, color schemes, or furniture layouts. Utilize storage solutions, such as bookcases or shelves, as dividers to visually separate the spaces. Add decorative elements like artwork, plants, and lighting to enhance the overall ambiance and ensure the areas feel cohesive yet distinct.
What are the best layout ideas for a long living room with a fireplace and TV?
In a long living room with a fireplace and TV, choose a layout that emphasizes the focal point and balances the room. Position the sofa facing the fireplace and TV, allowing for comfortable viewing while maintaining a cozy atmosphere. Place additional seating around the sofa to create a conversational grouping. Use accent chairs or ottomans on either side of the fireplace to create balance and symmetry in the space.
How can I make the most of a long living room with two entrances?
Maximize the functionality of a long living room with two entrances by considering the flow of traffic and creating designated zones for different activities. Arrange the furniture in a way that doesn’t obstruct the pathways and allows for easy movement between entrances. Utilize area rugs and strategic furniture placement to define zones and maintain an organized layout.
What are some creative ideas for decorating a long and narrow living room with a TV?
Decorating a long and narrow living room with a TV can be fun and creative. Consider mounting the TV on the wall to save floor space and enhance the room’s visual appeal. Use a mix of furniture styles and sizes, such as a sectional sofa and a small coffee table, to create a cozy and balanced atmosphere. Add decorative accents like colorful throw pillows, plants, and artwork to create visual interest and make the space more inviting.