Your living room may be compact but there’s no reason why you can’t think big when it comes to style! In a small room it’s even more important to have a clear theme. For a cohesive result, find a look that reflects your individuality and be strict about sticking to it.
Whether your style is minimalist, natural neutrals or maximalist, the secret to creating an illusion of space is to focus on a single design aspect and use other elements to play a supporting role. It’s also worth remembering that the right flooring can help your room appear bigger and add interest with texture and pattern.
Layers of texture
There’s nothing cosier than layers of interesting textures, especially as the evenings lengthen towards winter and we spend more time at home.
You can get this look by opting for a pale neutral colour palette and piling up cushions and throws in a snuggly mix of fabrics – in fact, the more the merrier! Then introduce timeless elegance with a tactile flooring such as parquet or basketweave in a traditional warm oak design from our Art Select range. Finally, add a large natural rug and soft lighting with scented candles for a room that appeals to all your senses.
Blond Oak parquet (left), image courtesy of @my.millennium.maison and Spring Oak basketweave (right) from our Art Select collection.
Colour focus
One bold pop of colour in a neutral space is sure to draw the eye. In a small space, you may feel inclined to choose several smaller seats but a large sofa can actually help the room feel more spacious. Choose a corner sofa in your favourite cosy colour and add a useful coffee table with soft curves that won’t catch shins.
By choosing flooring with a directional flow, you can add a sense of movement that will visually enlarge your space. Consider one of the herringbone designs from our Art Select or Knight Tile ranges or, for the very latest look, opt for one of our new Van Gogh chevron patterns.
Pale Limed Oak in a herringbone (left) from our Knight Tile collection. Image courtesy of @our_happyhome8088. Neutral Brushed Oak chevron (right) from our Van Gogh collection.
Maximalist
It might sound counter-intuitive but a bold maximalist look can work really well in a small room. So if you love a ‘more is more’ approach there’s no reason why you can’t indulge your passion.
It’s best to choose just one oversized print, either on wallpaper, curtains or sofa. Then pick out a few accent colours and repeat these in accessories, keeping patterns to a minimum. A straight lay floor is the perfect companion to your maximalist living room, providing grounding balance that will prevent the overall effect becoming overwhelming.
Choose a colour that will hold its own against your colour palette, such as a rich oak to balance warm colours or a charcoal grey if your colours are on the cooler side. Laying the planks in line with the longer wall will accentuate the room’s length or choose a perpendicular angle to make a narrow room appear wider.
Lorenzo Warm Oak (left) from our Da Vinci collection and Classic Oak (right) from our Van Gogh collection.
Geometric pattern
Letting your floor take centre stage is guaranteed to give your room plenty of wow factor. For example, a geometric grid pattern from our Heritage Collection will bring classic elegance with a contemporary twist. Choose your favourite pattern in one of our monochrome colourways or create your own bespoke colour combination for a floor that’s uniquely you.
When it comes to other design elements in the room, it’s best to keep these pared back to maximise the impact of the floor. Consider colour drenching walls and ceiling in a complementary neutral then choose a sofa and accessories in a similar palette.
Lansdown (left) and Clifton (right) from our Heritage Collection.
Find more inspiration for your living room in our free brochure.
