The kitchen might be the heart of the home and a dreamy bedroom is essential for a good night’s sleep, but let’s be honest: The living room is the most important—and fun!—room in the house. Unlike other areas—which are centered around utilitarian tasks—the living room is where you hang with friends, unwind with a book, or catch up on your latest streaming obsession. But with so many activities and so little space to do them, it’s possible for this common area to feel a little…well, crammed.
However, if you want to create the illusion of a bigger space, the solution is simple: Schooch your seating arrangement—but not in the way you’d think. Here are two designer tricks to help maximize space in your living room and help it even feel a little bit larger.
“The last thing you want to do it squeeze everything in the middle of the room if there’s a focal point like a fireplace,” says designer Erick Espinoza. “When furniture is more spread out, it also gives you the opportunity to possibly do two different furniture arrangements within the same space.”
Setting up multiple arrangements doesn’t mean you have to buy double the sofas or armchairs, though. Instead, Erick encourages you to switch up your seating. “If you want a more intimate area, try using benches or ottomans rather than space so that you don’t take up visual air space or make the room feel crammed,” he recommends.
Looking for some inspiration? Marynn Udvarhelyi of Wildflower Home Interiors employed armchairs, sofas, and even an upholstered bench in this Texas home’s great room.
Try a Built-In Sofa
For years, conventional design wisdom made us believe that moving our sofa a few inches away from your wall creates negative space and a larger, airier feel. Designer Jessica Helgerson, however, recommends the exact opposite. According to the Portland, Oregon designer, who is on our recently named Country Design 100 list, a built-in sofa never fails to make a room look and “live” larger.
While the mere mention of a built-in sofa may conjure visions of a sunken living room, Jessica gave this look a modern makeover in the tiny house she, her husband, and their four kids lived in for four years. Since the residence was a compact 540 square feet, every inch counted. The built-in sofa, Jessica says, capitalized on comfort without feeling claustrophobic.
“That sofa was never in the way, could fit eight friends comfortably, doubled as a couple twin mattresses for sleepovers, and accommodated storage drawers below as well,” she explains. Plus, the large empty space in the middle will give you lots of room to experiment with rugs, coffee tables, or accent seats. Not only is Jessica a “firm believer” in built-in sofas, but she’s also used this trick in her clients’ projects. Even when square footage isn’t as scarce as it was in her tiny house, the built-in sofa works like a charm.
As far as the for the design of the sofa, for Jessica, deep seats are non-negotiable. “I don’t mind going up to 42 inches,” she says. “You can always add more back cushions if you want your feet on the ground.” From there, you want the built-in to blend in with the rest of the room. Jessica typically builds a 10-inch platform as the base and adds seven to eight-inch-thick cushions. “The back can be straight up and down because the back cushions are thick enough to create real comfort on their own as you nestle into them,” she adds.
Whether you opt for an arranging tweak like Erick—or build your own setup like Jessica, you’re that much closer to kicking back, relaxing, and enjoying your (seemingly) spacious living room.
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance lifestyle journalist, who covers shopping and deals for Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, ELLE Decor, and Country Living among others. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.
