When designing a modern living room, think of the size of elements that you will be brought indoors. Use soft furnishings to zone out the living room in an open plan When the curved furniture is placed right, the space looks like a solved jigsaw puzzle' 7. One can create a dramatic effect in a small space when curves are balanced with straight lines. 'They can be very pleasing to the eyes as they soften the overall look of the space. 'A rounded or curved furniture in a small living room creates a natural sense of flow in the movement,' says Noorein Kapoor, founder of NKD Studio (opens in new tab). In any case, you don't want sharp corners when you're sitting on a sofa.' 'And it doesn't mean it needs to be round but there is something about human beings inherently relating to curves. Plus, when we spoke to interior designers to share secrets for decorating a small living room, Nipa Doshi, founder of international interior design brand Doshi Levien, said a sofa should ideally have softness and tactility. Apart from a sofa, you can even go for a loveseat or a curving bench. In rooms with awkward dimensions, corners, and curves, a rounded sofa, (even better if customized) can help eke out more area, and leave the room feeling airier and less cluttered. Choose furniture with curves to make the most out of the small spaceĬurved sofas and tables are not only useful in defining an area, without necessarily making it feel divided, but they also save space, leaving enough circulation area around the room. Consisting predominantly of a collapsible daybed washed over in sumptuous doses of charcoal and steel grey linen upholstery, the lounge is accented with art in warm ochre tones, unadorned end tables, and an austere pendant light.' 6. 'A summery white transcends into grey, creating a slight gradient over the walls.

'This daybed provides a lounge to unwind, and doubles up as a serviceable bed,' says Mahek Lalan, principal architect at SML Architects (opens in new tab). This can be used as the primary seating piece in a living room it can also be used to fill up a corner or used as an occasional chair in open-plan rooms. Take the daybed in the living room for instance – a fantastic investment if you have the space. Multifunctional pieces not only add value in terms of usage but also open up the entire room for other purposes. In a small space, every piece of furniture should work hard to earn its place in the room. Add a daybed for lounging and socializing 'By enveloping a small space in a color, the focus shifts from noticing the size of that space to just appreciation of the shades that surround us.' 5.

'For small living rooms, color drenching, especially when using darker, braver colors, works best,' says Justyna Korczynska of Crown Design Studio (opens in new tab). Painting the ceiling and woodwork the same color as the walls will give a continuous flow, blurring the lines and making the room feel bigger.' 'Dark walls also allow pieces of furniture, art, or accessories to pop against it. ‘If you want to create a moody and atmospheric feel, dark colors work well in small spaces, creating depth and drama,' says Emma Gurner, founder of Folds Inside (opens in new tab). You could also bring in metallic tones or reflective surfaces, like a mirror coffee table or a crystal chandelier to help bounce the light around. To counterbalance dark walls, use lighter pieces of furniture.

Everyone knows that a muted or neutral color makes a room look larger, but did you know that using the right living room color ideas can make the walls disappear, creating the same effect? Deep hues create a feeling of depth and endlessness.

Media room ideas for small spaces