Furniture Ideas for Long Narrow Living Room to Maximize Space
Living rooms come in all shapes and sizes, and some are easier to decorate than others. Coming up with furniture ideas for long narrow living rooms might seem daunting at first, but it can be done with some planning and the right furniture. Turn your narrow living room into the room of your dreams by learning simple ways to make the most of your space.
The Challenge Of Rooms That Are Long And Narrow
Non-traditional room shapes can be fun and frustrating at the same time. While they have interesting quirks and qualities, it can be hard to come up with a visualization for a difficult layout. Knowing what your obstacles are makes it easier to research the solution and come up with a plan.
For example, if you have a difficult layout such as an extremely narrow living room, you can search online for ideas on how others dealt with similar situations. Online communities are another great idea to float ideas off while collecting ideas and insider tips. It is important to come up with an idea for your layout before you start getting to work.
Tips on How to Choose Furniture for Narrow Living Rooms
Choosing furniture for narrow living rooms can be a headache if you don't know what to look for. Before you purchase furniture for your space, make sure to plan ahead of time and do your research. One of the most important takeaways is to take accurate measurements of your living room and pay attention to the measurements of the furniture you want to buy.
Take Measurements
Before you start thinking of furniture ideas for narrow living rooms, make sure to measure your space. It's a good idea to measure twice to ensure that your readings are accurate. Consider the width and length of your space, as well as any unique features such as slanted ceilings or unusual architectural designs.
Consider Slim Seating
Large couches and sectionals can be bulky and take up precious space, so picking slim seating can help you maximize the space you're working with. Look for comfy seating for small spaces such as the zero gravity recliner and make sure you have enough room to recline back and relax. Accent chairs are also a great option to play around with as long as you pick something small and sleek.
Think of Multi-Use Furniture ideas for Long Narrow Living Rooms
Make your furniture work double-duty and save space by looking for pieces that have more than one use. For example, you could buy an ottoman with a hidden storage area or make space for a reclining zero gravity chair that can be used for both entertainment and wellness purposes. The more use you can get out of your furniture, the more space you can save for other ideas.
Furniture Ideas for Narrow Living Room Layouts
Living rooms come in all shapes and sizes and their layouts can differ vastly. Knowing how to handle challenging layouts can help prepare you when coming up with furniture ideas for narrow living rooms. Once you figure out how to get around the main obstacle, then decorating and finding the right furniture will be a breeze.
Wide Open Doorways
A broad entryway can pose a challenge in narrow living rooms, especially when it comes to traffic flow. Instead of trying to make your entryway more "cozy", embrace the openness to avoid making your living room seem even more narrow. Floating your furniture away from all entryways and spacing them out allows people to move around without feeling crowded.
Even without doors you can create the illusion of an entryway by framing the area with floor lamps or tall plants. You can also hang pendant lights above the entryway to create a border and help people find the entrance/exit. Avoid using furniture to highlight the doorway as it can give your already narrow living room an overcrowded look.
Awkward Layout
It can be hard to come up with furniture ideas for long narrow living rooms, especially if awkward architecture is involved. It can be hard to navigate and find the right furniture for your room if you have sloped or low ceilings, extremely tall ceilings, or barely any walls. Instead of focusing on what's wrong with your space, embrace its uniqueness and play off its quirks.
For example, if you have low ceilings, avoid hanging plants or lights, as this will make the walls seem even lower. Extremely long rooms can be divided into different zones. One side could act as a formal living room with a coffee table, small sofa, and an accent chair, while the other side could be more casual with a zero-gravity recliner, TV, and a few benches.
Tall Ceilings
If you have a narrow living room with tall ceilings then you may feel inclined to fill up the vertical space. Filling the void with bulky furniture can make the room feel smaller and take away from the effect of your tall ceilings. Play around with different heights when choosing furniture for narrow living rooms to fill the space without being overwhelming.
Scattering accent chairs around shorter seats can add height and depth to your room without adding too much furniture. If you're looking to fill the height of your room then look for bookcases, shelves, or even room dividers to take up the space. If you don't want to break up the look of your room, then try using hanging plants and strategically adding floor lamps around the room.
Different Types of Furniture Ideas for Narrow Living Rooms
The type of furniture you use for your room depends on the layout and design of the space. However, there are some pieces of furniture for narrow living rooms that pretty much work for any layout. Floor lamps, zero gravity recliners, and shelving all help to enhance the living room without overcrowding it.
Floor Lamps
Use floor lamps to take up height and create an entryway by flanking the area with two lamps. If using floor lamps, look for adjustable or arc-style lamps to help you save on space. Pendant lights can also be used if you have tall ceilings and need to fill out the lofty layout.
Zero Gravity Recliners
Save on space by avoiding large sectionals and focusing more on slim, sleek designs such as the zero gravity recliner. It provides comfort without taking up too much space and can be sprinkled throughout the room or grouped together to give a sectional-effect. If using more than one recliner, make sure to leave enough space between the two so you can recline comfortably.
Shelving
Shelving can be your best friend in a narrow living room if you know how to use it to your advantage. If your layout includes already built-in shelving or you have tall ceilings, you can fill the shelves with interesting books or decorations to draw your eye upwards. Buying long, thin shelves can reduce clutter or act as a showcase to display your favorite things.
Helpful Tips For Picking Furniture for Narrow Living Rooms
It can be easy to come up with furniture ideas for narrow living rooms if you go in with an open mind. Look up ideas on Pinterest and blogs to see how other people decorate their narrow living rooms. Playing with different types of furniture, colors, and heights can all help transform your living room into your new favorite space.
