If your living room is cramped and cluttered, the last thing you’d want to do is spend time in there. That is, unless you trick your eye into thinking the space is bigger than it appears.

It’s not magic, it’s just smart styling and layout strategy. Get ready to bookmark all these tips and transform your small living room into a comfortable, stylish oasis for you and your household to hang out in.

By following these designer tips, you’ll love the space so much that you won’t want to leave it.

Invest in smart lighting: To save space on the ground, choose lighting that can be attached to the walls or hung from the ceiling.

Incorporate Mirrors: Mirrors make any small room look much larger. Even, totally covering one wall with mirrors or tiles would be a good idea. 

Keep it cozy: It’s actually possible to make a small space feel truly inviting and cozy by leaning into its smallness. Choose a plush, soft rug to soften the atmosphere, and keep seating close together. You should do this especially if you’re designing a small family room, where you’ll want things to feel warm and welcoming.

Rethink Your Coffee Table: Use two small tables to take the place of one big coffee table. They’re better for traffic flow and easily moved to wherever else you may need them.

Give room for natural light: If your living room has access to a ton of natural light, don’t block it out with dark curtains. Let light pour in to make the space feel airier and more open. Even if you don’t have large windows and tons of sunlight, choose lighter shades to maximize the light you do have.

Paint Your Walls White: Keep walls and ceilings all white to brighten up the space. You can also add artwork on the wall. Large black-and-white artwork is eye-catching but won’t add clutter.