Small condo living room design can be tricky, because when you’re working with limited square footage, every design decision has that much more impact on the space overall. This is why it is so important to have a clear vision in mind from the start as to what it is you’re hoping to achieve in your condo both in terms of aesthetic and function. 

When you have a clear final vision in mind, you can strategize accordingly and use that vision as a guideline to keep your selections and decisions from start to finish in line with your original plans for the space. Without an idea of what you hope the space will look like, it’s easy to get sidetracked throughout the process, which can leave you with a final design that may feel more disjointed than cohesive. 

Remember, you may have tastes that vary in terms of style and trends, but in smaller spaces especially, you should be aiming to design with a general flow of rooms in mind and one main theme as an anchor. From there, it’s all about locking in a few other design components, such as furniture selection, colour palettes and lighting, storage solutions and more. 

Read on for our take on the space-saving solutions and design elements that will take your smaller condo living room to the next level, brought to you by the experts at Royal LePage Connect Realty.

Furniture Selection and Arrangement

Creator: Latto | Credit: Getty Images

When it comes to furniture selection for your small condo space, begin with the bigger anchor pieces first, leaving the smaller items and decor accents for last. You might be tempted to select smaller-sized furniture out of concern for overwhelming or crowding your space, but many times, this will only work to visually shrink your space. 

In order to select furniture sized to compliment the room, begin by taking accurate measurements. Measure the room as a whole and then measure out the maximum area that will encompass all the “living room” elements (things such as your couch, carpet, side tables, any media components, etc.) This article from Homes & Gardens does an excellent job at explaining how to use “sofa-scaling” to determine the right sized sofa for your living space. 

Our favourite tip for the “sofa-scaling” technique is to employ the two-thirds rule. Here, the simplest approach is often the most accurate, as the Homes & Gardens article advises to select a sofa that is about two-thirds of the length of the wall that will be behind it. 

How you arrange your condo living room furniture is equally as important, because it’s here that you will establish the flow of the space and, ideally, create a living area that is both beautiful to look at and also fully functional and in flow with the rest of your condo. 

Here are a few pro tips to keep in mind when sizing out and arranging your condo living space furniture: 

• Create multiple design layouts to feel out what furniture size/placement will ultimately work best. Try RoomSketcherApp to help get started on your floor plan designing
• Don’t overcomplicate things: simple doesn’t have to mean boring. A clean and sleek design layout will leave you room to add, takeaway or accent once the main components are in place. Start simple and go from there. 
• Plan your pathway. Prioritize having clearly laid out pathways and accessibility so that once the furniture is in place, there is an organic sense of how to navigate around the layout. 
• Take it vertical. If floor space is limited, set your sights higher and utilize ceiling height as a way to maximize your design options. Shelving that scales the walls is one way to incorporate more storage space into the area and add functional furniture pieces that also aesthetically complement the space. 

Colour Palette and Lighting

Creator: arch20 | Credit: Getty Images

Your colour palette and lighting will set the stage for your overall design aesthetic. Not to mention the functional aspect of lighting. 

The right lighting should not only serve to illuminate the space, but should also offer some options in terms of adjusting via a dimmer or light settings in order to reduce or maximize lighting as needed. You’ll need to decide if cool or warm lighting is your preference, along with specific hue selections and wattage strengths. All of this and of course, the lighting fixtures themselves will play a major role in achieving your ideal design aesthetic. 

The colour palette you choose will apply not only to the walls, but will impact your choices as far as furniture, design accessories, rugs and more. If you’re not sure where to begin as far as colour palette selection, first consider your preferred design styles. Whether you’re a fan of modern, traditional, contemporary… the list goes on!, or a blend of styles, this will be your starting point. From there, consider the colours in the rest of your condo - in order to create a flow, there should be at least one anchor colour to carry into your condo living space. 

Maintaining a cohesive flow in colour palette doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun experimenting with other hues - or even a funky statement wall! The options are endless here - just remember to choose carefully - your colour palette is not just a design component, it is the element that really enforces the vibe and feeling of the space. Soft, muted tones will work to calm and relax. Dark, moody hues will add some drama to a space. Bright and bold shades will inject some energy into the room - and on and on it goes. So take your time, swatch as needed and watch your space transform with each new hue you try. 

Storage Solutions

In any space, storage solutions should be present - but in small condo spaces especially, additional storage solutions are invaluable. The best way to incorporate storage solutions into your living space is by selecting multi-functional furniture pieces and decor. One great example of this is a coffee table that offers shelving and/or storage space below, leaving you with a central point of storage in the designated living area. 

To that end, multifunctional decor in general is always a good idea. Particularly in smaller spaces, where interior “real estate” is limited, you’re going to want to ensure that every piece you add is well thought out and, wherever possible, serves more than one purpose. That might mean your new table works as a surface and as storage, or a media unit that also works as a bookshelf or small serving sideboard when needed. Get creative and consider your own personal lifestyle when exploring your options for multifunctional decor pieces for your condo living space. 

Incorporating Mirrors and Reflective Surfaces

Mirrors and reflective surfaces are a popular designer’s trick for enlarging a space and adding light via strategically-positioned mirrors and surfaces. With the right angles, a great mirror can give the optical illusion of a larger space by reflecting another end of the room, offering more value in its purpose than a piece of art. Mirrors and reflective surfaces will also allow natural and artificial light to bounce and further illuminate a space. 

At the end of the day, a smaller condo living space does not have to translate to excessive compromise or limitations on your ability to execute a beautiful and functional design layout. It all comes down to careful planning, and creatively exploring all your design options. So remember: if you’re working with a small space - treat it as an opportunity to think BIG and get outside of the box. 

Royal LePage Connect Realty is an independently-owned Royal LePage franchise, with multiple locations to serve you and your clients. 

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