How to Make Your Small Living Room Look BIGGER! | 13 Space Saving Design Hacks (Easy & Affordable)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 มิ.ย. 2024
- Does your space feel cramped? Is it a small space that needs to fulfill many different purposes? If yes, today’s video is for you. We are discussing 13 hacks for small spaces. In particular, we’re going to chat about living rooms because when you live in small spaces, the living room often serves as the kitchen, bedroom, living room, game room and office, so perfectly layouting out the space is crucial.
Check out my first small space hacks video here where I focus on bedrooms!: • 7 Ways to Make a Small...
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:42 Furniture with feet
02:19 Entry points
03:26 Curtain height
04:37 Dark colors
06:09 Closed and open storage
07:30 Alternative storage solutions
09:12 Hidden lighting
11:21 Casters
12:17 Light rugs
13:57 Gallery wall
14:48 Mirrors
16:19 Room dividers
17:37 Curved furniture
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Special thanks to CB2, Restoration Hardware, Burrow, Article, Blue and Green Tomorrow, Jav Go Home, HAMMERTOWN, TripAdvisor, Mackenzie Schiek, Nesting with Grace, Ideal Home, A Glass of Bovino, JCPenny, Home Decor Bliss, Getty Images, Pixabay, Decorist, Deuce Cities Henhouse, Walmart, Decorated Life, The Spruce, Wolletjebol, Omega Cabinetry, Amish Cabinet Makers, Modsy, Bethany Nauert, Walker Edison, Peony and Honey, Zimtown, Furniture Row, VisualHunt, West Elm, IKEA, Eve Light, Z Cruz, Architectural Digest, Y Lighting, Lowe’s, Ss Brewtech, Amazon, Decor Snob, Decorated Life, Wayfair, Artfully Walls, Renovating Love Lane, Lauren Walker, The Sweet Beast, Abstract House, Jolien, Denise Smith Designs, Pier 1, My Domaine, Ansavv, Best Buy Furniture, Pottery Barn, LC Living, Fred Gonowski, Home Decor Bliss, Dering Hall, Home and Gardens, Contemporist, Rugs Direct, Apartment Therapy, And All Shall Be Well, Decor Pad, Brosa, and Obeki for the images used in today's video. These images do NOT belong to me and instead belong to the respective creators.
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I'm a guy who has NO IDEA how to design a room. I've been looking at women designers over the past few days and, thought they've been excellent, you are at the peak! The others tell what to do but you tell the WHY which really helps a guy like me understand. A gem of a youtube video here.
Chris, I'm so glad that I'm helping you with your design journey!!! You're so right - there's merit in knowing why you're doing something and not just following along blindly! Thanks so much for watching!
@KivaBrent Hi Kiva!. How do I get in touch with you for a design consultation for a new apartment?
Yes, her channel is excellent. Check out also Reynard Lowell, you'll be inspired!
Another good reason for curved furniture in small spaces: disabilities! I and some of my dear friends have mobility limitations, and knowing that it won't hurt us if we bump into a corner makes a space feel *psychologically* bigger as well. More room to stretch out 😊💖
Great point!
Another great idea for small living rooms or any rooms is decluttering things that you don’t need or serve no purpose.
Yes!! Amazing tip!
@@KivaBrent Hi Kiva, I want hang my curtains high but there is not wood behind the wall to support the curtains, what can I do? Also, to update kitchen handles, is it better to match them with the colour of the other doors in the house, this case gold?
@@rosem4119 I know I'm not Kiva but...lol
You don't have to put gold hardware in your kitchen if that's not what you want. Just make the look cohesive within the space.
Use anchors if you don't have wood to hang your treatments.
@@Nic2Blk Thank you, much appreciated. I liked them satin brass but thought it could be too much yellow with the handles doors as well. So, since the appliances going to be black and silver plus sink greish and chrome tap. I think is best to go silver, black and gunmetal. Depends what I can find budget friendly. Thanks once again for your reply.
@@rosem4119 ooohh! black, silver, and gun metal is going to be CUTE!! I'm looking for black hardware for my cabinets ugh... wish me luck because I'm so picky LOL
I’ve re-done all my curtains now at the ceiling and I cannot believe the difference in how much taller the rooms feel!
Thanks 😊
Me too and i loved it
I’m so happy to hear that, Jenn!
That's encouraging! I'm raising the curtain rails in my lounge this week, just got the longer curtains sussed - looking forward to experiencing something similar :)
This may sound crazy, but i have a tiny bedroom, 11" x 12". We did a dark navy monochrome. The walls, trim, and ceiling are all painted a very dark navy, and we used dark wood for our large furniture, but bright colors like blush pink chair, or white rug and bedding for accent pieces. The room looks twice the size because the dark monochrome wall color tricks the eye. The dark colors move to the background, while the light colored accents pop as they move to the foreground. Again it has to be monochrome to work though because a lighter ceiling or trim will breakup the color and your brain will no longer push it to the background.
Agreed. This is an all or nothing sort of thing. People go wrong when they half ass the dark colors. You totally did it right by going all out with a dark monochrome theme including the trim and ceiling! Kudos!
The one time dark colors work in small rooms is if you have high ceilings. My bedroom is small but our ceilings are 12 feet. I painted my bedroom super dark gray, basically black and it made the room feel soo much bigger because it made the ceiling look even taller. I was shocked.
Kiva, thanks. My whole house is small. These ideas are helping me figure out how to move things around …”shopping” in my own house (and i hate saying this-our storage ‘sheds’ ). I appreciate you, your style and gentle commentary. You don’t make me feel “small”. R/ monica.
Actually hacks I haven't heard before. I can use some of these! Nice
The curtain tip really helped when we had to turn our bedroom into our nursery as well. Insane how such a small adjustment can make such a big impact!
Kiva, I'm just obssessed with your channel. As a self taught designer, I grow leaps and bounds each time I watch your videos. Your content is amazing and you are so funny and practical. Ahhhh...a designer after my own heart! 💜💜💜
You are too sweet!! Thank you so much Miranda! 💕
You're the only designer I've seen brave enough to nix the Gallery Wall. I don't think it's a mainstay n would love to see them go buh bye! I love art n have a lot of it, but gallery walls make me feel claustrophobic. Negative space is important too. I prefer picture rails w a lip; I change out my art frequently n love not putting new holes all over my walls.
Hey KB, could you please do a video talking about designing wall panel moldings, like the kinds found in Parisian apartments? I've been seeing more people DIY these and I have a bunch of questions like, do your ceiling have to be certain minimum height to make them look good? Some molding have a chair rail with panels above and below, while others have just a long rectangle, how do you know what works best for your space? What if you are putting furniture against a paneled wall, how does that change things? When are wall moldings a bad idea? I don't know if others have the same questions but I thought it might make for some interesting content.
I have had all of these questions too! I haven’t seen much info on this topic in online searches so I would be curious to hear a professional’s opinions.
Yes! We are hoping to buy our first home this year and one of the things I want to do in the dining area is panel moulding. I’d love info on that too
Oh heck yes! I would totally watch that!
Chiming in in hopes that KB will see this. Would love a video like this!
Agreed!!
This gave me good ideas, I love living in a black hole of darkness and I hate guests haha but this video still gave me a lot of tips and things to take away from it for ME to feel cozy in a smaller space ❤
Same here!! ✨✨✨
I love how I’m hanging my gallery wall while watching this 💁🏽♀️ It’s too late… I’m too invested 😂
Excellent! Thank you! My hints: use a coffee table with a glass top and an interesting base as your working desk top. My 48" round glass seems invisible. Do the same with your dining area table. Get a grip and downsize your stuff periodically instead of buying more storage. Tiny House Nation has great suggestions for this.
My husband and I are in the process of buying furniture (we’re starting with almost nothing) and this was very helpful. I’m always learning new things from you!! Thank you!! 😊
Your advice is so practical, and your delivery is so likable... You're pretty cool. =)
Aw thank you so so much!! You're too sweet!
Yup - when space is limited, some rounded furniture is the way to go - and not just because the “flow” of the curves allows the eye to travel more easily around the piece. Though you didn’t mention it, rounded furniture backs (like barrel chairs have) make a piece much easier to maneuver around - which is especially beneficial in smaller spaces.
I have a large dining room set, and my daughter says it’s outdated. Turn off our dining rooms out now I love watching your show. You make everything look easy.
That is the best advise I ever heard.
Thanks so much for watching!! You’re too sweet, Patty! 💕
Whew! Breaking up square furniture is key. I used a round coffee, and dining table. My tv console has a curved edge, and my night stands are oval. Some of the best design decisions I made.
Your videos are always astounding but the LIGHT STRIPS ?!?! Mind blown.
Thank you 😊
I literally JUST found your channel and you are a wealth of information! I’m hooked…And I grew up in Johnstown!
Welcome!!! Thank you so much :)
Really great tips here. I have just one door entry to the living room, and this isn’t going to change. I am now strongly considering changing the door to a glass-paned door, so when it is open you can see through it into the corner it obscures. It will also allow light to flow into the entry hall when closed.
I love the glass doors!
Keva so I was rug shopping the other day and saw this beautiful 100% wool rug for half then it was online. While in the store I taught about a what you said about wool rugs shedding a lot. Well I went ahead and brought thel rug home. Needless to say she got evicted 2 days later, she had to go back to the store. The SHEDDING!!!!! Ugh 😩. It looked like I had about 10 cats in my house. I'm someone who likes to sit on the floor sometimes, eat on my coffee table and watch TV. I was completely covered in wool after just sitting on it one time. I say all that to say, you tried to warn me, I didn't listen. Lol thanks for your videos.
The shedding!!! Oh no! I’m glad it went back to the story, Janney. Thanks for watching!
Love the colour in the painting behind you.
Thank you so much, Glenys!
We have a sort of L-shaped living room, with no windows but the glass balcony door that takes up the entire wall, and we made the half next to it our office, since it's literally the best place in the apartment and where I spend 90% of my day. To divide the space but not block the light going into the living room area, I put up an open bookcase between it and the office, and it's been a resounding success! Decorating it has been a slow process, though, because it has to look good both from on the side of the living room and from the side of my office. Still worth it!
This presentation was very practical. As someone who lives in the UK where most living spaces are very small in comparison to other countries' properties, I always come across videos for huge spaces, so this is very helpful. Proper living space in UK properties is a luxury. 😊
This is super helpful for me because we are building a little house with a small living room. I will look for furniture with taller legs and curves. I tell you, it’s not easy finding smaller scaled furniture these days! Merry Christmas to you and your wife!
Merry Christmas to you!!! I can’t wait to hear about your beautiful new home!
So true! I have been remodeling and updating my house this year and part of that was looking for new living room furniture and everything is so huge and Low to the ground.
I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only one. Where other than Ikea can you find smaller scaled furniture?!
@@karinaibarra7359 try thrift stores, maybe? That usually worked for me.
@@kellyfaunce717 My local Goodwill doesn't have furniture. I'll try in a different drift store and my sister here is telling me that I need patience 😁. Thanks!
You are so helpful. Thx so much!!!
Thanks for watching!! So happy this was helpful :)
Thanks Kiva! I really appreciate that LED strip lighting technique in place of lamps. I'll have to incorporate that. Great video...again❤️Enjoy your holiday wknd.
I thought that was a very clever solution.
Thank you for your tips and tricks… my style is a bit eclectic with a touch of farmhouse feel, I have pictures made by my dad, a covered bridge painting by my quadriplegic nephew (he had gross motor skills but not fine motor skills), a Dutch Delft collection… most items in my house have a meaning or a story ❤ I love old things compared to new. I have implemented many of the things you talk about and I must be doing something right, because when people walk into my home they all comment how cozy and comfortable it is. My best friends boyfriend actually fell asleep the first time he was here while she and I were making Christmas treats!
Great video & very helpful tips to apply for my 480 sq foot studio, one entrance & only 1 large window.
All GENIUS
Thank you so much for your always interesting information- and looking great while delivering it!
The best tips in ONE thorough video. Thumbs up!
Always love your videos!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and stylish ideas 😻
These videos keep giving me so many ideas I'm so excited 😍 downsizing from a giant basement to a small studio , love moving cuz it gives me a chance to redecorate !
I’m jealous!
Such a cool video! You blew my mind when you talked about the sheen of a carpet reflecting it's colors!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Great tips and advice!!! Thanks!!
I am SO glad I found you! Your advice is solid!
I live in a 2 bed apartment (fairly decent sized rooms but not palatial) .I’ve just painted my living room dark blue (it’s 4x4metres). I left the wall facing the window white, and also the window reveal (inside the “box”) is white so light is bounced back into the room (Love me some frog tape!) The room partially adjoins my kitchen, so a mirror opposite this entry also reflects light from the kitchen. I’ve also got long white linen curtains that pool slightly which stops the ceilings feeling too low. I feel the room has much more of an identity (it was all white before), and honestly doesn’t feel smaller, maybe just more cosy? I’ve got 2 orange sofas on order (waiting several millennia for those to arrive 😕) so hoping they don’t clutter the room up too much, but whatever! The colour will look cool anyway! I totally respect Kiva saying keep colours lighter, but also don’t be afraid of using more vibrant, deeper tones to express yourself…you’ve just got to be thoughtful and study the colour wheel to keep colours complementary! Love to all!
New subscriber!! All your points are SPOT ON!!
Hi Keva, you have the best tips and suggestions! These hacks and tips are so helpful, and l use them, thank you!
I had no idea you lived in Pittsburgh! Me too! Whenever i see the sun i freak out lmfao
Thanks Kiva, needed this. On time!!! Still bingeing...🤗❤
Thanks for a really comprehensive, concentrated and professional collection of basic principles. I enjoyed your presentation!
So many amazing tips, thank you Kiva💐 I love the round sofa, might get it when I move
Hi Kiva-
Just came across your channel and after a few videos, I LOVE YOU!!! Not only are you the coolest, you make total sense!
I’m a new fan
Kiva you have convinced me to install longer curtains in my family room (I love the longer curtains in my library) as well as take away a few items to give my room more breathing space. I've been wanting to create a focal wall so I may add a painted feature wall behind the media console. I have two nice large pieces of art to flank the media center, so it will bring the art more "forward" in the room. I think I would enjoy such a transformation and am excited to give it a go! Thanks for all your great small space tips!
Happy to see that you showed an example of open shelving with glass/acrylic doors in your tip #6. That's what I did in my apartment with my board games and other things that need to remain dust-free! Merry Christmas Kiva 🥰
Merry Christmas!! I also hate dusting 😂😂
@@KivaBrent Where did you get that black/orange/yellow print hanging behind your couch?
The curtain tip is a great one. It truly does make a small space look larger and also more elegant
I love these! I have a small living room and a small den separated by a dining room so I can’t combine them into one larger room. I have found these small spaces videos so helpful. Although I do have a larger navy sofa in the living room, (lol I love it though) I have only 2 side chairs opposite it and smaller side and coffee tables. I use a medium sized picnic basket as a small table that also holds a throw. Definitely hung those drapes up next to the ceiling as they are just 8 feet tall. Huge difference! Thank you so much for all the helpful information.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Nice! I'm in Pittsburgh too. I just found your channel and I'm a new subscriber! Infinite Blessings
Hey, I LOVED what you said about using mirrors in a small space! That's a GREAT idea, I think. I'll REMEMBER that piece of advice, when I get my own small apartment, which should happen during either spring or summer of 2023! THANKS again!
Such a great tip about furniture with legs! We are going to be remodeling our living room this summer and I will definitely look for furniture with legs to let light in. Thanks!
Thank you!! I knew I needed to allow light to pass under my sofa! Thanks for the confirmation!! ✨☺️
Love furniture with legs. New living room sofa is on legs. I live with 2 furballs and the Robot vacuum has to sweep daily and I like that I don’t have to keep moving the sofa each week to chase the shedded hair. Our homes here in Italy range from tiny to small so these videos really help. Most designers from the North America are always decorating humongous areas. Not relevant to European style homes. 💜
This is right up my alley. Sconce lights are scary to me because I like to rearrange furniture. Curves do help so much!
So helpful, thanks.
This video was really helpful. Thank you.
Thanks I needed this video I've used a lot of your tips for my small living area but these help a lot
Great ideas for small living rooms.
Thank for sharing!
Thanks so much for watching! 💕
Changed my dark blackout curtains for mustard lined ones and instantly felt energised. Unable to raise the length, but added another pair and felt the warmth i was lacking without losing heat.
Some great ideas, thank you!
They are genius 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 you are absolutely on point. Love your videos and personality. Thank you
Thank you so so much Erika! 💕
Good tips. Thank you. X
Great advice, love the idea of potted trees to delineate spaces🦘🐨🇦🇺
Luv u so much! Thanks so much. Happy New Year
Happy New Year!!
My husband gave me light strips for Christmas. My son gave me a four pack of art lights. I'm so glad yt suggested you to me. I needed this video. I live in a tiny space.
Exactly what I needed,thanks
Sooo many great suggestions. Thank you!!!
Thanks for watching Carol!! 💕
hi Keva.thank you for the video.it was really helpful.moreover you are the only designer,who told about multiple entries. I did it in my apartment, but nobody understand why, including me. but BINGO! I was right. thanks for the great content on your channel and BIG HI from Azerbaijan!love u
My home is just under 1000 sq feet. It's me and my husband and we are retired. My living room combo dining space is 20 feet by 14 feet. So all the living room furniture and the table and chairs must fit in here. We have lived here over 6 years and it has taken me that long to finally figure out what works and what makes the room look less cluttered yet functional. I might add that I am still trying to figure it out!
It’s nice to learn some tips that haven’t already been said over and over! Great video!
Thanks so much for watching, Dina! 💕
These are all great hacks that I am going to use. Thank you.
Great ideas!
Such useful hacks !
Yay! I’m so glad you found these helpful.
Great tips, thank you so much
So happy it was helpful!!
great ideas! Thank you.
Brilliant ideas thank you.
Thank you for all your videos! As an artist I would have thought I would be good with interiors but am not. All the little tweeks you suggest make such a BIG difference! My new home is going to look amazing! Thank you so much. Oh and Merry Christmas!
How did the interior design of your home turn out?
Brilliant advice, thank you for sharing :-)
Thanks for watching!!
Although my space is open concept, I have applied some of these tips and it really does help to elevated the space! Definitely do the ceiling to floor curtains...they just bring a different element!
Thank you as always Kiva. Ive been doing a room over that has three walls of chocolate brown barn board. I have one wall of studs and drywall {one large room was divided}. I painted the drywall a deep, dusty purple {Behrs Evening in Paris. I put 2 L shaped wire clothing units in for my clothes, shoes, kitchen items {I created a small kitchen area behind the units as well} and other storage. Im planning of hanging white velvet curtains from the ceiling to make "soft walls" to cover the units and hide the "clutter". I have two small windows Im also hanging the same curtains over. I bought a white rug with a black lined abstract pattern. Putting up all the white is really going to help counterbalance all the dark wood walls. Thank you thank you for always giving the small space ideas and hacks. One designer I watch once said designing a small space is so much harder than a big one. Im applying ALL your tips. Your'e so awesome to share your gift and knowledge.
Loving your inspiration
I love your mind . Wall art is my interest right now .
Excellent advise! I needed this
Thanks for watching!! 💕
I have thick carpets because I live in an upper floor flat and it helps with sound insulation. I would like a sofa with legs but it would makes holes in the carpet. Sofas without legs usually have broad feet, which is less damaging. Also, modular sofas are easier to get up the stairs.
You pack so much good info. into a video - thank you for sharing your professional tips.
Thank you so much for watching, Ann!!
You gotta lotta content here. Which I can use. Bless your heart. Thank you.
Thanks so much for watching and supporting me Nancy! Happy Holidays! 💕💕
Thank you for sharing an idea and I love it 😊😊🥰🥰
Great presentation
I absolutely love your videos.
Excellent points!
Thanks!
@@KivaBrent I have to watch this a few more times and take notes, really. You have some very different points than most design shows, and I know that because in a 410 sq ft apt, I've looked at most YT shows on this.
The entry points tip was good. No one else mentioned that. And don't use a dark colour as the main colour; nice.
I *finally* got my focus right in my living room, putting a table and chair on the wall near the balcony door so I can look out in the summer through the glass storm door. Now I just need to replace the wooden inner door with a glass one to get light in all year round. For some reason, the table & chair by the living room window didn't work, but this does. Maybe the diagonal positioning.
Thanks for the lighting tips too. I subscribed on the strength of this video & will watch again.
All the best for the holidays coming up fast, and for 2024! ❤🇨🇦
Hi Kiva! I always enjoy your videos. I was curious about remotes for lighting.....I only just became aware of some devices you can get that turn older lamps and fixtures to remote controlled possibilities. THank you for all your upbeat videos and ideas. Love them and love you two!
Just discovered your videos! Really helpful and accessible info! Subscribed!
Welcome Sarah!! Thanks so much for watching! 💕
Can you do a video about submissions of people with small spaces and you can provide input on what the culprits are that are actually making it small or hacks on what you might advise should be changed to be bigger? If so, let me know where I can make my submission :-)
“Avoid dark colors!”
*looks at the black wall I just painted in my tiny loft *
I like your ideas!!