As anyone living in a one-bedroom apartment will tell you, small spaces come with their fair share of sacrifices, no matter how charming that pre-war apartment may be. And when you’re an avid binge watcher like the rest of us, one of those caveats is where to put the TV—specifically, where to put it without sacrificing your style (and space).
Fortunately, small living room ideas with TV are a specialty for our interior design team. There are plenty of ways to make your tech feel like a natural extension of your space, whether it’s framed with open shelves or nestled among your favorite objects. All it takes is a little creativity and clever maneuvering to keep it from sticking out like a sore thumb. Read on for Havenly designers’ favorite small living room ideas that will make your TV feel right at home.
1. Small living room ideas with TV: Go vertical
Opt for a more minimalist look and take advantage of vertical wall space by mounting your TV. It helps keep your small living room from feeling too cluttered and gives your furniture some room to breathe (exhibit A: the above pair of conversation-friendly armchairs).
2. Small living room ideas with TV: Open shelving
Instead of a traditional console, try mounting your TV above an open table. It frees up some much-needed space for decorative baskets and open shelves filled with your favorite things, so your TV blends right into your living room instead of sticking out.
3. Small living room ideas with TV: Show and tell
We love a bookshelf that doubles as a media console. Here, see-through doors show off an eclectic arrangement of stacks of books and pretty vases, making your TV setup feel like an intentional design moment (and less of an eyesore).
4. Small living room ideas with TV: Seamless storage
When it comes to small living rooms, you can never have too much storage. Here, a TV fits effortlessly among books, objects, and storage bins in this open shelving setup. Pro tip: try not to overfill your shelves—with a TV in the mix, the look will feel a bit too crowded.
5. Small living room ideas with TV: Pull double duty
When your small space doubles as a living and dining room, this sleek floating console provides the right frame for a TV without compromising style and space. Round out the look with an area rug and patterned pouf to help delineate your binge-watching zone from your dinner spot.
6. Small living room ideas with TV: Seeing double
When you put your mind and creativity to it, even the most narrow of spaces can become TV zones. Here, two chaise lounges take the place of a clunky sofa or sectional, while still allowing just enough space to kick your feet up and enjoy your screen.
7. Small living room ideas with TV: Let the light in
In a small living room with lots of windows, sometimes the most fitting spot for a TV is above a fireplace. In this case, use it as a focal point to situate your seating area around. Matching sofas opposite one another help to ground the room, while a pair of airy accent chairs fill in the open space.
8. Small living room ideas with TV: Statement sofa
If you’re lucky enough to have ample light in your small space, play it up with a statement sofa in front of your windows. And long, light-filtering curtains easily block out any glare when you’re turning to the tube. Complete the look with a pair of side-by-side armchairs that feel light and airy in comparison to this substantial Chesterfield-style sofa.
9. Small living room ideas with TV: Mix & mingle
Love to entertain? We love the way this console also doubles as a stylish bar (and less like a media setup). Thoughtful decor like funky lighting and tall plants also divert the eye away from the TV, making for a small space that’s fit for a party.
10. Small living room ideas with TV: Create conversation
Just because there’s a TV in the mix, it doesn’t mean you can’t have plenty of seating in the mix. Situate an accent chair (or in this case, a cushy recliner) opposite your sofa to help anchor your conversation area. That way, your TV doesn’t feel like the focal point of your space and your guests have plenty of spots to sit.
11. Small living room ideas with TV: Small sectional
Having a small space doesn’t mean you have to say no to a sectional. In fact, bumper sectionals are practically made for them thanks to their cozy chaise with an open backless end. We love the way these styles provide the seating you need for binge watching, while still keeping your space feeling open.
12. Small living room ideas with TV: Floating chairs
Don’t be afraid to float furniture off the walls in a small space, especially in the name of conversation and practicality. Here, the designer creates a cozy conversation nook and proper TV lounge by flanking the media unit with matching accent chairs. This layout makes the space incredibly functional without sacrificing style.
13. Small living room ideas with TV: Corner nook
Love binging Netflix but don’t want your TV to be the focal point of your living room? Let your fireplace take center-stage with an oversized statement mirror, and tuck your TV console and tech away into the corner. Position your sofa and accent seating in a way that complements both, and voila! You have an ultra-discreet TV setup.
14. Small living room ideas with TV: Sleek & simple
Sometimes, less is more when it comes to styling a small living room with a TV. Consider a simple closed-storage console that’s beautiful enough to stand on its own, and draw attention elsewhere — like to a plush, sink-into-me sofa, decorative shelving, wainscoting, or a high-contrast coffee table setup.
15. Small living room ideas with TV: Frame it
If budget allows, a Frame TV is the gold standard for discreet tech in a living room. Hang it above a fireplace, media stand, or console table, and choose your preferred artwork for when your tech is on standby. If you want a more elaborate display, consider building a gallery wall around it to really make it blend in.
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