If you search for pictures of sectionals, most results show them in large, open rooms with ample space and natural light. This can make it seem like fitting a sectional into a smaller room would be challenging. But it doesn’t have to be.

Here are practical and stylish ideas for arranging a sectional in a small living room without sacrificing functionality or aesthetics.

Why Choose a Sectional for Your Small Living Room?

Sectionals are space-efficient and can help you maximize your seating options.

Unlike what you might think, going big with one focal element in the room can make the whole space seem larger. This element can easily be your sofa.

Finding the Ideal Sectional for Small Living Room Spaces

Here are some tips to help you find the perfect sectional for your living room:

1. Measure Your Space

Before you start looking at your furniture and layout options, measure your room. This way, you can sketch the layout using the sectionals’ dimensions to see if the placement works.

Pro Tip: Check out our furniture fitting checklist if you need guidance.

2. Pick the Best Sectional Shape for Your Space

Compared to U-shaped sofas, L-shaped ones tend to be compact and easier to fit in a corner. A low-profile, modular design (like the Meyer Sectional) is also an ideal sofa for small living rooms and studios.

Modular sofas can give you more flexibility over time. You could even leave pieces freestanding if you decide that the sectional layout doesn’t work well in the space.

Our Meyer sectional is designed with both style and practicality in mind, featuring the option to add an ottoman that perfectly complements the sectional’s customizable design.

3. Consider the Chaise Orientation

Some people prefer a sectional without a chaise for small areas. They believe that the chaise takes too much space and could be replaced with a sectional-ottoman combo or even a reclining sectional, like our Trouper sofa.

That said, if you do get a sectional with a regular chaise, you’ll want to make sure to pick the right orientation. Chaise sectionals come in right-facing and left-facing orientations. To figure out which is a good fit, consider the following aspects:

• Traffic flow in and out of the room
• Existing furniture

For the most part, you’ll want the chaise on the side of the room that gets the least traffic.

Creative Ways to Arrange a Sectional in a Small Space

Now that you know what makes a great sectional, let’s take a look at the top layout options. Here are four seating ideas for a small living room:

Tuck It Into a Corner for Compact Comfort

This layout helps you maximize the space. It also makes it easier to squeeze a coffee table or an extra armchair into the mix.

You can also leave a small breathing room between the sectional and the walls. What goes in this tiny space? A floor lamp or a decorative plant pot will help create a spacious look with a bit of natural flow.

Float the Sectional to Open Up the Room

If leaving a few inches of space behind a corner-tucked sectional brings a sense of spaciousness, then floating the sofa in the middle really opens up the space. It also adds depth and anchors the room.

This layout would be a great pick for families who value snuggle time and want to highlight the sofa as the focal point.

To keep the look purposeful and functional, consider placing a slim chest of drawers or a credenza behind the sectional.

Use the Sectional as a Room Divider

In open-plan houses, a floating sectional creates a distinction between the different zones.

For instance, one side of an L-shaped sofa can split the room into living and dining areas. As a result, your living space will feel more private.

Position Across From a Window to Capture Natural Light

If your living room has a particularly good view (or receives plenty of sunshine), it would be wise to place the sectional across from the window wall. 

After all, everyone will want to enjoy the view, and a sectional sofa makes this possible from every seating option.

Enhance Your Layout With Smart Design Tips

When mapping the layout, keep in mind these simple tips:

Anchor the Space With a Rug

Believe it or not, using a large area rug under your sectional can make your living room seem much bigger. The key is to leave a bit of floor space around the rug perimeter. You don’t want to go wall-to-wall.

Generally speaking, the front legs of the sofa should sit on the rug, while the back legs can stay off.

Add a Mirror to Amplify Light and Space

Hanging an oversized mirror is one of the cheapest and most reversible ways to brighten up a room and make it feel bigger than it actually is.

To get this brightening effect, you have to go big. A few small mirrors wouldn’t work as well.

Just note that the “go big” tip applies to the reflective surface only. The frame, however, should be as minimalistic as possible.

Incorporate Vertical Shelving for Storage

Most vertical storage options work well for small living spaces. The goal is to get something with a minimal footprint. Think slimline and ladder shelving units. Both will give you enough room to store your books, antiques, and trinkets without having to sacrifice floor space.

If you get a tall unit, you’ll also benefit from the shelving drawing the eye upwards, making the ceiling seem higher.

Pairing Your Sectional With Other Furniture Pieces

Interior design is all about balance. Since you’re going to be using a heavier sectional sofa in a rather small space, you’ll want to trick the eye by using less substantial side pieces.

Here are a couple of ideas for seating in a small living room:

Balance With Accent Chairs for Versatility: Seating Ideas for a Small Living Room

Some people don’t favor sectionals for living areas. Their main gripe is that guests won’t always want to sit on the same sofa because it’s not a very conversational layout.

But this problem can be solved by adding a chair to your small living room set.

A loveseat can be too much next to the sectional. An accent armchair, however, is perfect. Bonus points if you pick a model with elevated legs. It’ll create a sense of space. It’ll also contrast nicely with the sofa sitting on the floor.

The Reegan chair checks all the right boxes with a contemporary style and tall, tapered wooden legs. It also happens to be set on a 360° swivel base, which means that you’ll get even more seating flexibility out of it.

Choose a Slim Coffee Table or Ottoman for Functionality

Perhaps you chose not to get a sectional with a chaise to save space. That doesn’t mean you can’t put your legs up as you chill in your living room. You can simply add an ottoman to your set.

For instance, the Collins sectional sofa comes in 11 different pieces, and there’s a matching ottoman available for sale separately.

Because of its shape, the ottoman could be used as a footrest and an extra surface. You can also move it out of the way and push it up against the sofa whenever you need more floor space in the room.

But if you prefer something with a slim frame, the circular Logan ottoman might be a suitable choice.

Alternatively, you could go for a round coffee table in front of a sectional with curved edges. A simple wood table would fit in nicely next to upholstery, throws, and pillows.

Styling Your Small Living Room for Visual Appeal

Here are three golden styling tips to apply in any small living space:

Stick to a Neutral Color Palette

Paint choices and color schemes can easily trick your eyes into thinking the living room is larger and airier than it is.

The best choice will depend on your lighting, decor, and how much natural light gets into the room. As a general rule, white paint reflects light and makes the room seem brighter.

That’s not to say you should go for a white scheme when picking furniture for small living areas, though. Light, neutral shades of beige, greige, gray, and taupe will all do the trick, too.

Add Pops of Color With Throw Pillows and Blankets

Since you’ll be using a neutral-toned sofa, you’ll likely need to balance things out and bring some color to the space.

In a living room, the best candidates for color pops are pillows, throws, and rugs. These are all easy to customize to your style, and you can tweak them around later if you get bored with the scheme.

You shouldn’t be scared to experiment with color combos, go dark, or even add one item with a bold pattern.

Bonus Point: Use the decor as a chance to balance out the texture as well by opting for a mix of cotton, wool, and fuzzy pillow covers.

Use Strategic Lighting to Highlight Key Areas

Your layered lighting setup should light up all shadowy corners. Otherwise, the room will look even smaller at night. A simple standing lamp will do just fine.

Plus, it’s a good idea to use light to highlight the key design elements within the room. For example, you can use decorative table lamps to brighten up your alcoves.

Maybe you have a particularly pleasing element in the room (artwork, bookcases, etc.) that you want to highlight. In this case, you can light it up with directional LED downlights.

Just don’t overdo it. You can’t highlight every frame and piece of furniture in the room. If you do, you’ll dampen the impact.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sectionals in Small Spaces

Can you fit a sectional in a tiny living room?

Yes, sectionals can fit nicely in small rooms. You just need to buy one with the right shape, size, and functionality for your space.

How do you keep a small room from feeling cluttered?

To prevent visual clutter, follow these tips:

• Simplify your palette.
• Direct the gaze upwards with vertical storage units.
• Cover “ugly” aspects (like exposed cords).
• Don’t over-accessorize the surfaces.
• Size up one or two elements in the room.
• Float a piece of furniture to open some space.

What’s the best way to rearrange a sectional for a new look?

If you have a modular model, like the Montrose sofa, you can split the pieces to change the sectional look altogether.

Ready to Redefine Your Small Living Room?

If you’re still unsure about arranging living room furniture in small spaces, get in touch with us to schedule a free consultation.

Explore Our Collection of Stylish and Functional Sectionals

Already have an idea about the sort of sectional your living room needs? Start exploring Lifestyle Meets Comfort’s collection to find the perfect sofa!