20 Long Narrow Living Room Ideas
The living room is one of the most important rooms in our homes, as it is where we spend most of our time.
It is also the first room that people see when they walk into your home, so it is important that it looks good.
If your living room is long and narrow, it can be hard to find the right way to decorate it.
But don’t worry, because we are here to help! In this blog post, we will share 20 long narrow living room ideas that will help you make the most of your space and create a beautiful and functional living room.
Create Zones
When you walk into a long, narrow living room, it can feel like you’re walking into a hallway. A great way to make the space feel more like a room is to create zones.
You can do this by using furniture to divide the space. A sofa table, bookcase, or even a sofa can be used to create a visual divide between the different areas of the room.
In this living room, the sofa is used to separate the seating area from the dining area. The sofa is placed so that the back of it creates a visual divide between the two spaces.
Use Light Colors
One of the best ways to make a long, narrow living room appear wider is to use light colors. Light colors make a space feel open and airy, while dark colors can make a space feel closed in.
The walls, ceiling, floor, and even the furniture in this living room are all painted in light colors, which helps to make the space feel wider.
The light colors are balanced out with a few pops of color, which keeps the room from feeling too one-note.
If you want to use light colors in your long, narrow living room, try using a variety of shades to add visual interest.
Mirrors
Mirrors are a go-to for many interior designers, and it’s easy to see why. They can make a room feel larger and brighter and can even be used to create the illusion of windows.
In this long, narrow living room, a large mirror is used to reflect the light from the windows on the opposite wall, making the room feel more open and spacious. Simple, yet effective.
Long Rugs
One of the most common design mistakes people make in a long, narrow room is to lay a small rug in the center of the space. While this can look nice, it can also make the room feel chopped up and smaller than it is.
The best way to deal with a long, narrow living room is to use a long rug. A long rug will help to elongate the room and make it feel more balanced.
In this living room, a long rug fills the space from the front of the sofa to the front of the fireplace and helps to make the room feel more cohesive.
Slim Furniture
When you have a long narrow living room, you should take advantage of the space by using slim furniture. This will allow you to have enough seating for your family and guests without overcrowding the room.
In this living room, a slim sofa is paired with two armchairs to create a cozy seating area. The coffee table and end tables are also slim, which helps to keep the space feeling open and airy.
Vertical Storage
If you have a long, narrow living room, you may struggle to find the right storage solutions. One of the best things you can do is take advantage of the vertical space in your room.
If you have a lot of items to store, consider adding a floor-to-ceiling shelving unit. You can use the shelves to store books, decorative items, and more.
If you have a TV in your living room, consider mounting it on the wall to free up space for a shelving unit.
Floating Shelves
Floating shelves are a great way to add storage to your living room without taking up any floor space.
You can use floating shelves to display decorative items, store books, or even create a gallery wall.
In this long, narrow living room, the floating shelves help to draw the eye up and create the illusion of higher ceilings.
Multi-functional Furniture
When you have a long, narrow living room, it’s important to make sure you’re not wasting any space. One of the best ways to maximize your space is by using multi-functional furniture.
For example, you could use a coffee table that has built-in storage or an ottoman that can be used for extra seating and also has storage inside.
This will help you make the most of your space and keep your living room from feeling cluttered.
Large Windows
Large windows are a wonderful way to allow natural light to pour into your living room, but they can also be used to make the space feel larger.
In this design, the windows are the main focal point. The furniture is all arranged to face the windows, and the fireplace and TV are built into the wall to the right of the windows.
The large windows make the room feel much larger than it actually is, and they also help to make the space feel more open and inviting.
Wall-Mounted Lighting
If you’re struggling with lighting in a long, narrow living room, a wall-mounted option is a great solution. This type of lighting doesn’t take up any floor or table space, and you can find fixtures that are either hardwired or plug-in.
Sconces are a great option for adding ambient lighting to a living room. They can be used to create a cohesive look with a ceiling light fixture or to add extra light to a space that needs it.
In this living room, the sconces are mounted on the wall behind the sofa, and they provide a warm glow that complements the natural light coming in from the windows.
Consistent Flooring
One of the best ways to address the size and shape of a long narrow living room is to use consistent flooring. This will create a sense of unity that can help the room feel less long and narrow.
In this example, the hardwood floor is consistent throughout the kitchen, dining room, and living room. This creates a sense of flow and helps the rooms feel connected. The flooring also helps to balance the long, narrow shape of the room.
Built-in Furniture
When you have a long, narrow living room, you have to get creative with your furniture placement. One of the best ways to make the most of the space is to use built-in furniture.
This will allow you to maximize the floor space and create a cohesive look. In this room, built-in shelves and a fireplace surround create a focal point and help to define the seating area.
Statement Art Pieces
In this living room, a large piece of art is the stand-out feature of the space. This piece of art is the main focal point of the room and sets the color scheme for the rest of the room.
The colors in the painting are then repeated in the furniture and accessories. This helps to create a cohesive look.
Open Concept Design
If you have an open-concept living room, you can use area rugs to define the space. In this room, a large area rug is used to designate the living room area, and a smaller rug is used to create a cozy reading nook.
The two rugs have similar patterns, and the colors are coordinated to help the two spaces feel connected. You can use this same method to create distinct areas in your open-concept living room, even if it’s not long and narrow.
Layered Lighting
When it comes to lighting, the more the merrier. A layered lighting design will help to balance the look of the space, prevent any one area from feeling too dark, and create a cozy, inviting ambiance.
This long, narrow living room by design firm Cuffhome features a mix of recessed lights, wall sconces, and table lamps. The varied lighting sources create a warm, balanced look and make the room feel visually interesting.
Transparent Furniture
Transparent furniture is a great way to add seating or storage to your long, narrow living room without blocking the view. This is especially important if your living room is open to other areas of your home.
In this living room, a clear coffee table and end table look as though they are floating in the room. They provide a place to set drinks and decor without taking up visual space.
The clear chairs in the background add even more seating without blocking the view of the fireplace. You can also find clear furniture in a variety of styles, so it’s easy to find pieces that fit the aesthetic of your living room.
Use of Patterns
Patterns can also help to draw the eye across the room, so it doesn’t get stuck in one place.
In this room, the stripes on the ceiling help to draw the eye up, while the patterns on the rug, curtains, and throw pillows help to create a sense of movement across the space.
Corner Seating
If you have a long living room, you may have a corner that is not being used. One of the best ways to fill a corner is with a bench or a built-in seating area. This is a great way to add more seating to your living room and create a cozy little nook.
You can also add a table and some chairs to create a breakfast nook. This is a great way to add a functional space to your living room. You could also add a desk and a chair to create a small home office in the corner of your living room.
Large Plants
Plants are a great way to add color and texture to a living room. If you have a long narrow living room, consider adding a large plant to one or both ends of the room. This will help to fill the space and add visual interest.
You can also use plants to create a natural divide between different areas of the room. For example, you could use a large plant to separate the seating area from the TV area.
If you don’t have a green thumb, you can also use faux plants to get the same effect. There are so many realistic looking faux plants available now that no one will ever know the difference!
Minimalist Approach
When you have a long narrow living room, it’s best to keep the decor to a minimum. Clutter can make the space feel even more cramped and busy.
In this living room, the white walls and floors create a bright and clean space. The only decor used in the room is a large piece of artwork that hangs above the sofa.
The furniture in the room is also kept to a minimum. A simple sofa and two armchairs are the only seating options, and a small coffee table completes the space.
Conclusion
Having a long narrow living room can be a challenge when it comes to decorating.
It can be hard to figure out how to fit in seating, entertainment, and storage in a room that’s so awkwardly configured.
However, these long narrow living room ideas will help you make the most of your space.
