13 Aesthetic Long Narrow Living Room Ideas to Maximize Space

A long, narrow living room can be a design challenge. Planning is one way to make the space functional, especially if you’re working with a smaller space and want to use it optimally.

Dealing with tricky square footage? I have long narrow living room ideas that will inspire you!

How do you work around a long, narrow living room?

1. Assess Your Space

• Take accurate measurements of your living room.
• Measure the longest and shortest walls.
• Note features like doorways, windows, and built-ins.
• Consider ceiling height and any obstructions.
• Determine foot traffic flow in the room.

2. Choose the Right Furniture

• Scale and Proportion: Use furniture that fits your room size.
• Functionality: Choose furniture that serves multiple functions. Opt for pieces like ottomans with storage or sofa beds.
• Style: Keep large pieces neutral to update with accessories.

3. Create Zones

• Break the room into specific zones (seating, entertainment, workspace).

Tip: Tall furniture helps balance a long room’s layout. Bookcases or tall armor create a sense of height.

Divide the space into zones

I know that a long and narrow living room can be overwhelming. One of the design tricks I’ve seen a lot is zoning the space. This includes creating designated areas for different activities. First, you have a seating area for relaxing and lounging. Next, you want to add a TV-watching spot with some cozy pillows. The next zone is up to you and your interests. I would go for a dedicated workspace, but you can always fit a cute reading nook with your favorite books.

Photo by Spacejoy on Unsplash

Furniture Legs

Adding visual weight is something you should avoid in long and narrow living rooms. Bulky sofas will overwhelm the space with their size, so you would want to keep the furniture off the ground. Tall and slender furniture legs are the key to making a narrow space look roomier.

Walkways

No one wants to bump against furniture when trying to make their way to the sofa, so be sure to allow traffic space between the furniture. If possible, the optimal clearance space should be 30’“-36”. Otherwise, you can stick with a minimum of 18”-24”.

Nesting Tables

When Working with a long and narrow space, it is best to ditch the bulky coffee tables. Instead, go for nesting tables. They provide enough space for your necessities, but you can tuck them away when needed.

Slender Furniture

Minding proportion is everything. So stick to slim furniture when designing your long, narrow living room. I’m thinking about a narrow console table, wall-mounted TV units, tall bookcases, and slim profile sofas as ideal pieces.

• Narrow console tables: Perfect for placing against long walls without taking up much space.
• Slim profile sofas: Opt for a sleek, low-profile sofa to avoid room overcrowding.
• Floating shelves: Great for adding storage and decor without using floor space.
• Armless chairs: These take up less space and create an open feel.
• Ottomans with storage: Compact and functional, ideal for multi-purpose use.
• Slim side tables: Small round or rectangular tables that fit neatly beside seating.
• Wall-mounted TV units: Saves floor space and keeps the room streamlined.
• Ladder bookcases: Tall and slim, perfect for vertical storage in narrow spaces.

Photo by Collov Home Design on Unsplash

Centered Seating Area

Positioning the furniture against the walls might seem like the ultimate space-making trick. But this can make a space feel cramped. Unless you’re working with a very small space, pulling the seating area toward the center is better.

Stylish Sectional

A sectional sofa naturally follows the shape of your living room and provides ample seating space. Place accent chairs along the wall or near the sofa. These can be moved around to different parts of the room depending on the occasion. Ottomans and poufs offer extra seating when needed. When topped with a tray, they double as footrests or side tables.

Decorate with a mirror

Designers often use this trick when working with limited space. And yes, a mirror does wonders for a long, narrow living room. It disperses the sun’s rays, making the room larger.

• Position mirrors directly across from windows to reflect natural light throughout the room.
• A large mirror on one of the longer walls can make the room feel wider and break up the visual length.
• If you prefer a subtler approach, incorporate mirrored furniture pieces, such as a mirrored console table or coffee table.

Make a statement

Making a bold statement helps draw the attention away from the awkward layout. Here, I’m thinking about layering different textures. Stylish throws, a cute rug, and patterned textiles help soften the look.

Vertical artwork

Vertical artwork helps emphasize vertical lines. This draws the eye upward and gives the room a more balanced look. Hang tall art pieces or use gallery-style arrangements that make the walls feel taller. Also, abstract art with silhouettes helps soften the space.

Create depth with lighting

Proper lighting can add depth to your long living room. Completely understand that narrow spaces can sometimes feel dark and tunnel-like. So, you would want to incorporate different light sources to overcome this. Go for a mix of overhead, track, accent, and task lighting to set the mood.

Break it down with rugs

A long, narrow living room can sometimes feel stretched out. But the strategic use of rugs can help break up the space.

Tip: Opt for rugs with horizontal stripes or patterns that run across the room’s width. This creates the illusion of width, making the room appear less narrow.

Media unit with storage

A traditional TV stand might not be ideal for a long space, so opt for a low-profile built-in media unit. It should provide display space for your TV and extra storage for books, electronics, and decorative items.