Narrow Living Rooms: Follow the Flow of Your Space

From Colin + Meg (@colinandmeg) on Upsplash

You toured the place and it felt open and airy, but then the furniture comes in and the walls start closing in. Or was that just me?

Narrow living rooms can be tricky, especially in open floor plan homes. But every riddle has an answer, and I promise the challenges of your space will end up sparking creative solutions that make your space drip with the charm we're all after. Limits spark uniqueness. Always.

Let’s explore some spatial design tips to create a beautiful, functional haven in your narrow space without buying specialty furniture or knocking down walls.

Define the Problem: What kind of narrow room do you have?

1. Narrow Pass-Through Living Room (or single-entrance spaces)

2. Large Long Living Room (big enough for 2 seating areas)

3. Open Floor Plan, Narrow Living Zone

Share Your Design Dilemma

Question + Answer

Brooklyn Long Narrow Living Room by Craig Strulovitz and Charl Castelyn

Define your unique space challenges

Pass-Through or Enclosed? Big or Tiny? Open or Closed Floor Plan?

The first step in designing your living room is understanding the layout. Does it serve as an entry to an exterior door? Or is it an enclosed space for intimate gatherings? Assess if your space is long and expansive, or compact and cozy.

For purposes of this blog, we’ll break it down into three categories:

1. Narrow Pass-Through Living Room (or single-entrance spaces)

2. Large Long Living Room (big enough for 2 seating areas)

3. Open Floor Plan, Narrow Living Zone

Sumner Place by Studio Ashby Photography: Kensington Leverne

Type 1: Narrow Pass-Through Living Room

This living room is usually the primary pass-through, and the walkway is almost always winding through where you would usually put a coffee table.

Walking Space Matters in a Narrow Pass-Through Living Room

Start by prioritizing unobstructed walking space.

• 3 feet across for a walkway

• up to 4 feet across for a formal feel or wheelchair accessibility.

• 18-20" between seating and a coffee table
  

Do not go smaller than 36” across, and increase that width, especially if the space is also your primary entry.

Prioritize Surfaces in a Narrow Pass-Through Living Room

If you're tight on space:

• consider skipping the TV stand

• prioritize the coffee table

• if there isn't space for a coffee table, use a pair of ottomans near the sofa that double as extra guest seating

To keep your TV from looking naked hung on a wall by itself, consider painting the wall a dark color or incorporating the TV into a gallery wall. Always bring in pedestal side tables or end tables in narrow spaces where surfaces may be lacking.

Choose the Right Sofa in a Narrow Pass-Through Living Room

Opt for a narrow or mid-depth sofa rather than a sectional if possible. This allows for flexibility in arranging your seating area while maintaining an open feel.

• Mid Depth = 35”

• Narrow Depth = 32”
  

If you have the space, pull the sofa 3-6” from the wall – contrary to popular opinion, this prevents the room feeling small and closed and gives the sofa some breathing room.

Zoning the Living Room in a Narrow Pass-Through Living Room

For narrow living rooms that also serve as an entry or pass-through, consider creating a drop zone somewhere in the space. Try squeezing a narrow dresser or end table in a corner, and hang a mirror or add some hooks. If there isn’t floor space, just the wall wall hooks or a cabinet will do the trick.

Storage - Narrow Pass-Through Living Room

If your space doesn’t have adequate floor space for a dresser, get creative.

• built-in shelving over the sofa with storage baskets

• squeeze in a small dresser that doubles as an end table

• if your sofa has legs, use low under bed storage drawers or bins for items like DVDs

• look for a coffee table with built-in storage or space underneath to set a basket

• if you have ottomans, look for some with interior storage

Small Living Room Design by Paulina Brown

Large Long Living Room (big enough for 2 seating areas)

If you aren't lacking for space but your living room is long and narrow, you have an entirely different set of challenges. There may be an exterior door or a fireplace to consider. You may have set up your living area but still feel like there’s a lot of unused space.

Walking Space Matters - Large Long Living Room

Start by establishing your walking space.

• If there’s an exterior door or pass-through to another room, leave an unobstructed 3 feet across for a comfortable walkway.

• Expand the walkways up to 4 feet across for a more formal feel or to make the space wheelchair accessible.

• If at all possible, do not go smaller than 36” across, and increase that width, especially if the space is also a primary entry.

Zoning the Living Room - Large Long Living Room

Large but long rooms typically function best by creating 2-3 distinct zones. If you have a fireplace, one of the zones is typically centered in front of it. The other zone(s) might be an entry, play zone, secondary conversation seating, coffee bar – choose what works for your space and your lifestyle. Sometimes these zones will open up to one another, so people could sit in one zone and talk to people in the other. Other times, it makes sense to have the sofa bisect the room and divide the two spaces.

Start pushing your sofa, some chairs, and a dresser around the room and see what feels right.

Prioritize Surfaces and Seating - Large Long Living Room

• center your conversation zones around a coffee table or end table

• add side tables near any seat where someone isn’t able to set a drink with ease

• if an end table would obstruct a walkway, consider a small pedestal end table

• consider adding ottomans in lieu of chairs if you could use a few extra seats but don’t have space for more seating

Choosing the Right Rug Size - Large Long Living Room

Double zoned living rooms always benefit from having 2 generous sized rugs to designate the zones. Make sure the rug is large enough for the front legs of all furniture to sit on (my personal preference is rugs big enough for all furniture legs to sit on).

Storage - Large Long Living Room

It often makes sense in these spaces to float your furniture and seating areas, meaning they aren’t directly adjacent to a wall. So, you may have a few open walls that could benefit from a dresser with a large piece of art over it. There may also be space on either side of the dresser to bring additional seating and elongate the dresser visually to take up more wall space.

Article Makeover of Sophie and Rana's Department

Open Floor Plan, Narrow Living Room

This living room usually feels bigger than it is. It often serves as a primary walkway into another room, and there may be a bar area with stools along the perimeter.

Walking Space Matters - Open Floor Plan Narrow Living Room

Start by prioritizing walking space.

• 3 feet across for a comfortable walkway

• 4 feet across for a more formal feel or to make the space wheelchair accessible

• 20 inches is sufficient to navigate around a coffee table.

• if a bar area borders your living room, measure walkways from the back of the bar stools when they are pushed in

Prioritize Surfaces and Seating - Open Floor Plan Narrow Living Room

The trick in these spaces is not to push any seating directly against the wall (keep at least 6” of open space behind any seating).

• Create your conversation zone first, then figure out where the TV goes

• Swivel chairs are a great option so seats can see the TV and adjacent seating

• If you end up without space for a TV stand, hang the TV on the wall and consider painting the wall a dark color or incorporating the TV into a gallery wall.

• Once you have your conversation zone set, look for a coffee table big enough for all primary seats to set a drink on.

• Any seats that can’t comfortably set a drink on the coffee table, bring in more end tables.

• Small pedestal end tables can be brought closer to the sofa, and moved around the room as-needed, and are a great option for funky floor plan living rooms.

Choosing the Right Sofa - Open Floor Plan Narrow Living Room

Opt for a narrow or mid-depth sofa rather than a sectional if at all possible. This allows for flexibility in arranging your seating area while maintaining an open feel.

• Mid Depth = 35”

• Narrow Depth = 32”
  

The sofa will often end up with its back toward the rest of the living area in these floorplans.

Zoning the Living Room - Open Floor Plan Narrow Living Room

There may be enough space to create a secondary zone – play area, reading nook, cozy seating by a fireplace, etc. If you have the space, create designated perimeter zones with a rug.

Storage - Open Floor Plan Narrow Living Room

If your space doesn’t have adequate floor space for a dresser, get creative.

• built-in shelving over the sofa with storage baskets

• squeeze in a small dresser that doubles as an end table

• if your sofa has legs, use low under bed storage drawers or bins for items like DVDs

• look for a coffee table with built-in storage or space underneath to set a basket

• if you have ottomans, look for some with interior storage

Image credit: Nash Design Group/Vivian Johnson

Share Your Design Dilemmas

What challenges are you facing in your living room design? Share your troubles in the comments. Every riddle has an answer, as does every room, and we're here to help you unlock its the potential!

Prioritize walking space, strategic furniture choices, and thoughtful zoning, you can turn your living room into a stylish haven that reflects your lifestyle and personality. Embrace the potential, and let the transformations begin!

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QUESTION AND ANSWER

Struggling with my narrow living room. Any ideas?

Navigating a narrow living room can be challenging, but fear not! Start by prioritizing walking space—ensure there's an unobstructed 3 feet for a comfortable walkway. Skip the TV stand and go for a coffee table or ottomans for added space. Opt for a narrow or mid-depth sofa to maintain an open feel. Designate zones and get creative with storage solutions, like built-in shelving or ottomans with storage.

Ideas for a long, narrow living room?

For a long, narrow space, focus on establishing walking space first. If it's large enough, create two seating areas with generous-sized rugs to designate zones. Center conversation zones around coffee tables or end tables, and consider ottomans for additional seating. Float your furniture for extra wall space and explore storage solutions like dressers with art above to maximize functionality and visual appeal.

Help with furniture layout for a long, narrow living room?

When laying out furniture in a long, narrow living room, prioritize walking space—maintain at least 3 feet for a comfortable walkway. Identify primary and secondary zones, using rugs to define these spaces. Center conversation zones around tables and consider ottomans for flexible seating. Opt for a narrow or mid-depth sofa, and float your furniture for additional wall space. Get creative with storage solutions to enhance both functionality and style.

How do I arrange a narrow living room with a fireplace?

Arranging a narrow living room with a fireplace requires strategic planning. Establish a comfortable walkway, leaving at least 3 feet for passage. Consider centering one seating zone around the fireplace, allowing for easy conversation. Prioritize surfaces and seating, using coffee tables, end tables, and ottomans strategically. Ensure the sofa placement complements the fireplace's focal point. Don't forget to create a cohesive design with rugs and explore storage solutions for a functional and aesthetically pleasing layout.

Where do I put the sofa in a long narrow living room?

In a long, narrow living room, the sofa placement is crucial. Opt for a narrow or mid-depth sofa instead of a sectional. Pull the sofa 3-6 inches from the wall to prevent the room from feeling closed in. Consider the room's specific needs and potential zones, such as seating or entry areas. Generally, the sofa will be longways in the space and facing a wall where you can hang your TV. But if the space is larger but still long, the sofa may be used to bisect and define the zones. By strategically placing the sofa, you can create a balanced and inviting atmosphere.

Long, somewhat narrow living room – how to use the space?

For a long, somewhat narrow living room, maximize the space by prioritizing walking areas. Establish designated zones, such as a play area, reading nook, or cozy seating by a fireplace. Avoid pushing seating directly against the wall and create a conversation zone first. Opt for a narrow or mid-depth sofa and consider swivel chairs for enhanced TV visibility. Mark perimeters with rugs to define zones and explore creative storage solutions, like built-in shelving, to make the most of your unique floor plan.