Guide
Small living room ideas for renters (no decorating needed)
Make a small rented living room feel bigger and warmer without painting, drilling or risking your deposit.
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Magnolia walls and a landlord's sofa don't have to be the end of the story. These changes all go with you when you move.
Light
Layer lamps instead of relying on the ceiling light
A floor lamp in one corner and a table lamp in another makes a small room feel wider and cosier. Warm-white bulbs suit evenings.
Lean a large mirror
A floor-standing mirror opposite or beside a window bounces daylight round the room, with no fixings.
Colour and texture
Cover the sofa
A fitted stretch cover or a large throw changes the room's colour in minutes. Measure the sofa's width and arm height first.
Put a rug over the carpet
A rug defines the seating area and hides a tired carpet. Use a non-slip underlay so it stays put.
Peel-off options – with care
Removable wallpaper and decals exist, but how cleanly they come off depends on the paint underneath. Ask your landlord, and test a small patch.
Layout
Pull furniture off the walls
Even a small gap behind the sofa can make a room feel more considered than pushing everything to the edges.
Choose furniture with legs
Seeing floor underneath a sofa or sideboard makes a room read as bigger.
Use a bookcase as a room divider
In a studio or open-plan flat, an open cube unit separates living and sleeping space while letting light through.
The finishing touches
- Cushions in two or three colours that repeat round the room
- Plants or good artificial ones on a stand
- Art on a picture ledge or simply leaned on a sideboard
- A storage ottoman that doubles as a coffee table