Small Living Rooms

Choose furniture that can do double duty like this ottoman.

Two trays quickly take an oversize ottoman from a casual put-your-feet-up piece to one fit for formal entertaining

Hide your clutter in undercover storage units.

For an inexpensive take on a coffee table that's flexible to move and packs hidden storage, try a pair of cubes. Children's toys can be stashed inside these wicker models for easy access and they look great in almost any room.

Use artwork to add big style to a small room.

Give artwork extra sizzle against light-reflecting white walls by layering it on top of an inexpensive painted artist's canvas.

Stick with the same colors.

Subtle tone-on-tone patterns add interest to the draperies, area rug, and sofa upholstery in this living room without making the space feel busy. "See-through" legs on the sofa, side tables, and coffee table also help keep the room's feel open and airy.

Stacking accessories can add visual interest and contain the clutter

Get creative with your artwork.

Pieces of architectural salvage add instant character to rooms, but they can be difficult to frame. Here, a painted border cleverly showcases two old ceiling tiles, turning a small corner into an attractive focal point.

Certain window treatments can make a room look bigger.

Swing-arm-rod draperies make light work of creating privacy by night and framing views by day in this living room. Symmetrically arranged furnishings and matching sets of side tables and chairs underscore the sense of calm and order

Choose lower furniture that will complement the size of the room.

The success of many small living rooms relies on smart furnishings. A pair of low chairs allows an uninterrupted view through this apartment while providing a chat-friendly seating arrangement.

Use rugs to separate the spaces.

Conquer a long, narrow living room by breaking the space into two separate seating areas.