14 Small Living Room Designs With Tv
14 Small Living Room Designs With TV That’ll Make You Rethink Your Space
Hey there, home decor lovers! If you’re working with a small living room and wondering how to fit in that TV without making your space feel cramped, you’re in the right place. I totally get it – small spaces can be tricky, but with the right design tricks, you can create a cozy, functional living room that looks absolutely amazing.
Whether you’re dealing with a tiny apartment, a compact condo, or just a smaller living area, these 14 design ideas will show you how to incorporate your TV beautifully without sacrificing style or comfort. From clever mounting solutions to smart furniture arrangements, we’re covering everything you need to know to make your small living room work harder for you.
Let’s dive into these gorgeous ideas that prove you don’t need a mansion to have a stunning living room!
1. The Minimalist Wall-Mounted Wonder
Why This Works for Small Spaces
Wall-mounting your TV is honestly one of the best decisions you can make in a small living room. It frees up so much floor space and creates this sleek, modern look that makes your room feel bigger instantly. When you eliminate the need for a bulky TV stand, you’re opening up the whole room visually.
The key here is keeping everything super simple. A floating media console underneath provides just enough storage for your remotes, gaming consoles, or streaming devices without taking up precious square footage. This setup makes your walls work double-duty as both decor and functional storage.
Styling Tips That Make It Pop
Keep your color palette light and neutral – think whites, soft grays, and natural wood tones. This creates an optical illusion that expands your space. Add a few carefully chosen decorative items on the floating console, but don’t overcrowd it. Maybe a small plant, a decorative bowl, or a couple of books arranged horizontally.
The beauty of this design is in its simplicity. Your TV becomes a intentional part of the decor rather than something you’re trying to hide. During the day when it’s off, the black screen almost acts like modern art against your light walls.
Getting the Right Setup
Make sure to mount your TV at eye level when you’re sitting down – usually about 42 inches from the floor to the center of the screen. This prevents neck strain and looks way more polished. Hide those cables inside the wall if you can, or use a cable management system to keep everything looking clean.
Choose a floating console that’s about two-thirds the width of your TV. This proportion looks balanced and gives you enough storage without overwhelming the space. Look for options with drawers or cabinets to hide the less-pretty tech stuff.
2. The Cozy Corner TV Nook
Making Dead Space Work for You
Corners are often wasted space in small living rooms, but they’re actually perfect for your TV setup! By placing your TV in the corner, you’re using space that would otherwise just collect dust or hold a random plant. This layout works especially well if you have an awkward room shape or multiple doorways.
A corner TV stand naturally draws the eye and creates a focal point without dominating the entire wall. Plus, it opens up your main wall space for other things like artwork, a gallery wall, or even just keeping things open and airy.
Building Your Corner Entertainment Zone
The magic happens when you add shelving on either side of your corner TV unit. These shelves become both functional storage and decorative display space. Store your media equipment, books, and streaming devices on the lower shelves, then style the upper shelves with plants, photos, and decorative objects.
This creates a cohesive entertainment zone that feels intentional and designed, not just stuck in a corner as an afterthought. The vertical shelving also draws the eye upward, making your ceilings feel higher and your room feel larger.
Furniture Arrangement Secrets
Angle your seating slightly toward the corner rather than placing everything straight. This creates better sightlines to the TV and makes the space feel more intimate and conversation-friendly. A small sectional or a loveseat with an armchair works beautifully in this setup.
Leave enough space between your seating and the corner unit for easy movement – you don’t want to feel cramped. About 6-8 feet between the TV and your main seating is ideal for comfortable viewing in a small room.
3. The Gallery Wall TV Integration
Turning Your TV Into Art
Here’s a genius trick – instead of trying to hide your TV, make it part of your wall art! By surrounding your TV with a gallery wall, it becomes just another “frame” in your collection. This works incredibly well in small spaces because it transforms what could be a black hole on your wall into an interesting focal point.
The secret is treating your TV like it’s a piece of art itself. When it’s off, the black screen blends with the black frames around it. When it’s on, it’s obviously your TV, but it doesn’t look out of place because it’s part of the overall design scheme.
Creating Your Perfect Gallery Layout
Start by measuring your TV and planning your gallery wall around it. Mix different frame sizes and shapes – some larger, some smaller, some horizontal, some vertical. This variety creates visual interest and makes your TV blend in better. Keep all frames in the same color family (usually black, white, or natural wood) for a cohesive look.
Include a mix of art prints, family photos, abstract pieces, and even small mirrors. The variety in content keeps things interesting while the uniform frames tie everything together. Leave about 2-3 inches between each frame and the TV for balance.
Installation and Planning Tips
Use painter’s tape to map out your gallery wall before hammering any nails. This lets you play with the arrangement until it feels right. Start with your TV placement, then work outward from there. Make sure your TV is still at the proper viewing height – don’t sacrifice comfort for aesthetics.
Consider using Command strips for lighter frames if you’re renting or don’t want lots of nail holes. For a really polished look, keep the spacing between all elements consistent, and make sure the outer edges of your gallery create a rough rectangular shape around the TV.
4. The Built-In Entertainment Center Look
Custom Look Without the Custom Price
Built-in entertainment centers look expensive and custom, but you can achieve this look in a small space without breaking the bank. The built-in effect creates tons of storage while making your TV look like it’s always been part of the room’s architecture. It’s sophisticated and practical at the same time.
This design is perfect for small living rooms because it maximizes vertical space. Instead of several separate pieces of furniture taking up floor space, everything is consolidated into one streamlined unit that goes from floor to ceiling.
Styling Your Built-In Unit
The key to making this work is balance. If your TV is in the center, style the shelves on either side symmetrically or with intentional asymmetry. Use the closed cabinets below for hiding all the ugly stuff – DVDs, gaming equipment, cables, and electronics you don’t want on display.
On the open shelves, follow the rule of thirds. Fill about two-thirds of each shelf, leaving some breathing room. Mix books (some standing, some stacked horizontally), plants, decorative boxes, and personal items like family photos or travel souvenirs.
Making It Work in Your Space
If you can’t afford true custom built-ins, look for modular shelving systems or bookcase units that you can arrange to look built-in. IKEA’s BILLY bookcases or similar systems can be hacked to look custom with some paint and crown molding. Paint the entire unit the same color as your walls to make it look truly built-in.
Add lighting inside the shelves for extra ambiance. LED strip lights or puck lights make everything look more upscale and help fill the room with warm light in the evenings.
5. The Floating Media Console Marvel
Creating the Illusion of Space
A floating media console is like magic for small living rooms. Because you can see the floor underneath, your room automatically feels bigger. It’s all about that visual space – when you can see continuous flooring, your brain registers the room as more spacious even though you haven’t actually added any square footage.
This setup also makes cleaning so much easier (let’s be real, that matters!). You can vacuum or mop right underneath without moving heavy furniture around. Plus, it just looks really sleek and modern.
Choosing the Perfect Console
Look for a floating console that’s proportional to your TV – generally, you want it to be at least as wide as your TV, but not so wide that it overwhelms the wall. Most floating consoles come with drawers or drop-down doors for storage, which is perfect for keeping remotes, cables, and other TV-related items out of sight.
Go for a finish that complements your room. Warm wood tones add coziness, while white or gray finishes keep things light and airy. Some floating consoles even have integrated lighting underneath, which creates a really cool floating effect at night.
Installation and Height Considerations
Mount your floating console about 4-6 inches below your TV for the best proportions. Make sure to attach it to wall studs for maximum stability – these need to hold not just the console but everything you’ll put in and on it. If you can’t hit studs, use heavy-duty drywall anchors rated for the weight.
Style the top of the console with a few choice pieces – maybe a small plant in a modern planter, a decorative tray with your remotes, and one or two other items. Don’t overcrowd it. The goal is to maintain that clean, floating aesthetic.
6. The Multi-Functional Room Divider Setup
Defining Spaces in Open Layouts
If you’re working with a studio apartment or an open-concept space, a TV room divider is absolutely genius. It creates a sense of separation between your living area and other zones while keeping things open and airy. Your TV becomes functional from the living room side, while the back of the unit acts as storage or display space for the other area.
This solution is perfect when you need to create distinct areas but can’t afford to lose the openness that makes small spaces feel less claustrophobic. It’s all about smart zoning without building walls.
Designing Your Dual-Purpose Divider
Look for tall, open shelving units that you can access from both sides. Mount your TV on one side facing your living area seating, and use the other side for books, plants, and storage for whatever area is behind it (bedroom, dining area, or office space). The open shelving keeps sightlines open, so you don’t feel boxed in.
Choose a unit that’s sturdy enough to safely hold a mounted TV. It needs to be anchored properly – to the floor, ceiling, or ideally both – for stability. The last thing you want is a tippy divider with an expensive TV on it!
Maximizing Both Sides
The living room side should be styled minimally around the TV – you don’t want clutter competing for attention when you’re watching. Maybe add some small plants or a few decorative objects on the shelves flanking the TV. Keep anything directly next to the TV low-profile so it doesn’t distract.
The back side can be more functional. Use it for books, storage baskets, or items related to the space it’s separating. If it’s creating a bedroom area, use the back for bedtime books and a small lamp. If it’s separating a dining area, use it for dishes or cookbooks.
7. The Scandinavian Simplicity Setup
Embracing the Less-Is-More Philosophy
Scandinavian design is practically made for small spaces. It’s all about functionality, simplicity, and creating a calm, clutter-free environment. When you’re working with limited square footage, the Scandi approach helps you focus on what truly matters and eliminate anything that doesn’t serve a purpose or bring you joy.
The light color palette typical of Scandinavian design – lots of white, cream, and light gray – makes small rooms feel instantly bigger and brighter. Combined with smart TV placement and minimal furnishings, you create a space that feels open, airy, and totally Instagram-worthy.
Building Your Scandi Living Room
Start with white or very light gray walls as your base. Choose a simple, low-profile TV console in light wood or white. Wall-mount your TV to keep things minimal, or place it on the console – either works in Scandi style. The key is keeping everything clean-lined and uncluttered.
Add warmth through natural materials and textures. A chunky knit throw blanket, some sheepskin or faux fur pillows, and natural fiber baskets for storage bring in that cozy hygge feeling without adding visual clutter. One or two large plants in simple planters add life and color without overwhelming the space.
Creating That Cozy Atmosphere
Lighting is huge in Scandinavian design. Layer different light sources – a floor lamp, maybe some candles (Scandis love their candles!), and take advantage of any natural light. Sheer white curtains let in maximum light during the day while still providing privacy.
Keep your seating simple – maybe a light gray or cream sofa with clean lines, a simple coffee table in wood or glass, and that’s it. Don’t fill every corner with furniture. In Scandi style, empty space is a feature, not something to be filled.
8. The Hidden TV Cabinet Magic
The Disappearing TV Trick
Not everyone wants their TV to be the focal point of their living room, and that’s totally okay! A hidden TV cabinet lets you have your technology when you want it and make it vanish when you don’t. This is perfect for people who love a more traditional aesthetic or who use their living room for multiple purposes beyond just TV watching.
In a small space, this approach also means your TV cabinet doubles as a beautiful piece of furniture that adds to your decor rather than detracting from it. When the doors are closed, it’s just an attractive cabinet or armoire.
Choosing the Right Cabinet
Look for a cabinet with doors wide enough to fully open and reveal your TV without obstruction. Make sure it has proper ventilation for electronics – you don’t want your devices overheating. Built-in cord management is a huge plus, keeping all those cables organized and hidden.
The style of the cabinet sets the tone for your whole room. A rustic wooden cabinet with barn-style doors works for farmhouse style. A sleek, painted cabinet fits modern or transitional spaces. An antique armoire creates a collected, eclectic vibe.
Making It Functional
Inside the cabinet, set up your TV and equipment on adjustable shelves so you can get the height just right. Add a small power strip mounted inside for easy plug-in access. Some people even add LED lights inside the cabinet that come on when the doors open for extra visibility.
Style the top of the cabinet like you would any other piece of furniture – with books, a table lamp, plants, or decorative objects. This makes it feel like an intentional furniture piece rather than just a TV holder.
9. The Narrow Console Space Saver
When Every Inch Counts
In seriously small living rooms, you need furniture that’s proportionally sized to your space. A narrow console – we’re talking 12-18 inches deep instead of the standard 20-24 inches – might not sound like a big difference, but it can be a total game-changer. That extra 6-12 inches of floor space really adds up in a tiny room.
These slim consoles still provide storage for your essentials, but they don’t make you feel like you’re navigating an obstacle course in your own living room. You maintain better flow and movement around the space while still having a dedicated spot for your TV setup.
Maximizing Minimal Storage
With less depth, you need to be strategic about what you store. Use the drawers or cabinets for absolute essentials only – remotes, a streaming device, maybe a gaming console. Everything else needs to find a home elsewhere. This forced minimalism actually makes your space feel more peaceful and less cluttered.
Consider adding wall-mounted floating shelves on either side of your TV for additional storage and display space. This keeps the floor area clear while still giving you places to put things. Go vertical instead of horizontal whenever possible in small spaces.
Furniture Arrangement for Narrow Spaces
With a narrow console, you can push your sofa a bit closer to the TV without feeling cramped, which helps in tiny rooms where you’re working with limited distance anyway. Aim for at least 4-6 feet between your seating and the screen – any closer and you’ll strain your eyes.
Choose other furniture pieces that are also on the narrow side. A loveseat instead of a full sofa, a smaller coffee table, and maybe a couple of small ottomans that can double as extra seating or be tucked away when not needed.
10. The Elevated Platform Design
Creating Visual Interest Through Levels
Adding a small platform or raised area for your TV creates instant visual interest and defines your entertainment zone without using walls or dividers. It’s an unexpected design element that makes your small living room feel more designed and intentional. Plus, platforms are perfect for hiding storage underneath!
This approach works especially well in rooms with low ceilings. By creating a step down (or having your seating slightly elevated with the TV lower), you create the illusion of more vertical space and architectural interest.
Building Your Platform Setup
The platform doesn’t need to be high – even 6-8 inches creates the effect. You can DIY a platform with basic carpentry skills, or hire someone to build a custom one. Make sure it’s sturdy enough to hold your TV console or stand safely. Add matching facing to the front and sides so it looks finished and intentional.
The storage underneath is the bonus. You can build in drawers, create open cubbies with baskets, or design lift-up sections that access storage space. This is perfect for seasonal items, extra throw blankets, board games, or anything else you need to store.
Styling Around the Platform
Define the platform area with a different flooring material than the rest of the room – maybe darker wood, a contrasting tile, or even a textured finish. This makes it feel like a purposeful design element. Keep the TV and console minimal on the platform itself – let the architectural feature be the star.
Arrange your seating to face the platform, creating a clear conversation and viewing area. The slight change in levels adds depth to your room and makes it feel more dynamic than if everything was on one flat plane.
11. The Corner Fireplace and TV Combo
Doubling Up Your Focal Points
Having both a fireplace and a TV in a small living room might seem impossible, but a corner setup makes it work beautifully! By stacking them vertically in the corner, you create one super focal point instead of competing elements on different walls. This actually makes your small room feel more cohesive and intentional.
Electric fireplaces are perfect for this since they don’t need venting and can be installed almost anywhere. The warmth and ambiance they provide makes your small space feel incredibly cozy and inviting, while the TV above handles your entertainment needs.
Getting the Height Right
The tricky part is mounting your TV high enough to clear the fireplace but not so high that you strain your neck watching it. Generally, you want a small mantel or space between the fireplace and TV – at least 12 inches. This gives you a place to style decor and provides proper heat clearance for your TV.
Consider an adjustable tilting TV mount that lets you angle the screen down slightly for more comfortable viewing when it’s mounted higher than usual. This makes a huge difference in viewing comfort.
Creating a Cozy Corner
Flank the corner with comfortable seating angled toward it. A small sectional works great, or try two armchairs with a small side table between them. Add a cozy rug to define the seating area and make it feel pulled together. The corner fireplace-TV combo naturally creates an intimate, den-like feeling perfect for small spaces.
Style your mantel simply – maybe some candles, a small plant, or a couple of decorative objects. You don’t want to overcrowd it. The fireplace glow itself is decorative enough, especially with the TV above creating that nice vertical line.
12. The L-Shaped Furniture Solution
Maximizing Seating Without the Bulk
An L-shaped sectional is honestly one of the best furniture choices for small living rooms with TVs. It maximizes your seating capacity while hugging the walls or corners, leaving the center of the room more open. When you position your TV on the wall that faces the corner where the two parts of the L meet, everyone gets a decent viewing angle.
This setup creates really good flow in a small space. There’s usually a clear path from the entrance to other areas of the room, and the sectional helps define the living area without needing additional furniture or dividers.
Arranging Your L-Shaped Space
Place the long side of your L against your main wall, with the shorter side perpendicular to it. Put your TV on the wall that faces the corner junction. This way, people on both parts of the sectional can see the TV without craning their necks. A swivel TV mount can help fine-tune the angle for perfect viewing from all seats.
Keep your coffee table small and proportional – you don’t want to block the view or create a cramped feeling. A round or oval coffee table actually works better than rectangular in this setup because it’s easier to navigate around.
Adding Storage and Style
Use the wall behind the sectional for floating shelves or wall art. This adds visual interest and makes use of space that would otherwise be wasted. The wall where your TV is should be kept relatively simple – maybe just the TV and media console with minimal styling.
Add a couple of floor lamps at the ends of the sectional for task lighting. This creates ambient lighting for movie nights without the overhead lights on, and it makes your small space feel more layered and designed.
13. The Bright White and Wood Blend
Bringing the Outdoors In
The combination of white walls and natural wood creates an instantly calming, bright atmosphere that makes small spaces feel more open and connected to nature. This organic modern style is having a huge moment right now, and for good reason – it works beautifully in small living rooms with TVs because it keeps things light and airy while adding warmth through natural materials.
Wood tones ground the space and prevent it from feeling too clinical or cold, while white walls and fabrics reflect light and make the room feel larger. It’s the perfect balance for small spaces.
Choosing Your Wood Elements
Your TV console or stand in natural wood becomes a beautiful focal point. Look for pieces in oak, maple, or walnut with visible grain patterns – these add character and texture. The wood doesn’t have to match other wood tones in your space perfectly; in fact, mixing different woods creates more visual interest.
Add other wood elements throughout the room – maybe a coffee table, wooden plant stands, or wood-framed artwork. These repeated natural elements tie the whole room together and create that cohesive organic look.
Layering in Greenery and Texture
This is where plants come in! Fill your small living room with various indoor plants – tall floor plants in corners, medium-sized plants on your TV console or side tables, and small plants on floating shelves. The greenery adds life, improves air quality, and connects your space to nature.
Layer in natural textures through textiles. A chunky jute or sisal rug, linen throw pillows, cotton curtains, and maybe a woven basket for throw blankets all add depth without color. The texture provides visual interest while maintaining that light, bright feeling.
14. The Dark and Dramatic Statement
Embracing Bold Color in Small Spaces
Okay, hear me out – dark walls in small spaces can actually be amazing! While conventional wisdom says to keep everything light, a dark accent wall behind your TV creates depth and drama. It makes your TV visually recede into the wall rather than standing out as a black box, and it creates this cozy, intimate vibe that can feel really luxurious in a small space.
This approach is for people who aren’t afraid of color and want their small living room to make a statement. It’s sophisticated, unexpected, and when done right, it doesn’t make the room feel smaller at all.
Creating Your Dark Feature Wall
Choose your darkest wall for the TV – often this is the wall opposite windows, which works perfectly since you want to avoid glare on your TV anyway. Paint it a rich, deep color – navy, charcoal gray, forest green, or even black. Just one wall! Keep the other walls light to maintain brightness and prevent the room from feeling like a cave.
Mount your TV on this dark wall and keep the surrounding decor minimal. The dark wall is the statement; you don’t need much else. Maybe a metallic media console in brass or gold to add glamour, or a simple wooden piece for contrast.
Balancing Dark with Light
This is crucial – you need to balance your dark TV wall with lots of light elsewhere in the room. Choose light-colored furniture (cream, light gray, soft blush), add plenty of lamps and lighting, and keep the other walls white or very light. Mirrors are your friend here – they reflect light and prevent the space from feeling too dark.
Add pops of rich color through jewel-toned pillows, a luxe velvet throw, or colorful artwork. These saturated colors look amazing against dark walls and create a cohesive, designed look. Think emerald green, sapphire blue, or rich burgundy.
The dark wall should make your small living room feel like a cozy den or sophisticated lounge rather than a cramped box. It’s all about balance and not being afraid to break the “rules” of small space design!
Final Thoughts
There you have it – 14 completely different ways to design your small living room with a TV! The big takeaway here is that small spaces don’t mean you have to sacrifice style or functionality. With smart planning, creative thinking, and the right design approach, your compact living room can be just as beautiful and comfortable as any larger space.
The key is choosing a design that fits your lifestyle and personal style. Love minimalism? Go for the floating console or Scandinavian look. Prefer traditional style? The hidden cabinet might be your jam. Want something unexpected? Try the dark accent wall or elevated platform.
Remember to keep these basics in mind whatever style you choose:
- Mount your TV at the right height for comfortable viewing
- Create adequate storage to keep clutter hidden
- Use light colors strategically to make the space feel bigger
- Don’t overcrowd with furniture – less is often more in small spaces
- Add your personality through textiles, plants, and small decor items
Your small living room can absolutely be the cozy, stylish space you’ve been dreaming of. Pick one of these ideas, make it your own, and enjoy transforming your space!
Happy decorating!
Pin this post for later! Save your favorite ideas to your home decor board so you can reference them when you’re ready to redesign your space!
