The small living room ideas with TV makes the small room feel right and spacious, it’s like magic when everything fits in a compact space. People living in small apartments and small urban homes know this struggle.
A TV in a small living room isn’t about watching your favorite shows but it’s about creating a focal point that ties the room together. When your TV setup works with your space instead of going against it, then your small room doesn’t feel stuffy.
You can have a stylish AND functional space without needing a large space. The best way to make your small living room a spacious one is making smart choices that do double duty.
This guide will help you to figure out what works in YOUR small living room. Not every space is the same and here are 20 different small living room ideas with tv you can mix and match, according to your preference, style and budget.
How big should a TV be for a small living room?
Picking the right TV size for a small living room can be tricky. Go big and it overwhelms everything and go small and you’ll be squinting.
A rule of thumb is to measure the distance from your sofa to where the TV will go. That gives you a good screen size in inches.
For small living rooms, a 32 to 43 inch TV is perfect. If your seating is about 6 feet from the TV, a 40 inch screen works and if you’re closer, you can go up to 43 inches.
Remember that TVs are measured diagonally, so a 43 inch TV isn’t 43 inches wide. It’s small, which helps when space is tight.
A 4K TVs lets you sit closer without seeing pixels, so you CAN go big in a small space.
20 Compact Small Living Room Ideas with TV
These small living room ideas with tv aren’t about where to place your TV but they’re about creating a living room that feels spacious while giving you a perfect spot for binge watching. Mix and match these ideas based on what works for your unique space, it covers all types of budget and style according to your liking.
So, let’s dig into these ideas and find out the best one for you according to your space.
Hang it in center
Mounting your TV in the center of a wall creates balance in a small room. It gives your eye a natural focal point and makes arranging furniture easier. I love this approach because it frees up floor space.
Just make sure you hide the cords because nothing ruins the look faster than a tangle of wires and if you’re renting and can’t drill into walls, try a leaning media console that holds your TV without making holes.
Install TV in built-ins
Built-in shelving with a TV nook is the small-space best choice. Your TV gets a designated spot while the shelves around it work hard storing books, photos, and the random collections.
The built-ins don’t need to be expensive but you can create a similar look with bookcases flanking a TV mount. This approach keeps your TV from being the only thing you see. The books and decor items create visual interest in a small space.
Create a color scheme around TV
In our list of small living room ideas with tv, the TV is black and works with it instead of going against it. Creating a color scheme that incorporates black as an accent color helps the TV blend in naturally.
Try navy blue walls with black and white accessories or go with warm neutrals and add black picture frames and lamps.
I painted an accent wall in my living room a deep charcoal color behind the TV. This trick works well in small spaces where the TV can dominate the room.
Above the dual vanity
This idea works in open concept spaces where your living area is visible from other zones.
If you have a low console or cabinet with two lamps or decor pieces spaced apart, mounting the TV above creates a balanced look like a bathroom vanity setup.
The symmetry is pleasing to the eye and makes everything feel intentional rather than cramped.
Go with more black accents
According to the small living room ideas with tv, the color scheme idea, adding black accessories throughout your room makes the TV like part of the design.
Black picture frames, black lamp bases, maybe a black coffee table or side table legs. A few black elements scattered around will tie everything together.
I added a black throw pillow and a black vase to the neutral living room, and my TV looked like it was meant to be there.
Opt for opposite seating arrangement
Instead of the sofa facing the TV setup, try placing seating on the opposite walls or in an L-shape. This works well in square rooms where traditional layouts feel like a regular one.
The TV can go in a corner on a mount so everyone can see it. This arrangement makes conversations easier when the TV is off and gives the room breathing space.
Plus, it’s practical for small spaces that need to serve multiple purposes beyond TV watching.
Art around the TV
Gallery walls aren’t for empty spaces and surrounding your TV with artwork transforms it from technology into a gallery. The key is balance and contrast using sized frames but varying the content.
Black and white photos work well since they coordinate with your black TV screen. I surrounded my TV with six framed prints in a grid pattern and now when we’re not watching shows, it looks like an intentional wall display.
Incorporate hidden storage space
Small living rooms need all the storage they can get. Look for furniture that does double duty.
Ottomans with storage inside, sofas with drawers underneath, or wall units hold your TV and your other stuff.
I found a coffee table with two drawers that hold all our video game controllers, remotes, and other TV accessories. The surface stays clean and the room feels less cluttered.
Install window frames
This trick involves creating a frame around your TV similar to a window frame. You can use molding painted to match your walls or wooden frames meant for windows.
The frame gives your TV architectural interest and makes it feel built-in rather than stuck on the wall. It works well in traditional spaces where modern technology feel out of place.
Opt for layered lighting
In our small living room ideas with tv, good lighting makes a room feel big, but it’s important in small spaces with TVs. Layer your lighting with overhead fixtures, table lamps, and wall sconces.
Make sure you can dim the lights but brighten things up whenever you want it.
I added a small lamp behind my TV that creates a glow against the wall and it also helps prevent eye strain at night and looks cozy.
Choose the texture and color
Textured walls or wallpaper can help your black TV screen blend in better than flat paint. Like grasscloth wallpaper, textured paint techniques, or a brick or stone accent wall.
The texture breaks up the flat square of the TV screen. For color, medium tones work better than light or dark in small spaces with TVs.
I painted my living room a warm greige color that looks different throughout the day as the light changes.
Add an ornate painting
A landscape painting or photo above your TV draws the eye towards it and makes your ceiling feel high.
This works well when your TV is mounted low on the wall. Choose artwork that complements your color scheme but has visual interest to balance the TV.
The contrast between the organic landscape and the geometric TV creates a pleasing balance.
Decorate with bold accents
Small rooms can handle bold colors better and adding vibrant accent pieces creates focal points besides your TV.
Try a bright blue chair, orange throw pillows, or a colorful rug. These bold touches give your eye places to land other than the black screen.
I added a yellow throw blanket to my neutral sofa, and now it’s the first thing people notice when they walk in.
Add artwork wallpaper
In our list of small living room ideas with tv, patterned wallpaper is another way to blend in, choose patterns with black elements to tie in with your screen.
Abstract patterns work well because they break up the hard edges of the TV. If you can’t commit to wallpaper, try removable wallpaper or a large tapestry behind your TV setup.
Utilize vertical space
When floor space is not that much, using your walls is key in small living rooms. Floating shelves above or beside your TV maximize storage without taking up floor space.
Wall-mounted lighting instead of floor or table lamps frees up space. I installed floating shelves that start at TV height and go up toward the ceiling. They hold books, plants, and decor while drawing the eye towards it and making the room feel tall.
Embrace with mirror
Mirrors are magic in small spaces because they reflect light and make rooms feel big.
Try placing a mirror on the wall opposite your TV to bounce light around the room or go bold with a gallery wall that mixes mirrors and artwork around your TV.
I hung a round mirror adjacent to my TV wall, and it makes my living room feel open and airy.
Use a black and white palette
A classic black and white color scheme turns your TV into part of the design. White walls, black furniture accents, and touches of gray create a sophisticated look.
The TV blends into a high-contrast palette. I used white walls with black picture frames, black lamp bases, and a black and white striped rug.
Install a sliding panel
This is my favorite trick for small spaces. A sliding barn door or panel that can cover your TV when not in use is genius.
It could be art on the other side, or a mirror, or a wood panel. When the TV is not in use, slide it closed and make your living room aesthetic.
My friend installed two sliding panels in the middle to cover their TV.
Try framing the surroundings
Create a frame around your TV area with shelving, cabinetry, or paint. This area helps contain the TV visually and gives it a place in your room.
I painted a dark rectangle on my wall behind the TV and media console. It creates a visual boundary that makes everything feel organized.
This approach works in open concept spaces too, helping to define the living area from dining or kitchen spaces.
Incorporate functional furnishing
Choose furniture that works hard for your space. Nesting tables instead of one coffee table and ottomans serve as extra seating AND coffee tables.
A wall-mounted TV paired with wall-mounted floating cabinets creates a streamlined look with the floor space.
I replaced my bulky coffee table with two small ceramic garden stools which can be moved around easily.
How to layout a small living room with TV?
Figuring out the perfect layout for your small living room takes experiments. Don’t be afraid to move furniture around until it feels right.
Start with your TV placement. This is determined by available wall space and outlet locations. Once your TV spot is decided, arrange seating at a comfortable distance.
In small spaces, try angling furniture rather than placing parallel to the walls. This can make the room feel big.
Leave walking paths almost 2 feet wide. Nothing makes a room feel small than bumping into furniture. Float furniture away from walls when possible. A few inches of space behind a sofa can make a room feel less cramped.
Multi-purpose furniture is what you can consider for a small living room. A sofa that converts to a bed or a coffee table with storage inside and an ottoman that serves as extra seating.
Conclusion
These small living room ideas with TV isn’t impossible. you can transform your living room the smallest space into a comfortable, stylish room that serves all your needs.
Remember that your TV doesn’t have to be the star of the show. By incorporating it thoughtfully into your design, it becomes one element of your room rather than the main focus.
The best small spaces are those that reflect your personality while functioning for real life. Don’t be afraid to mix and match these ideas to create a space that’s uniquely yours.
Going with this preference, the space doesn’t have to be stuffy but with the right layout it creates an open and airy space which is comfortable.
Sometimes the small changes make a big difference in how your space looks and feels and with small living room ideas with tv you can create a space which has a personality within limited space and also creates a separate character.
