1. USE YOUR VERTICAL SPACE
Installing floor-to-ceiling shelving works two-fold to enhance a small living room: as well as offering small living room storage solutions for a clutter-free area, it also helps to draw the eye upwards and create a feeling of more space. 'If you have tall ceilings, utilize shelving for storage, which will draw the eye up, while also leaving the rest of the room clear of clutter,' advises Molly Torres Portnof of DATE Interiors. A large bookshelf also does the trick.
2. BUT KEEP OPEN SHELVING ORDERED
Whilst utilizing your vertical space is an effective way to a more clutter-free small living room, what you don't want to do is overcrowd your open shelving. 'Keeping your decor pieces organized and stylish is key when using open shelves to show off your stuff,' warns Michelle Urban, founder of The Organized House. As with the 80/20 decluttering rule, you want to keep the things you use in each reach. 'Skip the overcrowding - too much on display can make it all look chaotic. Instead, pick a handful of decor or books you love and arrange them in a way that catches the eye.'
3. STICK TO ESSENTIAL OR MULTIFUNCTIONAL FURNITURE PIECES
Choosing furniture pieces that really serve a practical purpose and avoiding superfluous items is a step in the right direction to a clutter-free small living room. Living with Lolo's Lauren Lerner says: 'When trying to make a small room less cluttered, it is important to prioritize essential furniture and keep only items that serve a practical purpose. 'We love selecting pieces with hidden storage so that they are as functional as possible.'
4. SCALE DOWN ON THE NUMBER OF SMALL DECOR PIECES
Whilst a beautiful vignette and a few books will add character to a space, try not to overwhelm a small living room with an avalanche of decor pieces. A few larger, thoughtfully selected pieces will work best to create a clutter-free space in a small living room. Essentially, the minimaluxe approach. 'When it comes to decorating a small living room, opting for a few larger statement pieces can make a big difference,' says Michelle Urban.
5. CONCEAL CORDS AND WIRES
Nothing makes a space look more untidy and chaotic than myriad cords littering the room. Happily, there are many ways to tidy cables. 'To keep your living spaces neat and organized, conceal all the cords and wires from electronic devices,' suggests Michelle Urban. 'You can use cord organizers or routing channels to keep everything hidden.'