A few weeks ago, if anyone had told me that my boring, narrow, and awkward-looking space could turn into a functional living room, I’d probably punch the person in the face (I’m not kidding!)
After taking a huge leap of faith and moving out of my parents house at 24, I expected everything to go off smoothly - I mean, I had been planning this move since I finished college.
But after driving 12 hours across the state, imagine the horror on my face when I saw the rented apartment. I had checked the image of the house before paying, but didn’t notice how narrow the living room looked until now.
My living room felt like a puzzle! It was too long, too tight, poorly lit, and the door closed inward. I didn’t see how I could possibly make this into a functional living space for dining, gaming, and working.
After long hours of groaning and swelling, I finally gave in and called Darian from LuxenHomes, and he explained to me that ‘the key to transforming a narrow living room lies in choosing slim, multifunctional furniture that maximizes space, enhances flow, and creates distinct zones without clutter.’ Then, I got to work.
Let me show you how I transformed my narrow living room into a cozy, vibrant space. You won’t even notice its narrowness when you step into the room.
9 Narrow Living Room Ideas That Actually Work
These tips are some of the pointers I used to maximize my narrow space, while also ensuring that it suits my style.
-
Focal Point with Aria Oak Finish TV Stand
The first thing I did in my narrow living room was to identify its focal point. Sometimes, focal points are obvious, and other times, you’ll have to create your own.
In my case, I chose the middle spot of the wall, close to the window, to create direct contact. ‘Great choice!’ Finn said, assuring me. He quickly added that choosing a slim TV stand will create a clear traffic flow in my room. “Slim TV stands are the trendiest types of storage furniture in 2025!” He said.
Although I knew I wanted my TV mounted on the wall, I also needed a functional stand that wouldn’t occupy space. The Aria Oak Finish 55.1-Inch Wide TV Stand was a perfect choice for me!
Not only was it slim, it had open shelves and storage spaces for my electronic gadgets, audio accessories, cables, and more. Its smooth-sliding doors were functional for my small space.
I’d totally recommend the Aria accent cabinet. But if you’d like to create more depth in your room, add a wood accent mirror against a long wall. I found out that this is also a mirror trend for 2025.
-
Multifunctional Seating with Mina Boucle Storage Ottoman
When setting up the floor, I knew getting a regular coffee table wasn’t going to cut it. I needed an upholstered round ottoman that feels inviting, rather than obtrusive. ‘A natural side table,’ Finn described.
Knowing this, I checked out some items that complement the 2025 multifunctional seating trend, and that’s how I came across the Mina Boucle and Wood Storage Ottoman.
This small-shaped ottoman showed exquisite craftsmanship at its finest. It had a built-in storage space and made a perfect addition for seating or foot support.
I wasted no time purchasing it, placing it in the corner of my living room to create a conversation zone. I paired it with a slim chair for a cozy, coastal touch.
-
Wall-Mounted Storage with Urban Wall-Mounted Coat Rack
A built-in joinery is the newest trend in 2025, especially for minimalists with a small space. For me, they provided a good option to save space in my narrow living room.
“Every centimetre is crucial in the design of small spaces," as agreed by the award-winning Berlin designer, Paola Bagna.
I chose the Urban Wall-Mounted Coat Rack and placed it near the entryway to keep my things organised. This added a decorative accent to my vertical room while creating a clutter-free space for my living room.
-
Illusion of Space with Rêverie Vintage Gold Arch Mirror
Arch mirrors are gaining momentum in 2025. Their curved tops and appealing visuals make them suitable for narrow living rooms.
Since I was trying to maximise space, I wasn’t certain whether a long square mirror would be best or an angular-shaped one. Finn recommended a gold-framed arch mirror to complement the living room color and shape.
I was skeptical at first, until I saw the Rêverie Vintage Gold Accent Metal Frame Arch Mirror. The wood accent mirror made my space feel wider.
I hung it over the Aria TV stand from earlier to reflect the light coming from the window. This made my narrow living room feel larger and brighter, adding a touch of coastal elegance.
-
Vertical Wall Decor with Kaia Floating Wall Mount Shelf Unit
Another types of storage furniture is the vertical storage cabinet, a trendy style for 2025’s vertical solutions for small spaces. If you have a narrow, small room, floating storage cabinets should be your best bet. You can never go wrong with it!
I mounted the Kaia Rope & Wood Finish Floating Wall Mount Shelf Unit with Cabinet on the long wall above the sofa in my living room. This made my living room feel more functional with less floor clutter.
It also helped for storage purposes, giving the room a more meaningful and coastal-inspired touch.
-
Round Side Tables with Dark Oak Finish Fluted Round Side Table
Coffee table trends were often the go-to option for many people in the past. But if your space is as narrow as mine was, I’d totally not recommend it – mainly because they take up lots of space.
For a narrow room, choosing a round side table like the Dark Oak Finish Fluted Round Side Table will be a better option.
Since your space is rectangular, go for shapes that alternate the already obvious ‘narrow’ look of your room.
When I purchased the round side table, I placed it beside the Mina Ottoman to create a cozy corner, enhancing traffic flow and adding a modern, coastal element, which aligned with the 2025 narrow space trends.
-
Multifunctional Consoles with Lorean Natural Finish Console Table
Although I’ve never been a fan of entryway decor, multifunctional furniture is rapidly turning into the hottest 2025 entryway trends.
According to Finn, ‘Entryways are the first thing anyone sees. You can either get it right, or not - no in between.’ With this in mind, I knew that the Lorean Natural Finish Contemporary Console Table would fit brilliantly behind my sofa.
With this table, I created a dedicated desk workspace for my job – even added a small lamp to keep my space functional and stylish. The results were amazing!
-
Compact Side Tables with Natural Wood and Metal Round Accent Side Table
At this point, my living room was already coming together. It was stylish, space-saving, and conducive. However, I needed to add a compact side table to complement the Mina Ottoman.
I searched for features that highlight 2025 compact side table trends for a narrow living room. I came across the Natural Wood and Metal Round Accent Side Table.
This is a versatile piece that adds a decorative accent to my coastal aesthetic, thereby keeping my narrow space open and airy.
-
Light-Colored End Tables with Off White Speckled Cement End Table
Light-colored end tables are another trend of furniture for narrow living rooms in 2025. The Off White with Speckled Cement Round Outdoor End Table is a perfect example of contemporary layouts for narrow rooms.
This can be used indoors or outdoors, but I chose to use it beside the Aria TV stand to hold the decor, thereby enhancing the airy feel of my living room.
Conclsuion
In this article, I’ve listed several small apartment storage furniture items that will fit brilliantly in your narrow living room.
Plus, these decorative accents, such as the natural side tables, wood accent mirrors, and other types of storage furniture, align with the latest trends. Examples are the mirror trends 2025, coffee table trends 2025, and 2025 entryway trends.
If you’d like to get more ideas to elevate your small space with functionality and elegance, explore Luxen Home’s catalog.