If you are not a very confident decorator, it can feel a bit scary if you decorate your living room walls. It certainly does for me! This applies in particular if you work with a small living room – or in my case a narrow one – because you do not want to make your already tiny lounge appear even smaller. So if you wonder how you can best decorate small living room walls, I have put together a few tips approved by experts.
These little ideas for living rooms not only create a stylish, personalized look for your living space and avoid creating a crowded look, but also helping your lounge look visually larger than it really is. And who can say no?!
“Use a mixture of textures and surfaces to create depth without overfilling,” recommends Victoria Foster, inner stylist at SCS, since a variety of texture is one of the most important elements in every room design.
1. Add wall lights
(Photo credit: Future PLC/Holly Jolliffe)
If you are looking for small living room lighting ideas that also serve as a chic decor, the wall lights or wall lights are highly recommended.
“The inclusion of different lighting options is the key to make a small living room look expensive,” says Claire Garner, director of Claire Garner Interiors. 'Wall lights can save space and at the same time add a refined note, and integrated lighting in your carpentry can offer subtle, built -in lighting. Layered Lighting is essential for a dynamic and inviting atmosphere. The combination of ambient lighting, work lighting and accent lighting can improve the depth and dimension of the room. '
Pooky smaller caliko wall light
There are a number of decorative wall lights on the market – but Pooky has brought decorative wall lights to another level with its shell -shaped Calico wall lights. Obsessed!
Marks & Spencers lighting area has never looked better. And very vulnerable, the brand becomes a starting point for the nation's lamp and lighting needs. The classic Blair Wall Light Design is one of its bestsellers and is available in several surfaces of the metal base.
Habitat yuno folding sheet metal wall light
Depending on where you place it, this beautifully folded statement wall lamp can also work as a working light for reading on the sofa when you are well positioned. A pop of the trendy dark cherry red also increases the room with matching the unexpected red theory.
2. Create a gallery wall
(Photo credit: Claire Garner Design Studio/Davina Paterson)
Don't be afraid to give your little lounge with wall art a personality, regardless of whether this is hung by a curated gallery wall or with a larger piece above the sofa. Simply select the colors, textures and proportions.
“Some effective options that I would suggest are works of art or framed prints that are arranged in a structured gallery wall to add personality without disorder. Light, airy works of art with soft tones or abstract landscapes to give depth without being overwhelming. But it is best to avoid heavy, dark -colored gallery walls, since too many dark frames or oversized parts feel overcrowded and closed, says Victoria at SCS.
3. hang up a mirror
(Photo credit: Future PLC/Katie Lee)
Mirrors are the perfect tool to make a small living room look larger. Not to mention that you also look stylish as long as you choose one with a beautiful shape and/or a frame.
“It can be difficult to decorate walls of a smaller living room, but I believe that taking mirrors can be incredibly useful and contributes to giving the impression of more space,” says Paulina Wojas, interior designer at Lovesofas. 'These mirrors help to reflect on the room again and at the same time to help with the light distribution. In this way, people can easily make a small living room appear larger and help to create a more livable environment. '
This shaft mirror of the habitat was one of the most sought -after objects from the brand collection last year, and its attractiveness has still not stalled. And his wavy edge is not only playful and stylish, but also the illusion of the movement in her lounge.
Dunelm apartment vaulted overcover wall mirror
Colored edges remain one of the largest living room trends in 2025. And adding a arched mirror like this Dunelm above her coat is one of the most effortless and most practical ways to take the look.
John Lewis Bambus effects wall mirror
Living bamboo effect frames have been loved by designers and influencers for some time and create an eclectic yet high-end look. And in view of this sales price for this John Lewis Mirror design, we would say that don't run, don't go to grab you.
4. Integrate floating shelves
(Photo credit: Future PLC/Anna Stathaki)
If you need extra small living room storage ideas that can also be suitable for decoration, adding floating shelves to your walls that you can fill with pretty storage baskets, and your favorite decoration is the ideal solution.
'Shelves are a great way to display or store objects without taking additional space. This helps to mess up a minimum and maintain a clean and open living room, ”says Paulina at Lovesofas.
5. Cover them with vertical panels
(Photo credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore)
The wall cladding is still trendy in 2025, but with a new and mostly vertically shaped look. And this idea of wall paneling works perfectly in small living rooms because the room appears larger than it is.
“Vertical elements such as vertical cladding draw the eye up and let the room larger,” confirms Victoria at SCS.
6. Wallpaper in your walls
(Photo credit: Future PLC/Simon Bevan)
Many are often afraid to use wallpaper in small living rooms out of concern that the room feels even smaller than it is. And while certain motifs, patterns and colors can certainly do this, there are also many small living room-friendly wallpaper ideas that visually expand your living space.
“If you work with walls behind the sofas, you want to use WainScoting.” I love to use a striped wallpaper or wallpaper with seaweed so that the room feels larger. I definitely think that you are leaving wainscing and crown formations Set every stuff that creates a higher, larger space that is definitely needed.
Walls offer endless possibilities and a large surface that must also be decorated (if not particularly) in a small living room. So do not neglect this room and instead make it part of your living room scheme and use it as a tool to increase the room.