10 Small Upstairs Living Room ideas

Your Short takeaway:

Inject some pattern with large-scale artwork or wallpaper to help frame the fireplace mantel or windows.
Embrace your fireplace as the focal point of your living room by producing an ample seating area near it so that you can enjoy it year-round.
Consider multiple levels for storage – creating high shelving across an entire wall can be very helpful in making room for more seating on the floor level.
Get creative with vertical space. Use curtains, cabinets, or built-in storage to create height in narrow spaces.
Depending on your budget, take advantage of your home’s unique architectural elements and personalize your living room with a one-of-a-kind piece of art or furniture.
Take advantage of the natural light that streams in through your large windows by adding colorful and patterned window treatments to help brighten up your home’s interior.
Create additional seating in your living room by adding a comfy bench or two to your home’s center.
Add drama with a beautiful chandelier. Make sure it’s properly secured so that it doesn’t cause injury if it were to fall.
If you want to create an inviting feeling for your guests, add some texture and comfort by placing area rugs throughout the room.

Living in a two-story house is such a blessing. It means you can have more vertical space to expand the living area.

Unfortunately, some two-story homes have issues with space, making it hard to carve out a functional and comfortable place to live, let alone hang out.
Do not worry! Here are 10 small upstairs living room ideas to help you create a cozy place to spend some time or hang out with family or friends despite the limited space. As always, Simphome presents you with the list.

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🔊10 Small Upstairs Living Room Video:

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10. Opt for the Right Sofa

A sofa is a primary piece of furniture that a living room should have. Thus, if you want to decorate or arrange the layout of this area, you can begin with placing the couch.
Since your living room lacks space, opting for a sofa with a neutral color palette is your best bet. However, just because it has a neutral color doesn’t mean it must be dull.

Here are some foolproof tips you can try to enliven your living room with a neutral-colored sofa:
• Opt for styles with a beautiful design like curves, buttons, or fluting.
This will add character to your limited space without overpowering the pattern.
• Add cushions and throws in bolder shades along with the pattern.
• Optionally, add accents chairs as a great way to present pop color.

Relevant instructions:
1. Chose a sofa that complements your room’s theme.
2. Ensure the sofa is large enough for your desired sitting area.
3. If you are using a low sectional, ensure it can fit in the entire living room without being too close to the room’s walls.
4. Increase seating with additional furniture and rugs where you need to make more space for visitors and family members.
5. Sit on the couch with your back straight, so you don’t feel uncomfortable, and give yourself a good view of your surroundings without being too close to a wall or furniture placed near it.
6. If you have a fireplace, choose a sofa with neutral colors or patterns that will match it.
7. Choose the colors of the upholstery and pillows that you want together with your living room’s theme.
8. If your living room is narrow, opt for an oblong or oversized couch to give it more depth.
9. Use a small console table to frame your sofa somehow to bring cohesion and balance to your entire living room.
10. Use patterned rugs on the floor beneath the seating area to connect different pieces of furniture in the space without being too loud or distracting from other elements in the area.

9. Upstairs Living Room Idea with Pop Up TV Cabinet

The TV often becomes the centerpiece of a living room. However, it can be a distractor from an ongoing conversation. Does it mean you have to forgo it? Of course, not. Try investing in a cabinet with a TV lift mechanism.
This living room comes in white ceiling and walls, making a perfect color base for the furniture. A simple sectional sofa provides comfort when you lounge on it while watching the TV.

So, where is the TV? Now, you do not see it. Thanks to the lift mechanism, it will emerge from that white cabinet in front of the sofa when you push the button.

To replicate a project like this, first, you need to know a furniture dealer or a custom furniture makeover service near you. It will take extensive care to start the project.

FYI, an exterior wall serves as the TV cabinet back. It is rectangular; it matches the shape of the cabinet perfectly. There are no gaps. The TV lift mechanism has been installed in this wall and covers it completely.
The installation part of the project should be done by a professional, and if you choose to do it yourself, you will have to work with a carpenter.

8. Opt For Wall Lights to Save Your precious Space

Every nook and cranny is priceless when it comes to decorating a living room that lacks floor space. Thus, a right wall light will be the best solution to regain valuable floor space.
If you select a floor lamp or a table lamp sitting on a side table, you will not be able to save some space.

Therefore, wall-mounted lights would be your safe bet as they can illuminate your living room well without taking up so much space.
However, they might not be perfect lighting solutions as they still expose you to the glare of sunlight.

Relevant detail and buying guide:

Choose a wall light that is stylish yet simple.
Be aware that there is no need to have a light close to your wall when you use a mirror. It will only distract your eyes and spoil the whole ambiance of the room.
Do not forget to install a dimmer switch on the wall light.
Try to choose a wall light in your living room that is portable and easy to move around.
Choose a wall decal that is bright and eye-catching (when possible).
Use paper tape to hang the wall decal on your wall. Then, press it gently onto the switch with some of your fingers to easily install. This trick will take you under an hour to finish installation, so there is no excuse not to do it even if you are busy or have lots of other tasks.
When necessary, cover the light switch with a wall decal if you despair over those ugly ones
Most of us lose our sleepover an ugly light switch visible in our living room. Well, why not conceal it by using a cool-looking wall decal instead?
You can hang it above the light switch and then pull down the arm when you need it to turn on or off the lights.

This trick will offer you many benefits such as:

Lessens your effort of pulling up and down, thus lessening your fatigue.
Improves the living room ambiance as it feels relaxing.
It will also add a stylish look to your lovely living room.

7. Use Alternative Furniture Option For Extra Space Saving Points

If you have a small living room upstairs, the thing you must avoid is getting too much furniture inside. Here are some tips for doing it:

Select a proportional sofa that fits the space size.

If you still need more seating, an ottoman will be great because it can also act as a coffee table. Even better, if it has hidden storage, it will help you get rid of clutter.
For extra space-saving, opt for stowaway furniture like the cube stools that you can tuck under the coffee table when they are not in use.
Optionally, think of multifunctional furniture like the sofa beds so you can take your overnight guests there.

Tip: Make Your Living Room Minimalist with One Cushion
Nothing is more annoying than clutter. Nothing can ruin a room more than clutter and stuffiness. The best way to minimize the clutter in your living room is to select only a few seating pieces that are comfortable, functional, and attractive. Many modern pieces of furniture are specifically designed to fit in any design scheme. Depending on your need, you can opt for two or three chairs, whether space for people or your pet dog or cat.

6. A Sectional Sofa with Brass Candelabra Chandelier Idea

Having not too sizeable upstairs living room requires creativity. One of the best-listed ideas is selecting a sectional sofa with a brass candelabra chandelier. This lighting type will add a bit of luxury to your tiny living room, just like this one.

This candelabra chandelier illuminates the brown wooden coffee table accompanied by an oatmeal linen sectional sofa topped with white, green, and brown cushions.
The brass chandelier matches the wooden walls nicely. Hang white curtains that contrast the dark brown plank wall to wrap it up.

5. A Round White Ottoman as Coffee Table Idea

A sectional sofa and an ottoman always become a safe option for a small upstairs living room. The couch provides the most-wanted comfort that every family needs, while the ottoman functions as more than just a coffee table. It offers hidden storage.
Besides, this round ottoman provides extra seating when you have more guests. You can use it when nobody is around to stretch out your legs comfortably.

4. Build a Staircase with Black and White Photo Gallery on Shiplap Wall

When the living room space upstairs is too limited, perhaps you need to think of working with the wall. It means you use the wall as the center of the design. Transform it into a photo gallery to display all of your beautiful memories there.
Later, you can add a white cottage foyer to boost the white shiplap walls and staircase. Since you only have a little space left, opt for a rustic bench and place it across from the railing.

Relevant details:
4.1. Start the transformation project by making your measurement and then make your plan:
4.2. Make the shiplap wall as long as you want
4.3. Add a brick wall at the corner of the staircase: its shape is similar to a diamond
4.4. Measure for window sills and put them where you want them (4.1)
4.5. Skim over the staircase laminate in front of the wall that supports it. And make your mark with a kitchen knife
4.6. Install window sill through the door frame, using silicone caulking on corners, and then a new laminate.
4.7. Measure, cut, and put up the new laminate on the shiplap wall
4.8. Put a piece of wood at the top of the stair railings to help avoid scratches on your hand while you are holding something
4.9. Paint the wall with white paint to match with the white door and window frames
4.10. Measure and make plans on how to hang the stairs
4.11. Use a pencil to mark how far a particular stair is from another stair
4.12. Use a nail gun for framing for upstairs ceiling and walls, then pour concrete in it
4.13. Add more details like shelves and lighting fixtures to make the space look more interesting
4.14. Add your new stairway on top of the stairs you have built, then nail it in place
4.15. Paint the staircase to match with your shiplap wall
4.16. Use a pencil to make placeholders for cupboard door knobs that you can hang on doors later

3. A Loft Space with Ottoman and Television Idea

Again, an ottoman becomes the favorite solution for dealing with a small upstairs living room. Shop a light brown single sofa along with an ottoman. A TV cabinet can also be a great addition to storing and hiding away your stuff.

You can place a planter with tall greenery like bamboo or Fiddle Leaf Fig in the corner to round out the look.

Other improvement ideas relevant to the concept:

Install a ceiling fan.
Add a soft rug for your feet to rest on.
Hang a few shelves and fill them with pretty knickknacks.
Add more lighting on the ceiling for the room to look less dark and pronounced.
Consider adding A Dressed Up Loft Idea
If you have a loft near your bedroom, you can use it as an upstairs living room. To maximize space and make everything look neat, dressing up the place with an array of seating or sofas is one of the most effective ways.
Then, choose a design that can bring a sense of balance to the room.
Furnish it with classic sofas and chairs to match the décor.
Decorate the room with colorful accent pillows to brighten up the space.
Lastly, build a charming atmosphere by placing a hanging light for uplifting ambiance.

2. A Small Living Room Upstairs idea with Library

If you are fond of reading, this idea is absolutely a choice. It is not only a living room but also a reading area. This design fits people who like tranquility and a quiet space to read. Here are what to add to the design:

Two cozy chairs
A small table to place the beverages.
Bookshelves with an extensive collection of books.
A floor lamp for reading.

For more decorations, opt for a big painting hanging above the chairs and your favorite indoor plant to provide you with a fresh look and air circulation.

Step by step building a new library to your small living room upstairs:

No 1. Start with making some measurements and draw your floor plan. You can find free plan drawing software to make drawing floor plans that have the size of your living room upstairs.
No 2. Get a few furniture pieces you will use like chairs, a sofa, and a side table. Choose an appropriate design you love based on a popular list curated by BHG or other trustworthy homes online magazine: Up, Down, or Split Back.
Get some bookshelves and rugs for display on the wall and sectionals for comfortable seating options for more decorations.
No 3. Make holes for leg for chair legs and tables top-level shelves.
Next step: Finish with paint and wallpaper on all surfaces.

When building the Library, ensure that your design choice is appropriate for your building.
The walls should be at least 6 feet high for optimal books and the Library display.
Sleeping rooms upstairs are similar to aboveground bedrooms but generally larger than the others in their area and with a higher ceiling.

The following are some tips and ideas on how to build small sleeping rooms:

Have at least 8 feet of floor space for sleeping.
Make it appear as if there was a porch or sitting area before you built the bedroom; that is why it is called an “upstairs” room, not a “downstairs” room (the one in the basement).
Make sure to have a ceiling fan or at least a roof fan.
Make sure that the room is cozy and comfortable.
You should paint the walls white or light colors like beige, blue, or pale yellow to make it look nice and bigger than what it is but do not overdo it as you will end up making the room seems smaller than what it is. If you do not have enough space to paint the whole wall, then paint only part of the wall (from the floor up to your shoulder).
Add a bed to the central space of the room. Place it so that you can see it from your main area, and also, if you have other furniture around the bed, then place them so that they won’t look too “halfway” together.
Arrange your artwork on the wall in a pleasing manner (choose good artworks and not ones that look painted on, they need to only go to that particular wall).
Use colors combinations you love, not colors you feel like using just because they are fashionable. You should pick these colors based on their harmonious color scheme – think about being able to sleep well at night in this bedroom.
Fill the cupboards with storage space.
Add a ceiling fan in your sleeping room to give it that extra fresh air for when you wake up.
You can accessorize your sleeping room with lovely window shades and curtains as these will give you some privacy and add that touch of luxury and comfort at night when you are lying down on your bed.
When arranging pillows, make sure they are comfortable and not too “flat” so they won’t hurt your neck when you try to sleep on them.
Use thick bed sheets and pillows so that they can provide the ultimate comfort and make you sleep well.

Lastly, Number 1. A Kid-Friendly Upstairs Living Room Idea

This living room will be a safe haven for kids and babies. It features a framed pink and green fabric art piece hung from a Caribbean blue wall.

Installing a wall-to-wall carpet can be a great choice because it will provide comfort for your kids when playing on the floor. Besides, it can reduce harsh noise coming from the upstairs living room.

Relevant instruction you need to consider before trying to adopt the idea:

No 1. Choose the right colors and patterns for your living room. This idea is essential because colors can reflect your kids’ characters and personalities. For example, if you like pink, you can paint the living room pink and add wallpapers with baby-themed pictures and pictures of cartoon characters your kid likes.
No 2. Choose a soft carpet or rug that is suitable in size with the living room size or even larger than that so that it will be suitable for playing around the space. Soft materials will be more comfortable to land on than hard materials such as wooden flooring or ceramic tiles, which hurt kids’ feet when they fall over them.
No 3. Install a baby gate in your downstairs living room to prevent your kids from climbing over the furniture.
No 4. Install a stair gate in the living room as well. This idea will help keep the kids on the ground level while playing with their toys or even while sleeping, which is very important because children should sleep with tranquility and feel safe and secure indoors at night, especially those under five years old.

Choose furniture products that will look pretty good in the child’s bedroom, such as bunk beds, playsets, or cars that your child likes and could play with it using his imagination in their bedroom.

Those are 10 small upstairs living room ideas you can copy. They not only offer comfort but also functions for every family member.

References:

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