Think an L shaped sofa is too big for a small living room? You'd be surprised. Done right, it's one of the cleverest ways to seat everyone without swallowing the whole room.

Here's the secret. An L shaped sofa slots into the corner, the bit of the room we all tend to waste, and leaves the middle clear. Pick the right size, the right side and the right colour, and a small room can feel roomier with an L-shape than it would with two separate sofas.

So this guide is full of simple ideas for making an L shaped sofa work in a small UK living room, how to pick one, where to put it, and the little tricks that make the whole space feel bigger. None of it's complicated, whether you rent a flat or own a little terrace. Let's crack on.

Can an L shaped sofa work in a small room?

Yes, and often better than a straight sofa would. It's all down to the corner.

A normal sofa runs along one wall and stops there. An L shaped sofa, sometimes just called an L sofa, bends into the corner instead, filling space that would otherwise sit empty. That keeps the middle of the room open, so it feels bigger, not smaller. It can provide more seating while making better use of the available floor space, which is exactly what a small room is crying out for. The whole trick is picking a compact one and putting it in the right spot, and that's what the rest of this guide sorts out.

Pick a Compact L Shaped Sofa

Size is the big one here, because not every L-shape belongs in a small room. Here's a rough guide to what size l shaped sofa to aim for.

Beyond the size, a few little things make a real difference:

• Slim arms. They save you precious centimetres.

• Raised legs. They let the light run underneath, so the sofa feels lighter on its feet.

• A reversible or modular chaise. Set it up to fit your exact corner, and switch it round later if you fancy.

A smaller, leggier l shaped sofa keeps the room feeling open. A big, boxy one will eat it alive. When in doubt, go a size down from what you think you need.

Choosing the Correct Left or Right Corner

Which way your l shaped sofa faces can honestly make or break a small room. Get it right, and it hugs the walls like it was built for them.

Start with the side. Sit where you'd normally sit and look out into the room. Long chaise running off to your left? You want a left hand sofa. To your right? A right hand one. Go for the side that sends the long part along your longest wall.

Then pin the l shaped sofa into the corner, snug against two walls, so it frames the room instead of drifting about in the middle. That one move does more than anything else to keep a small room tidy and open. Face the seats towards the TV, on the wall the sofa looks at, so nobody is craning their necks.

Measure Your Space First

Before you lose your heart to one, get the tape measure out. This step saves the most tears.

Measure the room's length and width, and note where the doors, windows, radiators and sockets are. Leave yourself at least 75 to 90 cm of walkway around the main paths, so the room never feels boxed in. Best trick of all? Tape the sofa's footprint onto the floor and live with it for a day. You'll know in about five minutes whether it fits comfortably or makes the room feel cramped.

Oh, and the way in. Measure your doorway, hall and stairs, because even a compact l shaped sofa still has to get through the front door. If access is tight, a modular one that comes in sections is a lifesaver.

Colours That Make a Small Room Feel Bigger

Colour does a lot of the heavy lifting when you style an l shaped sofa in a small room. Get it right and the space feels twice the size.

• Go light. Grey, cream, beige and soft neutrals bounce the light around and open everything up.

• Keep it low and leggy. A lower back and raised legs feel airier than a big, boxy shape.

• Match the sofa to your walls. Similar tones blur the edges, and blurred edges feel bigger.

• Hang a mirror opposite a window. It doubles the daylight, for free.

Save your bold colours for the cushions and a throw. That way you get the character without shrinking the room.

Styling Ideas for a Small Living Room

With the l shaped sofa sorted, a bit of styling ties the room together.

• Lay a rug so its front edge sits under the sofa's front legs. It zones the seating and makes it look planned, not plonked.

• Keep the furniture neutral, then have a bit of fun with two or three accent cushions.

• Swap a big coffee table for a slim side table or a nest of tables.

• In an open-plan flat, turn the sofa so its back quietly splits the lounge from the kitchen.

• Keep the floor as clear as you can. The more floor you see, the bigger the room feels.

Want more ideas in this vein? Our small living room ideas with corner sofas post has plenty.

Common Mistakes in a Small Room

It's easy to trip up in a small room. Here are the slip-ups to sidestep.

• Going too big. The classic one. Measure first, then choose a compact design.

• Dark sofa against dark walls. Together they close the room right in, so keep one of them light.

• Burying the window behind a tall sofa's back. Never do it, natural light is gold in a small room.

• Avoid floating it in the middle unless you are using it to divide an open-plan space.

• Blocking a door or a walkway. Keep your paths clear.

• Drowning it in cushions. Two or three is plenty on a small sofa.

Dodge that lot and your L-shape will open the room up, not box it in.

Your Small Living Room L Shaped Sofa Checklist

Run through this before you buy.

• Choose a compact size, around 215 to 235 cm on the longest side.

• Look for slim arms and raised legs.

• Pick the right side (left or right) for your corner.

• Anchor it against two walls, not floating in the middle.

• Measure the room, and tape the footprint on the floor.

• Measure your doorway and stairs for delivery.

• Go light on colour, and save bold shades for cushions.

Get those right, and an L shaped sofa will make your small living room feel roomier, comfier and smarter. To find a compact one, browse the L shape sofa collection at Gamzo Outlet.

FAQs

Can you put an L shaped sofa in a small living room?

Yes, and it often works brilliantly. An L shaped sofa uses the empty corner and frees up the middle of the room, so a small space can feel more open. Just choose a compact size and anchor it against two walls.

What size L shaped sofa is best for a small room?

For most small UK living rooms, aim for around 215 to 235 cm along the longest side. For a flat or a very tight space, look for one under about 2.2 metres. Slim arms and raised legs help it feel smaller still.

What colour L shaped sofa makes a small room look bigger?

Light, neutral shades like grey, cream and beige work best, since they bounce light around and open up the room. Matching the sofa to your wall colour blurs the edges and makes the space feel bigger. Save bold colour for cushions.

Where should I put an L shaped sofa in a small room?

Anchor it in a corner, against two walls, so it frames the room instead of floating in the middle. Run the long side along your longest wall, and point the seats towards the TV. This keeps the middle of the room clear and open.

How do I make a small living room feel bigger with an L shaped sofa?

Choose a compact, light-coloured sofa with slim arms and raised legs, and tuck it into the corner. Keep the floor clear, add a mirror opposite a window, and use a rug to zone the seating. Small touches make a big difference.

Is an L shaped sofa better than two sofas for a small room?

Usually, yes. An L shaped sofa seats more people in less space, uses the empty corner, and keeps the middle of the room clear. Two separate sofas often take up more floor space and make a small room feel busier.