7 Narrow Living Room Layouts that Feel Spacious And Stylish

Designing a narrow living room can be complicated since every inch matters, and using the wrong arrangement can lead to a cramped and awkward design. But with the right layout, even a really slim room can feel more open and stylish. Whether you’re working with a long-and-lean apartment, a cozy sitting area, or a multifunctional space that needs to work hard, these 7 narrow living room layouts provide ideas on how to make the space look bigger, without sacrificing comfort.

9×18 Living Room Layout With Sofa And Narrow Console Table

This layout places the sofa and console against the wall with a central coffee table and a circulation lane along the window wall that helps make this narrow 9′ wide room feel more open.

Floor Plan Details: This smaller room design revolves around a 6.5′ sofa that’s placed along the left wall and facing a coffee table with a pathway on the opposite wall so traffic can easily circulate. The entry is located at the bottom of the room, and it feels open when you walk in. Opposite the sofa, the wall features two windows and is kept clear to preserve light and to serve as the main pathway from the entry to the far end of the room. A slim 12″deep, 5′ long console table is tucked into the far left upper corner for extra storage.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 9′ W x 18′ L
• Sofa: 6.5′ x 3′ (78″ x 36″) placed against the left wall
• Console table: 12″ deep x 5′ long on the upper left wall
• Coffee table: 4′ x 1.5′ (48″ x 18″) is centered
• Sofa–coffee table clearance: 24″ (1.96′ shown)
• Coffee table to window-wall clearance: 30″ (2.5′) for the walkway
• Sofa placed 5′-9″ from the entry, preserving an open zone 

Design Tips:

• Choose low-profile furniture pieces. These preserve the room’s window sightlines and visually lighten a 9′-wide space.
• Keep the console depth to 10 to 12″ max.
• Add a wall mirror or art above the console to bounce light.
• Use a 5′ x 8′ rug positioned lengthwise. Anchor the sofa’s front legs on the rug.
• Opt for a glass/acrylic or an open-base coffee table.
• Make the poufs multitask. Stash them away under the console when not in use.
• Add tall lamps or plug-in sconces along the left wall (sofa/console side) to balance the natural light from the windows.
• Keep window treatments simple. Use sheers or roller shades for an uncluttered look.

10×25 Narrow Zoned Living And Office Layout 

This living room and office layout splits the space into two parts, between a cozy area for watching TV and a place for working from home, that is separated slightly by a horizontally placed bookshelf. 

Floor Plan Details: The top of the split room design is dedicated to a 5′ x 3′ sofa on the right side that is facing a wall-mounted TV on the left. A compact 3′ x 2′ coffee table is placed between the seating and TV without blocking the traffic flow. There’s about 2′ between the sofa and table for clearance and 30″ between the table and TV wall for the walkway. In the middle of the room, there is a shallow 1′ x 4′ bookshelf that anchors the two zones and adds storage without stealing any width. The lower portion is focused on the office with a 4′ x 2′ desk floating lengthwise with 2.2′ chair clearance behind it, and a 3′ wide aisle on the right. There are also shelves lining the wall for bins or baskets. Windows at both short ends allow light through the space and keep the interior brighter.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 10′ W x 25′ L
• Sofa: 5′ x 3′ on right wall (front zone)
• TV: wall-mounted on the left wall opposite the sofa
• Coffee table: 3′ x 2′
• Clearance: 1.97′ (24″) sofa ↔ coffee table; 2.55′ (30″) coffee table ↔ TV wall
• Transition storage: bookshelf 1′ D x 4′ L on the left wall (mid-room)
• Desk: 4′ x 2′ centered in rear zone with 2.2′ chair clearance is available behind
• Side aisle (office zone/right side) for a 3′ continuous passage
• Continuous sightline/light with windows at both short ends 

Design Tips:

• Mount the TV and run in-wall cable management to enhance the visual appeal.
• Define zones with rugs. Add a 5′ x 8′ rug in the living area (lengthwise) and a 4′ x 6′ rug under the desk to designate the different zones.
• Keep mid-room storage as a shallow piece. This should be 10 to 12″ max, so you maintain at least a 36″ path through the living zone.
• Use layered lighting by zone, which could be a floor lamp paired with media sconces in the living area, and a task lamp and a ceiling fixture or pendant over the desk.
• Choose low-profile furniture and rounded furniture corners to soften the look and reduce damage from the occasional bump.
• Add acoustic softness in the form of rugs and curtains in the mid-room to help buffer noise between the living and office activities.
• Experiment with desk placement by having it facing into the room or toward the rear windows if glare is an issue.

10×24 Sofa Lounge Area And Dining Room Floor Plan

This long, narrow room uses slim furniture and splits the layout into separate zones for lounging and dining so each area feels comfortable and inviting, while working together.

Floor Plan Details: This open plan living area starts with a 6.5′ x 3′ sofa that sits along the upper left wall 2′ from a window on the top, so curtains and radiators aren’t constricted. The main circulation pathway runs on the right side and gives you a 5′ cross-aisle opposite the sofa for easy movement past the couch that flows into the dining area. The lower part of the room is dedicated to dining and has a small round table with three chairs that’s positioned so their is pass-through room on the right-side allowing extra room for when you need a fourth chair.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 10′ W x 24′ L
• Sofa: 6.5′ x 3′ on the left wall near the window end
• Space behind the sofa to the window: 2′
• Cross-aisle opposite sofa: 5′ 
• Sofa front to dining zone clearance: 3′ (2.99′ shown)
• Dining table to right wall: 3′ (2.95′ shown) for a continuous walkway
• Table size: use a round 36″ to 42″ diameter table to comfortably fit the 10′ width 

Design Tips:

• Keep the table rounded. This lets you squeeze in a fourth chair when needed and avoids sharp corners.
• Keep furniture light and slim. Use low-profile furniture and open-back chairs to preserve sightlines inside the 10′ wide room.
• Use two rugs to define different zones. Try placing a  5′ x 8′ under the sofa (lengthwise) and a 6′ round under the dining set.
• Add a slim wall shelf or ledge for picture frames above the sofa.
• Center a pendant over the table and use a floor lamp by the sofa to create distinct light for each area.
• If storage is needed, consider a shallow 10″ to 12″ cabinet on the left in the dining zone or a bench with a hidden compartment on the bottom wall.
• Keep window treatments high and straightforward to draw the eye lengthwise.
• Make sure to use light, consistent tones throughout so both zones read as a single cohesive space.

12×22 Living Area Layout With Dual Facing Sofas

By using a symmetrical design with two face-to-face sofas, this room creates a strong conversational hub for those interested in entertaining.

Floor Plan Details: This is a balanced, conversation-first layout that places two sofas facing each other to facilitate easy conversation. To pull it off, there are two identical 6′ x 3′ sofas facing each other in the middle of the room with a slim 4′ x 1.5′ coffee table between them. Small end tables sit near each of the sofa arms. Or opt for ottomans instead that can be used for impromptu seating when needed. Circulation flows easily around the seating and there’s a 6′ x 1′ media console along the upper wall for a TV or sound system.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 12′ W x 22′ L
• Media cabinet: 6′ W x 1′ D, centered 3′ of wall left/right on the upper side.
• Sofas (2): 6′ W x 3′ D, placed opposite of each other.
• Coffee table: 4′ x 1.5′ (about ½ to ⅔ of the sofa length)
• Sofa ↔ coffee table clearance: 2.3′ (28″) on each side.
• Open zones beyond sofas (to media and to entry/window wall): 8′ depth for both.
• Aim for 30″ to 36″ walkways around the perimeter of the seating.

Design Tips:

• Place a 8′ x 10′ or 9′ x 12′ rug in the middle of the sofas. Put the front legs of both sofas on the rug to tie the area together.
• Keep the coffee table narrow. Keep it at 16″ to 18″ deep so you maintain the 28″ pass-through aisle.
• Use matching end tables or ottomans at the sofa ends.
• Light in layers. Try installing a ceiling fixture in the center, plus two wall sconces or slim floor lamps behind each sofa.
• If the viewing distance to the media wall is 8′, a 65″–75″ TV is comfortable for most viewers.
• Go for low-profile furniture to keep sightlines open.
• Add a mirror or art above the media unit to visually widen the narrower wall.
• Add two accent chairs to the lower corners for extra seating if needed.

11×19 Long Living Area With Sectional And Built-In Storage

This layout works because it places a sectional and built-ins to consolidate seating and storage in one corner, which makes its 11′ wide space feel spacious and easy to move around in.

Floor Plan Details: To create an open feel, this design pushes an L-shaped sectional into the upper-left corner so the seating area is out of the primary route of traffic. The area behind the sectional is treated as built-in storage with drawers and cabinets, creating a tidy “media/library” wall without adding much extra furniture depth. A square ottoman or coffee table is placed in front of the sectional. The right side of the room contains a long and slim media console for a TV and extra storage.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 11′ W × 19′ L
• Path at top/right: 3′
• Coffee table to right wall: 2.75′
• Ideal coffee table/ottoman: 36 to 40″ square
• Target reach: 18 to 20″ between sectional front and the table for knees and feet

Design Tips:

• Build storage into the sectional wall. Use 12 to 16″ deep cabinets with drawers to replace a bulky furniture piece or armoire. 
• Keep the coffee table low and square. To get more from this, add a nesting side table that can slide to either end of the sectional.
• Use an 8′ × 10′ rug to anchor the seating. Place the sectionals’ front legs on the rug.
• If placing a TV, use a low console or wall mount on the right wall to keep the path clear.
• Layer lighting with plug-in sconces or a swing-arm behind the sectional corner and include a floor lamp near the open end.
• To enhance the mood, add under-cabinet LEDs to the cabinet or long media console.
• Choose a light color, matte finishes on the cabinets to keep everything from feeling too heavy.

9×17 Minimalist Open Layout Living Space

Focusing on maximizing the available open space, this minimalist living room design keeps things simple with a sofa positioned in the middle against one wall facing a coffee table and a TV.

Floor Plan Details: For an inviting and airy design, this narrow 9′ × 17′ living space keeps the center open and uses minimal furniture to get the results. A 6′ × 3′ sofa is centered between the two windows so the room doesn’t feel crowded when you walk in from the bottom entrance. Opposite the sofa, a wall-mounted TV on the right creates a focal wall. In between sits a slim 5′ × 1.5′ coffee table, leaving a broad open zone (shown dashed) toward the media side for easy movement, or a low pile rug. The minimal furniture allows sightlines to be open from the entry through the room to the windows.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 9′ W × 17′ L
• Sofa: 6′ × 3′ on the left wall
• Coffee table: 5′ × 1.5′ with a narrow profile
• Viewing distance (sofa to TV wall): 5′
• Open zone/rug footprint: about 8′ W × 4.8′ D (dashed rectangle)
• Sofa clearance to top wall/windows: 4.2′
• Entry threshold to sofa zone: 5.5′
• Pass space near media wall: 5.85′ at the entry end for easier circulation and fit the minimalist theme

Design Tips:

• Wall-mount the TV. This helps to keep the right-side walkway visually light. Use a floating shelf for devices rather than a console.
• Choose a low sofa to keep window sightlines more open from the entrance and throughout the room.
• Keep the coffee table 16″ to 18″ wide to maintain easy pass-throughs.
• Use a 5′ × 8′ rug inside the dashed area. This will better define the lounge area.
• Add a slim picture ledge or plug-in sconces above the sofa for lighting.
• If you need extra seats, use stackable stools or a small pouf that parks under the media shelf or in a corner.
• Keep finishes calm and cohesive. Consider using light wood finishes and soft neutrals to visually widen the space.
• Bounce light with a mirror on the short entry wall. Add a floor lamp near the sofa corner to help eliminate dark corners.

10×20 Media Room Design With Sofa And Accent Chairs

For those who want a dedicated media room, this design pairs a sofa and chair triangle centered on watching TV and promoting easy conversation.

Floor Plan Details: to get a media room experience, there is a 7′ × 3′ sofa on the left wall that is facing a slim media unit with a TV measuring about 5′ × 2′ on the right. Two accent chairs are floated diagonally around a compact 3′ × 2′ coffee table. This arrangement allows for easy positioning to form an easy conversation triangle while allowing easy pivoting to watch TV shows or movies. Guests can pass behind the chairs along the media wall for movement throughout the room if needed.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 10′ W × 20′ L
• Sofa: 7′ × 3′ on the left wall
• Coffee table: 3′ × 2′ centered
• Sofa ↔ coffee table: 2′ for comfortable knee and leg room
• Coffee table ↔ media wall: 2′
• Side aisle by media wall: 2.3′ to 2.5′ and keep 28″ to 30″ min
• Windows on the short wall opposite the entry. The chair placement helps keep them unobstructed

Design Tips:

• Pick slender, low-arm accent chairs or those with swivels. So they’re easy to angle toward both the sofa and the TV when needed.
• Use a 6′ × 9′ rug, lengthwise, with the front legs of the sofa and chairs on the rug for a cohesive formal or sitting area design.
• Wall-mount the TV or use a shallow 12″ to 16″ console.
• Keep the coffee table 16″ to 18″ deep. For more surface space, add a small C-table beside the sofa.
• Layer lighting with a floor lamp behind the sofa corner, a small table lamp between the chairs, and dimmable lighting near the TV.
• If you host often, choose ottomans that tuck under the console for pop-up seating.
• Hang curtains high and wide on the window wall to visually stretch the room.

For more similar designs, check out our long layout living rooms.