How to Fill Empty Space in Living Room: Decorating Ideas

Do you have a living room that feels a bit bare? Filling empty space in a living room is about making the area feel more complete and inviting. You can achieve this through smart furniture arrangement, adding accent pieces, incorporating wall art, and choosing functional decor that also enhances your living room decor. The goal is to create a cozy atmosphere that reflects your personal style.

A living room can sometimes feel unfinished, with large blank walls or awkward gaps between furniture. This can make the space feel cold and uninviting. But don’t worry! With a few thoughtful decorating ideas, you can transform any empty corner or wall into a stylish and functional part of your room. This guide will walk you through various interior design tips to help you fill those voids and create a living space you’ll love.

How To Fill Empty Space In Living Room
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Maximizing Space with Smart Furniture Arrangement

When you think about filling empty space, furniture is often the first thing that comes to mind. The way you arrange your furniture can dramatically impact how the room feels. It’s not just about filling space, but about creating flow and defining zones within your living area.

Creating Conversation Zones

One of the best ways to fill open floor space is by arranging furniture to encourage conversation. Instead of pushing all your furniture against the walls, try pulling pieces away to create a central gathering spot.

Seating Arrangement: Group sofas and chairs around a coffee table. This creates a natural hub for socializing. Don’t be afraid to angle furniture; it can add visual interest and break up a rectangular room.
Consider Traffic Flow: Ensure there are clear pathways around your furniture arrangements so people can move easily through the room. Avoid blocking doorways or natural walking paths.
Utilize Rugs: A well-placed rug can anchor a seating area and visually define it, making the space feel more intentional and less like it’s just floating in a large room.

The Role of Larger Furniture Pieces

Sometimes, an empty space simply needs a bigger anchor.

The Sofa: If your sofa feels small against a large wall, consider adding a sofa table behind it or flanking it with armchairs.
Sectionals: A sectional sofa can be excellent for filling a large corner or wall, providing ample seating and a sense of presence.
Ottomans and Benches: A large ottoman or a bench can serve as a coffee table alternative, extra seating, or even a footrest. They are versatile pieces that can fill a good amount of floor space.

Arranging Furniture in Different Room Shapes

For Rectangular Rooms: Place the main seating area in the center, perhaps with a console table behind the sofa. You can also create a secondary seating nook in a corner with an armchair and a side table.
For Square Rooms: These often benefit from a more symmetrical furniture arrangement, but don’t be afraid to break it up with a diagonal placement of a chair or a strategically placed floor lamp.
For Open-Concept Living: Use furniture to define the living area. A sofa back can act as a subtle divider between the living room and a dining area, for example.

Embracing Accent Pieces to Add Personality

Beyond the main furniture, accent pieces are crucial for adding visual interest and filling smaller voids. These are the elements that truly elevate your living room decor.

The Power of Accent Chairs

An accent chair is more than just extra seating; it’s a statement piece that can inject color, texture, and style into an empty corner.

Placement: Tuck an accent chair into a reading nook by a window, or use a pair to flank a fireplace or a large piece of art.
Style Variety: Choose a chair that contrasts with your main sofa for a dynamic look. Think about materials like velvet, leather, or a bold patterned fabric.

Side Tables and Console Tables: Functional Fillers

These tables are indispensable for both function and filling space.

Side Tables: Place them next to sofas and chairs to hold lamps, drinks, books, and decorative objects. They break up the expanse of larger furniture and create mini-display areas.
Console Tables: Perfect for behind sofas or against empty walls, console tables offer a surface for lamps, decorative items, or even a small console for electronics. They also create a more finished look for your seating arrangement.

Lighting: Illuminating Empty Spaces

Lighting is a powerful tool for both function and ambiance, and it can beautifully fill vertical and horizontal empty spaces.

Floor Lamps: A tall, elegant floor lamp can fill a bare corner and provide ambient lighting. Arc floor lamps are particularly good for arching over seating areas.
Table Lamps: As mentioned, side tables are great for holding table lamps, which add task lighting and decorative flair.
Statement Lighting: Consider a stylish floor lamp with a unique design or a distinctive shade to draw the eye.

Decorating Walls to Combat Emptiness

Bare walls are often the most obvious culprits of an empty-feeling living room. Wall art and other vertical decor can make a huge difference.

The Impact of Wall Art

Wall art is one of the most effective ways to fill large empty wall spaces.

Gallery Walls: A collection of smaller pieces arranged together can create a striking focal point. Mix frames, sizes, and even mediums for an eclectic look.
Large Statement Art: A single, oversized piece of art can command attention and fill a significant portion of a wall.
Mirrors: Mirrors not only fill wall space but also reflect light, making the room feel larger and brighter. Consider a large statement mirror or a collection of smaller decorative mirrors.
Tapestries and Wall Hangings: Fabric art adds texture and warmth, softening hard wall surfaces and filling space with visual appeal.

Tips for Hanging Wall Art

Eye Level: Hang art so the center is at eye level (around 57-60 inches from the floor).
Spacing: When creating a gallery wall, maintain consistent spacing between frames for a cohesive look.
Balance: Consider the scale of the wall and the furniture below when choosing the size and placement of your art.

Shelving: Display and Storage Solutions

Shelving offers both decorative and functional ways to fill wall space.

Floating Shelves: These provide a clean, modern look and are perfect for displaying smaller decorative items, plants, or books.
Bookcases: A tall bookcase can fill a large wall, offering ample storage and display space. You can style it with books, plants, photos, and decorative objects.
Ladder Shelves: These offer a unique, asymmetrical look and are great for showcasing smaller items or greenery.

Other Wall Decor Ideas

Wall Sconces: These add ambient lighting and decorative elements without taking up floor space.
Decorative Plates or Baskets: Hung on the wall, these can create a unique textural and visual display.
Wallpaper or Accent Walls: A bold patterned wallpaper or a contrasting paint color on one wall can make it a feature, drawing the eye and filling the space with energy.

Incorporating Functional Decor for Style and Purpose

The best decorating ideas often blend style with practicality. Functional decor can fill empty spaces while serving a useful purpose in your living room.

Coffee Tables and Side Tables Revisited

We’ve touched on these, but their functional aspect deserves emphasis.

Coffee Tables with Storage: Opt for coffee tables with drawers, shelves, or lift-tops to store blankets, remotes, or even a laptop. This keeps clutter at bay and fills the central space.
Nesting Tables: These are ideal for smaller living rooms or for providing flexible surface area. They can be pulled out when needed and tucked away to save space.

Decorative Baskets and Storage Solutions

Baskets are incredibly versatile for filling empty floor space or adding character to shelves.

For Throws and Blankets: A large woven basket can stylishly hold cozy blankets, perfect for a chilly evening.
For Plants: Decorative planters can fill corners and add life and color to the room.
For Magazines and Remotes: Smaller baskets on coffee tables or side tables help organize essentials.

Plants: Bringing Life to Empty Corners

Plants are a fantastic way to fill empty spaces with life, color, and texture.

Floor Plants: Tall potted plants, like a fiddle-leaf fig or a snake plant, can fill a corner and draw the eye upwards.
Potted Plants on Stands: Elevating plants with stylish stands adds height and visual interest.
Hanging Plants: If you have high ceilings, hanging plants can fill vertical space and create a lush, bohemian vibe.

Creating a Cozy Atmosphere with Texture and Layers

Filling empty space isn’t just about adding items; it’s about how those items make the room feel. Creating a cozy atmosphere is key to a welcoming living room.

The Role of Textiles

Soft furnishings are essential for adding warmth and comfort.

Throw Pillows: Scatter a variety of pillows in different sizes, textures, and colors on your sofa and chairs. They fill the seating area and add visual softness.
Throw Blankets: Drape a soft throw blanket over the arm of your sofa or chair. This adds texture and an invitation to relax.
Rugs: As mentioned, rugs define spaces and add a layer of warmth and comfort underfoot. Consider layering rugs for extra texture.

Styling Surfaces with Curated Objects

Don’t leave coffee tables, side tables, or shelves bare.

Vary Heights: Arrange objects of different heights – a tall vase, a medium-sized sculpture, and a small trinket – to create visual dynamism.
Groupings: Cluster items in groups of three or five for a more pleasing aesthetic.
Personal Touches: Incorporate items that have meaning to you, such as family photos, travel souvenirs, or handmade crafts.
Books: Stack books on tables or shelves. They add color and a sense of intellectualism.

Small Living Room Solutions for Filling Space Smartly

Even small living rooms can have areas that feel awkwardly empty. The trick here is to choose pieces that are both stylish and functional, maximizing every inch.

Vertical Space is Your Friend

When floor space is limited, look up!

Tall, Narrow Bookcases: These provide storage and display without taking up too much width.
Wall-Mounted Shelving: Ideal for displaying decor or holding essentials without cluttering the floor.
Tall Lamps: As mentioned, floor lamps can fill vertical voids.

Multi-Functional Furniture

Choose pieces that serve more than one purpose.

Storage Ottomans: Can act as a coffee table, extra seating, and storage.
Sofa Beds: Useful for occasional guests without dedicating permanent space.
Nesting Tables: Offer flexible surface space that can be neatly stored away.

Clever Seating Arrangements

Armless Chairs: These can fit into tighter spaces and don’t block views.
Accent Chairs: A single stylish accent chair can fill a corner without overwhelming the room.
Poufs: Lightweight and easy to move, poufs can be used as footrests or extra seating.

Common Decorating Dilemmas and Solutions

Let’s address some specific empty space challenges you might face.

The Large Blank Wall

Solution 1: Gallery Wall: Cluster framed art, photos, or even mirrors.
Solution 2: Oversized Art Piece: A single large canvas can be a dramatic focal point.
Solution 3: Console Table with Lamp and Decor: A console table adds surface area and style.
Solution 4: Tall Bookcase or Shelving Unit: Provides storage and display opportunities.
Solution 5: Large Mirror: Reflects light and makes the room feel bigger.

The Awkward Corner

Solution 1: Accent Chair and Side Table: Create a cozy reading nook.
Solution 2: Floor Lamp: Adds light and fills the vertical space.
Solution 3: Tall Potted Plant: Brings life and color.
Solution 4: Corner Shelf Unit: Displays decorative items.
Solution 5: Small Decorative Chest or Cabinet: Adds storage and style.

The Space Between Furniture Pieces

Solution 1: Floor Lamp: Bridges the gap between a sofa and an armchair.
Solution 2: Small Side Table: Holds a lamp or decorative object.
Solution 3: Potted Plant: Adds greenery and softens the transition.
Solution 4: Decorative Screen or Room Divider: Can create a distinct zone or add visual interest.

The Empty Space Above the Sofa

Solution 1: Large Piece of Art: Centered above the sofa.
Solution 2: Gallery Wall: Arranged symmetrically above.
Solution 3: Wall Sconces: Provide ambient lighting and decorative elements.
Solution 4: Floating Shelves: Displaying small decorative items.
Solution 5: Tapestry or Wall Hanging: Adds texture and color.

Summary of Decorating Ideas to Fill Empty Space

Here’s a quick reference table to help you remember these decorating ideas:

Area to Fill	Decorating Ideas
Large Blank Wall	Gallery wall, Statement art, Large mirror, Console table with decor, Tall bookcase, Wallpaper accent
Awkward Corner	Accent chair with side table, Floor lamp, Tall potted plant, Corner shelving, Decorative cabinet
Between Furniture	Floor lamp, Small side table, Potted plant, Decorative screen
Above Sofa	Large art, Gallery wall, Wall sconces, Floating shelves, Tapestry
Empty Floor Space	Area rugs, Sectional sofa, Large ottoman, Accent chairs, Decorative baskets, Floor plants
General Voids	Decorative bowls, Vases, Sculptures, Candles, Books, Personal photos, Architectural elements (e.g., screens)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I choose the right size wall art for a large empty wall?
A1: A general guideline is that the art should be about two-thirds the width of the furniture it hangs above, or approximately 75% of the wall’s width if it’s a standalone piece. It’s also important to hang it at eye level, so the center of the artwork is about 57-60 inches from the floor.

Q2: Can I use too many accent pieces?
A2: Yes, it’s possible to overdo it. The key is balance. When adding accent pieces, consider how they relate to each other and to your main furniture. Aim for a curated look rather than a cluttered one. Ensure each piece has a purpose or adds significant visual appeal.

Q3: What if my living room is very small? How can I fill space without making it feel cramped?
A3: In small spaces, focus on vertical solutions like tall, narrow shelves or wall-mounted art. Multi-functional furniture is also key. Use mirrors to create an illusion of space and light. Keep furniture scaled appropriately for the room and avoid overly bulky pieces. Light colors and good lighting can also make a small room feel more open.

Q4: How do I arrange furniture in a large, open-plan living room to avoid it feeling empty?
A4: Use rugs to define different zones within the open space. Arrange furniture into distinct conversation areas. Consider using furniture backs, like a sofa or a console table, to create subtle visual dividers between the living area and other spaces like a dining room.

Q5: What are some ways to add texture to a room with empty spaces?
A5: Incorporate textiles like throw pillows, blankets, and textured rugs. Use natural materials such as wood, rattan, or stone in your decor. Consider textured wall art, such as macrame hangings or woven pieces. Plants also add natural texture.