Plenty of people move into a house that's much smaller than they would like, simply because they don't have the budget required to purchase a larger space, or they needed to make compromises on space in order to get the location that they want. Fortunately, the lack of space in your living room doesn't mean that you have to live feeling cramped or squashed.

Let's take a look at some simple and creative solutions for how to make a small living room look bigger, so that you can get the most out of every square foot of house you actually have.

Spread Out Your Furniture:

One of the best strategies we can find when it comes to how to make a small living room look bigger, is to be careful with the way that you place your furniture. Simply pushing everything you own up against the nearest wall doesn't mean that you're going to get the most out of your space. Try looking for ways to spread your furniture out by placing your sofa in the center of the living room or creating breathing space around desks and tables. All of this may lend the appearance of extra space.

Use Light Colors:

While it's fair to say that dark colors can look great in almost any home, it's also worth noting that they tend to make the space in your home appear smaller. Stick to paler colors in your living room, such as cream, white, pale blues, and grays if you want to keep the area airy and open as much as possible.

Buy Some Mirrors:

It may seem strange, but there's something to be said for mirrors when it comes to figuring out how to make a small living room look bigger. While you might not want to purchase a wall-to-wall option for your home, there's still plenty of ideas to play with when it comes to full-length mirrors and more. You can even hang multiple different mirror shapes on a wall to create a statement piece.

Think a Little Bigger:

When you're trying to save space within a small room, it's easy to trick yourself into thinking that a small space should be decorated with small furniture. However, turning to a signature piece or single option in terms of prominent furniture, such as a huge statement armchair could add something quirky to your interior design, while ensuring that your living room will appear to be open and uncluttered. Just be careful that the armchair is enough for you and your loved ones to sit in if you can't manage any other pieces of furniture.

Paint Your Ceiling with a Bright Color:

Although most people assume that they should paint ceilings white, there's no hard and fast rule for this. In fact, although light colors on your walls can open up your living room space, going for a darker or brighter ceiling color could create extra depth and drama within your living room. Take a chance because you might be surprised at what you accomplish with some bright color.