How to Design a Narrow Living Room

Narrow living rooms are one of the most common layout challenges in residential design — found in townhomes, shotgun-style homes, converted spaces, and many older Charlotte neighborhoods. The key to designing a narrow room is resisting the urge to line furniture along the walls and instead creating intentional zones that break the tunnel-like proportions.

How do I make a narrow room feel wider?

Horizontal elements — wide mirrors, landscape-oriented art, striped rugs running across the width — create the perception of width. Painting the short end walls a slightly darker shade than the long walls also compresses perceived depth. And maintaining clear sightlines to windows prevents the space from feeling enclosed.