Designing a rectangular, long, and narrow living room can be simple. For some, that very simplicity can be a challenge when it comes to organizing the space effectively. Unfortunately, such spaces often look like luxurious hallways rather than cozy living rooms. But with the right long living room ideas, clever furniture placement, and stylish slipcovers, you can turn that tricky layout into a comfortable, multi-functional retreat. Let’s dive into smart strategies for how to decorate a long living room and make it feel balanced, cozy, and effortlessly chic!
First rule for dividing a long living room into functional zones
When tackling a long narrow living room layout, the first step is to stop lining all your furniture up against the walls. Instead, think about creating zones.
• Create an area with a sofa and armchairs.
• Large pots of flowers or trees always fill the space beautifully – just gently move them away from the wall.
• Add a reading nook or workspace in the far corner.
• Use rugs to anchor each zone visually.
If you’re wondering how to divide a small living room and dining room combo, the trick is using your sofa as a divider. A Kivik sofa cover on the IKEA KIVIK, for example, instantly refreshes its look while making the sofa double as a subtle room partition.
Smart sofa placement ideas for narrow living rooms – meet the best couch covers
Usually the biggest debate in long living room layout ideas is sofa placement. Should you push it against the wall or float it?
• Against the wall: Works best when you want more walking space in a long living room layout.
• Floating: Perfect for dividing space or creating intimacy in an otherwise open room.
IKEA collections like VIMLE, GRONLID, FARLOV, KLIPPAN, SODERHAMN, and FRIHETEN all come with flexible configurations. Updating with Ikea Soderhamn Covers, Ikea Vimle Covers, Ikea Farlov Covers, or a Klippan sofa cover gives you a custom look without the custom price tag.
Vimle 3 Seater Sofa Cover in Polyester Petite Biscuit Beige
How to style the middle?
When decorating a living room, we often encounter empty space in the middle of the room. This can create a lot of confusion. If you’re unsure how to furnish a long living room, this is where creativity comes in:
• Add a narrow console table with lamps.
• Use a bench or ottoman with a chaise lounge cover for extra seating.
• Place a pretty plant, and move furniture like a couch or armchair, preferably with nice Ikea couch covers, further toward the center.
Wondering how to furnish a long living room versus a narrow one? Think less about filling every inch and more about layering it to give it purpose and character.
Color, contrast, and Sofa Covers
For those who are still wondering how to decorate a long narrow living room, color and textiles are game-changers. Light walls paired with darker rugs break up the tunnel effect. Vertical shelving draws the eye upward, making the room feel taller.
Slipcovers are another secret weapon. Not only do they protect your furniture, but they also let you refresh your style seasonally:
• Best Ikea covers can change the look of the entire room
• Slipcovers for chairs, including the Ektorp chair cover or Henriksdal chair cover, bring uniformity to mismatched seating
• Pottery Barn couch covers and sofa slipcovers Ikea offer timeless, family-friendly solutions
• Don’t forget accent pieces like pillow covers for a tailored finish.
The result? A harmonious space that feels wider, brighter, and a bit more intentional.
Vimle Armchairs in Polyester Daily Green Covers and Henriksdal Dining Chairs in Polyester Daily Green Covers
Decorating a long living room doesn’t mean you’re doomed to a boring hallway. Whether you’re looking for ideas for a long or short living room, the key is to strike a balance between functionality and coziness. Simple touches like sofa covers, armchair covers, or ottoman covers, along with the right choice of wall and rug colors, can transform the entire room into a beautiful, balanced space. Covers like the Kivik cover, the Klippan sofa cover, Henriksdal chair cover or other slip covers for chairs allow for a simple change of style as easily as rearranging furniture.
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