The average living room size — plus how to make yours feel bigger

Scrolling through perfectly styled living room ideas online can make anyone question the size of their own space. Some rooms seem sprawling and filled with natural light, while others are compact yet effortlessly stylish. So, what is the average living room size in the UK, and how does yours measure up?

While there’s no universal rule for how big a living room should be, being aware of typical room sizes can help guide your layout and furniture choices. Plus, even if your living space is on the smaller side, there are plenty of expert-approved tricks to make it feel bigger, brighter, and more inviting.

What is the average living room size in the UK?

The size of living rooms in UK homes has evolved over the decades. Data from Statista shows that in the 1970s, living rooms in new builds were around 24.9m² offering generous space for family life. However, as homes have become more compact, the typical living room size has shrunk to around 17.1m² in modern new builds.

Figures from a 2019 English Housing Survey by the UK Government also indicate that room sizes vary widely depending on the type of property you live in. Apartment living rooms are typically the most compact, often part of an open-plan layout, while detached homes tend to have the largest living spaces.

Pete Tonks, co-founder of PJT Custom Build Ltd, notes that an ideal living room size depends on how you plan to use the space. He suggests that a comfortable living room should be at least 4m x 5m (20m²) for a standard family home, allowing for flexible seating and movement. For those designing a larger open-plan space, a 7.6m x 6.1m (46.36m²) layout works well, offering enough room for larger items of furniture without feeling overcrowded or cluttered.

Pete Tonks

Pete is an award-winning architectural designer. He began his career as an architectural technician with self build specialist Potton in 1984. He went on to set up his own practice, PJT Design Ltd, in 2003 and has been designing self build homes and extension schemes for over three decades.

Average living room sizes typically fall into these ranges:

• Apartments: Living rooms are often small and integrated into open-plan layouts, typically measuring 12-18m² to maximise space efficiency in smaller homes, making the most of a compact footprint.
• Terraced Homes: Living rooms tend to measure between 15-20m², balancing function and comfort.
• Semi-Detached Homes: These usually feature living rooms ranging from 20-30m², allowing for more flexible layouts.
• Detached Homes: Larger properties generally have living rooms exceeding 30m², often with multiple seating zones or open-plan arrangements.

How big should a living room be?

When considering your living room design, size isn’t everything, but it does help to know what you're working with. The perfect living room size will really depend on how you use your space. For example, if your living room is the heart of family life, you’ll likely need room for a comfortable sofa, plenty of living room storage, and maybe even a play area. On the other hand, if you love to host guests, your priority might be maximising the amount of seating and creating an open, social layout.

As a helpful rule of thumb, your living room should take up 10-15% of your total floor space.

Expert-approved ways to make your living room feel more spacious

Don’t panic if your space is on the smaller side – the right furniture, and a few clever design tricks can transform even the tiniest of living rooms.

1. Embrace an open-plan or broken-plan layout

If you’re working with a small footprint, an open-plan living room could be the answer. Knocking down walls to merge your living, dining, and kitchen areas creates a natural 'flow', opening up the space and making even small rooms feel much bigger.

But open-plan isn’t for everyone – sometimes, a little separation goes a long way. That’s where a broken-plan layout comes in. “A broken-plan space keeps the open feel while cleverly defining different zones,” says Amthal Karim, head of design at Furniture And Choice. She recommends half-walls, Crittall-style glass partitions, or shelving units, all of which can create subtle division in your living room without sacrificing light or flow.

Not keen on knocking walls down? Sliding doors, pocket doors, or even different flooring materials can define spaces without the mess of a full renovation. "Removing doors and walls and replacing them with arched entrance ways also enhances space, flow and light movement between living zones," says Nick Silcock, owner and director of Townscape Architects.

Amthal Karim

As Head of Marketing and Design, Amthal has over 20 years experience in leading marketing, brand development and PR activity. Together with stylists at Furniture And Choice, she tracks and analyses the latest interior trends to create fresh, new and exciting content. 

Nick Silcock

As owner and director of Townscape Architects, Nick brings a wealth of expertise and passion to his role. With a deep-rooted passion for property and design, Nick is dedicated to creating exceptional spaces that leave a lasting impact.

2. Choose your living room furniture wisely

The right living room furniture can make all the difference when it comes to creating an open, airy feel. “Furniture with visible legs creates a sense of openness, allowing light to travel around the room,” explains Cat Dennison, interior designer at GoodHome, B&Q. She recommends avoiding bulky, solid pieces, as these can feel heavy and block the flow of light, making the room seem smaller than it is.

Opt for slim-legged sofas, glass-topped coffee tables, and floating shelves instead of heavy bookcases to maintain a sense of space. Modular furniture is another smart choice, allowing you to adapt your living room layout as needed.

“An area rug that is too small will also make a room feel disjointed,” Cat warns. To avoid this, she recommends choosing a rug large enough that at least the front legs of sofas and chairs sit on it, this helps to anchor the space and create a more cohesive look.

Cat Dennison

With over 15 years of expertise in the Interior Design industry and a First Class BA (Hons) in Interior Design, Cat has dedicated her career to crafting captivating home and garden designs for various commercial marketing mediums. She is an interior designer for GoodHome, B&Q.

3. Emphasise natural light where possible

Letting in as much natural light as possible is one of the easiest ways to make a modest sized living room feel bigger. “No matter the size of your living room, windows are your main source of natural light, so avoid obstructing them,” explains Cat Dennison. “Letting in as much daylight as possible will instantly make your space feel bigger.”

The right living room window treatments can have a big impact on how bright and open your space feels. To maximise 'daylighting', swap heavy curtains for sheer blinds or lightweight drapes that let the light flow through. If you need more privacy, try layering light-filtering fabrics with blackout options, so you can the adjust brightness throughout the day.

4. Be strategic about colour and décor choices

Choosing the right living room paint and décor can completely transform a space. For example, "mirrors can significantly impact how big a room feels," explains Danielle Le Vaillant, head of photography & film at Cox & Cox. "A well-placed living room mirror will reflect light and give the illusion of a much bigger space."

When it comes to paint, Cat Dennison suggests painting walls, ceilings, and skirting in the same colour to “blur the boundaries of a room, making it feel larger.” Soft neutrals like off-white and taupe are classic for small living rooms, while deep, moody tones can add warmth and depth.

Danielle Le Vaillant

Danielle has worked for Cox & Cox for over 11 years. The interior design brand offers unique and characterful homeware to suit every taste.

If you're content with a small living room and don’t feel the need to make it look bigger, why not lean into its cosy charm? Embrace the bijou beauty of your space with these snug room room ideas designed to make your space feel warm and inviting.