How a Home Stager Would Transform a Cramped Living Room with 8 West Elm Finds

Though this is listed as a sofa, the 60-inch version technically makes it a loveseat. Steve and Nikki prefer a love seat for smaller rooms, since it “can often make the space feel larger” and “generally leaves room for one or two accent chairs, helping the space feel like a complete living room while still being functional.” They suggest “a lighter fabric to help make the room appear brighter and more open,” but if that’s not your preferred palette, note that there are over 100 other options.

“This is one of the most compact round coffee tables offered by West Elm, yet it maintains a high-end look thanks to its wood detailing and raised edges,” Steve and Nikki explain. “The open-leg design also creates the illusion of a more spacious room.” It’s a little more than 2 feet in diameter and about a foot and a half tall, so it saves you both horizontal and vertical space without sacrificing style.

Measuring just about a foot and a half tall and deep, the single version of West Elm’s Bowman Storage Ottoman is “compact but still super functional, giving you hidden storage for things like extra blankets or other items,” Steve and Nikki say. “The top also doubles as a wood tray, so you can use it for drinks, snacks, or decor. It works well paired with an accent chair or even as your main coffee table.”

“While West Elm also offers shorter cabinets, we chose this one because it fits a nice-size TV on top without overwhelming the room,” Steve and Nikki explain. “It offers plenty of storage to keep items organized and out of sight, helping maintain a clean look.” Like many of their recommendations, this console (which they personally have and “love”) has lots of space around the legs, which helps make a room look less cramped.

Steve and Nikki like this particular chair “because of its compact size,” but it’s also got some striking design details, like the large curved wooden arms. Eye-catching furniture “is important in a small room,” they say, “but the open design around the arms and under the legs helps keep the space feeling open and airy. Plus, with 37 color options available, it’s easy to find the perfect shade to fit your style.”

Even a small loveseat can look plain without any accent pillows. Add some subtle, mature charm with this floral-patterned pillow that’s “smaller and more tailored” and, conveniently, is the ideal size for a loveseat or small sofa. “It adds just the right amount of design interest without overwhelming the space, and brings a fresh, outdoor-inspired feel inside that makes the room feel bigger and adds a touch of personality,” Steve and Nikki say.

No matter what size your living room is, it’s going to have a floor. It may seem silly to point that out, but what you do with your floor impacts the rest of the room, and a nice rug can do a lot of heavy lifting in a small space. Steve and Nikki’s West Elm rug pick comes in six sizes and has a “modern take on a Persian pattern” that looks minimal from afar, but has a lot of detail up-close. “Its high-end look helps elevate any small space, giving it a polished and stylish feel,” they add.

A floor lamp is a wise choice for a cramped living room since it doesn’t take up any surface space, and Steve and Nikki’s lamp recommendation has a “slim, straight design [that] allows it to fit neatly beside a sofa or side table without taking up much floor space.” The linen shade and metal base both come in neutral shades, which should work well with most color schemes. “At 61 inches tall, it provides ample lighting and helps draw the eye upward, making the room feel taller and more open,” they add.