If your living room is cramped and cluttered, the last thing you’ll want to do is hang out there. That is, unless you trick your eye into thinking your room is bigger than it appears. It’s not magic; it’s just smart styling. Here are 10 styling tricks that make a small living room seem bigger than it is:

1. Keep It Cozy

“Cozy” is always the keyword for “cramped” space, but in this case, leaning into what makes a room feel genuinely cozy — as in, an enveloping cocoon from the busy world — can be totally soothing. Keep seating close together and intimate, and choose a plush, soft rug. Don’t you want to just curl up and relax?

2.  Add A Hammock Chair

Hammock chairs are super trendy right now, but they’re also a life saver in a small living room. You can add seating without taking up a ton of floor space, like you would with a traditional armchair.

3. Go All White

Keep walls and floors all white to brighten up the space. A gallery wall with wide-matted art and white frames blends in with the wall, so the effect is eye-catching — yet not a bit cluttered. That way you can make a colorful piece of furniture the focal point of the room, so it’s not like the walls are closing in on you.

4. Keep Curtains Light

Light curtains and shade help maximize the light in a small living room. It’s even better if you can match them to your wall color.

5. Choose A Big Rug

Choosing a larger rug — even in a bold pattern — is a trick that makes a room feel bigger. Unlike smaller rugs, the large size doesn’t visually break up the floor.

6. Add Ottomans

Use ottomans in place of a traditional coffee table to make better use of your space (because, let’s face it, a tiny house means your living room often does double or triple duty when people come over). You can top them with a tray to hold flowers and books, or call them into use as extra seating.

7. Hang Curtains A Couple Inches Higher

Curtains hung well above a window add airiness and height to a small room. Keep the curtain design basic but use extra fabric for fullness.

8. Play With Scale

Don’t be afraid of oversize chairs. Lots of little things in small spaces can make the room feel cluttered, so stick to a few larger pieces for comfort.

9. Install Smart Lighting

Choose lighting that can be attached to the walls or hung from above to save room on floor space. Swing Arm lamps also free up space on side tables.

10. Buy Low Seating

A lower couch creates the visual effect of higher ceilings. Just add pillows to make it more comfortable for lounging.