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The weeks leading up to fall are the perfect time to spruce up your space with decorations. You might whip out your favorite throw blankets, pillows, and pumpkin-scented candles to get a head start on cozy season (and rightfully so), but for people living in small spaces, the process can feel more restrictive than rewarding.

Here are a few ways to transform your small living room into an oasis you can’t wait to come home to.

1. Add some throw pillows

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Throw pillows have the ability to add depth and texture to your living room, instantly adding some personality to the space. “A few throw pillows can bring warmth and coziness to any room,” says home decor expert Jessica Ritschl. Depending on the desired color scheme for your living room, purchase a few throw pillow designs that will complement the surroundings.

Tip: Measure your current throw pillows and get covers in the same size so you can reuse the inserts. Just double-check that the covers are removable!

2. Try “scentscaping”

“Scentscaping” refers to the power of a good-smelling room. “Update your candles or essential oil mix to something with more depth to evoke a sense of coziness,” Ritschl suggests. “Tap into the power of your sense of smell.” Fall is the perfect time to gather all things pumpkin-scented, so that your living room will smell like an autumnal oasis. In addition to scented candles and essential oils, check out nine more ways to make your home smell like fall.

3. Bring natural elements into the mix

“Forage some fall branches to add to a vessel or gather some pinecones or small pumpkins to style into your bookshelves,” Ritschl says. Fall is the perfect time to retrieve these items for free — consider walking around your neighborhood and picking up a few natural elements along the way.

4. Revamp your wall art

Wall art is a subjective topic, but when it comes to transforming a small living space, a cohesive arrangement of artwork can make a statement — without taking up valuable floor space in the room. Ritschl says that displaying inexpensive prints in your living room adds “an extra touch to your space without breaking the bank.”

5. Make storage stylish

Why not decorate while simultaneously getting organized? Trays, shelves, and storage carts are all compact items that can help decorate your room while keeping your personal belongings tidy. For fall, consider seasonal items, like candles in rich fall colors on a tray on your bar cart.

How to make a small living room look bigger

If you’re in the market for a seemingly large living room, Ritschl has a few suggestions for getting started.

(Real Simple magazine provides smart, realistic solutions to everyday challenges. Online at www.realsimple.com.)

©2025 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.