Transforming a Narrow Living Room Into a Moody Library

I recently had the pleasure of helping a client turn their deceptively narrow living room into a moody, cozy library. It came with some unique challenges, but we embraced those quirks to create a space that feels both stylish and functional. Let me take you through the process and share some insights along the way!

Embracing the Fireplace as a Focal Point

The living room features a large, stunning fireplace that takes up quite a bit of square footage. However, it’s such a unique feature that we decided to leave it as is.

The fireplace brings a sense of warmth and character to the room, and we knew it would be a key element in the final design.

Navigating the Room's Layout

One of the biggest challenges was working around two doorways that needed to remain clear, leaving us with a fairly narrow space in the middle. This required us to be very intentional with our furniture choices and placement to maximize flow and function.

Style-wise, my clients love an earthy color palette and have a mix of mid-century modern and art deco tastes. We wanted to bring both of these design elements together in a way that felt cohesive and warm.

Turning the Room into a Library

Since my client is an avid reader, we decided to lean into that passion and turn the living room into a moody library. To do this, we added wraparound bookshelves to fill one entire corner. The shelves give the room a cozy, intimate feel and provide ample storage for their extensive book collection.

To balance the room and fill a small nook on the opposite side, we chose to install a bar cabinet. This adds a stylish and practical touch, offering extra storage for glassware while visually balancing the space.

Maintaining Clear Sightlines

As with any room, we had to think about the sightlines. The goal was to keep a clear view from the adjacent rooms and ensure the layout made sense from all angles.

We arranged the furniture in a way that draws you into the room while still allowing the fireplace to be the focal point.

Anchoring the Space with a Rug

When designing a narrow room, a large area rug can help anchor the space and make it feel more cohesive.

In this case, we chose a 6x9 rug, which is as big as the space allowed. It grounds the seating area and helps define the living room's cozy library vibe.

Curved Sofa and Nesting Tables

One of my favorite pieces we incorporated was a curved sofa. The rounded edges help soften the look of the room and make the space feel wider than it actually is.

We paired it with two incredible vintage marble nesting tables that add an elegant, art deco touch.

On the opposite side, we placed an angled armchair, which keeps the walkway clear while still offering additional seating.

For more seating, another option would have been two matching accent chairs, which would create a more symmetrical layout.

Leaning Into the Cozy Vibe with Paint

With smaller rooms like this, I love to lean into the coziness by choosing bold, moody colors. For this space, we considered painting the entire room—including the trim and ceiling—in either an earthy green or a watery blue.

Ultimately, my clients fell in love with the green, and I think it was the perfect choice to create a serene yet dramatic atmosphere. It complements the earthy tones throughout the room and helps tie everything together.

The Final Reveal

Looking back at where we started, the transformation is incredible. The narrow living room has been transformed into a beautiful, moody library that my clients absolutely love.

The wraparound bookshelves, curved sofa, and vintage marble tables create a space that feels both intimate and sophisticated.

Now, I’d love to know—would you have chosen the green or the blue for the walls? And if you have any design dilemmas of your own, let me know! I’d love to help tackle your next project.

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