A large arc floor lamp with a chrome shade beside a tan leather sofa, with framed art leaning against the wall.

Living Room

In this section

Seating, lighting and layout for a small rented living room that still has to work as a spare bedroom some nights.

All guides

How to Choose a Floor Lamp for a Small Rented Flat

Height, shade, bulb, footprint: what to check before you buy a floor lamp for a small rented living room, so it lights the room warmly without crowding it.

A light grey sofa with cushions and a folded throw in a small living room, with houseplants, a floor lamp and a round wooden coffee table.

How to Choose a Sofa Bed for a Small Flat

Click-clack, pull-out or fold-out? What to measure and check before buying a sofa bed for a small UK flat, so it works as a sofa every day and a bed for guests.

A grey sofa and chaise with cushions and a vase of wildflowers, with wall-mounted shelves and sheer curtains at a window.

Your First Flat: What to Buy First (and What Can Wait)

Moving into your first rented flat? What you need in week one, what can wait a month, and how to make a small UK flat feel like home without overspending.

A dark grey sofa with a striped cushion beside a brass floor lamp, with a small potted cactus on a round wooden coffee table.

Rental-Friendly Ways to Warm Up a White-Box Flat

White walls, grey carpet, one ceiling bulb? Eight renter-friendly ways to make a plain rented flat feel warm and Scandinavian, with no painting or drilling.

A small round wooden dining table with two wooden chairs and a rocking chair nearby, beside a sunlit window.

Small-Space Dining: Choosing a Table for a Tiny Flat

Round, drop-leaf or extending? How to choose a dining table for a small flat, how much space you need around it, and how to make a dining corner cosy.