77 Best Living Room Ideas for Your Home

Hang Large-Scale Art

Decorate a large wall with one giant piece of art to make a statement. Go bold and mod to complement a modern space.

Paint the Fireplace

Give a dated brick fireplace a budget-friendly makeover with a coat of paint. Make a statement with a bright color or keep it understated with white or black paint.

Add a Bold Area Rug

Give your living room a finished feel with a large area rug. Whether you want to go bold or stick to a more neutral look is up to you.

Choose a Striking Wall Color

Make a traditional living room feel less formal by painting the walls in a bright modern color. This space combines Barbie pink walls with blue sofas and gold accents to create a signature look.

Consider Wall Sconces

Save floor space in a smaller living room with wall sconces.

“Swap out table lighting in your living room for sconces,” says Shelby Greene, studio stylist at Living Space Greene. “Especially for sideboards or around artwork, sconces provide just the right amount of accent lighting without taking up the table space. This gives room to put books, candles, or vases on your tables and still have ambient lighting.”

Add Color With Textiles

Spice up a neutral living room with colorful decorative pillows and throw blankets. Consider picking up accent colors/patterns that will work with your existing furniture—or get creative and consider purchasing colorways that you can swap out seasonally to keep your space fresh all year round.

Invest in Window Treatments

Soften your living room with curtains or drapes.

“In addition to adding privacy, well-tailored window treatments in a living room add texture and softness to the space, making it look truly finished and tied together,” says Davina Ogilvie, Founder of Wovn Home. She says that living rooms with taller ceilings are often better suited to drapery rather than window treatments such as Roman shades or blinds.

Hang Sheer Curtains

Choose sheer curtains to add privacy without blocking light.

"If you prefer to let the rest of the room take center stage, invest in sheer or neutral drapery that will serve as a beautiful, soft backdrop to the rest of the room,” Ogilvie says.

Incorporate Pattern

An easy way to add interest to your living room is by choosing patterned curtains or drapes. “Choosing patterned or colorful drapery can act as art in itself," Ogilvie says.

Add a Window Seat

Every kid dreams of a cozy window seat—and if you didn’t have one growing up, well, it’s not too late. A cozy and sophisticated nook is the perfect spot to read a book or indulge in a cocktail.

Incorporate Natural Elements

Bring the outdoors into your living room by decorating with greenery such as indoor house plants .

“Many people may hesitate at the idea of having to keep a living plant alive, but I think it's more about finding the right fit for you and your home,” says Jessica Neuman of Numi Interior Design. “Plants add life and color to the environment. If you’re not a person known for their green thumb, opt for something low maintenance like a philodendron, a beautiful, edgy cactus, or succulents, which are fairly easy to maintain.”

Show Off Your Books

Create character in your living room by highlighting your book collection.

“When curating a collection of books for my clients, it’s important to reflect on the qualities of the individual,” says Neuman. “What are their interests, their favorite people, and places? If you’re not one who gravitates towards reading as a pastime, consider purchasing books by the foot in a color scheme that feels appropriate for your space.”

Hang a Gallery Wall

Hang a gallery wall to personalize your living room. Choose an eclectic selection of art or highlight family photos by framing them in black and white frames of varying sizes.

Try Japandi Style

Give a modern apartment living room a warm feel with Japandi-style decor. This mix of Japanese and Scandinavian design styles will create a sense of cohesion in an open-concept space.

Style Open Shelves

Style your built-ins, open shelving, or bookcases with objects, plants, books, and art. This is an easy way to refresh your decor without remodeling.

Embrace Earth Tones

Embrace earth tones for a warm modern look.

“Natural clay color living rooms are now in high demand,” says Mitchel G. David, founder of Beach Life Ocean City. "The light clay color on the wall in this living room adds some fresh buoyancy to the portrait and furniture while also bringing out the warmer tones in the dark fireplace. In some lighting, it appears light pink and in others, a more beige hue.”

Try Multi-Purpose Furniture

Use of multi-purpose furniture to maximize a small living room.

“Choose furniture that is both beautiful and multifunctional,” says Geoff Cash, founder of Refresh Remodeling. “It will cost you less because you don't need to get a lot of furniture in your living room.”

Choose an Anchor Piece

If you’re hoping to foster a sense of comfort and coziness, consider making the couch the focal point of the room and designing the flow around it.

“Inviting couches make the whole room feel more comfortable and cozier than pairs of chairs,” says Lynne Sade, founder of A Farmhouse Reborn.

Go for a Neutral Wall Color

Neutral living rooms are classic and timeless.

“Living rooms are meant to be interesting but the wall color is not always the place to do that,” says Sade. “A pretty white, off-white, or cream softens the walls and allows the color to come through the accents, like furniture, pillows, and artwork.”

Balance Bold Wall Paint

If you’d prefer to go for a bold wall color, consider opting for neutral furniture and accessories to balance it out.

“When designing anything I always think about flexibility, it is an absolute must to include some easy to coordinate colors such as neutrals,” says interior designer Savannah Phillips of The Knobs Company. Neutrals will help pull the room together—even if you prefer to swap out your furnishing or decor on a regular basis.

Aim for Clean Lines

Choose furniture with simple lines to create a base for a modern living room.

“One of my all-time favorite ways to design a home is to use clean lines and a more minimalistic approach,” Phillips says. “As the big trendy decor items fly in and out of trend, basic geometrical designs to furniture pieces are ever present.”

Consider Blacks and Grays

Don't be afraid to use dark and moody colors in your living room.

“While often a feared or shamed design choice, I cannot get enough of black or gray designs,” Phillips says. “If you are not fully committed to a fully black home, using dark accents on the doors, windows and other decorative items can be a way to incorporate the lovely dark colors without going all in.”

Add Decorative Beams

Emulate the look of a rustic farmhouse or cabin by adding decorative wood beams to your living room ceiling. Make sure you choose a wood that has imperfections. If you can, find some reclaimed wood to reuse.

Decorate With Mirrors

Decorating with mirrors is an easy trick for making your living room feel bigger and brighter. Mix styles from floor mirrors to vintage mirrors over the fireplace to amplify and capture natural light from windows.

Layer Living Room Lighting

Layer lighting to create a relaxing atmosphere in your living room.

“Create a layered lighting look in your living room to add depth to the room,” says Alex Czarnecki, founder and CEO of Cotta.ge. “You don’t have to break the bank to do this, either. Try a local thrift shop or Goodwill to find great hidden finds for lighting.”

Style the Coffee Table

Style your living room coffee table with books to add coziness and sophistication to your space. If you don’t have room for a full bookshelf, consider curating some of your favorite books on the coffee table.

Hang a Neon Sign

LED neon signs look incredible against just about any backdrop and add a punch of energy to a living room. Hang one on its own for an understated look, or install it on a gallery wall.

Maximize Seating

If you have a large family or entertain frequently, be sure to maximize seating options. Create a base with a large sectional couch in a neutral color that will stand the test of time, and add color with throw pillows or a pair of accent chairs.

Hang Large-Scale Photography

There’s no better way to make your space feel more intimate and personal than a large-scale photo. Showcase a photograph you took on a favorite trip or source an image online.

Try a Colorful Sofa

Liven up a neutral living room with a colorful sofa. Stick to nature-inspired shades like blue or green that will add a hint of color without dominating.

Incorporate Rustic Elements

Create a warm feel in a modern living room by incorporating rustic elements. From wood accents to chunky fabrics or cottage-inspired decor items, a few well-chosen pieces will make your space feel welcoming and homey.

Hide the TV

Decorating around the TV can be a challenge when designing your living room. Try painting the wall behind the flat screen in a dark color such as gray, charcoal, or even black to help it fade into the background when not in use.

Set Up a Wet Bar

Adding a home bar to your living room will make entertaining more fun. Interior designer Liz Walton of Liz Walton Home says that more and more of her clients are requesting separate bar areas in their living room spaces for small cozy gatherings and entertaining beyond the kitchen. Install a wet bar to create the ultimate watering hole.

Create a Multi-Purpose Space

Contemporary living rooms tend to blend elements of a formal living room and family room in a single space.

“We’re seeing people adopt a ‘full-use’ ideology when it comes to different rooms in their home,” says Alessandra Wood, VP of Style at Modsy. “It’s becoming more rare now that most people have a whole room in their home designated to only special occasions or the odd formal entertaining.”

Favor Organic Shapes

Add interest to your living room with organic, non-linear shapes.

“Choose pieces that feel like you could place them in any decade," says Wood. "This means they’ll continue to look fresh and timeless, even as the curved furniture trend wanes."

Layer Multiple Textures

Don't forget to add plenty of texture to your living room.

“For upholstered pieces, I love very textured materials such as velvet, mohair, and leather,” says Wood. “Textures like these catch the light in a beautifully reflective way to create highlights and shadows within the piece itself.”

Try Midcentury Modern

Create a timeless feel by incorporating midcentury modern furniture and decor into your living room.

“Right now, we’re seeing a softer, earthier side of the midcentury look come out to play,” says Wood. “It’s more eclectic, mixing in worldly patterns, pops of color, natural textures, and lots and lots of plants.”

Hang Thermal Curtains

When choosing window treatments, consider both aesthetics and temperature control. Manufactured with a thermal layer to regulate temperature, thermal curtains work year round, keeping the heat out in the summer and the warmth in during the cold winter months.

Invest in a Good Ottoman

The best way to get the most out of your space is to invest in good multi-purpose pieces—like an ottoman. Replace your coffee table with a large storage ottoman or use it as a footrest for your favorite armchair that can double as an extra seat when company is over.

Hang Bold Wall Decor

Decorate your living room walls with wall art and decor that speaks to you.

“Don't be afraid to go big and bold," says Kristi Kohut, artist and founder of Hapi Art. "This can really finish a room and leave your guests gasping when they walk in,”

Pair Art and Accessories

Statement art can really inject a lot of color and personality to a space but adding in a few accents to pull everything together will bring a whole new energy to your living room.

“Pairing the statement art with a couple patterned throw pillows or a colorful sculpture or tray, can add the perfect finishing touches to your space,” Kohut says.

Bring in a Piano

If you play the piano or have family or friends who do, consider adding an upright piano to your living room. This will encourage after-dinner singalongs and activities that don't require a screen or a wifi connection.

Include a Desk

Incorporate a desk in your living room for remote work days.

“Make sure your desk and desk chair also tell a story,” says Spencer Bass, creative director at Label 180, a desk and office furniture company. “Don’t just go for a clunky, wooden desk and functional chair and throw it into your living room. Instead, find something unique that reflects your sense of style and the personality of your home.”

Consider Statement Wallpaper

Decorate the walls of a rental apartment with removable wallpaper.

“One of my favorite ways to transform a living room is with peel-and-stick wallpaper,” says Elizabeth Rees, founder of Chasing Paper. “Whether you want to go bold by wallpapering all four walls or you add an unexpected pop by wallpapering the back of built-ins, wallpaper is a great way to add pattern and color.”

Display Your Collection

Have you been collecting sea glass since you were a kid? Display it. Proud of your vinyl collection? Make space for it. Your living room should reflect your interests and putting your collections on display is a great way to do just that.

Use Creative Storage

Find creative living room storage ideas to make your space feel cozier. A decorative leaning ladder next to the fireplace is the perfect spot to hang extra blankets in a rustic living room.

Install Wood Paneling

Colors and wallpapers are great—but different textures can single-handedly turn your living room into a sophisticated sanctuary. Consider board and batten or a wooden slat wall for an instant upgrade.

Mix Old and New Decor

Mix modern and antique furniture for a living room design that looks collected over time. Ornate gold frames, retro tchotchkes, Scandinavian furniture, and textured or modular sofas all play surprisingly well together.

Use Mismatched Seating

Give your living room an eclectic feel by using a variety of seating styles. This space includes a comfy couch, vintage cinema seating, and a classic midcentury armchair.

Incorporate a Reading Nook

Make your living room cozier with a dedicated reading nook. Include good lighting and extra throw pillows and blankets to encourage people to settle in with a good book.

Choose Soothing Sepia Tones

Accent a neutral space with a range of sepia tones for a timeless feel. Accent a lighter sofa with darker throw pillows to create contrast.

Try a Wood Slat Accent Wall

Install a wood slat accent wall to add texture to a neutral living room. Combine it with black and white finishes for a modern feel.

Create a Conversation Area

Consider swapping a sofa for comfortable upholstered armchairs in a smaller space. Arrange them around a round coffee table to create a perfect conversation spot.

Try See-Through Furniture

Lighten up your living room with an acrylic coffee table. It gives the illusion of light and reflection rather than adding to the weight of furniture.

Repurpose Garden Stools

Maximize your seating by using garden stools in place of a coffee table. Day-to-day, they're functional for styling items or setting down your coffee mug, but you can use them as perches when you have company.

Add an Animal Print Accent

Add a touch of whimsy to a formal living room with black-and-white animal print upholstery. Pair a leopard print accent chair with a sculptural side table to add contrast.

Skip the Curtains

If you live somewhere with beautiful weather, then it makes sense to connect your living room to the outside for indoor-outdoor living. Sliding doors and an absence of curtains make it easy to float between spaces.

Embrace Symmetry

If you have the room, decorating in pairs can create a symmetrical look. This transitional living room includes two pairs of chairs and matching sofas to create a family-friendly conversation area around a large coffee table.

Decorate the Firebox

If you've run out of room in your bookcase, turn to the fireplace. Stack colorful books in a non-working fireplace to create a focal point or turn their spines around to add neutral texture to the room.

Try a Modern Rustic Look

Complement a prominent stone fireplace with contemporary furniture and decor to create a modern rustic living room. Use earth tones on rugs and natural materials like leather and wood for an organic feel.

Float a Pair of Sofas

Create a light and airy feel by swapping a large sectional for a pair of matching sofas. Float them in the middle of the room to flank a central fireplace.

Mix Color and Pattern

Mix color and pattern to give a traditional living room an updated feel. Complement an ornate natural carved wood fireplace with a jute rug and simple coffee table and hang plaid curtains with a valance for a neo-traditional feel.

Cover Walls in Shiplap

Give your living room a modern farmhouse feel with vertical shiplap walls. Pair them with neutral furnishings and natural wood accents for a breezy feel.

Make Your Fireplace the Focal Point

Install a linear fireplace to give your living room a contemporary feel. These low-maintenance features will create a focal point without the maintenance of a wood-burning model.

Hang Paper Lanterns

Upgrade an apartment rental living room with a budget-friendly paper pendant light. These simple fixtures will complement any design style.

Slipcover the Sofa

Give your living room sofa a mini makeover with a new slipcover. This is a budget-friendly way to make your furniture last, and is easier on your wallet and the planet.

Incorporate Reclaimed Decor

Decorate your living room with salvaged or reclaimed pieces for a vintage farmhouse feel. Source old window frames and corbels at architectural salvage yards.

Keep Walls Bare

You don't have to decorate every wall in the living room. Layer the mantel with a mirror and a piece of framed art, and let the rest of the walls breathe for a minimalist feel.

Try a Retro Floor Lamp

Choose a retro floor lamp to make a statement in a modern living room. A sculptural fixture will double as decor even when it's not turned on.

Create a Cottage Feel

Create a cozy cottage-style living room with vintage furniture and decor. Keep your palette neutral for a modern feel that will keep it from looking twee.

Bring in a Potted Tree

Decorate a modern living room with a large potted tree. Place it in a corner next to the sofa to create a comforting feel.

Paint the Ceiling

Bring drama to your living room with a painted ceiling. Paint it in a solid color or try a modern ombre treatment for an eye-catching look.

Incorporate an Accent Wall

Create a striking focal point with a living room accent wall. Highlight original features like exposed stone or brick, or cheat the look with veneer to add character to a new build.

Harmonzie With the View

If you have an incredible view, choose decor that complements rather than fights with it. If the living room faces a leafy backyard, choose low-profile furniture in simple shapes and neutral colors for a harmonious look.

Add in Warm Wood Elements

Warm up a light neutral living room with wood accents. A pair of coffee tables in a honey-toned stain will do the trick.

Tile the Fireplace

Decorate a modern fireplace wall with tile. Create a focal point with colorful patterned tiles or vertical stacks in an asymmetrical pattern.

Incorporate Woven Accents

Warm up a modern living room with woven accents. Incorporate textures like rattan, jute, and natural wicker on anything from seating to whimsical decor objects.