The best living room ideas focus on making one of the most-used spaces inside a house appealing to everyone. Because it’s meant for gathering, it’s often the space that welcomes friends and family into your home. It also provides a place to showcase your personal style. When it comes to living room ideas for design and decor, consider its size, architectural style, and primary practical function. Think about how you live in your space and determine the types of furniture and living room layout that will best suit your needs.
We’ve rounded up our best-ever living room ideas and are sharing tips for creating a functional layout, choosing a color palette, incorporating prints and patterns, and making your space feel like home. Whether you lean towards soft neutrals or you’re drawn to saturated tones, these living room ideas will inspire your next room refresh.
Living Room Patterns
A neutral color palette, warm materials, and an array of patterns create a cozy atmosphere in this contemporary living room. A large sectional with plush cushions and layers of textured throw pillows set the tone for the room’s modern style and comfortable atmosphere. A rustic wood coffee table ushers in relaxed warmth, while a pair of retro-style armchairs upholstered in a bold black and white stripe adds color contrast and extra seating.
Layered Textures
Layering is a clever living room idea to make the space look more interesting and to give it a comfortable, lived-in feel. Here, a textured cream area rug layered over a natural jute rug forms a soft base for the modern living room. A cognac leather sectional, Woven window shades, wicker baskets and rattan chairs offer a mix of materials and textural elements. While the majority of the living room features warm-toned neutrals, a wall of moss-green built-in shelves behind the seating area adds color contrast and depth, enlivening the space.
White Living Room
A white color scheme accented with cool blues and shiny brass details creates an updated take on the coastal-style living room. Natural light pours in through the large windows, enhancing the bright and airy aesthetic. This modern living space holds multiple types of seating, which provides plenty of room to accommodate friends and family. The even distribution of seating elements throughout the room and their contrasting materials create intentionality and balance.
Fireplace Focal Point
A fireplace serves as a natural focal point in this transitional living room. Try painting your fireplace an unexpected color like this earthy green to create even more of a statement. It’s an elegant living room idea that draws attention to the architectural feature and adds color to an otherwise neutral space. Here, the traditional fireplace surround is juxtaposed with modern furniture and textiles for a fresh and updated look.
Modern Farmhouse Living Room
For a practical and visually appealing living room idea, consider the size, shape, and style of the space and its primary function when deciding on the layout. Here, white walls, bright curtains, and a creamy area rug provide a neutral backdrop for the larger decorative elements, including the plush couch with patterned throw pillows, wood-filled wall space, and floating shelves. The light and uncluttered base makes the few simple decor pieces shine in this farmhouse-inspired space.
Dark Living Room Paint Color
Set a moody tone in your living room by painting walls and built-ins black. Although the dark color is bold, it creates a timeless look and cozy ambience when paired with lighter accents. Pale wood floors, a cowhide rug, and a plush tufted sofa soften and brighten the space. Styling built-ins can help you create visual breaks in the dark paint color through stacked books, layered picture frames, or decorative accents.
Picture Display
Picture ledges are an easy living room idea for an alternative to built-in shelves that create an accent wall. Layer frames of various sizes and colors to add height and dimension, and mix photographs, paintings, and drawings for a collected and visually exciting display. In this modern living room, a collection of layered black frames helps the TV blend seamlessly into the decor. A pair of black square frames between the windows looks like an extension of the picture ledge decor, maintaining continuity and bringing the room together.
Jewel Tone Space
A deep teal wall color fills this midcentury modern-inspired living room with a rich hue and unexpected warmth. When you’re using a highly saturated paint color such as a dark jewel tone, balance it with other more neutral room elements like the walnut coffee table, gray tufted sofa, and white curtain panels used here. A brass curtain rod stands out against the colorful walls and creates a sense of height, visually expanding the space.
Monochromatic Living Room
A black and white color palette lends an air of sophistication to this open living room. To prevent a limited color scheme from falling flat, repeat colors through different shapes, textures, and decorative elements. Instead of introducing an additional color, bring in a metallic accent, such as this brass-base coffee table. A wall of black built-ins provides lots of functional hidden storage as well as plenty of display surfaces. Crisp white walls, marble table tops, and a linen sectional add stark contrast and timeless elegance.
Intentional Accent Color
Artwork, accessories, and textiles are easy living room ideas for adding small doses of color. If you don’t want to commit to dark walls (or want to easily change your palette from season to season), incorporate an accent color sparingly. A cool shade of blue was strategically placed around this contemporary-style living room in the form of a hanging canvas and various pillows and blankets on the sectional. Using the icy-blue throughout the space helps it feel fully incorporated and intentional.
