84 stylish living room ideas to copy now (2024)

There are so many elements involved in decorating a living room and it's a room that we spend a lot of our time in so you want to get it right. To make it more complicated, you need to consider the fact that you'll spend time in a living room at various points of the day, so it needs to work as well at midday as it will with the curtains drawn and candles lit. Starting with the bones of the room, there are paint colours and flooring to decide on, which will set the tone of the space. We love the distinguished feel of wooden flooring, preferably with some rugs layered on top for softness. Consider putting in some joinery and bookcases that can help you make the most of the room's height and provide valuable storage. If you're lucky enough to have a fireplace, make it a focal point, arranging your sofas and chairs to face it, and decorating the mantelpiece with pictures and ornaments.

How do you design a living room?

You should start with the space itself and map out where all your big furniture could go – so your sofa, any armchairs and freestanding bookshelves for example. Certain things are easy, such as an ottoman or coffee table will go in front of a sofa or in between two facing each other, but others depend entirely on the space you have. Once you have that in your mind, consider the light the living room receives and that will help you choose the paint colours. For how that might influence your decision, you can read Joa Studholme's guide in our gallery of in real homes. When you've mapped your key bits of furniture and chosen the paint colours, that's when you can add in the flourishes to make it cosy and choose cushions, a rug, storage and so on to fill the space out.

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How to choose your living room furniture

At that point, it's time to consider how to choose your living room furniture, taking into account how you use the space, what kind of sofa you prefer, how many armchairs you can fit in, whether you need a sofa bed, and the importance of a coffee table or ottoman, and of course side tables to put a drink on. The right furniture can make a huge difference to the feeling of a room. Consider the scale of it - you don't want tiny furniture drowning in a huge room, although small living rooms can often benefit from some oversized furniture. In an open plan living room-cum-kitchen, furniture can be essential for breaking up the space; a sofa with its back turned to the dining table is a handy way of differentiating between the living space and the dining space. And consider how you use your furniture before you make the final decision - do you prefer to lounge on a squashy sofa or is this a more formal room where you'd prefer to sit upright?

How to accessorise a living room

Finally you can get to the really fun bits, the textiles and accessories. The size and shape of your window might dictate your choices when it comes to curtains and blinds, but there's a huge variety out there to choose from. Perhaps you like simple, elegant curtains in heavy linen or wool, or something brighter and chintzier for a more eye-catching feel. In a small room, you may well prefer to stick to blinds, but think about getting them in a fun pattern so that they become a decorative feature. Almost every living room will be in need of a good rug, whether you opt for rustic sisal, a modern Berber rug or a traditional Turkish carpet. And then what’s a sofa without some beautiful cushions? They’re essential for adding colour and pattern to a room.

The art of the living room

Turning our attention back to the walls, the final thing you’ll need is some art, so don't miss our shopping guide to affordable art, as well as our advice on how to start a collection. And once you’ve assembled it all, find out the best ways to hang your pictures on the walls, with helpful tips for gallery walls, statement art and everything in between.

If you’re in need of inspiration, we’ve gathered the best living room designs and lounge ideas from the archive here to help with your decoration, from country houses to studio flats and London townhouses.

84 stylish living room ideas to copy now (2024)

FAQs

How do I make my living room look modern? ›

Sleek sky-high shelving, custom fireplaces and grand architectural elements can create a modern living environment filled with both visual interest and functionality. The right accessories, like stylish area rugs, colorful accent chairs or statement lighting fixtures can quickly modernize a simple interior.

How do you update an old fashioned living room? ›

Roll Out a Rug

An updated traditional living room can be achieved without replacing expensive furniture or painting the walls. Take this room, for example. A bright patterned area rug incorporates style underfoot. To create dimension in size, color, and texture, layer a smaller rug on an oversized area rug.

Can I take a picture of my living room and redesign it? ›

Homestyler

Homestyler is an app that allows you to take a picture of a room and design it. It uses a drag-and-drop functionality to add 3D furniture and accessories to your space. Best for: Beginners – the software is simple enough for anyone to pick up quickly.

What to put between two sofas? ›

Opposing Sides

Bringing a coffee table in between or an armchair to the 'head' of the arrangement can also create balance. One might also consider placing a coffee table between the two sofas in order to bring additional functionality and contribute to the style of the room by complementing the sofas.

How to jazz up a living room? ›

Contemporary colors alongside more traditional pieces create a memorable living room. Use a bright rug and neutral furniture to ground the space without distracting from the decorative elements. The abstract art piece, bright yellow stool, and silver light fixture give the space a decidedly modern feel.

How to update a 50 year old house? ›

Read on for some of my favorite home improvement tips to make your old home feel new.
  1. Clean or Replace Carpets. ...
  2. Create a Cohesive Style and Color Palette. ...
  3. Update Outlets, Light Switches and Plates. ...
  4. Add Light. ...
  5. Update Light Fixtures. ...
  6. Remove (or Update) Wallpaper. ...
  7. Update Exterior Paint. ...
  8. Update Garage Doors.
Feb 9, 2024

Is there a free interior design app? ›

Here are the best free interior design apps:

Houzz: Best for connecting with design professionals. Keyplan 3D: Best for creating a floor plan. Wayfair: Best marketplace. Project Color by Home Depot: Best for choosing paint colors.

Is there an app to decorate your living room? ›

The DecorMatters living room design app is built on powerful technology, giving you the power to sharpen your design skills and visualize real room projects, at your fingertips. Explore your creativity, connect with your peers, perfect your space, and design your living room with the DecorMatters app today.

Is there a website where I can decorate my house? ›

That Houzz makes it possible for anyone to renovate and design a home – from homeowners to professionals.

How many sofas should be in a living room? ›

On average, you can seat three people on one sofa, so if you are a couple with one child, then this may be the piece you need to build your living room around. If you have a larger family, then two smaller sofas could be just what you need.

What to out in the corner between couches? ›

A coffee table is a classic choice for filling a corner between two sofas. Not only does it provide a surface for drinks and snacks, but it also helps to anchor the space and create a cohesive look. When choosing a coffee table, look for one that's the right size for the space – not too large, and not too small.

What can I put instead of a sofa? ›

12 Couch Alternatives to Upgrade Your Living Room
  • Buy Bean Bag Chairs. When it comes to couch alternatives, it's tough to find a more budget-friendly option than a bean bag. ...
  • Furnish With Floor Pillows. ...
  • Use Accent Chairs. ...
  • Try a Bench. ...
  • Take It Easy With a Daybed. ...
  • Hanging Seating. ...
  • Opt for an Ottoman & Pouf. ...
  • Choose a Chaise.

How do you Modernise a traditional living room? ›

An easy way to make a traditional living room look more modern is to accent with modern decor pieces such as area rugs, lighting, black-and-white photography or contemporary art. You can modernize a traditional living room by adding bold and unexpected colors on the upholstery or the walls using paint or wallpaper.

How can I make my home interior look modern? ›

Strive for a Clean Look

Here, you can lean into minimalism, which uses a “less is more” approach, to help you achieve the light and airy feel that many modern homes have. In order to achieve this, choose functional furniture and minimal decor pieces, and avoid clutter where possible.

What is modern style living room? ›

A modern living room is simple, sleek and elegant. High ceilings, layered lighting and minimalistic furniture are all essential aspects in creating a modern living room for everyday enjoyment and relaxation.

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