Grace Kelly's '60s Living Room Nailed The Formula for Creating a Simple yet Sophisticated Space With Just 3 Classic Furnishings
By carefully selecting key furnishings, the Princess of Monaco shows that even an incredibly simple space can feel elevated
A straight-lined sofa plus a wooden coffee table plus a full houseplant equals a simple yet sophisticated living room. Or, at least, this is what Grace Kelly's seaside retreat teaches us.
An archival image of the Princess of Monaco's Ocean City, New Jersey, beach house from 1966 is a masterclass in layering simple furnishings for an understated, elegant finish. In the living room, the classic cream sofa adds clean lines and a touch of curves through the arms, complemented by a dark wood coffee table, and then rounded out with a lively houseplant in the corner. Together, these three elements bring texture, contrast, and interest. A cream carpet underfoot pulls it all together.
Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco in her Ocean City, New Jersey seaside retreat, 1966
Recreate Princess Grace's Look at Home
This stunning white and wood sofa has stylish curves and a modern sensibility. It is the perfect way to bring a bright touch into any living room.
A dark, rectangular coffee table provides the perfect contrast to a cream sofa, and this beech veneer style one from IKEA adds a touch of mid-century charm. The slatted shelf underneath provides extra storage for books or objets d'art.
A flourishing houseplant is the easiest method to bring visual texture to a forgotten corner of the living room. The monstera is a modern favorite for its large leaves and the fact that it's easy to care for.
Create a calming, sophisticated living room decor scheme with this textured cream pillow, complete with a fringed edge for added interest. It can be thrown on the ground as additional seating, as seen in Princess Grace's space.
The price is right on this neutral rug that's just as affordable as it is chic and versatile. It's perfect for adding interest to the floors of your living room.
Elegant glassware is the secret to making even the most casual get together feel high-brow. These fluted high-ball glasses have a similar energy to Grace Kelly's dessert plates.
Wendi Gee, Principal Interior Designer at the Texas-based Wendi Gee Interiors, summarizes how the disparate elements of the room meld together, explaining: 'This room works because of the classic lines, contrast, and texture. The sofa has a classic look, with some sexy curves on the front, and a really clean-lined, tight back. The simple tufts give it an elevated look, without being too traditional. The timeless sofa has a subtle tone-on-tone print that pairs well with the simple clean-lined cocktail table. The table is simple, but it contrasts heavily with the sofa, which is allowed to steal the show. The plant brings in some much-needed texture to this room, giving it some life.'
To dive in more deeply, we spoke with Natalie de Arteaga, an interior designer at Planner 5D who unpacked each individual element throughout the living room layout. She states: 'In this image of Princess Grace of Monaco with her children, the living room feels sophisticated while still remaining simple and approachable. The space conveys elegance, but also warmth and comfort, something that perfectly reflects the effortless refinement often associated with Princess Grace herself. The design works because every element is thoughtfully placed, allowing the living area to naturally become a gathering space centered around family and conversation.'
For those who hope to recreate Princess Grace's design, the most important thing is to ground the look with the right living room seating. Natalie advises: 'The sofa is the most important piece in the room, as it defines the entire area and sets the tone for the space. Its light color and clean-lined silhouette bring brightness, sophistication, and a sense of openness, while still feeling understated and relaxed. Although the sofa is not styled with cushions or throws, that choice helps maintain a cleaner, more minimal aesthetic that feels very true to modern interiors of the era. Today, soft textiles could easily be added to create even more comfort without losing the elegance of the space.'
She adds: 'The coffee table creates a striking contrast against the sofa. Its dark tone stands out not only against the light upholstery, but also against the flooring, adding visual depth and balance to the room. Its rectangular shape and simple lines perfectly complement the geometry of the sofa, creating cohesion between the pieces. The scale works well within the space and naturally encourages the entire room to gather around it, reinforcing the feeling of connection and togetherness captured in the image.'
A carefully chosen houseplant can be just as impactful as a full piece of furniture. Natalie states: 'The plant placed beside the sofa completes the setting and transforms the atmosphere entirely. It introduces freshness, height, texture, and a direct connection to nature, while also softening the strong straight lines of the furniture. It’s a subtle detail, but an essential one, helping the room feel more alive, relaxed, and welcoming.'
She continues: 'What’s most interesting about this room is that, despite its simplicity, it feels incredibly sophisticated because of the careful selection of key furniture pieces. It proves that a space does not need to feel overly decorated to feel elegant, warm, and visually cohesive.'
'It’s also a look that readers can easily recreate in their own homes,' says Natalie. She recommends: 'The most important thing is paying attention to materials, proportions, silhouettes, and tonal balance. A light-colored sofa in natural fabrics paired with a dark wood coffee table instantly creates that timeless contrast. The key is to avoid excessive ornamentation, often, less really is more, while incorporating organic elements like greenery or natural textures to bring warmth and life into the space.'
