It’s not that your sitting space is stuffy – the windows are open, the lighting faces south, you’ve even got linen throw pillows for crying out loud. So why does the room still feel so serious?

There’s a chance you’re missing rattan: the once-boho, now broadly irresistible material designers are weaving into living rooms every which way for 2026 living room trends. Because it can be webbed, braided, scalloped, looped, or fashioned into cane as intricate or playful as you like, brands are reinventing unassuming silhouettes with increasingly creative spins that tack on the texture.

Some are musing on the glamour of rattan’s swankier ’60s and ’70s Palm Beach past (Anthropologie recently released a flamingo-shaped daybed seemingly designed for lounging theatrically with a cigarette holder in hand), while others, like Joanna Gaines' Magnolia, are feeding the current whimsy obsession with scalloped trays and bowls that make bookshelves read, literally and figuratively, less repressed.

So no, rattan isn’t just for hippies or patio furniture anymore. These 24 pieces have significantly more design chops than your hand-me-down sunroom set ever did.

The Round is Homes & Gardens' collection of the must-have pieces shaping styles, trends, and ideas. It brings together thoughtfully curated products that express a single moment – offering readers inspiring ways to style their homes through seasonal themes, emerging looks, and everyday pieces.

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This living room by Oho Interiors has all the hallmarks of a formal space: matching built-ins, a centered fireplace, disciplined color repetition, and a seating layout that feels carefully composed.

And yet, the living room has the kind of ease often associated with old English country houses – spaces layered over time with collected pieces, mixed patterns, and softened edges.

While it might be new construction, this home has as much character as any farmhouse that has stood for years in the charming Iowa town it's set in. Described as the connective heart of the home, founder Melissa Oholendt talks us through the Design DNA of this 'collected, whimsical, and balanced' space and the exact lessons worth borrowing to make a living room feel layered, balanced, and effortlessly livable.

Balance Structure With Softer Shapes

The foundation of this living room is actually pretty structured. A centered fireplace anchors the space, built-ins frame either side with pleasing symmetry, while the ceiling beams and wall paneling create a rhythm throughout the room.

In another setting, those details could easily have tipped overly formal. But what makes this space feel so inviting is the way Melissa consistently softens every tailored element with something more relaxed.

The clearest example is the seating. Two sofas flank the area, anchoring the entire room and bringing a sense of balance to the open-plan space.

'Flanking sofas can feel formal, but I think what keeps this space feeling distinctly casual but elevated is the lower height of the sofa backs, along with the playfulness of the patterns in the space,' Melissa explains.

It’s a useful design lesson for anyone decorating a living room with strong architectural features. Rather than fighting elements like paneling, beams, or symmetrical layouts, the key is to balance them with softer silhouettes and tactile finishes. Curved upholstery, relaxed linens, gathered fabrics, and varied textures help loosen the effect and make a room feel lived-in rather than overly composed.

Use Complementary Colors to Create Tension

While the room reads neutral at first glance, its palette is actually built around an unexpected pairing: blue and orange. The difference here is that Melissa approached the combination with restraint, choosing softened, earthier versions of each tone rather than anything overly saturated.

Melissa explains that the palette evolved naturally from the architecture of the home. 'This space is the heart of the home – it is the central space that connects all the other spaces from entry to kitchen to bedrooms. Keeping that in mind, we wanted to ensure the colors felt cohesive, but architecturally kept this space on the neutral side to allow the connecting spaces to feel more playful.'

'Keeping the architectural palette fairly neutral but bringing in pattern and layering in warmth with antiques and wood tones allowed the space to still feel interesting and grounded while remaining balanced overall,' she explains.

'I know that apricot sofas are not the right answer for everyone, but for this space and how neutral it is architecturally, we knew it could use a punch of something playful,' she continues. 'From there, it was a balancing act of finding another dominant color that could hold its own alongside the apricot.'

'So we go back to our roots and what we learned in school. What color is opposite orange on the color wheel? Blue. From there, we added patterns and colors until it felt like a thoughtful assemblage of balance and scale,' she notes.

The result is a palette that feels layered and yet a touch energetic without relying on dramatic color contrasts.

Make Layered Pattern Feel Relaxed Rather Than Busy

One of the reasons this living room feels so inviting is that it fully embraces pattern without ever tipping into chaos. There are florals, stripes, checks, embroidery, and woven textures layered throughout the space, yet the room still feels calm.

'For this space, and the entire house, we worked to create a design direction for the overall feel of the project, and that moniker was "Cotswold Farmhouse",' Melissa explains of the brief. 'A balanced color palette, finishes that felt traditional but not old world & layered patterns that felt classic but not fussy.'

The secret lies in the balance of scale and tone.

'Pattern mixing is part formula, part art,' says Melissa. 'We'll always start with a floral and a stripe, typically adding in a floral that feels like a stripe (the ottoman fabric) and then adding in different colors and scale of patterns until it feels like we have a balanced mix of color, pattern, and scale,' she adds.

What also keeps the room feeling relaxed is the amount of visual breathing space built into the scheme. Solid upholstery, warm oak finishes, and textured neutrals act as visual resting points between the busier prints.

It’s a smart approach to borrow in your own home: begin with one floral and one stripe, vary the scale of each pattern, and focus on repeating colors rather than matching motifs exactly. Then balance everything with tactile solids and woven textures to stop the room from feeling overly busy.

Design Conversation Areas Around Circulation Paths

For an open-plan living room to feel genuinely comfortable, the layout has to work just as hard as the decorating. In this space, Melissa avoids one of the most common mistakes in large rooms: allowing circulation paths to cut directly through the seating area.

Instead, the furniture is arranged as its own intimate zone within the larger floorplan, making the room feel cozy and connected without disrupting movement through the home.

'The layout of the room really allowed for the main traffic patterns of the home to circulate around this space, rather than through it,' Melissa explains. 'It gave us an opportunity to create a layout that could feel cozy while you were in it, but still allowed for connection to the spaces around.'

The arrangement itself is deceptively simple – flanking sofas anchored by a large rug and central coffee table – but the proportions are considered. Melissa notes that the studio typically allows '36 inches minimum for traffic patterns,' while keeping seating close enough together to encourage conversation and comfort.

'For sofa to coffee tables, we are typically allowing between 14–20 inches of space,' she advises, 'to ensure there’s still proximity to be able to put your feet up while not feeling too tight.'

Floating seating inward instantly creates intimacy, while a generously sized rug helps define the conversation area within an open-plan space. The other crucial lesson? Never undersize your rug. 'Thinking that a small rug makes a space feel larger – the opposite is actually true,' says Melissa.

Style Shelving Like a Collection, Not a Display

The built-in shelving in this living room strikes a difficult balance: it feels layered and personal, but never cluttered or overly styled.

That sense of ease comes from the fact that Melissa approaches shelf styling less like a perfectly curated display and more like an evolving collection. Books are stacked both vertically and horizontally, objects vary in scale and texture, and negative space is used just as intentionally as the decorative pieces themselves.

'I strive to style shelves with balance in mind,' she explains. 'If I have a shelf that is styled end to end, I try to balance the shelf above with segmented stacks or even just one statement item to help balance the spread of the shelf below.'

'I also am always thinking about each stack of shelves speaking to each other, both in color and in materiality,' she continues. 'As someone who can lose entire days to restyling shelves, know that again, it's part science but also part art.'

It’s a useful lesson for anyone styling open shelving at home. Repeating materials and tones across different shelves creates cohesion, while mixing stacked areas with more open space keeps the arrangement feeling relaxed rather than overcrowded. Vertical elements also help break up the horizontal lines common in living rooms.

And perhaps most importantly, step back regularly as you style. As Melissa puts it, 'Most times, it’s styling a shelf and standing back to see how it feels and then adjusting as necessary until it feels good.'

The Edit

Design DNA is the Homes & Gardens series that breaks down beautiful rooms into their essential elements. Each installment dissects one interior and shows readers exactly what makes it work, from the anchor furniture and layout choices to color, lighting, and styling details.

The living room is the heart of the home, and often where we spend most of our time, so when it comes to decorating, it deserves ample attention. While color is always important to get right, choosing the right shade for your lounge is one of the biggest design decisions you can make.

When deciding on a living room color idea, it's important to consider that it's a hardworking space that wears many hats, so it needs to be pleasing on the eye but also functional and work alongside your other pieces. Of course, you'll want to take inspiration from trending styles, but considering how you spend your time in the room (be it relaxing and watching TV or socializing and entertaining with friends) will also ensure your palette works for you for decades to come.

With a spectrum of shades at your fingertips, deciding on a color scheme that's suited to your living room can feel overwhelming. But with an array of ideas that showcase the brilliance of every hue, these expert-approved suggestions will guide you on exactly how to style whichever shade catches your eye.

1. Go Clean and Classic With a White Living Room Color Scheme

Sometimes you just can't beat a classic white color scheme. A white living room is timeless and unlikely to date, and looks sophisticated when decorated in any interior design style.

Co-Founder and Creative Director of Backdrop, Natalie Ebel, agrees, 'For me, a classic, pure white will never go out of style. It keeps a space fresh and clean while still feeling warm. SUPERMOON (Backdrop's pure white) is a go-to for living room spaces. It’s been one of our consistent best sellers since launch. I think SUPERMOON has resonated so strongly because it doesn’t skew too warm or cool in its undertones, but does have an interesting depth. It's bright and soft without being clinical, a perfect foundation that will live beautifully in any space.'

'Crisp, clean the best white paints will add a sense of tranquility, serenity, while also remaining welcoming. There is just something about a classic white that feels physically peaceful, mentally soothing, and calming in a living room,' says Gaelle Dudley, color specialist and founder of GLDESIGN.

Savannah Buttler, designer at Britt Design Group, also suggests choosing white for a living room color scheme, explaining: 'White paint is known for allowing the brain to feel unstimulated and can have tranquil effects.'

2. Choose a Deeply Soothing Plaster Pink Living Room

Chalky, pale tones have always been an attractive choice for interiors, giving rise to delicate, light rooms that are easy to live in. Create relaxed, elegant schemes by pairing these hues with bold accent colors, or opt for impact with one sugary shade.

Pale shades of rose are becoming firmly established as the new neutral of choice in the most stylish of schemes, yet it is in combination with bolder pastels that its delicate allure really comes to the fore, perfect for pink living room ideas.

'Neutral pink is best in living rooms; it’s surprising yet subdued,' says paint expert Annie Sloan. 'Pairing with deep burnt reds, it will create a sophisticated tonal palette with a lot of warmth; alternatively, bright oranges and turquoises with neutral pinks give more of a tropical, jungle intensity.'

Tash Bradley, Director of Interior Design at Lick, says, 'For a lighter, fresher aesthetic that suits any room aspect, Pink 02 is a favorite. This soft, peachy pink is physically soothing – it feels like a warm hug, wrapping the room in comfort and calm. This color is particularly lovely when paired with red accents, or for an earthy feel, bring in sage green accents for a timeless scheme.'

3. Opt For a Warm Cream

In the cases where white paint feels too stark, cream paint is usually the solution. Able to provide warmth whilst injecting light into a living room, it's a timeless color that lasts beyond its years.

'I chose a neutral tone so the walls could act as a calm backdrop, allowing the color and pattern in the artwork and furniture to really come into their own,' says interior designer Sophie Garland. 'It creates a sense of balance, and the room feels rich and considered, but never too busy.'

Taking a calm and cozy paint color, Dimity by Farrow & Ball, Sophie covered the walls of the eclectic living room (pictured above), the perfect neutral against the colorful pops of furniture and decor. 'It’s a very easy color to work with,' she explains, 'as it’s such a gentle, warm off-white. It pairs beautifully with a wide range of tones, so you can layer in color through furniture, textiles and artwork. I particularly like it with soft greens and blues, as the warmth of the paint stops the overall scheme from feeling too cool.'

4. Create Warmth With an On Trend rich Chocolate Brown

An enveloping, moody chocolate brown, as shown in the elegant living room above, designed by Studio Indigo, almost always makes a living room feel cozy and snug.

Brown room ideas have had such a revival this year; it's a warming and sophisticated color choice for the living room, especially. Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director at Little Greene, says, 'The trend for rich, cocooning living spaces that bring a sense of comfort continues with a move toward the soothing power of darker and mid-tone caramels. Rich and indulgent mid- brown ‘Affogato’ perfectly combines the warmth of coffee with the gentle sweetness of vanilla hues to create a cocooning and comforting color.'

A rich and warm brown living room can create a calming feel, too, say experts. 'For a cozy living room, embrace earth tones and hues derived from nature. Warm browns, rich chestnuts, and deep mahogany; these colors bring biophilic benefits into the living room and instill a sense of comfort that makes a space feel more inviting,' explains Sue Kim, Director of Color Marketing at Sherwin-Williams.

5. Contrast With Walls and Woodwork

As one of the main rooms in the home, your living room should be treated as a canvas for an exciting and uplifting design that celebrates your favorite colors and design ideas. While a living room that features too many colors can feel overwhelming, a space that incorporates all of your favorite shades in small doses can feel deeply personal and uplifting.

If you're unsure where to start when using contrasting colors, always consult the color wheel. Whether you're using a pink paint on a bookcase or a blue shade to highlight ceiling molding, these small accents can make a living room feel playful and personalized.

Kate Guinness also advises, ‘If you are nervous about using a bold hue in a living room, painting woodwork adds a color shot without overwhelming,' as shown in her project, which brings a soft green into a neutral space using the built-in shelving.

6. Be On Trend With a Pale Blue Scheme

Blue is one of the most popular colors to use throughout the home, and blue living room ideas can come in a variety of beautiful designs. But for 2026, it's pale powder blues replacing neutrals, bringing a fresh but subtle backdrop that you can still throw most colors at.

'I opted for this shade of blue in the space because it lends itself to so many beautiful color combinations,' says interior designer Kaitlin Smith. 'The dusty blue creates the perfect backdrop for the warm shades of green and deep coral.'

'I wanted to create a layered interior full of color and pattern, leaning into the architecture of this Tudor home,' she explains. 'Blue paint lends itself to so many different color stories within a home. Try using complementary colors for your fabrics if you want to create a more dynamic space.'

7. Opt For a Grounded, Earthy Green

Green has been named one of the best colors to paint a living room by color experts, with its roots in the natural world often creating spaces that make us feel more calm, grounded, and connected with the outside world.

Green living room ideas promise to renew your connection to nature, and the color green is said to evoke feelings of serenity, vibrancy, and good fortune. For a more subtle nod to green, opt instead for a muted gray-green to channel the quiet luxury trend while creating a peaceful feel.

Helen Shaw, Director of Color Marketing at Benjamin Moore, explains: 'Understated and refined, quiet luxe is calming and subtle yet never boring. Opt for a new neutral such as Hazy Skies, a color with mysterious depth that will add intrigue.'

To style this look, Helen suggests: 'Elevate this captivating base color with layers of texture – dark woods, tactile bouclé textiles, and sleek stone surfaces such as marble and quartz. These will all work together beautifully to create a feeling of peace and calm.'

8. Go For a Modern Organic Color Scheme

'I love the calmness that you create when you have a neutral living room palette,' says interior designer Tamsin Johnson. 'But this choice definitely doesn’t have to mean boring: you can create an interesting and exciting space by layering different tones, such as off-whites and beige, then introducing a range of caramels and even accents of black.'

'Natural textures, whether they are stone or wood or linen, can help to anchor a beige living room color scheme. It means that the overall look doesn’t feel too contrived or uptight or overly designed. They bring a laid-back quality that always works well.'

A modern organic living room typically follows a neutral color palette but still feels warm, inviting, and cozy due to its layers of textures and natural materials. Layering neutral browns, creams, and whites is a surefire way of making your living room feel well-designed but also welcoming.

9. Invoke happiness with Sunny Yellow

There's no denying that yellow can be a tricky color to work with, and although yellow living rooms are few and far between, this space is a lovely example of how to bring this cherry hue into one of the most used rooms in your home. You don't need to color-drench the walls for a color to have impact.

In this space designed by Anna Spiro, a high-gloss white paint on the walls bounces around a light, making the surfaces nearly appear liquid with shine. Architectural details have been picked out in a beautiful, deep yellow, adding not only color but an excellent grounding element. Furniture and accessories in similar but not quite matching tones create a warming spectrum of sunshine across the space.

10. Enrich With Color Drenching

A color-drenched living room is guaranteed to always feel cozy and luxurious. Whether it's a deep burgundy, bold blue, or dark green, drenching a room from head to toe in a paint shade creates a statement that showcases your style as the room's rightful designer.

Tash says, 'My go-to tip is to embrace color drenching: painting the walls, woodwork, and ceiling all in the same shade. This creates a more cohesive, immersive feel, avoiding the stark contrast of colored walls against a white ceiling. It helps the room feel more relaxing, cocooning, and inviting.'

This technique works particularly well as a small living room color idea. While the rules used to be, go for lighter colors in a smaller space, taking a darker color across all the surfaces can trick the eye and create the illusion of more space.

11. Embrace the Warmth of Red

Contemplating red living room ideas? While the color might sound like a dramatic choice, it’s actually a hue that’s easy to live with. Its warmth, the ability to make the room feel cocooning, and its appearance under artificial light make it a wonderful choice for many living spaces.

It's a living room paint color you kind of have to commit to, don't attempt an accent wall, as this will actually look more dramatic against the other neutral walls. Instead, take it across all the walls, and the ceiling, and you'll be surprised by how liveable it is.

12. Layer Earthy Colors For an Organic Scheme

Reinvigorate your living room with a fresh and soothing color palette of limestone, lichen, and sage. Choose a subtle shade of limestone for walls, then layer different but tonal shades of creams or greens on furnishings to create a restful scheme.

A patterned couch will add a punchy highlight to a neutral living room; layer it with cushions depicting foliage and forest scenery.

Finally, bring the garden indoors: mix plants and cacti with fresh spring blooms and accessorize with striking botanical prints, faux coral and crystal geodes for a scheme that is at one with nature.

13. Go For a Heritage Look With a Fresh Coastal Palette

Coastal decor doesn't need to be cliché signs and motifs; a coastal color scheme is simply a fresh, yet cozy palette that can be ideal for living rooms.

Take this room as a lesson. Choose a creamy off-white paint for the walls, and rather than add in blue with the paint to create that coastal feel, bring it in more subtly with the furniture. And be sure to introduce plenty of texture to the room too, which really softens the white and blue color combination.

14. Go For a Moody Purple That Radiates Luxury

Purple was once thought of as a bit of a 2000s interior design trend, but when done right, it can exude luxury and coziness. A living room painted head to toe in aubergine feels dramatic and encompassing, the perfect retreat after a long day.

Caitlin Parker-Brown, founder of Parker Studio, used a spectrum of purple paints in the pictured project. 'I wanted the room to feel immersive and a little unexpected,' she explains. 'Purple can go very wrong if it’s too pastel, so I kept it quite subdued and tonal. Color-drenching helps it read as a neutral rather than a “feature.” It makes the space feel calm and cocooning.'

'The bones and architecture of the room are quite traditional, so the idea was to respect that while making it feel more current. I didn’t want it to feel overly decorated. The palette is quite restrained, then layered with contemporary furniture. It’s that balance of old-world and new that I’m always drawn to.'

When using purple paint, Caitlin advises, 'Keep everything tonal, letting variation come through texture rather than contrast. Softer browns, warm neutrals. Avoid anything too crisp or stark, as it kills the mood. And lighting is key, it needs to feel warm and a bit moody for the color to really work.'

15. Go For an On Trend Gray-Green

Gray can sometimes be seen as a little sad or lackluster, but a shade that balances the right amount of warmth can give a living room a real warmth and classic feel. Meet the gray green color trend, a timeless balance of two shades we all love, sage green and gray.

Jojo Barr of House Nine Design used Coat Paint's Jojo's Green in this country living room. 'Jojo’s Green naturally evokes that English Heritage aesthetic – cozy, comforting and quietly timeless – which suited the snug setting within this Cotswolds home beautifully. It brings depth without overwhelming the room, creating a space that feels both intimate and enduring.'

'It’s an endlessly characterful gray-green paint with a slightly earthy, ‘muddy’ quality that gives it real depth and sophistication,' she adds. 'There’s a calming, natural energy to it - grounding, reassuring and incredibly easy to live with. It works particularly well in more intimate spaces such as snugs, mudrooms, studies and libraries. You can use it as a trim against a patterned wallpaper for a layered, traditional look, or lean into its richness and color-drench the entire room.'

16. Mix Vibrant Shades

For a living room that sings with joy, try colorful living room ideas full of clashing combinations. This is a space for both socializing and retreat, so you want shades that both enliven and comfort you.

‘Pink and green is one of my favorite color combinations for living rooms – they play really well off each other, and it’s a great way to cheer up a room,’ says Lucy Barlow, founder of Barlow & Barlow. Balance is key when using a mix of colors. Integrating more neutral tones to offset your bold hues can help bring calm when you need to focus, but then you can turn around and be energized when it’s time to switch off for the day and allow the room to return to its primary function.

Clara Ewart from Kitesgrove says, 'Don’t be afraid to choose bright, bold hues in rooms that are regularly used for entertaining. The joyous burst of color will add to the ambiance and enjoyment of the space. Walls of bright color can also be broken up with artwork and mirrors to soften the impact of the hue. Trusting your instinct is really important when working with color. You should surround yourself with colors you are drawn to and make you happy – just as you do with your wardrobe.'

17. Create Warmth with a Light-Shifting Moody Hue

The beauty of decorating with moody colors like earthy brown is the cocooning qualities they bring to already snug living rooms. Referring to the country living room pictured above, interior designer Nicky Mudie, Founder of Violet & George, said, 'It was a dark room anyway, so we leaned into that rather than trying to fight it. We wanted to create a cozy nook in the middle of the house, as the rest of the rooms are quite open and cavernous. The color worked as a great contrast against the green of the garden outside.'

Using Farrow & Ball Salon Drab on the walls and Mouse’s Back on the woodwork, Nicky created a deep, rich palette that leant into the room's encompassing proportions. 'The palette is quite restrained, so the textures, artwork and collected pieces can do the talking. We layered in softness through upholstery, rugs and antiques to take the edge off.'

When using light-shifting moody hues like earthy browns, Nicky advises, 'It really comes into its own with art – darker walls make everything feel more considered. It works especially well when you’ve got contrast – here it plays off the bright, cavernous rooms on either side and the color coming in from the courtyard. And don’t be afraid to go all in – it’s much better fully embraced than used sparingly.'

18. Color-Clash With Red and Pink

While color clashing can feel daring, when done well, it can create a striking focal point in a living room. Red and pink are known to clash, but that didn't stop interior designer Isabel Ladd from pairing the two hues together. 'I love the energy of red,' she explains, 'and it's so appropriate in a game nook in a living room, where zeal and enthusiasm are already high when playing games!'

'I want to inspire people to decorate boldly. Since red is a tricky color for some people to embrace, showing them how it can be done will hopefully encourage people to use red in their decor. Additionally, as this living room doubles as a games room, I intentionally chose a color that conveys passion, zeal, and zest.'

'I like styling bold colors with bold accessories and layering on patterns upon patterns. If you're going to go bold, then commit to the BOLD!', she says. 'Note the juxtaposition of the olive-brown trim and the pink behind the bookshelves – two additional colors that are anything but subtle. '

19. Go For a Gentle Mustard Yellow

There are ways to use yellow without overwhelming a home, but perhaps the best way to ensure the hue doesn't feel too striking is to choose a mustard paint. Yellow with brown undertones, it's warm yet still vibrant.

'In this sitting room, the walls are enveloped in Farrow & Ball’s India Yellow – a rich, saturated mustard that creates an atmosphere both cocooning and quietly uplifting,' explains interior designer Rebecca Hughes. 'It’s a hue that brings warmth without overwhelming, especially when balanced thoughtfully.'

'When working with a color like India Yellow in a living room, I always recommend leaning into texture and layering: tactile fabrics, relaxed upholstery, and a mix of finishes. The goal is to keep the space informal and inviting. Done well, it becomes a retreat – elegant, certainly, but never at the expense of comfort.'

20. Keep Things Fresh With a Mint Green

A quiet color that creates calm, mint green might not be conventional, but for living rooms in need of light and some subtle vibrancy, it's a clever choice.

'This room was previously quite dark and cocoonish', says Amy Kehoe of Nickey Kehoe Studio. 'With a young family and a baby on the way, the natural instinct was to enliven and lift – but we still loved the idea of complete color immersion. A single, all-over color immediately shifts the atmosphere of a space, and this celadon-leaning mint struck exactly the right balance: sophisticated but inviting, atmospheric but warm.'

'We chose a celadon-leaning mint and applied it to every surface – walls, ceiling, trim, built-ins,' Nickey explains. When decorating with pastel greens, she suggests, 'Lean into the undertone of your specific shade and let it guide everything else. This mint has celadon qualities, so it shifts with the light and softens rather than dominates. From there, smoky ebonized or rich brown wood finishes are a tried-and-true pairing – they ground the palette without flattening it. Dusty pinks and warm umber tones, as you see here in the rug and the Tree of Life fabric, bring balance and richness. The key is to think of the paint not as a backdrop but as an active participant in the color story.'

Choosing the right living room colors needs research. Firstly, never commit to a color without sampling. Order plenty of samples, both ones you expect will work and throw in something a bit unexpected too, just in case it surprises you. Paint or stick these swatches on the wall and live with them for a while, see how they change in the space as the light changes.

While you are working out what's going to work in your space, collate images from magazines and social media, collect swatches, fabrics, and photographs to paint a picture of your desired scheme. This will give you a vision to stick with.

Call in the experts, too, if you need to. Paint is more technical than you think, and if staring at a color wheel is providing you with no living room color ideas, ask for advice in your paint store, or sign up for a consultation with a color expert, you'll find many of the big paint brands offer this as a service.

The decorative pillow is to 2026, what wallpaper was to 2016 – a way to add color, pattern, and personality to any room. Our favorite brands are producing more quirky designs month after month – some are embroidered, displaying motifs and witty word art, while others are uniquely shaped and playfully patterned.

At Anthropologie, we've seen an array of decorative needlepoint pillows (like this 'Causing a Racket' tennis-themed pillow), and recently, Jonathan Adler has launched bold and glamorous pillows from his new collaboration with Michaels (like this funky Bee Beaded Pillow). Even Emma Chamberlain's debut West Elm collection featured decorative pillows – including the Cottage Pillow, which is charmingly shaped like a house.

Think of decorative pillows as the personality hires of your living room scheme. A non-essential? Sure. But without them, the space doesn't have an edge. Choose a decorative pillow that relates to your interests, and it's bound to make your home feel more like you. Shop 24 playful picks, below.

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While movie-watching is a big part of what we use our living rooms for, gone are the days when they need to act as the focal point that the whole living room layout is based around. TVs are important, don't get us wrong, but no one wants an ugly black box bang in the center of their space.

It's all well and good, stylishly hiding your TV, but most of these ideas require a hefty budget, an interior designer who knows a thing or two about bespoke solutions, and a fair amount of patience. TVs disguised as paintings, 'wall mirrors', or ones that appear from behind hidden cabinetry are all inspired ideas, but what about an easier, more instant fix? How can you use the rest of the furniture, the layout of the room to make the TV less dominant?

1. Place It Low

While media wall alternatives can disguise a TV entirely, focusing on positioning your TV, and the layout around it, rather than installing a bespoke solution, is an easy fix.

A simple trick to keep the TV out of sight is to position it low, either tucked on a shelf or standing on a low console. This keeps it out of the center of your scheme and encourages the eye to take in other areas of the living room first, such as a fireplace or seating area.

'To make a TV less dominant in a room, my number one piece of advice is to place it low,' explains Leanne Kilroy, founder of Good Bones London. 'Yes, there are clever ways to hide TVs behind doors or within cupboards, but the simplest way to keep it out of the line of sight is to place it low to the ground with more visually interesting things, such as artwork or books, above and around it.'

2. Create a Different Focal Point

While the TV is still very much on show in this family room designed by Olpol & Co (it sits proudly at the center of a built-in shelving unit), the main focal point makes it feel far less dominant. A foolproof way to command a room, the striking canvas above the fireplace attracts attention, making the TV feel far less obvious.

This layout, focusing on the fireplace, ensures the TV isn't the star of the show. 'We put the TV on a bracket so that it can be neatly tucked against the wall, and then easy to pull out when it is needed,' explains Olivia White-Hamilton, founder of Olpol & Co. 'We used a subtle wallpaper, Galaxy Clover by Robert Kime, in the back of the joinery to distract from the TV and also filled the shelves around with books and objects.'

3. Place It at the Center (But Hide in a Cabinet)

While it's hard to imagine a TV at the center of a living room not being dominant, this colorful living room, designed by Studio Hollond, proves that a clever piece of furniture is the perfect way to create a flexible layout.

By keeping the TV in a cabinet, you have the freedom to create a more sociable layout, with the furniture facing each other rather than the TV. In this room, the couches mirror each other, a far more elegant layout than them sitting parallel to the TV, which would feel like the go-to option if the TV was always on show.

'Hiding the TV is a bit of an unspoken rule at our studio,' explains Phoebe Hollond. 'Though sometimes nothing’s better than a good movie night, a big black TV is always an eyesore. When designing a space with a TV, we seek to hide it as much as possible. In this project, we created a bespoke tambour cabinet that hides the screen.'

4. Position It to the Side of Your Scheme

By not making your layout too symmetrical, your TV instantly becomes less obvious. Avoid placing it above the rooms natural focal point, like a fireplace or an accent wall, and instead place it off center, taking a side spot rather than the crowning one.

'This classicl living room retains all of its original features, including a marble fireplace, bay window, and cornicing,' explains designer Harriet Sinclair-Wilson, of Fable Interiors. 'By keeping the TV to the right-hand side of the fireplace, rather than above the mantel, none of the original features is lost, and the room's layout stays firmly on the focal point.'

'The seating isn't rigidly pointed at the screen,' she adds. 'It's a relaxed, conversational layout that makes the space feel social rather than like a home cinema room, which is ideal for a multifunctional room that needs to work for different occasions.'

'Keeping the TV low on a simple, understated wooden unit means it doesn't demand your attention the way a wall-mounted screen at eye level would.'

While hiding your TV is one way to make it feel less dominant, simple yet effective layout tricks can do just as good a job of taking the attention away from your TV.

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Reaching for the white paint is often the automatic go-to in a small living room – but this can actually create the opposite of the desired effect and leave a space feeling flat instead of lifted.

When looking for the ideal small living room color, layout, orientation, natural light, and the feeling you're looking to achieve in the space, all need to be taken into account. The right color can add depth, create a cocooning, cozy atmosphere, or lighten and brighten the room.

When we spoke with designers on the top shades to choose for a small living room, Benjamin Moore got a lot of stage time. So here we have delved deeper into the most popular Benjamin Moore paints for small living rooms – why they work and how to use them.

'Small living rooms are often misunderstood, white doesn’t automatically make a space feel larger,' says designer Marie Flanigan. 'In fact, it can sometimes leave it feeling flat or undefined. The beauty of color is in how it shapes perception: it can expand a room by softening edges, cocoon it with warmth, or introduce depth and quiet drama when used with intention.'

'I often turn to Benjamin Moore for this reason,' she adds. 'Their palette is incredibly nuanced, offering shades that respond gracefully to light and architecture rather than sitting statically on a wall.'

1. Smoke – A Luminous, Clean Blue-Gray

The color story of a room guides the narrative of its overall feel and ambiance, and in this small living room by Henry & Co., Benjamin Moore's Smoke (2122-40) was used to create a 'calm, enveloping' feel in the bijou area, explains founder Stephanie Woodmansee.

'Given the boldness of the fireplace, surround, fender, and oversized mirror, we were looking for the color to be a calming foundation for the room and set the tone,' she explains. 'Benjamin Moore Smoke was our 'neutral' to then layer upon with textiles, rugs, and art.'

The soft gray toned blue paint was then used in corresponding spaces in the home for a curated feel. 'This room opens up into another formal living room, hallway, and sunroom. This specific color is used in small doses in these spaces as a way to connect them.'

Stephanie adds that she will often use color – as opposed to bright white – to blur boundaries in a small space, which helps to make it feel bigger. 'We love to amp up the hues in small rooms when we want the walls to recede. Perfect for ambient light and cozy corners. It comes down to the purpose of the space.'

Helen Shaw, Director of Marketing at Benjamin Moore, agrees that Smoke is ideal for 'brightening up' a small living room. 'The most popular grays are not just simply gradients of black and white; instead, they are comprised of other pigments that add to the complexity and appeal. For instance, Smoke has a slight blue-green undertone, so it creates a cooler hue. Clean and luminous, this light blue-gray instantly gives the illusion of extra light and space, making it perfect for smaller living rooms that need brightening up.'

Her top tips on using it? Color drenching. 'Drench walls and woodwork in this refreshing color for a contemporary pared-back feel that blurs the edges of the room, then introduce an accent color with similar undertones to create a contrasting yet harmonious scheme. If incorporating elements of white, opt for a crisp and slightly cool, wintery white to enhance the flattering combination, as seen in the fireplace surround and navy and teal accents above.'

2. Mysterious – A Deep, Cocooning Dark Blue

It’s not always a choice of light or dark – this welcoming room by Marie Flanigan Interiors shows how you can pair them both together to create a space that’s both warm and airy.

'This small living room pairs Benjamin Moore Mysterious with a Benjamin Moore Cloud White trim to create a more enveloping, intimate atmosphere,' says Marie. 'The deeper tone adds dimension and gently blurs the boundaries of the room, while the warm trim provides balance and definition.'

'In a small space, color is 'not about playing it safe,' adds Marie. 'Rather, it is about choosing a tone that enhances light, mood, and the way you want the room to feel.'

Helen Shaw is also an advocate for going bold in a small space that doesn’t receive a huge amount of daylight, whether for layout or orientation reasons. 'Small living rooms naturally lend themselves to a strong color palette, especially when they don’t benefit from a huge amount of natural light,' she says. 'Using a deep hue in such spaces can instantly create a glamorous, cocooning sensation.'

'Painting the room from floor to ceiling in rich colors such as Mysterious, a compelling denim blue that can read as a black paint color or a rich navy, can look particularly striking, and you can play with light sources to create mood and ambience,' adds Helen.

Helen also suggests considering a higher paint finish, like semi-gloss or high-gloss, to 'bring reflection and dimension to these spaces. This finish is particularly effective if the space features period details, panelling, or when used on trim to create depth.'

3. Black Forest Green – Like a Rich, Comforting Blanket

Sometimes the best thing you can do with a small living room is really lean into the space with a deep, moody hue. Benjamin Moore's Black Forest Green does what it says on the tin and is a blackened shade of green that works to envelop the room and create a cocooning sanctuary.

'The smaller the room, the bigger the statement it can handle,' says Victoria Sass, Principal, Prospect Refuge Studio, who designed the space above. 'This is exactly the place to play.'

'You have to know the emotion you're after first. Is this a sleepy space? A seductive one? High energy or low? Color is one of the most powerful tools we have for getting a room to feel a certain way, but it only works if you're intentional about what you want to feel when you walk in,' she explains. 'The request for this space was to make it as cozy as possible, and washing it in a shadowy green helped accentuate the books, the textiles, and the firelight from the fireplace.'

On working with moodier colors in a small living room, Victoria adds, 'Whatever you do, commit. Don't water down your color, don't skip the ceiling or the trim, don't toy around with accents. Dive into the deep end. You'll be glad you did.'

4. Hasbrouck Brown – A Sumptuous Shade that Delivers on Elegance

A beautiful brown is an on-trend choice (Silhouette is Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year 2026 after all) that also oozes a timeless appeal. Hasbrouck Brown is a gorgeous, rich shade of brown that will add depth to a small living room.

'The goal in this small living room-meets-library was dark and dramatic, but we didn't want this space to read as overly masculine or feminine – so a shade of brown with a heavy purple undertone for the wall-to-wall bookcases hit all those marks,' explains Victoria.

5. Vapor Trails – A Cool Green for Brightening a Small Space

'Green feels vital and alive,' says Victoria Sass, explaining why Benjamin Moore's Vapor Trails works so well in the gorgeous small living room above.

Vapor Trails on the walls and fireplace was paired with Benjamin Moore Sea Haze on the trim and Amazon Soil, a smoky plum, on the ceiling beams.

'We wanted to quiet all the trims by going monochromatic on the walls, but we didn't want to completely flatten the look,' explains Victoria. 'By going tonal, we achieved a hint of definition between the walls and trim without the noise of a dramatic color change. Accentuating the ceiling beams with a rich, dark color helped make the low ceiling feel less oppressive.'

Choosing the perfect color for a small living room can feel overwhelming. But if you choose with intention and knowledge of how you want the space to feel, you're already halfway there.

'There's an order of operations,' explains Victoria Sass. 'Start with hue. That's your broadest lever, the one that shifts the energy of a space most dramatically. Red is seductive, blue is calming, green feels vital and alive, yellow and gold feel joyful.'

'From there, think about value: how light or dark. Lighter reads fresher and younger, but push too far into the pale end and you risk something closer to a nursery than a sanctuary. Darker values feel older, more considered, more settled.'

'Finally, adjust saturation, meaning how pure or muted the color is,' she adds. 'Saturated colors are intense and commanding. Desaturated ones are quieter, more livable. For a statement space, go big on at least one of the two.'

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From floor-to-ceiling bookcases to living rooms wrapped in spines, one of this year's biggest trends is all about the space-encompassing 'library wrap' or 'book drenching'.

A living room without a bookcase is like a kitchen without a stove: in other words, incomplete. While a few shelves adorned with your favorite editions might have once been enough to give a lounge some personality, in 2026, designers are making bookshelves the star of the show by embracing this characterful trend.

A more striking take on the bookshelf wealth trend that took the world of interiors by storm a few years ago, the library wrap is perfect for book lovers or those who want to inject their living room with lived-in charm, color, and story.

Bookshelves are more than just a handy storage idea; they can transform dead space into a design moment that tells a story. Interior designer Bryony Richardson used floor-to-ceiling storage to hide unsightly pipes, as well as inject a hallway with personality.

'This element was part of a wider renovation, and we needed to conceal a soil pipe from a new bathroom above,' she explains. 'Rather than simply boxing it in, we used it as an opportunity to wrap the entire space in bespoke joinery, which we painted in a bold heritage red. The full‑height shelving hides the pipe seamlessly whilst giving the landing highly functional shelving with a strong architectural identity.'

'A "library wrap" doesn't require the depth other forms of storage joinery like cupboards need, so it lends itself perfectly to this sort of area. This particular library wall leads into a first-floor drawing room and offers an arresting and atmospheric transition from the more neutral stairwell.'

A more lived-in take on color drenching, covering a living room in shelves of books, creates a cocooning effect that can make even the largest of lounges feel cozy and intimate.

'Our client really wanted this room to feel special yet highly usable for a family of five. A place to unwind alone with a book, or spend time together playing a game,' explains interior designer Meg McSherry. 'Adding considerable bookshelves and cabinets instantly creates character and brings a sense of intimacy to a room, plus who doesn't love extra storage? Displaying your book collection tells the story of who you are, where you've been and what's important to you.'

But it's easy for such extensive living room bookshelves to feel chaotic. This is where pared-back styling comes in. 'The best way to keep shelves from feeling overwhelmed is to keep things looking relaxed and uncomplicated, explains Meg. 'This allows the eye to keep moving and avoid distraction. The goal is for them to look effortless and naturally collected over time. Don't worry about the color or pattern on the spines; stack them both vertically and horizontally. It's hard not to overthink it, but be loose if you can!'

Leanne Kilroy, interior designer and founder of Good Bones, took on the challenge of injecting personality into a large, light-filled living room. Embracing the library wrap trend, she transformed the space into a room filled with character.

'The bookshelves add purpose and personality to what would otherwise be an enormous, blank wall,' she explains. In fact, these bookshelves were the very first anchor point we settled on for the entire renovation and helped guide every decision to come. This floor of the home is a large and airy open plan living/kitchen/dining in what was once a church hall, so full-height bookshelves help to zone the living space and make it feel cozy, while also emphasizing the room's impressive scale and ceiling height.'

When styling a bookcase (big or small), Leanne says, 'The best and easiest way to style statement shelves is to simply fill them with books. When this photo was taken, the shelves were brand new, and books were still being collected. As a household grows and changes, the items on its shelves can change, too, making the shelves one of the most flexible and useful parts of a home.'

The library wrap not only creates an all-encompassing effect that instantly cozies a room, but it can also zone an open plan room or make the transition between two spaces feel far more seamless.

In the case of this playful family room designed by Bethany Adams, the built-in bookcase separates the kids' space from the dining room reserved for hosting. Bethany explains, 'In this family room, the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves serve a dual purpose. Firstly, they offer storage for the clients' extensive collection of books (the husband is a historian and the wife is an archivist), along with a small collection of books and toys for their young daughter. Secondly, they conceal a set of reeded glass pocket doors that I added so the family space could be closed off while entertaining in the more formal living room, leaving the home's original 1920s Tudor-style archway intact.'

The Library Wrap Shopping Picks

While full-scale bookshelves aren't for everyone, for spaces in need of lived-in charm or a little drama, they couldn't be more suited.

Be mindful of styling to ensure your shelves don't overwhelm your space. 'Start with the books, then layer in sculptural objects, ceramics, and art to break up the lines,' explains Bryony. 'Curate in zones rather than treating the shelves as one continuous display, and don’t be afraid of negative space – it keeps the composition calm.'

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Subtle but mighty, texture is a quietly powerful tool that, when layered well, can make or break a living room. While color tends to fight for our attention, part of texture's beauty is its sensory comfort and ability to provide all-important depth and dimension.

Texture in interior design might not be the first thing that jumps out when you enter a living room, but that's not to say it's not worth paying attention to. Able to keep even the most neutral schemes interesting, its tactile presence evokes warmth and comfort in a different, but equally important, way than color.

In 2026, we're shifting away from color-focused design that makes texture feel like an afterthought. Whether it's a velvet couch layered with a chunky knit throw and a jute rug or an organic linen sofa paired with a marble coffee table, this year, interior designers are focusing just as much on texture schemes as color schemes.

While color ideas set the tone of a living room, texture works quietly in the background to connect a scheme, allowing color to shine without feeling flat.

The answer to a cozy living room is its layers of texture that make a room feel inviting and accomplished. Interior designer Lindley Arthur explains, 'Layering texture – whether through textiles or finishes – is essential to creating a space that feels warm, personal, and truly alive. The key is balance. With fabrics, it’s about mixing tighter weaves with richer materials like velvet or bouclé to create contrast and depth.'

Take the traditional living room pictured above. A soft velvet sofa is paired with thick cotton cushions and heavier wooden furniture, bringing all-important contrast. Lindley adds, 'Incorporating leather, touches of wood, and warm metal finishes further enhances that layered effect. The interplay of smooth and textured elements ultimately brings the space together.'

Lindley adds, 'Curling up on a velvet sofa beneath a hand-knit throw, feeling the softness of a custom wool rug underfoot, or enjoying a cocktail in a wood-paneled lounge – these tactile moments engage the senses and ultimately make a space feel like home.'

'In any setting, aim to layer as many textures as possible. This approach works across all rooms, but it’s especially effective in neutral schemes, where texture is key to adding depth and visual interest', explains Louise McGarry, Creative Director of Studio Braw.

Whether it's through soft furnishings or wallpaper, texture is more than just adding a fluffy throw to a sofa; there are quieter, but more impactful ways to use it. Louise explains, 'Even the simplest space offers multiple opportunities to introduce it. Layering rugs, for example, a vintage Persian rug over a natural jute rug, can instantly enrich a room. Textured wallcoverings are another powerful tool; grasscloths, silks, and linens can completely transform a space, and adding a trim detail around the perimeter creates a striking, considered finish. Alternatively, limewash paint offers a softer, more atmospheric way to build texture on walls.'

'When layering textures, start by considering the purpose of the space and the overall atmosphere you want to create,' says Louise. 'For a more relaxed, lived-in feel, lean into organic materials – heavyweight linen, unlacquered metals, worn leather, matte finishes on rustic timber, jute, and sisal all work beautifully. If the space is intended to feel more formal or suited to evening use, consider richer, more refined finishes such as silk, velvet, mohair, mirror, glass, and high-gloss surfaces.'

A crucial component in modern organic living rooms, natural textures bring a tactility when paired with neutral tones, providing interest through touch rather than just hue. 'You can intentionally forgo color and rely heavily on layering textures to create a warmer, more elevated space,' says Abbie Naber, founder of A. Naber Design. 'Texture creates visual depth, adds softness, and makes a room feel lived in.'

Abbie explains, 'When designing a room, I start with the foundational textures. That would be your biggest surfaces, like a rug, a sofa, upholstered chairs or large wood pieces like a coffee table or cabinetry. The goal would be to mix softness, structure, and natural textures right off the bat. It's important to avoid having everything be the same texture, or it will fall flat.'

'The next step would be to layer in the medium texture,' Abbie continues. 'This would be things like ottomans, benches, accent chairs, and throws. And then lastly, it's important not to forget about small finishing items that add texture, like pillows, ceramics, lamps, and greenery. Organic elements and natural materials (think wood, stone, plants, plaster, and iron) will always make a room feel warmer and more layered.'

Textural Shopping Picks

Texture schemes are 2026's answer to a thoughtfully designed living room. Able to make a space feel comforting and accomplished, texture is just as important as any color palette ever could be.

Louise adds, 'When layered thoughtfully, it allows a space to feel rich, inviting, and considered, without relying on bold color to carry the design.'

At first glance, this West London living room feels like a maximalist fever dream – stripes climbing the walls, layered prints, color at every turn. And yet, it manages to read as calm, cohesive, even restful.

Designed by Phoebe Hollond of Studio Hollond for her own home as a snug for both entertaining and everyday family life, it proves a small living room can absolutely take more, not less. As Phoebe puts it, 'I always want a space to feel joyful and lived-in rather than overly polished.'

From the anchoring sofa that everything orbits around, to the balanced mix of scale, color palette, and cleverly concealed tech, this is maximalism at its most livable. Here, Phoebe breaks down the design DNA behind it – and how to use the same secret sauce at home.

The Formula That Keeps It Cohesive

The mix of patterns here may feel spontaneous – stripes on the walls, bold upholstery, statement art, and scattered prints through cushions and accents. But look closer, and there’s a curation at play.

'I think it’s best not to shy away from color or pattern in a small room. Instead, make it feel layered and immersive, with lots of personality. This room is filled with pieces I’ve collected over the years, giving the room a sense of history and character,' says Phoebe.

'I rarely follow strict rules when it comes to mixing patterns, I think the most interesting combinations happen quite instinctively,' Phoebe explains. 'That said, it does help when colors repeat across different fabrics, and when the patterns vary in scale. Mixing large stripes with smaller prints keeps things feeling balanced rather than overwhelming.'

The room combines one dominant pattern (the sofa), one structured pattern (the vertical stripe), and a handful of smaller, more decorative prints layered on top. 'In this room, the striped walls and the sofa provide a framework, which means the smaller details like cushions, lamps, and artwork can introduce color without the space feeling chaotic,' she notes.

A Patterned Sofa Sets the Pace

Every well-designed room has a focal point, and here, it’s the patterned sofa. A classic shape, it was reupholstered in Studio Hollond’s first fabric, Duchessina – a lively pink and green pattern that immediately draws the eye. 'Reupholstering it completely transformed the room. Once that fabric went on, the scheme really came to life.'

As Phoebe explains, 'Although the room is quite layered with pattern and color, the pink really draws your eye in. I love how everything in the room seems to orbit around it.'

'This is our main living room/snug, so I wanted it to feel super comfy, while still showcasing Studio Hollond’s eccentric flair,' she adds.'It has multiple functions: for entertaining friends or curling up with family- both were equally important.'

The takeaway? When designing a bold yet bijoux space, start with one dominant piece and let it lead. Whether it’s a patterned sofa, a rug, or even statement drapes, choose something that combines your key colors and sets the mood. Then, pull two or three shades from it and repeat them across the room.

Contrast in Scale is What Makes it Feel Spacious

The layout is what allows the room to breathe. Despite the snug footprint, nothing here feels crowded – and that comes down to a carefully judged mix of scale.

The generous, deep sofa is balanced by more petite armchairs and a leggy ottoman, creating a small living room layout composition that feels welcoming rather than heavy.

'The layout is everything,' says Phoebe. 'You need to establish early on how the room will function – in our case, it needed to work for entertaining as well as cosy movie nights with the family. In a smaller room, every piece of furniture has to earn its place, so scale becomes really important.'

'What works well in this snug is the contrast in scale,' she explains. 'The George Smith sofa is quite deep and generous, while the surrounding armchairs are much more petite. The ottoman and chairs all have visible legs, which allows you to see through them and keeps the room feeling lighter and less cluttered.'

To recreate the effect, avoid the common small-space pitfall of choosing furniture that’s all similarly bulky and consider furniture with exposed legs to keep sightlines open. Be disciplined about spacing, too; even a few inches between pieces can prevent the layout from feeling cramped.

Fabric-Wrapped Walls Softens the Scheme

While it might look like wallpaper, the striped walls are actually fully upholstered to create an immediately cocooning feeling.

'The walls are actually upholstered in fabric from Claremont, installed traditionally with battens and wadding, so they’re wonderfully padded – almost like the walls of a cushion,' Phoebe describes.

'It gives the room a softness and intimacy that you don’t get with standard wallpaper,' she adds. 'The scalloped trim adds a playful finishing touch and helps frame the room, almost like a piece of theatre set design. Altogether, it makes the space feel very cozy and almost tent-like, with the circus inspo.'

'The room needed to illustrate my love of star signs and the circus, so the striped fabric walling with the scallop top detailing and the astrology TV box brings that to life,' Phoebe adds of the vision.

'The upholstered stripe on the walls helps ground everything – its scale and slightly muted tones give the room a calm foundation for the brighter colors layered on top,' she adds.

The Final Trick That Protects the Room’s Focal Point

In a room built on layering and atmosphere, a black screen can quickly undo the effect. If you're wondering how to hide your TV stylishly, take a leaf out of Phoebe's book.

Here, the television is hidden behind artwork above the mantel, allowing it to disappear entirely when not in use. 'I think technology should support how a room is used, but it shouldn’t dominate the visual story,' she explains. 'Whenever possible, I like to conceal it within joinery or artwork so it blends into the room rather than becoming the focal point.'

With the TV concealed, the fireplace remains the natural focal point, and the eye is free to take in the patterns, textures, and details without interruption.

'A TV can really interrupt the atmosphere of a room, even though we all use them. Hiding it behind artwork above the mantel means it disappears when it’s not needed,' she advises.

Ultimately, this is a room that’s designed to feel 'playful, layered and cocooning,' but never chaotic. Its success lies in feeling collected rather than overly contrived. As Phoebe says, 'the most interesting spaces are layered with antiques, fabrics, art, and unexpected details that all tell a story.'

The Edit

Design DNA is the Homes & Gardens series that breaks down beautiful rooms into their essential elements. Each installment dissects one interior and shows readers exactly what makes it work, from the anchor furniture and layout choices to color, lighting, and styling details.

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The perfectly symmetrical living room is starting to feel a little dated. While two identical lamps, a pair of armchairs, and matching joinery were once the go-to recipe for a well-designed living room, today, an overly curated space can read cold and clinical rather than characterful and warm.

Relaxed, flowing living room layouts offer a more layered room, one that feels lived-in and designed for use rather than purely aesthetic. While the symmetrical grid-like layout (a design principle that strives for balance through shape) was once the go-to, today, tension and contrast are far more favored than set formulas and strict symmetry in interior design.

Steering clear of flat-feeling design, designers are intentionally pairing unconventional shapes and contrasting styles together, adopting a 'collected' rather than show-home-esque look. Here's how.

Matching furniture sets or identical lamps on either side of a table are partly why dated living room layouts can feel a bit cookie-cutter. While making your scheme cohesive is of course important, going overboard with symmetry can make a living room feel staged.

Molly Young, co-founder of Interiors BY, explains, 'While symmetry offers a sense of order, it’s not always the right answer for a space. Often, a room’s architecture doesn't allow for a mirrored layout – or sometimes it’s nice to balance things out without having identical pieces.'

Molly continues, 'In this fully restored home (pictured above), the fireplace was naturally off-center, providing the perfect opportunity to rethink the floor plan. We anchored the primary seating area to the fireplace to create a sense of coziness within the large space, then introduced a patterned corner banquette and a game table on the opposite side. By giving both ends of the room distinct purposes, we achieved a functional, flowing space that prioritizes character over perfect symmetry.'

Balance is always important in interior design, says interior designer Betsy Burnham, founder of Burnham Design, but following a strict layout or 'grid' is not always the answer. Betsy suggests a mix of both is the best approach.

'I doubt we’re witnessing the end of the symmetrical living room – at least here in the US – because it’s clean, easy, and it works. I’m sure many designers, and often their clients, prefer the look and find it more comfortable than a more offbeat layout.'

'That said the 'minimalist grid' isn't my personal preference because I love a layered, collected vibe, and I love laying out interesting living rooms – they are my favorite challenge,' she continues. 'I think my design sweet spot involves a sprinkling from both camps: mismatched end tables finished with a pair of identical lamps. A pair of chairs on one side of a sofa and a daybed on the other. A single, monumental standing lamp to fill some negative space. Throw pillows that relate, but are different.'

'What’s great about this type of design is that you can always add to it – the room will always benefit from an additional touch – adding only makes it better.'

Vanessa Katzen, Founder and Principal of Vanessa Katzen Design, says, 'The minimalist grid gave us a decade of living rooms that looked incredible in a thumbnail and felt hollow in person. When a room has no tension, it has no life, and clients started feeling that long before they could name it.'

'What we're witnessing isn't the death of symmetry but the end of its reign as the only credible approach to a well-designed space. Symmetry is still one of the most powerful tools in a room, but it has to be deployed with intention rather than applied by default. The shift is from rooms designed to be photographed to rooms designed to be inhabited, and that distinction changes everything.'

Nailing your furniture scheme starts with contrast. Vanessa explains, 'The first move is understanding where symmetry actually belongs, and then allowing everything else to fall slightly out of line. In this living room, the conversation is about contrast. A soft bouclé sofa sits beside an angular chrome pedestal topped with an unexpected object.'

'Softness against precision. Nothing matches, and that is exactly the point. Even the pillows resist uniformity, varied in scale, tone, and texture, adding another layer of quiet tension without disrupting the calm. Behind it, the art carries the narrative. Two works held within a single frame, intentionally misaligned in scale and composition.'

Noha Hassan, Founder of Noha Hassan Designs, echoes Betsy's opinion: 'I don’t think it’s the end, but I do think we’re moving away from it being the default. Symmetry has its place, it creates a sense of order and calm, but when a room feels too rigid or overly planned, it can start to feel a bit flat or too formal.'

Noha explains why you should stop matching your furniture. 'What I’m seeing more of now is a shift toward balance rather than strict symmetry. Spaces still feel composed, but in a more relaxed way. Instead of matching sofas and identical chairs facing each other, there’s more layering: mixing different seating, incorporating varied shapes, and allowing the layout to respond more to how people actually live. It also allows for more fluidity and dimension in the space.'

'For a more lived-in feel, I steer away from anything too matched. I like mixing different seating, bringing in varied shapes, and not aligning everything too perfectly. When things sit slightly off-axis, the room feels more relaxed and natural.'

'The goal is for a room to feel considered but not overly controlled. When everything feels too perfect, it can come across a bit stiff. I prefer when a space has a bit more ease and softness. It feels more natural, more inviting, and ultimately more livable.'

Shop Characterful Living Room Furniture

Designers are in agreement: the best living room layouts have elements of symmetry and balance, but aren't overly perfect. Mismatching furniture and surprise decor moments is the key. Shop our favorite pieces below.

While symmetry and balance will always be important in any aspect of design, in 2026, there's less pressure to get everything exactly right. In fact, contrast, tension, and clashes are welcome in today's living rooms.

'Collected, not coordinated,' is how Vanessa sums it up. 'This is where a room begins to feel personal. When it reflects a point of view shaped over time, layered and considered, quietly confident rather than assembled all at once. Unexpected moments are what keep a space interesting: the object that stops you, the pairing that should not work but does, the detail that makes you look twice.'

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'Too bold,' or 'I wish my living room were cool enough to pull that off,' are common patterned-sofa knee-jerks. The assumption, of course, being that whatever print you love now – geometric, floral, otherwise – will probably age like milk.

If our couch reporting has proven anything, it’s the opposite. Patterned upholstery has cycled through the Victorian era and Rococo, resurfaced in the grandma-coded charm of the 1950s, and, more recently, landed on our top sofa trends lists for 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Which is to say, it’s not really a trend at all. If anything, it’s a constant. Even the latest couch cohort – spanning tapestry-inspired upholstery from Joon Loloi, picnic-skirted charm from Anthropologie, and high-contrast ‘piano key’ prints from CB2 – would have made sense 100 years ago, and will again 100 years from now.

From sartorial stripes to brocades that read more like wallpaper, you have little excuse not to make a splash. Shop twelve seats we’d love to see in our living room – not just this year, but forever.

The Cut is all about Homes & Gardens helping you invest in pieces that feel current now, but won’t date as trends shift. Finds that elevate a room today and still feel right years from now. Whether it’s a sculptural accent chair or a chic pendant light, our editors will curate an edit that balances style, longevity, and quality. Consider this your shortcut to smart, beautiful shopping.

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Once deemed timeless and classic, cool-toned grays and stark whites might have been the inevitable choice for living rooms only a few years ago, but in 2026, cooler, 'safe choice' colors have fallen out of favor.

We're not saying neutrals are being left out of living room color schemes for good; in fact, in their softer, warmer forms, they are as popular as ever, but it's the crisp whites and cool grays that designers warn are going out of style.

These are the colors designers are leaving out of their living spaces this year, and the warmer, most characterful shades they are decorating with instead.

1. Cool Toned Neutrals

While rich charcoals and warm whites continue to be popular amongst designers, it'll come as no surprise that cool-toned grays and whites are no longer factored into 2026 color trends.

Millennial gray and bright white may have been in every living room during the 2000s, but today, they feel a little lifeless. Interior designer Nina Long, Principal Designer at Mathews Design Group, explains, 'It seems like I'm seeing a move away from overly cool, flat palettes, especially icy grays and blue-based whites. They tend to fall a bit short in living rooms, where you want depth, warmth, and a sense of ease.'

Nina adds, 'White-on-white schemes are also starting to feel less relevant. While classic in theory, they can read a bit stark without the nuance and layering that make a space feel truly collected.'

'I'm always drawn to palettes that feel timeless, livable, and quietly layered,' she continues. 'I've been leaning into warm, complex neutrals, chalky creams and soft ivories that create a beautiful backdrop for antiques, art, and beautiful patterned fabrics. These tones feel far more inviting and allow a room to evolve over time.' Warm whites like Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee or Farrow & Ball's Joa's White are a great replacement for starker variations. Alternatively, for gray lovers, Sherwin-Williams ' infamous Agreeable Gray balances warmth with neutrality.

2. Sage Greens

Not long ago, sage green paint was everywhere. While it's recently crept back into the world of interiors, designers are still choosing earthier, deeper variations of the organic hue for living rooms this year.

Tash Bradley, Director of Interior Design at Lick explains, 'What I’m noticing, is a shift in the type of green people are choosing. Those cooler, blue-undertoned greens think sage (Green 02) are starting to feel a little less popular. They can sometimes feel slightly flat or a bit cold, especially in living rooms where you want that sense of warmth and comfort.'

Tash adds, 'Instead, people are leaning into much richer, yellow-based greens, more olive, moss, chartreuse, even slightly khaki or bronze-leaning tones. (Green 05 and Green 18). These colors have so much more depth and soul to them, and they feel incredibly versatile. They work beautifully in natural daylight but also come into their own in the evening under softer, warmer lighting, which is exactly what you want in a living room.'

While sage will always be popular for front doors, window treatments, or kitchen cabinets, deeper hues will replace sage green in living rooms this year. 'I think we’re going to see these warmer, earthier greens continue to grow in popularity into 2026 and 2027, they just bring such a lovely sense of grounding, warmth, and connection to nature into the home,' explains Tash.

3. Bright Colors

While it's possible to decorate with yellow without overwhelming a home, overly striking, in-your-face brights are no longer the color family of choice for living rooms this year.

While it's true that 2026 interior design trends are all about personal decorating that makes a statement, overly harsh, colorful rooms tend to feel unlivable and too bold, particularly in living rooms designed for relaxing. Helen Shaw, Director of Marketing (International), Benjamin Moore, explains, 'As we enter 2026, color trends are gently shifting. While bold, highly saturated hues were popular in the early 2020s, these are now giving way to more nuanced and versatile shades.'

Instead of sunny yellows or electric blues, try more muted variations of your favorites. Earthy colors bring quiet warmth and saturation without dominating a living room. Helen says, 'The new direction embraces “quietly colorful” tones – subtle, comforting hues that feel fresh yet timeless. Neutrals with pink and red undertones are becoming increasingly popular, bringing warmth and depth to bedrooms and living spaces. Plaster pinks and soft dusky rose shades add an earthy, grounded feel while providing a perfect foundation for layered décor and evolving personal style.'

4. Bland Beiges

Lackluster neutrals like taupe and beige are no longer the go-to color choice for living rooms. Show-home-esque and lacking depth, these familiar neutrals lack the character and personality that all living rooms in 2026 should exude.

Helen explains, 'Traditional beiges, although long-time design staples in living rooms, are evolving as designers and homeowners explore warmer, more layered alternatives. Rather than fleeting microtrends, the focus is now on colors and designs that have lasting appeal and flexibility over time.'

Richer browns such as Farrow & Ball's Mouse's Back and Benjamin Moore's Dark Chocolate are replacing beiges and taupes, bringing intimacy and warmth to lounge spaces.

Helen explains, 'Brown is emerging as a sophisticated alternative to beige, black and gray. Deep chocolatey tones, such as Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2026, Silhouette, offer a rich and versatile option. With subtle charcoal undertones, it can anchor a variety of interiors, creating depth and sophistication. It works beautifully both as a backdrop for color-drenched spaces or as a contrasting element with lighter textures, balancing elegance with a relaxed, approachable feel.'

While cool-toned neutrals and overly bright paints are going out of style this year, earthier, richer shades are expected to dominate. When picking a paint color for your lounge, steer clear of fleeting trends and instead opt for shades that evoke a sense of relaxation and calm. Nina says, 'Ultimately, it’s about creating living rooms that feel collected and comfortable, never overly trend-driven, but always relevant.'

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If you want a ‘Jeremiah Brent living room,’ start with a rug. In reality, that would cost a small fortune, but a small group of A-list interior designers, despite their high-end, often bespoke tastes, do design rugs. And thanks to current markdowns on Loloi’s roster of collaborators, many are now part of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, on through March 31.

Featuring names like Jeremiah Brent, Leanne Ford, Amber Lewis, and design duo Chris Loves Julia, these designers know better than anyone that a great rug is the quickest way to set the tone of a room.

Amber, for instance, brings a distinctly time-capsule take on California cool, perhaps best seen in her Bexley collection, where sandy beige and slate blue come together with visible texture, musing the majesty of the coast with a laid-back ease and vintage references. If that’s the direction for your living room this summer, start here before you grab the seashell candle sconce.

Of course, there are many more rug trends where that came from. Ahead, a selection of Homes & Gardens Loloi favorites with outsized design pedigree and even bigger discounts, curated to help you cut through the noise.

Styles, obviously, will differ, but the sensibility across these rug collaborations is consistent: timeless, as is the Loloi way. The Amazon sale helps, but with names like these attached, it’s becoming one of the best places to buy rugs, even for design snobs. (We won’t tell.)

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If you think about it, who actually wants to see the back of a sofa? While you might think pushing your sofa against a wall is the solution to the unsightly sofa back, many of us who have used their couch to zone their space are faced with the problem of a boring sofa back that feels like it shouldn't be seen.

We all focused on styling around a couch, perfecting the coffee table setup, or nailing a bookshelf display, but the often-overlooked (and often awkward) space behind the sofa is usually forgotten. You might choose to combat this by sticking with convention and pushing your couch up against the perimeters of your living room, but for those of us craving more intimate layouts in which the sofa floats in a room, the question of what to do with this blank canvas remains.

Whether you're trying to fill an awkward gap between your couch and wall or transforming your sofa back into a well-styled focal point, these living rooms might inspire you on what to do with that pesky spot that many avoid.

A way to zone a living room layout, a sofa acts as a bridge between two areas, separating an intimate seating area from a space for studying or eating.

In the case of the above living room, interior designer Zoë Feldman used the otherwise dead space behind the sofa for her client's desk. She says, 'The area behind a sofa can easily become wasted real estate, especially in larger rooms where furniture floats. Adding a desk here gives that space a job – it turns what could feel empty into something functional and intentional.'

While a desk behind a sofa is a clever way to make the most out of your square footage, there are other ways to style a sofa back. Zoe adds, 'The solution is to give it purpose. I tend to think in terms of function first: a desk, a game table, a bar, even a pair of stools tucked under a console. Once it has a role, you can layer in lighting and objects to make it feel considered. These areas don’t need to be grand, but they should feel deliberate.'

Styling the back of your sofa is a clever move in open plan layouts, too, creating a smoother transition between a seating area and a kitchen or dining room.

Marianne Brown, Principal Designer at W Design Collective, says, 'I typically choose to put a table and style behind the sofa when there is another space adjacent to it, like a dining room, kitchen, or another seating area. The table helps define the space and create a moment between the two rooms. Sometimes looking at the back of a sofa isn't as appealing, so a styled table gives the eye something nice to rest on.'

When styling your living room sofa, Marianna adds, 'If you have dead space between the back of a sofa and a wall, I typically leave it empty, but I will put art on that wall to help fill the space visually. If you have dead space behind a sofa that is visible to another space, I do like to place a piece of furniture – it could be a large wooden chest, a console table, two large baskets, a writing desk with a chair, or a narrow dresser.'

'I would pay attention to the height, width and scale and try not to have the height of the table more than a couple of inches taller than the sofa. Ideally, it would sit at the same height or lower, and the width should be two-thirds of the width of the sofa or more.'

While a narrow sofa table can fill an awkward gap, in the case of more unconventional layouts, sometimes bespoke living room furniture is the best way to style the back of a couch.

Melissa Oholendt from Oho Interiors says, 'This room was wide in length but narrow in width, so we had enough space to create multiple flexible seating areas. It also had the plan challenge of a fireplace hearth that created space on both sides of the fireplace. Overall, we wanted one of those seating areas to feel like the moment where our clients could curl up with a book on a cozy evening, and the space around the fireplace felt like a perfect opportunity for a custom piece and therefore a moment to really layer in our client's personal effects.'

Melissa adds, 'We love a sofa table with additional lighting, but would also encourage someone to get creative and think about how to fill the space with function as well as form. The piece you see here has the flexibility to add a decorative moment (with the easel element), but also great storage for function.'

In larger living rooms, styling behind the sofa makes the seating area feel secluded from the rest of the space. Take this eclectic living room designed by Katie Rosenfeld; the console table further separates the cozy lounge area from the more formal conversation area.

Katie explains, 'In this case, there wasn’t room on the plan to float the side tables and install floor outlets, so we decided a console or sofa table was best, and we added lamp light on that piece. Sometimes I use low bookcases behind sofas and style them with coffee table books, but on the console, a nice tray and some lamps do the trick!'

While a styled console can divide a large space, it's also handy in smaller spaces where the entryway and living room are combined. A simple sofa table and some clever styling can separate a walkway from a seating area, creating two entirely different zones.

Shop Sleek Consoles

How To Style It

While styling the back of a sofa might once have felt like a challenge, these living rooms showcase the power of simple styling, able to transform a boring sofa back into an artful statement that connects open-plan rooms or intentionally zones a space.

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While a small living room comes with its perks, the sad reality of a tiny lounge is that it can quickly feel cluttered. Yes, what it lacks in square footage it makes up for in coziness, but without the right foundational pieces to organize the space, a tiny lounge can feel rather restrictive.

A small living room is only as good as its storage. So even though I have chosen the perfect paint color, invested in the dream compact sofa, and thrown down a perfectly patterned area rug, the storage is lacking. I need some chic, hardworking, double-duty living room storage that will stylishly organize my space – and it's Wayfair, and it's Spring Cyber Sale to the rescue.

From a coffee table with hidden storage, to a sturdy narrow bookcase for my many editions, these are the nine picks I uncovered that couldn't be more ideal for lounges that edge on the small side. While investing in furniture can sometimes prove pricey, Wayfair's Spring Cyber Week sale makes mastering the (sometimes tricky) art of organization feel rather inspiring and rather achievable.

My 9 Chic Storage Picks From Wayfair's Spring Sale

From a rattan bookshelf that feels like a retro find to the perfect midcentury style bar cabinet, these nine pieces will work in any small living room, of any style.

While Wayfair's Spring Sale is filled with plenty more timeless pieces for small spaces, it's hard to make living room storage mistakes with these nine stylish picks. Proving that style doesn't need to come at a cost, each piece fuses character with function, ideal for slotting into a living room that's lacking in square footage.

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Your living room furniture does a lot of heavy lifting. It’s the backdrop for morning coffee, family movie nights, marathon laundry folding sessions, and gatherings with friends. Because the space is often centrally located, it also helps define the overall style of your home, setting the tone for surrounding rooms.

Since it works so hard, it’s a space where it truly pays to shop smart.

Below is a well-tailored guide to shopping for well-built, stylish, and reliable living room furniture. Whether you’re looking for the best place to buy a sofa that stands up to kids and pets, a coffee table that makes a statement, or a quick-ship accent chair that doesn’t blow the budget, these are the retailers we’d start with. We've categorized them into Household Heros, Accessible Style, Luxury & Designer, and Vintage, One-of-a-Kind & Specialty Makers so you can easily shop based on style and budget.

Household Heros

For those in search of reliable quality, style, and customer service at an accessible price point, it's hard to beat the big-name furniture industry stalwarts. The good news? There's a retailer for every style.

Ballard Designs

Ballard Designs leans traditional with an emphasis on crisp colors and classic patterns that give its offering a preppy feel. You’ll find tailored upholstery, skirted seating, and antique-inspired designs that suit more formal spaces. The customization options are many, especially when it comes to fabrics.

Best for: Traditional and transitional living rooms; tailored, polished picks

Price positioning: $$–$$$

Delivery details: In-stock pieces ship in 1-3 days, custom pieces ship in 8-10 weeks

Anthropologie

Anthropologie’s living room furniture fits its distinct bohemian aesthetic and, and whether you’re looking for a side table or a sofa, it’ll pack an element of whimsy or drama. Think Brutalist-inspired end tables, skirted sofas in pink-and-white gingham, and armchairs with exaggerated proportions.

Best for: Quirky, colorful accent pieces

Price positioning: $$-$$$

Delivery details: In-stock pieces ship in 1-3 weeks, made-to-order options take about 4 weeks

West Elm

West Elm's calling card? Contemporary and midcentury silhouettes and trend-driven accent furniture at approachable price points. The brand also offers a large selection of quick-ship and custom upholstery, and is a great source for apartment-sized sofas and modular sectionals.

Best for: Modern design fans, small space dwellers

Price positioning: $$–$$$

Delivery details: Quick-ship items arrive in 1-4 weeks; custom upholstery can take 10-20+ weeks

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn is a go-to for family-friendly living room furniture, excelling at comfortable sofas, leather seating, and substantial coffee and accent tables that feel built to last. The brand's classic styling means you get longevity in a design sense, too.

Best for: Comfortable, durable upholstery, high-quality wood furniture

Price positioning: $$–$$$

Delivery details: Quick-ship items arrive in 1-4 weeks; custom upholstery typically 10-16 weeks

Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel consistently delivers on quality, comfort, and clean-lined style. The upholstery is particularly strong, comfortable, durable, and well-designed. If you want something modern but not stark, Crate & Barrel is a reliable starting point.

Best for: Modern, yet livable furniture, comfortable seating, clean-lined storage pieces

Price positioning: $$–$$$

Delivery details: In-stock items arrive in as few as 7 days, custom pieces take 8-16 weeks

Accessible Style

There's room in any living space for budget-friendly finds, whether it's a trendy side table or a high-end lookalike. These retailers consistently have the best value-minded finds.

Wayfair

It's hard to beat the convenience and versatility of Wayfair. The site is a true one-stop shop for living room furniture, and it caters to nearly any price point and style. Its breadth can make it tricky to separate the good buys from the lower-quality options, so it's important to read reviews (which are usually plentiful) and check product specifications before purchasing. One highlight: Wayfair's in-house brands Birch Lane and Joss & Main offer custom sofas in a relatively short timeline of just 4-5 weeks.

Best for: Fast, free delivery, budget-friendly accent furniture

Price positioning: $-$$

Delivery details: Most accent furniture arrives in 2-3 days, custom pieces take 4-5 weeks.

Target

Target has become a dependable destination for design-forward living room accents, thanks to well-executed in-house brands, and dependable collaborations with designers like McGee &Co. and Joanna Gaines. While it’s not the place to shop for a forever sofa, it’s excellent for accent chairs, side tables, and trend-forward pieces that refresh a room without a major commitment or expense.

Best for: Trend-driven accent pieces, designer looks for less

Price positioning: $

Delivery details: Most items are stocked an arrive in 2-3 days

Article

Article offers plenty of options for the living room, including sofas, coffee tables, accent chairs, and lighting, and its direct-to-consumer model helps keep prices more competitive than comparable retailers. Most of the styles are clean-lined, making them best-suited for midcentury or contemporary homes, as well as small living rooms.

Best for: Value-driven, stylish sofas and sectionals

Price positioning: $$

Delivery details: Most items arrive in 1-3 weeks

Zara Home

Zara Home is as style-driven as its fashion counterpart, with a furniture collection that leans clean, sculptural, and current. Best bets here include sculptural accent tables, sleek storage, and lighting that punches above its price point. Zara's recent collaboration with architect Vincent Van Duysen signals a turns towards higher-end collections, and includes premium-priced leather and linen furniture.

Best for: Trend-forward coffee and side tables, accent furniture

Price positioning: $-$$$

Delivery details: Most accent furniture arrives in 2-4 days, custom pieces take 4-5 weeks.

Marshalls/TJ Maxx

If you haven't tried shopping online at Marshalls and TJ Maxx, consider this your cue. Each site offers a slightly different selection of designer living room furniture from quality brands like Safavieh, Moe's Home, Theodor Alexander, and Bernhardt at a discount. While the selection is more limited than, say, Wayfair or Target, there are gems to be had if you check back often.

Best for: Accent furniture like side tables, armchairs and ottomans

Price positioning: $-$$

Delivery details: Items are in-stock and generally ship within a few days

Luxury & Designer

If you are looking for living room furniture that's going to last, these are the brands to look out for. Classic styles that never lean into fleeting trends and materials that will last decades – these brands favor craftsmanship and the price points reflect that.

Arhaus

Arhaus is one of the best in the furniture industry at marrying craftsmanship and style. Price points are high, but there’s quality to back it up: much of the company’s upholstered furniture is made by artisans in North Carolina, using materials like hardwood, recycled steel, and premium performance upholstery.

Best for: Quality furniture with style-focused silhouettes, large-scale pieces

Price positioning: $$$

Delivery details: Quick-ship items arrive in 1-2 weeks, Custom pieces ship in 10 weeks

Williams Sonoma Home

The parent company to Pottery Barn and West Elm, Williams Sonoma is best-known for its high-end kitchenware, but its home offshoot is not to be missed. The assortment is tightly curated, with customization available in upholstery, and centers on classic, well-made pieces meant to feel sophisticated now and in a decade.

Best for: Upholstered pieces with timeless sophistication

Price positioning: $$$

Delivery details: Quick-ship items arrive within a week, custom pieces ship in 16-20 weeks

Serena & Lily

Serena & Lily is known for its airy, elevated coastal style, but there are gems in its catalog for any aesthetic. Of note is the brand’s extensive range of upholstered furniture, which is bench-made in North Carolina and offers high-quality hallmarks like 8-way hand-tied steel coil springs and mortise-and-tenon construction, along with 100+ custom fabric choices.

Best for: Coastal-inspired design, luxury upholstery

Price positioning: $$$

Delivery details: Quick-ship upholstery takes 4-6 weeks, custom pieces ship in 8-10 weeks

Design Within Reach

You won’t find an overstuffed family sectional at Design Within Reach. Instead, DWR is where you shop for pieces known by name – the Barcelona chair, the Noguchi table – and for clean-lined furniture for a modernist or contemporary room. If you’re looking for a statement piece, start here.

Best for: Contemporary and modern design fans

Price positioning: $$$

Delivery details: Furniture arrives 1-3 weeks from shipping date

Ethan Allen

Ethan Allen has been a bastion for quality, comfortable furniture for nearly 100 years. While the brand built its reputation around traditional designs, the brand has evolved over the decades to include more streamlined and contemporary silhouettes alongside its classic offerings.

Best for: Traditionalists who appreciate practicality, craftsmanship and comfort

Price positioning: $$$

Delivery details: Most items are custom-made and ship in 5-8 weeks

Arteriors

Arteriors is a designer favorite that's often associated with statement lighting, but its furniture collection is not to be missed, especially if you’re looking for something unique. Expect sculptural silhouettes, mixed materials, and pieces that look gallery-worthy without being impractical.

Best for: Statement-making accent furniture

Price positioning: $$$

Delivery details: Most items are in-stock and ship within three business days

Vintage, One-of-a-Kind & Specialty Makers

If you’re drawn to decorating with vintage or pieces with real character, look beyond the mass-market chains and consider one of these specialty retailers. Whether you’re after a substantial antique that adds depth and gravitas, a custom sofa tailored to your exact specifications, or original artwork to finish off your room, these sources deliver pieces with distinction.

1stDibs

If you’re searching for a custom accent piece, pristine antique or an oil painting with provenance, 1stDibs is the place to start. The platform connects buyers with vetted artisans and antique dealers (no individual sellers allowed), who peddle wares like European armchairs and rare midcentury coffee tables. It’s not a budget destination, but if you have something truly special in mind, it’s a sure bet.

Best for: Investment antiques, collectible designer furniture

Price positioning: $$$

Delivery details: Shipping varies by dealer

Chairish

Chairish operated in a similar manner to 1stDibs, but tends to have more vintage collections and a broader range of price points, in part because Chairish allows individual resellers, too. Think of it as a flea market for those who don’t have time to make the trip in person.

Best for: Vintage accent chairs, unique coffee tables, character-driven pieces

Price positioning: $$–$$$

Delivery details: Shipping varies by seller

Etsy

armchairsEtsy is an dependable and accessible source for both custom and vintage items. You’ll find everything from secondhand case goods and upcycled arm chairs, to bespoke throw pillows and retro lighting. Price points are equally as varied, ranging from bargain-basement to high-end boutique.

Best for: Vintage finds that add personality, custom cushions and tables

Price positioning: $–$$$

Delivery details: Shipping varies by seller

Our Favorite Living Room Furniture to Shop Now

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As someone who lives in NYC, that awkward gap behind the sofa feels personally offensive. What a waste of space – that’s easily a few hundred dollars of rent doing absolutely nothing. Too skinny for anything useful, right?

Or, so I thought – until I discovered an impossibly slim sofa table from Wayfair that slides right in, turning that awkward, small living room sliver into a surprisingly chic vignette. Judging by the nearly 900,000 views the demonstration has racked up on TikTok, I’d say it’s having a bit of a viral moment.

Because it’s so slender, the wood-top table becomes the perfect landing pad for the things that, in a living room with more breathing room, might sit on side tables flanking the sofa – say, a vase of flowers, an incense holder, a candle, a neat stack of coasters.

Admittedly, this table's minimalist look isn’t reinventing any wheels. What is revolutionary, though, is its waifish proportions. Its long profile (available in three different dimensions) naturally suits the back of a sofa in a tiny living room, but the slim width is also a clever solution for narrow entryways or slim hallways that would otherwise never accommodate a table at all.

While wasted square footage is particularly painful in Manhattan, there’s never a reason not to make more of the space you already have. I don’t know about you, but I’m not letting a $70 table be the reason I don’t.

More Slim-Lined Tables

A few other slim tables caught my eye and may very well pique your interest, too.

How I'd Style One

Whether it lands in an entryway, dining room, or behind the sofa, if I were banishing the awkward gap in your home today, these are the three things I’d style on top of your new super-skinny surface.

Living in New York has forced me to get crafty with space, which, fortunately, has given me an eagle eye for brilliant space-saving solutions. Beyond the skinny sofa table, a few other small-space godsends have caught my attention lately: the Yamazaki countertop drawer, which effectively doubles your cookspace, and a similarly slim shoe cabinet from IKEA that all but disappears into a hallway.

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The serene earth trend might not be one you've heard of, but the combination of calming blues, rich greens, and warm browns has been quietly dominating interiors for years – and is a color combination you've likely laid eyes on plenty of times.

An understated yet wonderfully cozy room color idea, a serene earth look draws its inspiration from the quiet elegance of nature. Evoking the tranquil beauty of organic hues, it brings a masterfully soothing ambience to interiors. Effortlessly adaptable, this palette enhances any room, yet there's something delightfully inviting about decorating with earthy colors in a living room.

A timeless living room color idea that never overwhelms, interior designers have long embraced the harmonious blend of colors of nature. Offering a more refined and characterful alternative to conventional neutrals, we delve into the details of a collection of projects that embrace a serene earth palette and how they enhance a living room space with an effortless sense of calm and sophistication.

A more subdued take on the earthy vibrancy trend, the serene earth palette employs a sense of calm through color, layering natural tones for visual harmony.

Here, Interior designer Allan Chapman decorated with green, acting as a calming canvas for richer accent tones. 'Our client for this project has always loved the color green, so once we decided this space would serve as a cozy retreat from the joyful chaos of little children in the rest of the house, the direction felt clear. This was the perfect room to color-wash the walls in her favorite shade of green.'

Allan adds, 'The soft blue velvet sofa felt like a natural complement to the green backdrop. Blues and greens appear together everywhere in nature, and they create a timeless, versatile foundation for almost any design scheme.'

She continues, 'This living space serves as the home’s library and study, so we introduced warm leathers and classic plaids to create an earthy yet elevated, masculine feel. Our goal was to design a space that feels inviting and intimate. Perfect for curling up with a book or sipping bourbon by the fire.'

Powder blue sets the tone of this whimsical living room, paired with soft textures and nostalgic patterns. Sara Braham, Co-founder of Braham Macnicoll, explains, 'That connection to nature became the foundation of the palette. Soft, watery blues echo shifting skies, fresh greens reflect the foliage beyond the glass, and warm, earthy browns ground the scheme with depth and balance. It’s a palette borrowed from nature – timeless, harmonious, and impossible to misjudge.'

Sara continues, 'When designing this grand Victorian villa in Harrogate, we were immediately struck by the way the expansive windows draw the mature trees indoors, blurring the boundary between house and garden. The landscape doesn’t just surround the home – it becomes part of the experience within it.'

By mixing patterns, the living room has a distinctly romantic feel that complements the powder blue paint perfectly. Sara says, 'We always recommend weaving these tones together through fabrics and furnishings that vary in pattern scale and texture – pairing delicate florals with bolder motifs and small prints, and balancing soft linens with tactile weaves. This layering adds depth and quiet interest without overwhelming the space.'

This traditional living room comes to life through its understated color palette. Color-drenched in a pale blue paint, the richer green and brown contrast against the cool-toned walls.

Lauren E. Lowe, founder of Lauren Elaine Interiors, says, 'I often like to include a more muted or earthy color to add warmth to cooler tones that would otherwise be too bright or too pretty. Earth tones often feel relaxed, so they can make formal elements feel more approachable. Blue and green are earth’s neutrals, so this fool-proof color palette will always feel serene and reminiscent of nature.'

Like earthy neutral paints, the serene earth palette feels grounded. Use the richer greens and browns as later layers and keep the blue cool and subtle. Lauren says, 'Be strategic with emphasis by keeping the blue tones crisp and bright, the greens earthy and tonal and try to keep additional colors outside of this palette to a minimum. Consider layering in verdant elements such as antique landscape oil paintings or tapestry-inspired patterns to help tie the tones together.'

Inspired by the serenity of nature, interior designer Lindley Arthur created a beautiful snug designed for relaxation and taking in the outside views. She says, 'This small den has two full walls of windows overlooking a sea of trees in Fort Worth. We wanted to honor the amazing view and choose a color palette from nature.'

She says, 'Nature is the best inspiration for so many color palettes. Just take a walk in your garden to see how different shades of green, brown, and color play beautifully against each other in unexpected ways.'

The jewel-toned blue wallpaper, matching window treatments and plush two-seater sofa bring richness to the space, styled with delicate layers of organic textures, from the rattan blinds to floral throw cushions. Lindley says, 'The printed Fern grasscloth from McLaurin & Piercy was our starting point for the space. The oversized print and soothing color were an easy choice for the compact space. We warmed it up with texture: unlined grass shades, warm woods, and hints of camel and ochre – all hues that can be spotted in the canopy of trees outside.'

Serene Earth-Inspired Picks

To bring the serene earth look into your home without re-painting a whole room, explore my edit of beautiful buys inspired by the colors of nature.

The serene earth palette is a liveable yet sophisticated choice for any home. A tranquil combination of colors, when paired side-by-side, these familiar shades bring a quiet elegance and serenity that couldn't be more fitting for a cozy living room space designed for relaxing.

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From layered seating styles to maximalist floral sofas that exude kitschy charm, this year's living room furniture trends reflect the growing desire for homes to embody a rich, layered, and truly liveable feel.

The latest living room trends celebrate the art of eclecticism, so it is no surprise that the most coveted living room furniture pieces effortlessly blend character with function. Drawing inspiration from trending shapes, patterns, and colors, these five furniture styles strike a perfect balance between elegance and durability – designed to make your living room feel unmistakably and authentically yours.

Influenced by this year's top interior design trends, expect to see these five trending styles featured in all of your favorite living room projects in 2026.

1. Floral Sofas

They may have once been included in outdated furniture trends, but maximalist floral sofas are here to stay this year. Inspired by vintage interiors, floral sofas have a whimsical, deeply nostalgic feel, making them a firm favorite amongst designers looking to create a characterful living space.

A sofa trend with maximalist roots, floral sofas are more than just the kitschy styles from the 1980s; they're a stylish way to introduce pattern within a scheme and evoke a sense of playfulness.

Interior designer, Jessica Buckley says, 'I do hope that a floral sofa is a sofa for life, but of course, these trends tend to come and go. I think floral sofas are a perennial classic, especially in country homes.'

Jessica opted for a sofa upholstered in Lee Jofa's 'Althea' fabric in the above project. She explains, 'The sofa fabric was primarily selected to soften the look of the kitchen to be in keeping with the English country house feel: we wanted a floral but one with some character and presence. This particular floral fabric is such a classic, and the colors tie in nicely with the colours of the cabinetry (a dark green).'

2. Built-In Banquettes

Banquette seating may have traditionally been limited to kitchens, but in 2026, designers are taking the familiar style and adding it to living rooms.

Interior designer Blair Parkes of Parkes & Lamb Interiors says, 'We’re seeing more banquettes in design recently, which we're really excited about! It brings a big personality to an otherwise bare corner of a room by adding pattern and extending a welcoming invitation to play a fun game, read a book or have a cocktail and hang out with your friends!'

Anastasia Lewis, founder of Dwello Design, explains, 'There is a strong demand for individuality in residential design right now, which can feel intimidating when you are working with strict square meterage and functional limitations. The concept of bespoke built-in furniture and millwork is gaining a lot of appreciation, especially for smaller spaces. Banquettes offer huge benefits, both aesthetically and practically, making them a winning combination where functionality perfectly marries aesthetics.'

Referring to the pictured project, Anastasia explains, 'Since the property's square footage was slightly limited, but the client's lifestyle called for extra seating and storage, a built-in banquette was a no-brainer. We included hidden storage under the skirting. It was the most sensible tactic to maximize the actual metrage without sacrificing the client's needs, proving that highly functional spaces can, and absolutely should, showcase personality.'

3. More Than One Ottoman

A handy seating vessel that's long been featured in living rooms, it's not hard to find an ottoman of some kind in today's living rooms. While they're hardly a new 2026 furniture trend, designers are honoring the ottoman by featuring more than one in their projects.

In this transitional living room, interior designer Kelsey Leigh used a pair of ottomans to fuse comfort with practicality. She says, 'We layered multiple ottomans and side tables to give the room maximum flexibility. Ottomans function as extra seating, a place for people to put their feet up and relax, and extra tables make an easy spot to drop their phones. They’re intentionally multi-functional and help the space feel livable and adaptable.'

She adds, 'We will see layered ottomans trending into 2026. In this project, we covered them in plaid because we really love the pattern and believe plaid is gaining momentum as a forward design trend.'

4. Laid Back Seating

Daybeds are replacing sofas in 2026, and other relaxed seating options are receiving ample love, too. Historic chaise lounges are set to dominate living rooms this year, as we all crave more informal, laid-back spaces.

Interior designer Taylor Hill explains, 'Recently I've seen a refocus on finding comfort in design, so an uptick in the prevalence of chaise lounges could absolutely correlate.'

Referring to the project pictured above, she explains, 'This room is pretty massive, so we needed furniture that filled the space appropriately. The space's dimensions allowed us to pair two chaises where one would typically expect to see lounge chairs. We placed a more traditional pair of club chairs to balance the size of the chaise lounges on the other side of the room. A sofa anchors the space adjacent.'

Taylor adds, 'Because this home is a destination for the family to unwind at the beach, casual gatherings prevail. Even when hosting friends and family, a relaxing setup like this is perfect for reading a book, watching a movie, or having a conversation. If someone has more formal living room goals, I would probably recommend going in a different direction.'

5. Mixing and Matching Styles

While mixing eras and styles has long been a valued tool in interior design, layering living room seating is a trend to look out for this year. A way of creating a transitional, lived-in feel, it allows opposing shapes to sing beside one another.

Kristina Khersonsky, founder of Studio Keeta, says, 'Layering seating styles introduces dimension as well as tension to the room in a way that feels collected rather than matched. It creates visual depth. Mixing silhouettes and proportions prevents the room from falling flat but also is a perfect representation of our client’s taste and affinity to multiple genres and periods. There is a subtle color palette at play that holds the space together to evoke fluidity.'

Kristina adds, 'I think that layering, in general, has already arrived and will not be going anywhere any time soon. People have discovered that collecting pieces in an intentional way isn’t linear and is what contributes to a room feeling dynamic. Layering is visual interest.'

Hollie Velten, founder of SPACES by Hollie Velten, used various seating styles in the pictured living room. 'It can add substantial visual weight to a room, rather than working with proportions too small or slight. Textiles add coziness and personality, so layering is certainly something we do often. I think flexible, casual, and pattern are all things people seem more interested in, vs fixed and with little soul. Different heights and placements allow a sort of kinetic rhythm, some interplay and places for the eye (and people!) to roam while fabric pattern play gives some movement and interest and can surprisingly feel less stark than a large solid piece of color.'

From vintage-inspired floral sofas to built-in banquettes, this year's living room furniture trends favor character and comfort, designed to make any lounge feel liveable and stylish.

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A piece of furniture that bridges the gap and grounds a scheme, it's long been believed that a lounge without a sofa is like a kitchen without a stove; in other words, incomplete. However, is a couch a must-have in a living room? These designers and their couch-less spaces prove otherwise.

Sofas were always thought to complete a living room, but in small or awkwardly shaped spaces, they can feel like an unnatural choice, trying to cram in this bulky piece just because that's what always been done. And sometimes it's not about the proportions of the space either. It can be about how you want the room to flow and feel, and a couch can result in a less sociable living room layout, blocking off areas or having every angle pointing at the TV.

From a coastal lounge that makes a built-in bench the focal point to a transitional living room that has made me see daybeds in an entirely different light, these projects might lack a sofa, but they rethink convention for the better.

1. A Spanish-Revival Style Room Featuring Conversation Seating

While a sofa might feel like the missing piece in a living room, after laying eyes on the Spanish revival style front room created by design team Nickey Kehoe, I'm all here for the unexpected.

An armchair might sound like a familiar living room furniture choice, but it's a little more unusual to see an entire family of them at the heart of a lounge. Todd Nickey and Amy Kehoe explain, 'We intentionally moved away from a sofa-centric layout in this room. While the space is generous in one direction, it's also narrow, thus prompting an alternate way of thinking about the space. Anchoring the room with a sofa would have narrowed the flow, so instead we opted for a grouping of chairs that encourages conversation and keeps the space feeling light. It allows the room to remain flexible and lets the architecture and textures take the lead.'

While a sofa might be a clever way to zone a living room, the set of armchairs paired with the round table in the Los Feliz sitting room acts as an intimate area for conversation. Todd and Amy explain, 'The starting point is always conversation rather than a hierarchy of furniture. We like to arrange seating in an inward-facing or circular way so no one feels peripheral. A mix of generous lounge chairs and smaller, movable pieces – stools or ottomans – keeps the room feeling relaxed and flexible. A central table helps anchor the arrangement, giving everyone a shared surface and visually connecting the seating.'

They add, 'Layering rugs, lighting, and varied materials brings warmth and cohesion, allowing the space to feel grounded and inviting without relying on a traditional sofa.'

2. A Transitional Living Room That Switches a Couch for a Day Bed

There are many delightful sofa trends gracing today's interior designs, but Nadia Watts' living room makes a case for something a little more unusual, and equally as stylish.

Instead of the usual format of a sofa at the center of a scheme (and other seating types scattered around it), Nadia's transitional living room makes the humble daybed its focal point. She explains, 'I didn’t want the room to feel predetermined. A sofa can sometimes dictate how a space is used – it creates a front and a back, a right way to sit. In this case, I wanted the room to feel more fluid and inviting.'

It’s a large space that includes the dining table and opens to the bar and another sitting area, so everything needed to work together. Rather than creating one dominant seating moment, I wanted the entire room to feel conversational – connected and layered, with each area in quiet dialogue with the next.'

While designing the perfect living room layout can feel dependent on the sofa, Nadia explains that by removing it, the space feels bigger and more open. 'The chairs can speak to one another, and the architecture has more presence. It becomes less about lining people up and more about creating an atmosphere – somewhere you naturally gather and settle in without thinking about it.' She adds, 'A sofa can sometimes stretch people apart, but four well-scaled chairs arranged in a closer grouping often feel warmer and more intentional. I think in terms of conversation rather than a fixed focal point.'

3. A Coastal Style Sitting Room With a Built-In Bench

If you asked me to envision a coastal living room, the first thing I'd imagine would be a blue linen couch sitting proudly at the center of the space. Admittedly, though, this would have been before I'd seen the rather stylish Manhattan Beach house designed by Studio LeClercq.

While it might be hard to imagine achieving a relaxed, effortless feeling without a sofa, this light-filled lounge proves that a pair of loungers and a built-in bench can make a space feel just as comfortable – and far more cool. Katie LeClercq explains, 'The 'sitting room' is nestled between the main entry and living room. Glazed windows provide a sunlit jewel box effect. A step away from the chaos, while still allowing the natural light to filter through.'

While a built-in bench isn't exactly conventional, it's clearly unexpected seating that designers swear by. Katie says, 'Storage was very important to this family of six (and two dogs). The built-in bench was a way to combine both function and form in a pleasing way. The additional casual lounge chairs invite someone to slow down for a bit. Read a book, catch up on emails while the dogs are typically perched on the bench looking out at passersby.'

She adds, 'Creating spaces like this is important to the flow of a busy home. They are meant for a quiet conversation or a place to unwind, so the need for a giant sofa isn’t necessary.'

4. A Scandi-Style Living Room That Honors the Armchair

Proving that there's more to living room furniture than just sofas, this organic modern living room makes the armchair the star of the show.

The ultimate set-up for evening conversations and morning coffees, the living room's layout is entirely central, composed of four snug armchairs and a contemporary coffee table. Inviting yet elevated, the room feels just as cozy and comforting as lounges that debut an oversized sectional.

A comforting design with Scandinavian inspiration, the room is perfect for conversations with friends. Its designer, Raili Clasen, founder of Raili Ca Design, says, 'We chose to forego the sofa in this space and create more cocktail hour than a TV room. Each person gets their own space/chair, and everyone faces each other.'

5. An Informal Family Room Layered With Seating Options

While a sofa is often the no-brainer choice for living rooms, for spaces designed for more than just lounging, there are far more suitable furniture choices. In this family room, a daybed and a duo of armchairs bring a similarly cozy feel, whilst providing multiple 'areas' for enjoying games and music.

Interior design duo Todd Nickey and Amy Kehoe (founders of Nickey Kehoe) comment, 'This game/music room and library was meant to be a multi-purpose space, used equally as a space for one, or four! A less formal layout spoke to the use of the room, comprised of a chaise, game table & chairs, and a pair of lounge chairs and easy-to-pull-up cocktail tables.'

They add, 'We opted not do a central coffee table to allow for ease of movement –getting up to play a record or grab a book. The layout feels casual and easy to change positions as the game ends and a book begins.'

Stylish Sofa Alternatives

From slipcovered armchairs to floor cushions perfect for cozy movie nights, these six stylish seating choices will make you rethink sofas for good.

Sofas might have once been the answer to a foolproof living room formula, but these accomplished designs and 2026 interior design trends prove that other seating styles will make your space feel just as comfortable and accomplished.

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Over the years, I’ve walked into countless small living rooms where the layout was thoughtful, the lighting layered, the furniture carefully chosen – and yet the space still felt tight. More often than not, the problem wasn’t the footprint. It was the sofa.

It’s an easy mistake to make. In a showroom, darker upholstery feels sophisticated and dramatic. It adds depth and contrast. But once it’s positioned in a compact space, that same depth can feel like visual weight – and suddenly the room feels smaller than it actually is.

If experience has taught me anything, it’s this: in a small living room, your sofa color does more heavy lifting than almost any other design choice, which is why it is so important when searching for the best couch for your space.

And time and again, designers return to one shade that rarely fails – a soft, warm greige. Not flat beige. Not cool, steely gray. But that gentle, balanced tone with just enough warmth to feel inviting and just enough gray to stay modern. It’s understated. But it’s incredibly effective.

Why Warm Greige Expands a Room Without Trying Too Hard

When readers ask, what color couch makes a room look bigger, there are a few nuanced answers depending on light, layout, and style. But if you want one dependable option that works in most small spaces, warm greige consistently comes out on top. The reason is simple: it doesn’t fight the room.

Small spaces struggle when there’s too much visual stop-and-start. A dark sofa against pale walls creates a strong block of contrast. Your eye lands there and lingers. In a larger room, that grounding effect can feel deliberate. In a compact one, it emphasizes boundaries. Warm greige softens that transition. Sitting comfortably between beige and gray, it allows the eye to move fluidly across walls, upholstery, and flooring. Everything feels connected rather than sharply segmented – and when the eye moves easily, the room feels larger.

Undertone is key. Cool grays can skew blue, especially in north-facing rooms, flattening the atmosphere. A greige with a subtle taupe or sandy base reflects light softly, giving the space a warmer, more layered feel. As

Becca Casey, founder of Becca Interiors, notes that greige has a unique ability to visually expand a room, particularly on a couch. 'A warm greige sofa creates calm continuity,' she says. 'It sits between beige and gray, so it avoids harsh contrast and lets the eye move freely around the room. That softness is what makes a space feel bigger.' She adds,

'Greige works beautifully as a visual anchor. It creates order without distraction and acts as a subtle foil for well-curated soft furnishings furniture. I gravitate toward natural, nuanced palettes and materials – they bring longevity and quiet luxury, and greige helps a room breathe.'

The Contrast Trap That Makes Small Rooms Feel Smaller

The issue isn’t necessarily choosing a dark sofa – it’s choosing one that contrasts too sharply with everything around it. When upholstery dramatically differs from wall color or flooring, it creates a hard visual boundary, almost like outlining the furniture in ink. In generous spaces, that kind of definition can add structure. In smaller ones, it exposes the room’s limits.

I’ve seen living rooms transform simply by swapping a deep charcoal sofa for a mid-tone greige. The layout didn’t change. The architecture stayed the same. But the atmosphere shifted immediately: the room felt calmer, more cohesive, and noticeably more open. It’s less about matching perfectly and more about staying within a close tonal family so the furnishings relate rather than compete.

‘Greige has become one of the most popular sofa choices for small living rooms,’ explains Jane Landino, Creative Head at Taylor Howes.

‘It’s sophisticated yet understated, and its versatility makes it incredibly livable. A warm, greige sofa blends effortlessly with walls, flooring, and textiles, allowing the eye to move around the space – and that visual flow instantly makes a small room feel larger. Get the tone right, and it’s a failsafe choice that feels stylish, practical, and timeless, working beautifully with bold accents or a more restrained, neutral scheme.’

A Quiet Choice That Makes a Confident Difference

In a showroom filled with dramatic velvets and inky leathers, warm greige can seem almost too subtle. It doesn’t shout for attention.

But in a real home – particularly a smaller one – that restraint is exactly what allows everything else to shine. Artwork stands out more. Wood tones feel richer. Even negative space reads as intentional rather than sparse.

Interior designer Henriette Von Stockhausen, creative director at VSP Interiors, explains why designers love using greige: ‘Greige is incredibly versatile and grounding,’ she says. ‘On a sofa, it allows the room to feel calm and cohesive while letting the architecture, furnishings, and artwork shine. Sometimes a classic interior is exactly what a space needs: calming colors, understated schemes, and timeless pieces. No clashing patterns, no bold accents of color – just comfort, elegance, and a space that feels effortlessly livable.’

Making a small living room look bigger rarely requires a dramatic overhaul. More often, it’s about reducing visual friction and softening contrast so the eye can move freely. A warm greige sofa may not be the boldest decision you’ll make. But in a small living room, it’s the one that quietly changes how the entire space feels – and that’s what truly creates the sense of more room to breathe.

Shop Greige Couches

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A humble little corner designed for a singular activity, a nook looks different in every home, but its purpose is always the same: to feel secluded from the rest of the space and be used for whatever your heart desires.

Many of us have explored living room alcove ideas, and we've all heard of a cozy reading nook and an intimate breakfast nook, so what's the new nook for 2026? Well, it seems designers are continuing to make living room ideas work even harder by transforming these central, multifunctional spaces with thoughtfully composed nooks that cater to everything from intimate dining to leisurely game nights. These artful additions make every square foot count, proving that for living room trends 2026, even the smallest spaces can accommodate a beautifully considered nook of their own.

Discover three inspiring, intimate nook ideas for your living room below.

1. A Breakfast Banquette – In a Living Room

Banquette seating is all too familiar in a kitchen, designed to make cooking feel communal, but in the living room (a space where a sofa is the no-brainer choice), a built-in bench is rare.

A living room seating idea I'd not yet considered, Interior designer Alexandra Young makes the most out of an apartment's small floorplan by creating a nook in between the kitchen and living room. She explains, 'We introduced the seating nook as a way to gently mediate between the kitchen and the more formal sitting room, creating a space that connects the two while also giving each its own identity. In a compact London pied-à-terre, every corner has to work hard, and this felt like an elegant solution that allowed the rooms to flow together without feeling visually or practically crowded.'

A small room might sound like a challenge, but it has just as much potential as larger spaces. Alexandra looked past the restricted floor plan, giving the living room its very own breakfast nook. She says, 'I imagined it as a space for the quiet rituals of daily life. Somewhere, my clients could enjoy their morning coffee with light pouring through the large windows, or where their child might curl up with homework, cushioned by soft scatter pillows, while supper was being prepared. It also works beautifully for informal suppers with friends.'

She adds, 'The apartment’s Victorian proportions meant there wasn’t space for a separate kitchen table, so the nook became a natural extension of the kitchen, an overspill area with cookbooks housed in the shelving above, yet it’s refined enough, with its sumptuous velvets and antique pedestal table, to sit comfortably within the more formal language of the sitting room.'

2. A Cozy Games Corner Tucked Into an Alcove

While two alcoves, either side of a fireplace in a traditional living room, might typically be filled with built-in bookcases or antique dressers, I've yet to see one used as a seating area.

That was until I spotted interior designer Rosanna Bossom's charming creation. Tucked into the alcove of a living room, a quaint loveseat and games table sit proudly. A separate seating area ideal for hosting, it feels like a miniature games room, secluded yet still sociable.

Rosanna explains, 'While matching pairs on either side of a fireplace can work beautifully, they can also feel a little too perfect for me. I’m drawn to a more relaxed, layered approach. One that feels natural rather than overly arranged. The nook not only balances the room visually, but also adds an extra seating area, making the space more inviting and usable.'

She adds, 'Because the room isn’t symmetrical, adding the nook helped to gently balance the space without forcing it into a rigid layout. It softens the overall feel and makes the room feel less formal by introducing another layer of interest.'

'Ultimately, I want to design rooms to feel welcoming and lived-in, as though they’ve come together over time, rather than styled to a point of untouchable perfection.'

3. A Home Bar Carved Into a Bookcase

Whether it's a door behind a bookcase that leads to a secret speakeasy or an entire room with a bar and banquette, a home bar is a room with enduring appeal. Still, sometimes the smallest of niches, carved into a bookshelf, is all you need to host guests and enjoy a drink come evening.

Interiors and beauty journalist Phoebe McDowell proved this theory, looking beyond her square footage, she created a bespoke bookcase that holds her vast collection of books as well as her home bar essentials. While the combination of a small living room and a bar might sound unrealistic, the built-in cupboard amongst the shelves couldn't be more perfect for intimate hosting.

This masterfully designed little cupboard transforms home bar storage, elegantly elevating glassware and bar accessories into a truly stand-out design moment.

These inspiring intimate nooks prove that no matter the size of your living room, creating a sociable, secluded, and stand-out design feature is always possible.

Alexandra says, 'Ultimately, a successful nook should feel purposeful yet indulgent. A small architectural gesture that brings both practicality and quiet luxury to everyday life.'

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Renowned for its versatile palette of heritage hues, Farrow & Ball has long been the go-to destination for those in pursuit of the perfect paint color. While every shade in their extensive library has its charm, a select few 'hero' tones are particularly well-suited to small living rooms.

When it comes to standard living room color ideas, the choices can feel endless – but for more compact spaces, a handful of shades truly shine. Whether you’re styling a narrow lounge or an open-plan layout that seamlessly merges your kitchen with your living area, these designer-approved Farrow & Ball colors elevate architecture and make the most of every square foot.

From effortlessly livable off-whites to gentle, soft pinks, discover the three shades interior designers recommend for small living rooms that feel bright, inviting, and beautifully proportioned.

The Best Farrow & Ball Paints For a Small Living Room

1. Jitney

A neutral living room might sound a little boring, but Farrow & Ball's Jitney, a warm taupe-meets-brown, couldn't be further from bland. While many of us are moving away from classic neutrals for this year's living room color trends, if you're looking to keep things simple and relaxed but want to move away from using white as a neutral, Jitney is a refreshingly richer shade that's perfect for creating a timeless scheme in 2026.

While brown might not be an obvious 2026 color trend, Patrick O'Donnell, Brand Ambassador at Farrow & Ball, explains, 'Browns as a color family are making a comeback and will make a beautiful, elegant statement in any room, but especially smaller rooms. Often, they add warmth and work effortlessly with pinks, greens, and blues.'

Deep enough to enrich yet pale enough not to overwhelm, Jitney brings unbeatable warmth to a small living room, providing the perfect canvas for richer pops of color in decor and furniture. Patrick adds, 'Earth tones offer comfort and gentle warmth without creating an overpowering statement – ultimately creating a tranquil space, and Jitney is the perfect example of a mid-earth shade.'

2. Joa's White

Undeniably one of the best cream paints on the market, Joa's White is a classic off-white color with taupe undertones. A versatile color, it's a shade that brings an openness to small living rooms, without straying into the overly clinical or sterile.

Interior designer Polly Ashman used the long-loved cream in a recent project. She explains, 'This is a north-facing living room, so we didn't want anything too heavy or cold. We wanted to keep it light and inviting and let the art, fabrics and accessories do the talking.'

While white undeniably makes smaller spaces feel larger, a cream living room is remarkably warmer and more inviting. Polly adds, 'Joa's White is a lovely warm neutral that is a great choice for a smaller living room as it doesn't take over the space, it lifts the room and allows you to layer on top with either stronger colors or earthy neutrals.'

3. Setting Plaster

Loved for its softness, you've likely heard of Setting Plaster. A Farrow & Ball color that bridges the gap between light and warm, it's a gentle pink that works beautifully for a neutral scheme. Able to cocoon and still uplift, it's the perfect color for elevating and adding an inviting warmth to a small space.

Sarah Limbert, founder of Poets Corner Interiors, explains, 'We chose Setting Plaster because we wanted the room to feel both light and fresh during the day, yet warm and cocooning in the evening, a space that could transition beautifully from morning coffee to relaxed nights in.'

Unlike bright pinks, which can feel feminine, small living rooms decorated with plaster tones feel comforting and serene. Sarah continues, 'Setting Plaster is exceptionally well-suited to small living rooms. I often describe it as an elevated neutral as it carries more personality than beige or off-white, yet remains incredibly versatile. It never feels cold or flat, but equally, it avoids the heaviness that can sometimes make compact spaces feel smaller.'

There are colors you should never paint a small living room and colors you should, and these three timeless Farrow & Ball shades definitely fall into the latter. Neutral yet still warm and interesting, they are perfect for enriching a small space with quiet vibrancy, designed to work alongside any interior design style.

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Thanks to an insatiable nostalgia for Nancy Meyers interiors and a TikTok-fueled appreciation for cottagecore comfort, classic accent chairs are now hiding 360-degree capabilities beneath ruffles, waterfall skirts, and generously upholstered silhouettes.

They look prim, but behave mischievously – delighting both design devotees and inner children in equal measure.

Given all the hubbub, I asked design experts which styles from this newly sweetened set they’re shopping for 2026 – and why.

What to Look for in a Swivel Chair Love Match

One brand perfecting the gag of the surprise-swivel is decidedly non-basic, color-soaked home decor label Society Social – its chicified gaming furniture collaboration with fine art photographer Nick Mele last year was an early indicator that they're in on the fun.

Society Social’s Poppy Petite Swivel, in particular, embodies every spinning-seat detail to look out for this spring, distilling on-trend Nancy Meyers–coded details – such as tailored lines, notched arms, and a graceful waterfall skirt – into a smaller footprint, giving those less fortunate in square footage the big-house fantasy.

‘When one thinks of the stereotypical swivel chair, they might picture one relegated to an office corner or a nursery glider, but today’s designs couldn’t be further from that stereotype,’ notes Society Social founder Roxy Owens.

2026’s Most On-Trend Swivel Chairs

Below, I’ve curated twelve of the best Nancy Meyers–style swivel chairs to shop now. You’ll notice two dominant silhouettes – rounded backs for softness and ease, and square backs for that familiar, traditional armchair posture – offered in varying heights to suit different layouts.

Upholstery runs the gamut, though light and optimism is the overall mood. Think gingham, vintage-inspired florals, and softly aged color palettes for quieter moments – all, of course, concealing the same spinning secret.

‘I believe the swivel is having such a moment right now because the way we live and entertain has evolved,' Roxy continues. 'Our homes have changed – kitchens open up into living spaces, seating areas overlap, and we entertain more casually.'

It would be silly to suggest that stationary chairs are passé. Still, in an era where everything, from fashion to media, hinges on movement, this furniture trend is unseasonably simpatico.

‘A stationary chair tends to anchor a single moment in a room. A swivel, on the other hand, serves many purposes and shines in settings that benefit from flexibility,’ she adds.

Roxy calls them the most social seats in the house. ‘They are especially wonderful in pairs,’ she continues. ‘Two swivels across from a sofa create an instant vignette, but because they rotate, they can also pivot toward a television, a window, or another seating area when needed.’ Chatty Kathys, consider this your throne.

So no, swivel chairs aren't just for offices. Meet your new favorite party trick, movie-night essential, and surefire way to shake up a sleepy Sunday.

Even the most pattern-filled Nancy Meyers swivel is only as interesting as the sofa beside it. Much like these spinning seats, 2026’s sofa trends aren’t taking themselves too seriously either.

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Creating a cozy space isn’t just about decor; it’s about creating a feeling. A room that welcomes and relaxes, inviting you to snuggle in and escape. And what influences how a room makes you feel more than color?

So, what are the best colors for creating a cozy living room? We consulted the experts at Benjamin Moore, who revealed the coziest paint colors for turning your living room into a snug retreat.

An earthy theme runs throughout the palette, but not all of these shades are dark and cocooning, as you might expect. Yes, there’s a rich dark brown and a moody gray, but warm, light neutrals can create just as much of a cozy atmosphere.

A cozy living room offers a space to retreat to at the end of each day, and the right paint colors can go a long way in boosting its snug feel.

But what are the best paint colors to help create a restful and inviting living room? We're turning to the expertise of Benjamin Moore, who recently took to Instagram to share go-to paint shades for a cozy feel, ranging from light neutrals to much richer, moody hues.

An earthy theme runs throughout the palette of living room paint ideas, so while each Benjamin Moore paint color offers warmth and relaxation, they also feel timeless and versatile thanks to their natural-world association.

1. Steam AF-15

Cozy colors naturally tend to lean darker and more cocooning, but a warm white paint can be just as inviting. Benjamin Moore's Steam is the perfect cozy color: a soft warm-toned white that allows a quiet and calming feel throughout a space.

'Understated and refined, Steam is an innately calming hue that’s perfect for a living room scheme where relaxation is key,' says Helen Shaw, Director of Marketing (International) at Benjamin Moore. 'It acts as a soft base color to layer other neutrals such as Natural Linen and Gloucester Sage. Elevate with layers of texture – rattan accessories, fluffy textiles, and brick surfaces to complete the look.'

2. Sparrow AF-720

If you want to go slightly darker but still air on the side of a neutral, Benjamin Moore's Sparrow is a dark gray-brown paint that feels warming and earthy without being too dramatic.

'Sparrow is a unique dark gray with earthy brown undertones,' explains Helen. 'This rich hue reflects less light, making a room less active and therefore more restful.'

'Pair it with dark brown wood accents to bring rustic warmth to any living room,' advises Helen. While this neutral paint is versatile to use in many spaces, Helen notes that it may be best placed in those that benefit from plenty of daylight so it doesn't lean too dark: 'This works particularly well in large, well-lit spaces where there is plenty of natural light to avoid it becoming closeting and confined.'

3. Lush AF-475

As comforting as a green paint comes, Benjamin Moore's Lush is ideal for creating a comforting living room that still feels uplifting and colorful. This soothing hue feels reminiscent of the natural world and would look great paired with crisp white to freshen it up or a soft brown to lean into a more muted scheme.

'The subtle blue undertones of Lush create a rich, comforting green that evokes a feeling of the rainforest after a strong summer rain,' says Helen. 'This jewel-tone shade works particularly well in north-facing rooms to create a moody and dramatic look that still feels inviting.'

4. Hearthstone Brown 2109-20

The darkest of Benjamin Moore's cozy living room colors, Benjamin Moore's Hearthstone Brown feels incredibly stylish right now. It's that perfect deep, warm, almost glossy brown we've been seeing everywhere in recent months and continues to be a color trend into 2026. Benjamin Moore's Hearthstone Brown feel incredibly stylish right now.

'A go-to dark brown for setting a comfortable, welcoming ambiance, Hearthstone Brown has a strong connection to the natural world, offering a sense of security, comfort, and peace,' Helen explains. 'Its earthy richness is also associated with being grounded, giving good reason for its popularity when designing a cozy space.'

The Cozy Living Room Colors Edit

Inspired to bring these wonderfully cozy Benjamin Moore shades into your home? These buys will add warmth and comfort without the need to pick up a paint brush.

From light neutrals to much darker tones, your choice of paint color is the first step in creating a stylish and inviting living room, but don't forget to add plenty of textures and warm furnishings to complete the cozyscheme.

Whether it's scattered with antiques or left bare with a lacquer tray at its center, coffee tables are more than just vessels for holding your coffee or current reading rotation; they're the perfect canvas for exhibiting trends and showing off your tastes and style as a decorator.

Once limited to all the usual essentials, coffee table styling has changed (for the better). A central spot that makes your highly prized pieces the star of the show, coffee tables are the perfect canvas for embracing today's trends and making an artful and eye-catching statement.

While some features will always remain classic coffee table decor, designers are treating these tabletops as vessels for channelling their creativity. As interior designer Katie Kiser explains. 'The shift away from ubiquitous designer books and high-end candles has been a welcome one. Now more than ever, we are focused on storytelling and on using coffee table styling to personalize interiors.'

1. Ditch the Design Books for Meaningful Trinkets

'Lately, I’ve noticed coffee tables feeling a bit more personal and less overly styled,' says Interior designer Paloma Contreras. 'There’s a return to warmth and collected layers rather than perfectly curated vignettes. I’m seeing more organic materials, sculptural objects, and a mix of old and new. Fewer stacks of matching books and more meaningful pieces that tell a story and are more personal to the homeowner.'

Whether you're decorating with vintage pieces or personal possessions collected over your travels, adding special objects to your tabletop will only add to its charm. Katie explains, 'Vintage and antique cache pots, pewter frames, small sculptures, and tea caddies are much more fitting for today’s thoughtful interiors. I love combing through my clients' “junk drawers” and attics looking for a family heirloom that has been tossed aside and repurposing it into the most beautiful vignette.'

Designer Vanessa Chaverri-Gratz agrees, 'Honestly, I think of my coffee table the way some people think of their refrigerator growing up. The fridge used to showcase your life, where you had been, what you were proud of, and little memories. My coffee table does that now. It is a place to showcase places I have travelled, things I have collected, and pieces that mean something to me.'

2. Embrace Soft Cocktail Ottomans Over Hard Corners

You might have asked yourself, 'Does a living room need a coffee table?' when posed with committing to a hard-edged piece of furniture. However, what you might not have considered are the equally stylish, on-trend alternative: cocktail ottomans.

Whether it's kept simple and bare or decorated with a few essential objects on a lacquer tray, these charmingly soft ottomans are typically upholstered and on the plusher side, perfect for adding some warmth and coziness into your scheme.
Interior designer Mary Beth Sullivan of MB Sullivan Design says, 'Vintage trunks and cocktail ottomans (upholstered coffee tables) are two coffee table trends we are seeing pop up in the living room.'

Mary adds, 'An upholstered ottoman requires a solid tray or a collection of large coffee table books so that you have a sturdy surface for a drink. We love this look because it is beautiful, but also so comfortable to put your feet up on. Bonus: also no hard corners for small kids to run into! The upholstered look is also fun because it introduces another opportunity to bring in a fabric.'

3. Fill The Whole Area Rather Than Float the Decor

Since loud luxury has taken center stage (and its subtler counterpart, quiet luxury, has taken a back seat), characterful coffee tables seem to be everywhere. Covered in decor from head to toe, these coffee tables feature artful layers of objects, commanding attention as soon as you enter the room.

Vanessa explains, 'One coffee table trend I am really noticing is what I would call an intentionally full coffee table. Almost like how you would style a bookshelf. Lots of layers, lots of personality. Stacks of books, candles, small objects, art pieces, things you have collected.'

'I love a coffee table where you are not quite sure where to look first. It feels rich and lived in. For me, books are the foundation. I love heavy, beautiful books of all kinds. Design, travel, vintage volumes with worn spines. I stack them, layer them, and keep them accessible. They are there to be flipped through, but also to be used. I am totally fine with someone setting a coffee on a book. In my house, the stacks often double as coasters. It is styled, but it is not precious.'

4. Decorate with the Unique and Unexpected

Coffee table trends aren't limited to tables; in fact, trunks are the new way to showcase your most beloved decorations and house go-to evening essentials that you can reach for from the comfort of your couch.

Mary explains, 'Vintage trunks are easy to style because they already have so much patina and visual interest. They are not precious objects that need to be protected from watermarks. It is part of their charm.'

With plenty of history, trunks bring a layer of lived-in comfort and depth to a scheme that can be applied to all styles of spaces, not just traditional living rooms. Whether it's a minimalist living room layered with neutral tones or an already characterful sitting room covered in vibrant prints and colors, the older your trunk, the better. Mary adds, 'With both of these trends, we tend to lean towards minimal styling on a coffee table. A few books, coasters, a candle, and flowers. Less is really more. Allow the design of the table to be front and center.'

5. Incorporate Textured Materials Like Burl Wood

In 2025, we were met with the burl wood trend, a revival of the once-loved material that had the 1970s in a chokehold. Imprinted with a distinct patterned surface, burl wood strikes a balance between modern and lived-in, making it a popular coffee table choice for living rooms today.

With plenty of depth, burl wood's characterful markings make it a clever choice for a scheme in need of some contrast. Able to feel luxurious like marble yet warm like wood, a coffee table made from burl wood is a clever canvas for a mixture of decor.

Whether it's a low, midcentury-inspired table or an Art Deco burl wood design with a free-flowing shape, it's a clever material for creating visual contrast, achieved by layering a multitude of objects, from silver trays to rustic vases.

6. Say Goodbye to Matte Finishes and Choose Shiny Lacquer Instead

The recent love of lacquer is no secret. A quick and impactful way to add some contrast and vibrancy to a corner, the lacquer trend has firmly made its way into 2026. While charming decorations are one way to hop on board the lacquer movement, a smooth, shiny coffee table will make set the tone of a living space and create an eye-catching statement.

David and Sarah Ross, Co-Founders of Addison Ross, comment, 'Lacquerware is a great way of achieving this brighter, mood-boosting look as it stands as a playful yet cohesive way to introduce more vibrant tones, without them seeming out of place. Its glossy finish not only adds depth and intrigue, but also brings a contemporary edge that seamlessly complements the more classic pieces already present within a home.'

While a lacquer coffee table might be too much of a statement for your tastes, that's not to say you can't scatter smaller doses of lacquer on your tabletop. David and Sarah add, 'We love using our large orange ottoman lacquered tray as a striking centrepiece on a coffee table – it not only catches the eye but also keeps essentials like TV remotes neatly organised. This works especially well in a more neutral room, allowing the vibrant orange shade of the lacquer to truly stand out and make an impact.'

A place to embrace all your favorite trends, coffee tables are blank canvases waiting to be decorated. Vanessa says, 'My advice is not to be afraid to take up space on your coffee table. There is no rule that says you only get one candle or one book. If you love books, the more the merrier. If you love objects, display them. Use your coffee table as a place to style pieces you are proud of and actually want to live with. The best coffee tables are the ones that evolve and get used.'

It’s a fine line: you want your home to feel current without becoming a casualty of the trend cycle. Trends, after all, are fickle – often a rat race worth sitting out.

That said, a fresh lineup of living room arrivals from Homes & Gardens long-loved favorites proves you don’t have to sit spring decorating out entirely to land somewhere of-the-now. This new cohort feels uncommonly fresh – from Shea McGee’s brilliant decision to add a swivel base to her best-selling skirted furniture line for Target, now offered in ten spring-forward cotton upholsteries, to Lulu and Georgia’s clever five-panel wall mural, which not only turns art into an immersive experience, but begs the question: why did we all agree art had to stay inside a frame?

Meanwhile, IKEA does what it does best: bringing a pragmatic Scandi lens to the sitting room. This season, that looks like woven catchalls such as the cheerfully graphic Ommjänge baskets, which tidy up a cluttered credenza while building a pretty ironclad case for pink and orange – a color pairing we didn’t know we needed to shake off winter hibernation.

Across the board, expect a newfound optimism emanating familiar, vintage-inspired forms. Think twisted accents to texturemaxx a coffee table, lacquered furniture reimagined in buoyant spring shades, and the occasional deeper tone to ground all that pink.

We don’t like to be trendy either. Ahead, 15 pieces that signal taste, not timing, this spring.

The Round is Homes & Gardens' collection of the must-have pieces shaping styles, trends, and ideas. It brings together thoughtfully curated products that express a single moment – offering readers inspiring ways to style their homes through seasonal themes, emerging looks, and everyday pieces.

The thing about dated living room trends is that they rarely announce themselves. One day your space feels considered and current; the next, something’s slightly off – or frozen in time.

While some of our design choices will remain endlessly timeless, there are some outdated living room trends that don't age quite so well. What's driving that shift in 2026 isn't necessarily taste, but intention – and instead, we're focusing on creating softer, warmer, more liveable spaces that invite you to enjoy them properly (rather than just enjoying the view from the doorway).

To understand which living room trends are starting to look dated, I spoke to interior designers about what they’re actively urging us to leave behind in 2026, and what they’re prioritizing instead. And the common thread is refreshingly simple.

4 Living Room Trends Looking Dated in 2026

Before we get into it, it’s worth noting that what makes a space feel outdated isn’t about one specific bad choice – it’s more a collection of living room ideas that no longer serve the space. As designers rethink how stylish living rooms look and feel in the year ahead, certain trends are falling away, replaced by layouts and finishes that feel more intentional, comfortable, and true to the home itself.

In other words, a living room that works for how you live will always feel more relevant than one designed to impress for a moment.

Below, these are the living room trends designers say it's time to move on from.

1. Sterile Modernism

Modern living room schemes defined by minimal clutter and cool colors have been losing their spark for a while now. While these spaces once felt sleek and calming, we just see the all-white living room color trend as a little flat and personality-lacking in 2026.

'Hard, ultra-modern aesthetics are giving way to warmth,' says designer Jennifer Davis of Davis Interiors. 'Cold palettes and sharp angles are being replaced with softer silhouettes, richer materials, patterns, and tactile finishes that make a space feel inviting rather than showroom-like.'

'One-note neutrals are losing their impact,' she continues. 'High-end spaces are embracing nuanced color, warm whites, earthy tones, deep blues, and patterns.'

This desire for warmth extends to furniture choices, too. Elaine Bauer Brooks of Bauer Brooks Interior Design Studio adds: 'Stiff, modern sofas are an actual repellent. Comfort and livability are where it’s at!'

2. Forced Features

One of the quickest ways a living room can start to feel dated is through details that feel added on rather than in keeping with the property's era, quirks, or style. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a surge in decorative arches, curved cabinetry, and faux architectural moments designed to add character – but when they don’t relate to the history of the house, the effect can feel a little forced.

Kailee Blalock of House of Hive Design Co. describes it as 'architectural moments that don’t belong in the home. A big example is the rise of inauthentically arched cabinetry and arched built-ins in spaces where arches don’t exist anywhere else; it can feel forced and reads like a trendy design add-on rather than something that fits the architecture.'

'The most timeless living rooms have a sense of architectural honesty: they enhance the bones of the house instead of trying to overwrite them.'

3. XXL TVs

Perhaps one of the most telling signs of a space that hasn't been recently decorated is when the entire space is designed around the living room TV. Mounting a TV as the primary focal point is something designers are actively steering clients away from.

'One seriously dated living room trend for 2026 is a TV mounted as a focal point over a fireplace,' says designer Mary Beth Sullivan of MB Sullivan Design. 'Instead, there are so many more interesting things you can do with unexpected art and photography.'

Yena Jung of By Yena Designs echoes this sentiment, explaining that 'no TV can ever replace real art and no TV show can replace real human interaction and conversation.'

'Instead, find art that speaks to you,' she suggests. 'Art that has the right colors for your home and art that you can relate to. Start with decorating your walls with meaningful art and then layer in complementary textures by adding blinds/drapes, an accent table or lamp, and then making sure that the furniture is scaled correctly to the size of the room,' Yena advises.

4. Matchy-Matchy Furniture

Living rooms where everything matches too perfectly – the sofa, chairs, side tables, credenza – are starting to feel rather boring and in bad taste in 2026. While coordination is easy, spaces that feel overly styled and symmetrical now read as safe, predictable, and lack personality.

Katie Kiser of Katie Kiser & Co. says matchy-matchy schemes have seen better days. 'It's all about the tension between the unexpected pairings,' she advises.

That sense of tension is what gives a living room layout energy. Mixing old with new, pairing refined pieces with something rougher or more relaxed, and allowing contrasts in scale, texture, or age creates depth and character.

Jennifer Davis adds: 'Designers are returning to intentional furniture groupings that encourage conversation, comfort, and real-life living, not just visual impact. Depth comes from layered seating, anchored rugs, and pieces that confidently live within the space.'

Shop On-Trend Living Room Finds

If there’s one clear takeaway from these dated living room trends, it’s that 2026 is less about chasing the next big trend and more about designing with intention. The spaces that feel most current aren’t the ones following a rigid formula, but those that prioritize comfort and allow for personality to come through.

Todd Nickey and Amy Kehoe are no strangers to Los Feliz. It was in this hilly enclave that Nickey Kehoe – the bicoastal studio and store that’s become an arbiter of warmth in interior design – had an ‘aha’ moment for their signature aesthetic during an early commission. When it came time to create a home for Sarah Hindsgaul and Matt Duffer, co-creator of Stranger Things, the pair had plenty of experience with the area’s rich architectural palette.

And thus there was plenty of character to work with in the 1920s Spanish Colonial Revival home, which all comes together in the living room.

It’s a great room, undeniably, in the sense that it’s quite large. But the scale was slightly unusual: it’s long and narrow. For Nickey and Kehoe, it was less of a problem than a prompt, and ultimately helped them shape the space. 'It certainly provoked us to think about usability and how to beautifully orient the furnishings,' says Kehoe.

From furniture selection (like ditching the expected living room couch) to clever circulation and architectural cues, the narrow space led to big picture thinking. And the success, according to Amy Kehoe, rests in an interior scheme that invites conversation and intimacy – all with the studio’s lived-in, layered look.

The Sofa-less Living Room

Large rooms call for large furniture – it’s just part of the formula. But in this Los Feliz home, Nickey and Kehoe took a different approach to scale. While the living room is generous, there were concerns with proportions: a short staircase empties directly into the space, and the footprint isn’t terribly wide. 'It would have felt very tight to use sofas in the center,' says Kehoe of the conventional choice.

Rather than forcing smaller loveseats in front of the fireplace just for the sake of it (and potentially creating a stubborn layout), Nickey and Kehoe configured the room as a series of intimate vignettes. 'The spaces within the space visually encourage a conversation with the numerous seating groups, all consisting of smaller pieces: chairs and loveseats versus sofas,/ says Kehoe.

Anchoring the narrowing living room, a group of four club chairs, designed by Nickey Kehoe, encircle a tall vintage cocktail table beneath a Porto Romano chandelier. The upholstered club chairs, with their autonomy of space and smaller scale, create a looser flow while keeping the room visually light. The result is a living room that feels conversational and inviting, yet never weighed down by its own furniture.

Banquettes Broaden the Picture

While there are just four club chairs in the middle, the living room doesn’t feel short on seating. Nickey and Kehoe made the most of the footprint by activating the perimeter, placing deep banquette seating along the wall and on either side of the fireplace.

'The banquettes face in and are close to the central seating, allowing for more seating if needed,' says Kehoe. The placement leans into the ‘social’ flow the studio had in mind. Rounded out with floating coffee tables, the additional seating areas stand their own ground. But the banquettes also allow for multiple conversations simultaneously in the same space (say, during a party) while close enough to the center to stay connected.

The choice also helped broaden the perception of the space itself, lending the room a more generous, loft-like quality; it helps that the studio picked a backless banquette, allowing the furniture to hug the walls as if part of the architecture. 'The banquettes also very beautifully flank the fireplace and feel like an extension of the fireplace itself – all in an effort to expand what felt narrow,' adds Kehoe.

Stimulating Architecture

One reason the room works, according to Kehoe, is that key elements ‘stimulate’ the space. There’s a certain rhythm to how your eye moves about the long living room – it’s not static. And while distinct seating areas oriented throughout the footprint enhance the flow, much of the eye-catching character was inherited.

On one end, a series of arched openings lead to a games room. In the center, a staircase descends into the space, centered on a large fireplace with a sloped wall. On the other end, a raised level – up a different set of stairs – creates yet another zone. Overhead, exposed wood beams aren’t to be missed, yet another part of the room’s layered charm.

All in all, it was easy to lean into the lively setting. 'Though the walls are white and the palette soft, there’s a lot of traveling for the eye to do in order to appreciate it all, explains Kehoe. It’s those architectural elements, plus a central seating area with rounded furniture, that help stimulate the senses.

A Serious Games Room

The original living room started out smaller. A series of arches at one end featured glass doors, creating a separate room altogether. One of the family’s non-negotiables was a ‘game room,’ and it was the perfect spot for it – save for a few adjustments.

'While pretty, they sealed the space, making the game room less desirable to use,' says Kehoe of the glass doors. 'Once the doors came off, the rooms became one, more light spilled into the main area and the overall living room extended.' Now more inviting and part of the room’s flow, it was important to get this space right, because it wasn’t a casual request. 'I had never seen nor heard of such a collection of board games prior to this project,' says Kehoe. 'These are games that can last days or longer so making the room a truly enjoyable space for these extended games was vital.'

To make that happen, and to connect the newly open space with the main space, Nickey and Kehoe brought some of the more romantic elements of the main living room – plants, velvet-lined shelves, vintage iron lighting – to deepen the connection. Four chairs of their own design complete the picture, while a Mitchell Denburg area rug grounds the room.

A Surprise Bar

Returning to the idea of ‘usability’ for the space, a simple vignette along the wall – composed of a cabinet beneath an antiqued mirror – works overtime. 'This cabinet is actually a dry home bar that services the whole room,' says Kehoe.

When the curved doors are open, the unit, made by Howe, puts all the bottles and barware on display. It makes the space more adaptable, changing the vibe depending on whether the cabinet is open or closed; surely a delight for guests who didn’t know it was there to begin with.

The placement also created a new surface for Nickey and Kehoe to incorporate items that would decorate the space even when the bar is closed. 'Mirrors are always nice to cast light, especially in this narrow room,' says Kehoe of the tall antiqued mirror hanging above the unit. 'This particular mirror made by Rupert Bevans mimics the series of arches, and feels like an extension of the architecture.'

The Edit

Design DNA is the Homes & Gardens series that breaks down beautiful rooms into their essential elements. Each installment dissects one interior and shows readers exactly what makes it work, from the anchor furniture and layout choices to color, lighting, and styling details.

When choosing colors to paint the walls of a living room, it's often a careful balance between adding personality while keeping things livable and calm, and this year's living room color trends find that perfect balance.

We asked interior designers for their favorite living room color schemes for 2026, and while some shades feel bold and expressive, and others more understated. Each shade offers an earthy and grounding quality that makes them easy to layer upon, and crucially, versatile enough to stand the test of time.

And so, if you're planning a living room re-decoration this year, these 2026 color trends are among the most stylish, and we've also rounded up the complementary decor for you to shop for each scheme.

1. Muted Teals

Teal has been getting a lot of attention at the start of 2026, and makes for a gorgeous, serene living room color. And it's more versatile than you might think too. Teal, which bridges the gap between blue and green, ranges from dark and moody to muted and tranquil, and offers color in a sophisticated way. For living rooms, teal paints with a dose of gray in them are versatile to layer with plenty of other colors, and muted enough to feel livable.

In this pattern-filled living room, the interior designer Michelle Gage opted for Benjamin Moore's Atmospheric on the walls. 'We love a blue-green hue for living rooms,' says Michelle. 'It’s an excellent backdrop to layer great pattern and color into the room.'

Another favorite teal paint for Michelle is Farrow & Ball's Dix Blue. She says that it is 'a great color on its own, but even better when you layer rich emeralds, warm caramels, and soothing pinks on top of it.'

2. Dusky Pinks

Warm color schemes in living rooms this year are favoring plaster pinks. Adding more color than traditional neutrals, but with a muddy, dusky quality, plaster tones feel sophisticated and easy to live with.

'For 2026, living room colors are moving toward warm, nuanced shades that feel both timeless and inviting,' says the interior designer Marie Flanigan. 'One color I love is Dead Salmon by Farrow and Ball, which feels unexpected yet still functions as a neutral. Its soft blend of pink, brown, and earth tones adds warmth without overwhelming a space.'

'This color pairs beautifully with natural materials like wood, linen, and stone, giving the room a relaxed, collected feeling,' Marie adds. 'It is an ideal choice for anyone wanting character and depth while keeping the living room highly livable.'

3. Muddy Greens

While forest greens can feel dated, designers are favoring muddy, earthy shades as a stylish way to embrace green living rooms this year. 'Hands down, my favorite living room color for 2026 is rich olive green,' says the designer Jessica Hobson. 'It’s not easy to find a grounding neutral that isn’t boring, but this is definitely it: interesting and soothing. It’s cozy in the winter and comes to life in the spring and fall. It also plays so well with so many colors.'

When it comes to the best muddy green paints to try out, Jessica recommends Benjamin Moore's Gloucester Sage, which she used in this living room, and Farrow & Ball's Bancha.

There are lots of ways to style these rich yet grounding shades of green, whether you want to add more color or keep things neutral. 'I especially love it with pops of plum, pink, or pale blue,' adds Jessica. 'It also serves as a great backdrop for artwork, allowing it to pop off the wall. Use brass accents to play into the warmth of this color.'

4. Light and Airy Blues

'We’re leaning heavily into soft blues for living rooms in 2026, especially shades that feel calm, airy, and rooted in nature,' say the designers Sydney Foley and Emma Legg of Kindred Interior Studios. 'These colors bring in personality without overwhelming a space and create an instant sense of ease.'

In this traditional living room, a custom paint shade was used on the walls, but it is similar to Benjamin Moore's Quiet Moments and Sherwin-Williams' Sea Salt, which both have a muted quality.

Paint colors like these are similar to neutrals in that they're versatile and easy to layer upon. 'They work with warm woods, antique pieces, brass finishes, and both bold and subtle patterns,' the designers add. 'They also shift beautifully throughout the day as the light changes, giving the room dimension and life.'

According to Sydney and Emma, a soft, muted blue makes a great alternative to white and beige. 'It adds depth and color while still feeling calm and cohesive with your existing palette.'

5. Warm Whites

If you want to play it safe, neutrals are always in style and while we are seeing less bright white rooms in 2026, warmer whites are a timeless living room color trend for 2026 and beyond. Offering softness and more coziness than bright whites, the subtleness of warm white paints allows furniture, decor, and accent colors to shine.

'My go-to living room color for 2026 is Sherwin-Williams' Alabaster,' says the designer Kate Hartman. 'This soft, warm off-white adapts beautifully to different lighting conditions and creates a calm, inviting foundation without reading stark or cold. It works especially well in living rooms because it allows furnishings, art, and architectural details to stand out while still feeling cozy and layered.'

Andrea Goldman is also a fan of this classic color trend for living rooms this year. 'A tried and true in any given year is Benjamin Moore's Seapearl,' she says. 'Or our favorite “white” that is not actually white is Benjamin Moore's Silver Satin.'

This year's living room color trends are all about softly nuanced hues that feel natural and comfortable to live with. While certain shades, such as teal, offer a colorful look and others offer more restraint, each hue is timeless thanks to its earthiness and soft warmth. Just remember, before settling on a paint shade to use on your living room walls, make sure to sample them so you can see how they look as the natural light changes throughout the day.

I'm suddenly obsessed with settees, and it's entirely my small apartment's fault. Allow me to explain.

Eighty-two inches is the absolute longest sofa I can fit against my living room wall – and even that is pushing it. I live in New York, which means one of my clothing closets sits directly to the right; anything creeping into the early 80s means I’ll have to work a little harder to retrieve my socks. (If I’m being honest, 75 inches is probably the more emotionally correct number.)

The issue is that most sofas – at least the chic, elegantly lined ones I actually want – seem to be designed for living rooms with more square footage. And if, by some miracle, they are short enough, they’re usually so deep that I have to pass anyway. (My small living room, unfortunately, could never.) But I don’t want a loveseat. I want something more sophisticated, like the New York lady I am. Hence, the settee.

The term – essentially a slimmer, more formal, scaled-down version of a sofa – is, according to my British editor, far more common across the pond, though it was a revelation to me. The first one that really took me came from McGee & Co., featuring the antique-style fringe I’ve always wanted on a sofa, paired with a lower profile that takes up far less visual real estate than a loveseat ever could.

Clearer sightlines are obviously nice for any apartment living room, but oddly enough, that isn’t even the real reason I’ve started favoring settees.

Loveseats, I’ve noticed, often suffer from awkward proportions. Scaled up, they’d look wrong. Scaled down, they still look wrong. Settees, on the other hand, seem to retain the dignity of a full-sized sofa, just… cropped. They look like they were designed this way on purpose, which as a style editor, is music to my eyes.

Now, Google will tell you settees aren’t known for comfort. This is not untrue. They tend to sit more upright and sometimes look less cushy. But after delving into a fairly deep research rabbit hole, I found plenty with enough comfort-forward details to make using one as a primary sofa feel markedly more reasonable.

So whether you’re reckoning with a small apartment living room like mine, dreaming of more sophisticated seating in a bedroom or office, or simply want to trick the eye into thinking your space is larger than it is, it might be time to stop settling for a loveseat.

My findings, below.

Living in an NYC studio has taught me a lot, and the living room is really just the warm-up. Where careful choreography matters most is the kitchen. One thing I’ve relied on for years is a now-viral IKEA kitchen cart – a total godsend for squeezing every inch out of a compact cookspace.

With the wrong color, even the most beautifully silhouetted sofa can be sent straight back to an era you’d rather not revisit. Rose Quartz pastels, for instance, now read very 2016. Not terrible. Just increasingly awkward to style alongside everything else happening in interiors in 2026.

Beyond the ghosts of millennial pastels, this year's sofa trends largely favors color with a lowercase ‘c’ – save for a new class of neutrals that take a walk on the dark side.

Decode these cryptic chromatic clues and many more with Homes & Garden’s expert-informed guide to the sofa color trends worth watching in 2026.

1. Dark Neutrals

Palettes are taking a darker turn in the sofa color trends of 2026. After years of monochromatic, cream-on-cream everything, a sense of drama is returning to the living room, with charcoal, navy, and even black re-emerging as foundational couch colors rather than accents.

‘Dark neutrals are replacing beige as the new foundation,’ insists James Gomez, co-founder and creative director at Yarn Collective. ‘Charcoal and inky blue bring depth and sophistication, especially when paired with textured upholstery rather than flat finishes,’ he explains. ‘Styled with lighter cushions, natural rugs or subtle pattern, they create a strong but flexible base for a living room.’

That thinking is echoed by Megan Lynn Schlabaugh of Megan Lynn Interiors, who's deploying a deep navy Belgian sofa in a current project, offset with browns and rust tones in an adjacent room to keep the palette from feeling heavy.

‘These colors feel grounded and timeless,’ Megan continues, noting that – despite the recent Cloud Dancer announcement – she is intentionally moving away from cream and oatmeal upholstery in 2026. ‘There are so many beautiful fabrics out there, and I’ve been saving a few special ones for the right projects,’ she explains.

2. A Gamut of Greens

Green is no longer a one-note proposition. For years, sofa palettes hovered around a narrow band of olive, maybe hunter, and not much else. In 2026, that range has widened considerably. Green is being pushed to its edges, from soft and earthy to saturated and dark.

‘Earthy greens, from olive to moss, continue to gain momentum,’ notes Dorothee Junkin, founder of Dorothee Junkin Design Studio. ‘These shades feel restorative and timeless, and they work beautifully with stone, plaster, and natural textiles,’ she adds, pointing to their ability to anchor a room.

But the category doesn’t stop at botanical. ‘Greens are becoming deeper and more complex, moving away from fresh or botanical shades toward something darker and more nuanced,’ says Yarn Collective's James Gomez.

‘These colors sit comfortably in both contemporary and more traditional interiors and work well when layered with creams, browns, and aged finishes,’ he continues. ‘On a sofa, they feel calming but confident.’

3. Pale Purples

Not purple in the strictest sense, but tones with purple undertones – especially lighter takes like lilac, mauve, and periwinkle – are emerging as a more nuanced way to introduce color.

‘Muted burgundy or soft plum adds depth and quiet drama,’ explains New York-based designer Dorothee Junkin. ‘When done in a subdued, dusty tone, these colors feel intimate and refined rather than bold.’

According to Dorothee, the secret to making these sweet, subdued shades sing is mirroring their restraint. ‘I often recommend styling them with warm metals, soft creams, and layered textures to keep the look balanced,’ she says.

4. Colors With Character

You know that glee when you come across a perfectly sun-faded wooden stool or a vintage lampshade whose patina suggests it once lived a far more glamorous life? You swear it spent some time in Palm Beach. Whether or not that's true, this storied narrative we chase in wood, brass, and metal is starting to show up in sofa color, too.

Butter yellow edging out lemon was an early tell. Now, the preference for tones that feel weathered from the jump is the norm. ‘Subtle color is replacing statement shades – think dusty blue, clay, or soft aubergine,’ notes Lauren Flax, company principal at Flax-Design. ‘These tones bring personality without feeling loud and age beautifully as trends shift.’

It’s fairly intuitive, but styling whispering palettes often benefits from a light hand. Lauren insists that tonal pillows are the way to go for this sofa trend.

5. Rusty Reds

In 2026, red is getting a little more grounded. The diner-coded, cherry-toned statement sofas that took over several years of social feeds are finally feeling passé, making room for brick, terracotta, and other earthy reds that are less overeager to perform.

‘Warm, mineral-based reds feel especially relevant right now,’ observes James Gomez, co-founder and creative director at Yarn Collective. ‘They bring energy without brightness and work beautifully on upholstered pieces.’

Apart from the newfound grit, what's also changed is how this rookie red class is being leveraged. ‘These tones are being used in a more enveloping way, often echoed across walls, upholstery and soft furnishings,’ James continues, pointing to the 'cocooning' appeal of rust and tobacco – versions of red that read refreshingly nonchalant and less obviously concerned with how they photograph.

The couch color trends of 2026 manage to balance being both statement and subtly. They are bold enough to become a focal point, but not so bold that they are going to date by the time the year is out. A sofa can be a big investment, and it takes up a lot of visual space in your living room so it's important to pick a color that is on-trend right now, but also timeless.

If there’s one place not to cut corners, it’s the sofa. Ostensibly for sitting, it's the first thing you register when you walk into a living room – not to mention where most of us eat, ‘rest' our eyes, binge bad TV, and host the people who matter most.

When an upholstery or silhouette feels even slightly off, that discomfort is not imagined. You’ll absolutely notice, as will everyone else.

The flipside is that, as the epicenter of domestic life, this is the furniture where you’re allowed – encouraged, even – to make a splash, especially in a time when living room trends are bolder and more characterful than they have been in a long time. That's why Homes & Gardens asked designers what they’re planning to kick back on next. Ahead, the sofa trends for 2026 that the chicest people you know are already sitting on.

1. Chic Slipcovers and Skirts

Cottagecore ushered in ruffles and skirts on nearly everything, from throw pillows to tablecloths, and sofas were hardly spared. In 2026, that romantic impulse hasn’t totally jaded, but according to Dorothee Junkin, founder of New York–based Dorothee Junkin Design Studio, the ‘girlish’ look is graduating.

‘The skirted sofa is coming back, but in a much more tailored, intentional way,’ she explains. ‘My clients are gravitating toward generous skirting with crisp lines and thoughtful proportions. It feels closer to quiet luxury than anything decorative or frilly. Visually, a skirted sofa softens a room and grounds the seating, creating a sense of calm and continuity that feels timeless rather than trend-driven.’

Dorothee, for one, is thrilled to see a design trend rooted in something practical this time: ‘Slipcovers are removable, washable, and easier to replace over time, which makes them ideal for real homes with kids, pets, or weekend guests.’ For the fully committed, a slipcover-specific sofa makes sense; for everyone else, a well-cut cover offers an easy, affordable reset. ‘I often tell clients that this is one of those rare moments where beauty and function truly align,’ she explains.

2. Hushed Patterns

Quiet luxury may be losing its cultural chokehold, but its tonal instincts are still showing up – especially on sofas. The trend isn’t toward louder patterns, but smarter ones.

‘Rather than bold statements, we’re seeing sofas upholstered in subtle patterns,’ says Shelley McIlroy of Shelley McIlroy Design, pointing to soft stripes, small geometrics, and muted florals that read more like texture than print at first glance. ‘They add depth and personality while remaining timeless and easy to live with,’ she explains.

This is pattern with a delayed effect. From across the room, the sofa may read pretty plain. Up close, the ‘surprise’ rewards attention. The interest reveals itself slowly, waiting for you to notice.

3. Low-Slung, Lounge-Ready Silhouettes

A sofa is, at the end of the day, meant for lounging. It can earn all the visual attention in the world, but if it isn’t the first place your feet drift after a long day, you’re doing it wrong. In the sofa trends of 2026, comfort is back in charge and paying homage to what the ’70s got right.

‘A low-slung, deep sofa with a simple silhouette designed for lounging,’ tops the list of 2026 sofa trends for Megan Lynn Schlabaugh of Minneapolis-based Megan Lynn Interiors. Specifically, she favors arms wide enough to hold a coffee cup or a glass of wine (a surprisingly practical litmus test), while pointing out how easily the look can be elevated. ‘Lately I’ve been adding a contrasting, exaggerated knife edge to give it a bit more personality,’ Megan tells Homes & Gardens.

4. Expressive, Highly Tactile Materials

We called it last fall: shearling is the new bouclé. Not because plush pandemic-favorite textures are going anywhere, but because if they’re going to survive into 2026 – especially after a long head-spinning cycle of texture-on-texture interiors – they need to loosen their manners.

‘Sofas are becoming more tactile and materially expressive,’ says James Gomez, co-founder and creative director at Yarn Collective, who suggests leaning into a bit of drama. ‘Dense woollen weaves, brushed mohair textures and fabrics with visible structure bring warmth and permanence, especially when used in deeper or mid-tone shades,’ he continues. ‘These sofas feel grounding and comfortable, designed to be lived with rather than styled for effect.’

Call it comfort on steroids. Expect faux fur and outerwear-grade fabrics to do the talking.

5. Singular Statements

We’re firmly in the Age of Aquarius, and copying anyone else now reads as a design faux pas. Which helps explain the renewed pull toward vintage – first in clothing, and now in couches. For Dorothee Junkin, founder of Dorothee Junkin Design Studio, it’s one of the simplest ways to get a custom-feeling piece without starting from scratch.

‘Rather than everyone buying the same new silhouette, I see growing interest in sofas that carry history or personality,’ she explains. ‘Reupholstered vintage pieces and antique sofas are becoming focal points again,’ noting the paradox of choosing something that, despite never being yours, feels ten times more personal than pulling from a big-box catalogue.

Vintage, she adds, is also where you can afford to take risks. The market is full of strong options, from sinuous, serpentine silhouettes to niche mid-century Danish designs – pieces you’re unlikely to encounter twice. If there’s a moment to go specific, this is it.

‘A statement sofa brings character and depth to a space in a way that is hard to replicate with something brand new,’ she continues. ‘I love working with clients to find a piece that feels uniquely theirs, whether that is a beautifully worn frame or a classic shape reimagined in a modern fabric. It immediately tells a story.’

Your sofa might be perfect, but the accouterments matter, too. These are the outdated living room trends designers are leaving behind in 2026.

We’ve all heard of a spring clean or home refresh, but somewhere between the January blues and packing away the last of the holiday decor, my living room (and I) have started to feel a little… flat.

Too bare to feel cozy, too early to lean fully into spring, and in need of something to lift the mood. So this year, I decided to tear up the rule book and give my space a small, feel-good refresh now – purely in the name of a little January dopamine.

And thanks to Shea McGee, I've found the perfect vibe for this transitional period: the Hollywood Cottage trend. First spotted in Shea's 2026 design trend forecast, she's managed to bring this warm yet decidedly fresh aesthetic to life in her Spring 2026 collection at Target. Here's everything I'm shopping to get the look, starting from just $16.

Rather than a full makeover, I’m taking a lighter approach, using a handful of affordable pieces to gently shift the mood of my living room sans Christmas tree.

What I love most about Shea's Hollywood Cottage aesthetic is that it’s not about committing to a whole remodel or buying into a perfectly styled set. It’s an accent-led, timeless look built slowly through texture, tone, and thoughtful details rather than big-ticket furniture swaps. The idea is to add warmth and a sense of elegance, with pieces that feel lived-in and inviting, yet considered.

'Imagine a space with seagrass rugs, slip-covered sofas, breezy, linen drapes, vintage-inspired florals, blue and white accents, and silver,' Shea describes of the look. 'When they're brought together, it evokes a definite mood.'

For my own space, I’m leaning into the small details that give Hollywood Cottage its charm.

Blue-and-white pieces that add freshness and softness, alongside romantic florals to bring a gentle nod to cottagecore style without tipping into twee, and some subtle metallic finishes to introduce just enough glamour.

The beauty of this trend is how collectable it is over time. You don’t need every single piece to make it work – in fact, it’s better when you don’t. Whether you choose one new accent to bring you some January joy or a few key pieces to layer in, think of this edit as a starting point to one of 2026's key interior design trends.

Shop ‘Hollywood Cottage’ Living Room Finds From Target

The best bit about this trend is that it feels cozy enough for now, light enough for the months ahead, and easy to evolve as the season changes. Whether you add one piece from the Threshold designed w/Studio McGee collection or a few, each piece adds up to a home that feels more layered, more inviting, and quietly polished for the year ahead.

As much as a new year ushers in a time of reset and goal-setting, it also offers a time of reflection. While there are plenty of ins and outs and new trends to dissect, this week, we're slowing down and taking stock of some of the homes we were lucky enough to tour in 2025.

This time, we are stepping into the living room. We’ve looked back at the house designs you loved the most last year and have gathered the top living rooms of 2025 in one scrollable edit. Every space feels distinctive – shaped by the people who relax, host, and play there – yet together they offer a snapshot into the snug spaces that truly caught your attention last year.

The best part is that these are not show homes – they are real, characterful rooms with personality, and they continue to inspire well beyond the turn of the calendar.

1. A Modern Rustic Space by Studio McGee

It's no surprise to find a Shea McGee project at the top of our most loved projects from 2025. This exciting new modern rustic project from Studio McGee, 'The Oaks', takes its name and inspiration from the beautiful grove of oak trees lining the property.

Located in San Antonio, Texas, Shea described the home as 'brand new but feels like it’s been thoughtfully crafted over time.' Shea says. 'It’s a blend of modern and traditional.'

At the heart of the home sits the light and airy living room that mimics the views outdoors with an oak-clad ceiling and modern organic colors. 'The color palette was inspired by the home’s surrounding environment,' she says. 'The goal was for anyone walking into the home to feel the connection to the outdoors and see how much of the design was influenced by its natural surroundings.'

For such a lofty open-plan space, this living room still manages to feel cozy and welcoming thanks to Shea's layered yet neutral approach to texture. Think boucle, rustic wood, soft slubby linen, and plenty of throw pillows in muted prints.

2. A Pattern Heavy Open-Plan Living Room in Singapore

Starting its life as a bland and all-white new build, this now colorful apartment in Singapore by designer Elizabeth Hay is almost entirely unrecognizable. As one of the most-liked living room posts on Homes & Gardens' Instagram in 2025, it's a true attention-grabber.

'When you're in this apartment, it feels like you’re in a cozy cottage,’ says Elizabeth. A real lesson in decorating with pattern, what this living room may lack in square footage, it totally makes up for in color and print.

The wife and husband who own the home had slightly opposing ideas for this snug sitting room. The wife was very keen on a layered and patterned look, while the husband preferred the idea of a slightly more subdued scheme. The solution Elizabeth settled on was balancing the Venetian plaster backdrop with plenty of hero pieces.

Elizabeth decided on a polished Venetian plaster finish on the walls and ceiling to soften the scheme. ‘I always like to do textures in an open-plan space. It adds interest but still feels very light and fresh and not too overwhelming.’

The bespoke pale green joinery is both beautiful and practical, hiding the client’s TV while providing additional living room storage, while the uniquely proportioned coffee table is a vintage piece bought at auction.

‘We had to work out carefully all the sizes of the furniture. We masking taped it all out on site because the space was so tight,’ says Elizabeth.

3. A Luxuriously Layered Family Sitting Room & Library

Ahead of the festive period, this luxuriously layered London home designed for hosting for couple Blake and Chad Pike caught the eye of many a color-confident decorator. After enlisting the help of New York–based architect Eric J Smith, with whom the pair had previously collaborated, the team set about adding back in the Georgian character their home was missing.

‘One of the pleasures of a traditional house is the hand of the craftsman,’ Eric says. ‘We’re always looking for ways to bring that back.’

‘We’d already been here a decade,’ says homeowner Blake, whose family divides its time between London and New York. ‘But the original renovation had been so poorly done that everything was falling apart.’

Upstairs, a decorative painter spent a week building up layers of color on the sitting room walls to create a lacquered oxblood finish, rich and glossy, that nods to a vivid drawing by Sarah Graham. ‘This isn’t a room we use much in the day, so I wanted it to feel almost like a club,’ Blake adds.

Meanwhile, in the Library space, light wood paneling envelopes the room in warmth alongside built-in bookshelves, and an earthy palette of brown and greens.

4. A Bijou Cozy Modern London Apartment Lounge

When faced with reimagining the small living room of this bijou London apartment, dream team Angelica and Richard Squire of Studio Squire, who were called on to redesign this exquisite two-bedroom apartment located in a Grade-II listed Georgian building in Belgravia, astute planning was key.

Angelica tells us that the homeowners ‘had a very strong idea of the colors and palettes they liked. In addition, they also had some quite significant paintings, notably by Australian artist Bianca Smith, which became a cornerstone of certain spaces.

‘They are tonal, slightly figurative works, quite contemporary with brown and caramel hues, and they were key from the beginning.’ Although the preference was for an earthy palette, rather than eclectic and colorful, punchy pops of blue, the client’s favorite color, were interjected at significant points.

Angelica says ‘It’s a beautiful property. The minute you step in, you see those amazing Georgian proportions and beautiful windows. We were really aware of what a lovely location and building it was, so we didn’t want the interiors to be too bold.'

The challenge with this cozy modern sitting room was ensuring the space wasn't overfilled yet still had plenty of seating for both family and friends. Instead of opting for pairs of armchairs, the client selected two bespoke wool sofas that sit on either side of the room, while two dainty slipper chairs flank the fireplace, ensuring a balanced, symmetrical scheme.

5. A Designer's 'European' Living Room in Tennessee

Designer Lauren Sullivan of interior design studio Well x Design lives in Tennessee, yet, thanks to her Grandma loves European style, has a penchant for antiques, and childhood fairytales.

So when she started her modern European home project in 2020, she set about bringing her love for quirky, characterful homes to a new build. And boy, did she succeed.

Blending old and new, the finished living room is both layered and sophisticated. 'I started with pieces I truly loved back in 2021,' says Lauren, 'like the vintage rug and Schumacher Fox Hollow fabric – and built from there. The Dudouyt chairs came a year later and felt like the perfect canvas for the beloved Schumacher textile.'

The living room, dining room, and kitchen all flow through to each other; it's not quite an open plan space, but the lack of doors and a large opening from the kitchen into the lounge make all the spaces feel connected.

'The mid-century Scandinavian light fixture was actually the very first piece I purchased for the house, and it still feels just as right now. I paid close attention to how the shapes, materials, and finishes played off one another. My goal was for the space to feel grounded and inviting – but also impossible to pin to a specific time or trend.'

'I’m a big advocate for buying what you genuinely love – you’re far more likely to love it longer, and it makes the finished space feel that much more personal.'

6. A Joyful 1920s Cottage Reimagined For a Growing Family

In 2025, designer Daniella Dolman of FOR Design finally felt it was time to remodel her own family home – a 1920s cottage renovation in Hamilton, Ontario, filled with character and charm but lacking in space and practicality.

But what began as a small, charming cottage, with just one bathroom and a tiny kitchen, evolved into a three-bath, four-bedroom house filled with light and openness and soft colors.

'The greatest challenge wasn’t architectural,' begins Daniella. 'It was emotional. I was a new mother, raising daughters, designing not just a house, but a feeling. Every decision had to hold both beauty and purpose,' she explains.

'The new living room opens toward the garden,' she continues. 'It's a space rooted in feminine whimsy and English drawing-room romance. This room was designed for what matters most: reading aloud, listening to records, and telling stories that linger past bedtime.'

'I was inspired by the softness of Marie Antoinette’s private chambers, but edited through a modern lens, every detail invites tactile curiosity. Mongolian fur chairs, chosen for their couture-like playfulness and enveloping softness. Custom curved millwork with integrated pulls, an Art Deco nod that balances structure with grace. A long, low oak table, scaled like a library desk, has become a family gathering point for books, plays, and quiet moments of connection.'

The Homes & Gardens best-loved living rooms of 2025 prove that we all value spaces designed for people first. The sizes and interior design styles may vary from soft farmhouse schemes to cozy-modern retreats and a few confident bursts of pattern and color, yet every room feels designed for conversation, families, and everyday life.

Rather than austere blank soaces, your favorite living rooms embrace relaxed, welcoming layouts, comfortable fabrics, and collected details, reminding us that the most inspiring living rooms are those that feel lived in.

Decorating trends come and go, but timeless design inspiration can always refresh your current setup and bring a little life into your home.

As interior design trends continue to shift away from pure aesthetics and toward how a space feels, this year’s living room ideas prioritize liveable comfort and personality-led design. With less focus on fleeting fads and more emphasis on character, playful color, relaxed shapes, and eclectic details are shaping the most compelling living rooms today.

So whether you’re looking to update a dated space, planning a full overhaul, or simply in need of inspiration, here are the ten trends set to define living rooms in 2026.

10 Living Room Trends 2026

From relaxed living room furniture trends to playful living room color schemes, these are the looks set to define living rooms in 2026 – and inspire spaces that feel lived-in, personality-filled, and entirely on trend.

1. Book Drenching

While bookshelves have long been a staple living room feature, the library wrap trend makes them the star of the show. Whether it's a built-in bookcase that reaches from one end of the wall to the other, or clever shelving that wraps along the upper perimeter of a living room, 'book drenching' is a storage trend set to last.

'Our client really wanted this room to feel special yet highly usable for a family of five,' explains interior designer Meg McSherry. 'A place to unwind alone with a book, or spend time together playing a game. Adding considerable bookshelves and cabinets instantly creates character and brings a sense of intimacy to a room, plus who doesn't love extra storage? Displaying your book collection tells the story of who you are, where you've been, and what's important to you.'

'The best way to keep shelves from feeling overwhelmed is to keep things looking relaxed and uncomplicated,' says Meg. 'This allows the eye to keep moving and avoid distraction. The goal is for them to look effortless and naturally collected over time. Don't worry about the color or pattern on the spines; stack them both vertically and horizontally. It's hard not to overthink it, but be loose if you can!'

2. Informal Layouts

While formal living rooms once embraced traditional seating and fixed layouts, in 2026, the perfect living room layout feels relaxed and unregimented, a flexible set-up that can be adjusted for everyday living.

Take the eclectic living room (pictured above) designed by Laura W. Jenkins. Featuring a variety of seating options from a conventional sofa to casual floor seating, it's a lesson in designing with ease and livability in mind.

'Our client's home is a cottage bungalow built in the 1940s,' says Laura. 'The home itself is rather informal, and we wanted the style of the living room to reflect both the owners and the house. Increasingly, clients want all of their rooms to be stylish and put together, including more casual rooms.'

'Many of our clients have both a more formal living room and a more casual family room,' adds Laura. 'Even in the more formal living rooms, we see a push for comfortable and relaxed seating, often with a twist. I find that my clients want to use every room in their house, unlike maybe our parents, who only used more formal rooms for entertaining. They want these rooms to be approachable and welcoming, perhaps one is used more for reading and entertaining, and the other is for television and music, but either way, we are creating rooms they inhabit each day.'

3. Playful Painted Cabinetry

A way to make living room storage look more expensive, nothing enhances cabinetry or built-in shelving like a colorful lick of paint. While color-drenching isn't going anywhere in 2026, expect to see plenty of lounges with carpentry drenched in vibrant hues.

Whether it's an alcove drenched in powder blue or a hidden cupboard housing your home bar, designers are reviving boring living room storage with unexpected paint colors. Studio Braham MacNicoll opted for a mid-green hue for the built-in bookshelves of a recent living room project. Co-founder Sara Braham explains, 'Farrow & Ball's Calke Green is one of those colors that instantly brings a sense of richness and calm to a space. In this open-plan dining and lounge area, we decided to fully embrace it – color drenching the walls and cabinetry to create a cocooning, sophisticated room. It became the perfect backdrop for the client’s artwork and carefully collected furniture, allowing each piece to really shine.'

'Here, we paired it with Sobek on the back panels of the cabinets,' adds Sara, 'which added a lovely contrast and gave the joinery a real sense of depth. It also helped to frame that mix of modern and vintage pieces, making everything feel intentional and layered rather than overly styled.'

4. Kitschy Upholstery

At one point, patterned sofas were anything but trendy, but times have changed in 2026. Now, frilly, floral, romantic styles are one of the biggest sofa trends out there, with designers embracing kitschy designs once deemed dated.

When asked her thoughts on the return of kitschy furniture, interior designer Emma Sherlock said, 'It’s time! Sofas in a plain fabric can look very bulky, and a patterned sofa can break up a room more easily. I think it is actually quite practical as any marks are less well spotted on a patterned sofa. A plain cream linen sofa is just asking for trouble!'

Referring to the romantic living room pictured above, Emma said, 'Making this room really comfortable was the starting point. The armchairs were made by David Seyfried, and you really sink into them, which is wonderful. The fuchsia print from Colefax and Fowler is a long-standing favourite and has a lightness about it, great colours within it, and there is just something never endingly positive about it. I think it cheers you up the moment you see it. I also love chintz on upholstery, it looks incredibly smart and softens over time.'

5. Daybeds

Like all things that undergo a hiatus, it's only a matter of time before they return. Falling somewhere between a chaise lounge and sofa bed, daybeds might once have been a traditional living room staple, but as the shift towards relaxed, liveable design grows, long-established styles are making a welcome return.

From bespoke floral designs to modern low-slung profiles, designers are moving away from conventional seating and embracing comfortable, socialable styles like daybeds. A laid-back seating option that instantly makes a living room feel more relaxed, it's fair to say these once-loved vessels are receiving ample attention once again in 2026.

Whether it's a sizeable daybed that transforms into a place for guests to rest their head (like the bespoke style designed by Vanrenen Hanbury pictured above) or a smaller design that you can slot into a reading nook, it's no wonder daybeds are replacing sofas.

6. 'Double Dressed' Windows

A window treatment that provides the best of both worlds, the 'double dressed' trend focuses on layering light, heavy, and everything in between. Designed to suit any time of day, it's a flexible design trend that suits every living room.

'The drawing room (pictured above) has a mix of textures expressed through textiles, and we have continued this layering by choosing fabrics for the window,' explains interior designer Nicola Harding. 'When styling a blind and curtain, think about tactility and purpose, and consider a pelmet.'

'The curtains are pink corduroy with a linen velvet trim with a linen and oatmeal striped blind,' adds Nicola. 'The curtains are beautiful, cozy, and give warmth. The blinds are both decorative and practical; they can be adjusted for natural light throughout the day.'

7. Twin Armchairs

The best accent chairs come in pairs. While the shift away from traditional design brings with it more relaxed shapes and layouts, that's not to say sophistication is on its way out. A way to create cohesion and symmetry, twin armchairs bring an elevated touch to any living room.

'I think a pair of matching armchairs instantly makes a room feel more considered,' explains interior designer Sophie Garland. 'They naturally create a secondary seating area within a larger space, which helps the room feel layered and functional. There’s also something timeless about symmetry in interiors – it gives a sense of order without feeling too formal.'

'We feel that matching armchairs have always been on trend,' says interior designer Steph Hill, 'as this is a classic element to a drawing room. The scale of the armchairs is always important in our schemes, and we feel that matching armchairs sit comfortably alongside each other, and they allow the eye to rest against a patterned sofa or rug.'

Referring to the sitting room pictured above, Steph explains, 'We felt that simple matching armchairs would ground our scheme whilst allowing us to add texture and pattern elsewhere in the room. The deep red color was important in this project, to add some necessary depth to this room.'

8. Rattan Textures

Whether it's a wicker tray or a woven basket, expect to see plenty of rattan decor in living rooms this year and beyond. The love for comforting and familiar design is only growing stronger, so it makes sense that rattan, the whimsical, rustic, and always charming style reminiscent of the past, is popping up in lounges everywhere.

An easy way to make a space feel comforting and familiar, rattan introduces texture without overwhelming your scheme. Whether you've sourced a Lloyd Loom chair to stand in pride of place in your reading nook, or you're adding a wicker coffee table to the center of your space, as the love for the past only grows, designers are embracing this charming vintage style with full force.

While it's easy to think rattan and coastal interior design go hand-in-hand (they do), the beauty of wicker weaves is their versatility, providing much-needed texture and contrast to any style of space. Take the (pictured) living room above, the rattan coffee table, paired with the soft velvet sofa, couldn't feel more balanced, bringing just the right amount of texture without compromising the gentle palette and light-hearted design style.

9. Layered Antiques

The mood for 2026 is that we're moving away from overly polished, showroom-perfect schemes in favor of homes that feel collected over time. At the heart of this shift is a renewed appreciation for decorating with vintage.

'With curated maximalism's continued rise throughout 2025 and amid many economic shifts, more homeowners and designers are turning to antiques as their foundation in decorating,' says Lauren Andersen, interiors photographer and founder of SEN Creative. 'A pre-loved, patinated piece adds instant depth and warmth to a space that you can’t pull out fresh from a box.'

From small vintage objects and thrifted items for your living room, like vintage art or mirrors, through to bigger items like vintage rugs and furniture, collecting antique and secondhand pieces over time brings a real sense of story to a space.

Jennifer Davis of Davis Interiors also highlights the emotional resonance of older pieces, noting that antiques 'bring soul and a sense of history into living rooms. These elements add contrast and authenticity, grounding modern spaces and creating interiors that feel storied rather than new.' We saw it during NYCxDESIGN 2026: materials play a key role here too: rough-hewn wood, burnished metals, distressed leather, and patinated finishes introduce texture and tone, resulting in living rooms that feel layered and lived-in.

10. Mismatched Furniture

Living rooms are moving away from perfectly coordinated sets (a surefire way to date your home) toward interiors that feel personal and curated over time. Mismatched furniture – whether mismatched side tables, pattern-mixed armchairs, or a variety of vintage-style and contemporary sofas – adds character and individuality, allowing rooms to tell a story rather than simply display a catalogue of products.

'Living rooms are moving towards a more layered, lived-in feel rather than overly curated,' says interior designer Sean Symington. 'Mixing patterns in a softer, more considered way to create depth without overwhelming, and mismatched furniture to bring character and individuality, favoring collected pieces over perfectly matched sets.'

By combining pieces that might not traditionally match, you can create a space that speaks to your personality, rather than perfection. '"Eclectica" is a strong theme for 2026, whereby furnishings harmonize but don't necessarily match,' agrees designer Benji Lewis. 'We've not enjoyed a 3-piece suite for a while, opting instead for a sofa in one style and a pair of armchairs in another – but your armchairs shouldn't necessarily match either.'

This approach also encourages a more sustainable way of decorating: instead of starting from scratch with a full matching set, you can curate from inherited pieces, thrifted finds, or bespoke furniture, layering them for a cozy and collected look.

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Whether you’re dipping a toe into one of these trends or reimagining an entire space, the overarching message is clear: the living room look of 2026 is lived in, loved, and layered with personality.

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The primary intention of Feng Shui is to activate a flow of uplifting, supportive, positive energy into the home all year-round. A home blessed with good Feng Shui gains a head start on the fresh energy of the New Year, and festive guests will notice the feel-good sensation the moment they walk through your door.

When it comes to entertaining, the hosting secret my VIP clients practise is to establish an intentional anchor point, situated in alignment with the main entrance to the room. This tempts guests and positive energy into the space and into every part of the room.

Want to replicate their success? Here's how to avoid common living room feng shui mistakes and create a sociable living space perfect for holiday hosting.

Why Your Hosting Space Needs Anchor Points

An anchor point, put simply, is the commanding position in a room. It is a focal point that grounds energy and draws guests in.

Chi lifeforce energy routinely circulates within a room, but there can be ‘stagnant areas’, often found in corners or overly cluttered spaces. Here, guests clump awkwardly, and hosts fear to tread. To be candid, the energy is as flat as a pancake, making deluttering methods a must before hosting.

Anchor points are a useful entertaining tip for any time of year, and at Christmas, we’re blessed with an obvious decorative choice, the Christmas tree. The combination of light, height, and beauty is an enticement to all. During other seasons, a tall, elegant lamp, a vibrant feng shui plant on a pedestal, or a piece of enticing art will have the same effect.

In homes with large, open-plan areas, a classic layout encompasses the natural circulation of people and energy. You’re almost spoilt for choice when it comes to hospitality options. Situate your anchor point in the furthest third of the great room so people gravitate towards it.

Traditional homes and those with more bijou entertaining spaces work just as well by focusing the guest experience on the sitting room. Aim for the far end of the room, maintaining a clear view of the door.

While you’re planning your event, use the guest scanning method to look at the space with fresh eyes and identify anything blocking the flow of people within the room and your anchor point. If there’s a single entrance, is it possible to do a circuit of the room, or does furniture placed against a wall mean there’s only one viable route?

In more intimate spaces, look for ways to create volume. This might mean rearranging furniture before hosting a crowd, repositioning a sofa, relocating very large coffee tables, or generally repurposing the room specifically for your event.

How to Try It Yourself

By activating your living room's secret anchor point, you draw your guests effortlessly into a warm, relaxed, and beautifully seasonal space. Spending time with family, friends, and neighbors should never be a chore.

To really tap into this method, I suggest the following:

• Welcome Chi, and guests will follow: As with good entryway feng shui, remove items that block the door from opening to its fullest extent. This is a simple rule and very effective. Declutter anything that doesn’t belong, and the room will instantly feel lighter.
• Furniture and flow: Take the focal point away from the TV, follow good feng shui furniture placement, and position seating for interaction. Where possible, allow circulation space behind furniture to encourage socializing. It’s much easier to engage with shy guests when they don’t feel trapped in one spot. If you anticipate saying a few words, have a popular raconteur on the guest list, or need visibility for charades, use your anchor point for the purpose.
• Let there be light: Harsh lighting is a no-no. Instead, add twinkling light in warm tones, and if space allows, make use of lamps pooling their illumination at a variety of heights to uplift energy and add depth.
• Beat bottlenecks: Locate drinks and nibbles in opposite parts of the room to prevent the ‘queuing for the buffet vibe’ and keep people moving. It’s a great way to keep energy fizzing.
• Tap into the Feng Shui: If you have already activated the specific feng shui remedy the room needs, there’s no need to add more. However, for those new to the practice, balance is everything. Add in aspects of the five elements for the evening. You likely already have them in the home. Wood is represented by living plants; Earth by crystals or ceramics; Metal by metallic objects and finishes; Fire by reds, and hot colours; finally, Water in a vase will do the job for one night only. One thing to remember, if something doesn’t feel comfortable, go with your gut instinct and remove it. When the feng shui is right, it takes the room to a new level.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t position a chair too close to your anchor point: Legs are both a distraction and a trip hazard when you’re holding the room.
• Secure decorations and garlands: This will stop a passing elbow from bringing the whole show crashing down. Sharp holly is best displayed above head height to avoid scratches and peril to party outfits. These reusable zip ties from Walmart are ideal for this purpose.
• Protect candles: The warm glow of candles is deliciously opulent. Protect from mishap by putting them out of range of flammable apparel and extravagant gesticulations. If in doubt, use artificial candles, such as these LED pillar candles from Amazon.
• Set boundaries: A great party can overflow into every available space. If rooms need to remain out of bounds for privacy, close doors and place a console or chair in front of the door to deter prying eyes.
• Create a stain station: Spills are inevitable in a crowded space. Have a cleanup kit easily to hand and resolve the mess quietly, reassuring your embarrassed guest that everything is fine. Tide To Go Pens, from Walmart, are ideal for this. If you’re anxiously monitoring every glass of red poured by that tipsy uncle, it’s probably best to offer only white and rosé wine options.

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Stressed hosts and miscommunication can be a real damper on an evening. Share the load by splitting decorating duties with family, and split chores with a partner to ensure you all enjoy this special time of year. After all, it’s your night in the spotlight, and you deserve to shine.

For years, I believed good living room design was all about working around the architecture you’re given – particularly in a historic home. Doors, entrances, and circulation routes, I thought they were untouchable.

So when we started remodeling our living room, the idea of removing doors (let alone blocking one up entirely) felt like a cardinal sin. Everything I thought I knew about the principles of interior design warned against it. Rooms needed boundaries. Flow mattered. And doors, apparently, are sacred.

But the more time I spent in the half-demolished space, the more I realized the doors were dictating the living room, not supporting it. According to interior design rules, a successful layout should balance flow, proportion, and function – yet our living room was doing the opposite. So, I threw the rulebook out the window. Here's why I'm so glad I did.

To set the scene, my living room isn't the largest, but it makes up for square footage with natural light that comes in from a large bay window at the front of the property.

Previously, there was a single door into the living room from the entryway that broke up the longest wall, leaving no space for a couch, and meant the room was less of a destination and more of a thoroughfare. Additionally, we also had a set of double sliding swirly-patterned glass doors (it was last renovated in the '70s) that led from the dining room into the living room.

So we decided to break what felt like the most important design rule of all.

In our case, that single doorway was eating into the most valuable part of the room: a long, uninterrupted wall that could comfortably accommodate our massive couch. Without it, every living room seating arrangement we tried felt awkwardly positioned.

So, we blocked up the single door to reclaim a full wall for the sofa and removed the sliding doors entirely, creating one wide, open-plan living room entrance from the dining room instead.

On paper, it went against everything I’d been taught about layout, flow, and rhythm in interior design. But in reality, it transformed the way the room feels – calmer, cozy, and actually designed around the way we wanted to use the space, rather than blindly following the 'rules'.

Once the wall was blocked up (and color-drenched, naturally), the room immediately made sense.

Sure, in a larger space, an interior designer might have suggested floating the couch, but we just don't have the width to play with in our 100-year-old home.

Now, the sofa can finally sit where it belongs, looks properly scaled to the space, and most importantly, is centered to the fireplace. Circulation and balance in the space improved, not because there were fewer awkward routes and paths to keep clear in the room, but because movement now happened around the seating area instead of cutting through it.

It was a good reminder that successful flow isn’t about the number of access points a room has – it’s about whether those routes support how the space is actually lived in.

Perhaps most surprisingly, removing that door didn’t make the living room feel less connected to the rest of the house. If anything, it did the opposite.

Of course, what made this decision work so well is where the living room sits within the house. Positioned at the front, it now has just one open-plan entry from the dining room, which itself naturally follows on from the main entryway space.

Instead of multiple doors entering the room in different directions, you move through the busier, more functional areas first, before arriving somewhere noticeably calmer.

With the sliding doors removed, the transition between dining room and living room feels super smooth – especially when we're hosting. Guests drift naturally from one space to the next, without the stop-start feeling that doors can sometimes create, and the living room feels connected but also cozy and tucked away.

Crucially, the space hasn’t lost its sense of privacy from removing all the doors. In fact, it feels more cocooning than ever. Sometimes, removing closed plan barriers can actually create a stronger sense of comfort.

Breaking design rules is only ever successful when it’s done thoughtfully and for good reason, however.

Before reworking the layout of our living room, I spent a lot of time thinking about how the space functioned beyond its floor plan – where it felt busiest, how we entered it most often, and the furniture scheme.

If you're facing a similar dilemma, you want to be sure to consider what you’re gaining as much as what you’re losing. Removing a doorway might mean less flexibility, but if it gives you a full wall for seating, improves balance, symmetry or visual clutter, it could be a worthwhile trade.

Looking back, breaking the so-called “rules” of the perfect living room layout wasn’t reckless – it was thoughtful. The biggest lesson I took from this decision is that often we get caught up in rules or ideas that sound good on paper, but don't actually work in practice in your own home. My living room is now calmer, more cohesive, and far more reflective of how we live – which I think makes it a job well done.

From the day I set up a TV in my home, the cables have been left to dangle and tangle behind the screen. They have been an eyesore that makes even the most stylish space feel disorganized.

So, when I recently rearranged the cables when adding in a new games console, I bit the bullet and invested in an $11 velcro cable sleeve from Amazon to organize cables behind the TV, and the visual difference was instantaneous.

It was such a small detail, but my living room suddenly felt polished and elevated without the mess of cables in view. Not to mention my tech pro friend breathed a sigh of relief to know they were no longer 'cable spaghetti'. Here's why.

The $11 Cable Fix that Instantly Elevated my Living Room

As with concealing clutter in plain sight, hiding cables and taming tangles in cable sleeves instantly elevates any room. Even if, like mine, the cables are somewhat tucked behind a media unit, they still add to the visual clutter of a living room. And every small detail adds up.

Taming cables and routing them through one channel is one of the easiest ways to make a living room look expensive, even with no prior organizing or designing experience. With them all corralled into one sleeve, they are easier to hide, trailing them along the back of a cabinet, for instance, to make them nearly invisible.

The benefit of the Velcro casing is that the cables remain accessible. Unlike solid casing or trailing cables behind the TV wall itself, this solution allows you to remove cables should you need to.

For my home, for example, we semi-regularly need to unplug the PlayStation to move it, so having quick access is vital. Plus, you can easily add new cables to the mix should you upgrade your home cinema setup, such as with the best soundbars, for example, you can quickly tidy the cords away.

It is a super quick fix, too, taking a matter of minutes to route all of the cables through the sleeve and do it up. It's an instant organizing win that would be foolish not to take advantage of.

Hiding TV cables is more than just an aesthetic organizing trick, too. Dan Fauzi, Homes & Gardens' home tech editor for Solved, explains that good home organization ideas can also help to protect your media investments.

'If your cables are left to tangle up into cable spaghetti, they risk being bent, pinched, and pulled. This constant strain can wear them out, possibly breaking them over time. By taking advantage of cable ties and sleeves as well as cable-routing channels from Walmart, you can safeguard your tech and not put them under unnecessary stress.'

On top of this, good cable management can also prevent thermal stress, Dan continues. 'It is no secret that home tech gets hot, especially around a media unit where modern homes can have several devices plugged in and running at once. Routing your cables means they won't get in the way of airflow or get too hot too close to consoles. It is a simple trick that makes a big difference.'

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If you want to organize your home without spending any money, you can use the twisting wires used in some packaging to corral your TV cables together, keeping them neat and tangle-free, for free.

In 2026, the focus is all on detail. While bold prints have long stolen the spotlight, a smaller, more playful trend is emerging – one that’s all about adding a little special something.

But don't fret, maximalists. This isn't a total rejection of pattern. Instead, we're upping the ante with extra fringe, piping, and statement edges on our couches and pillows to add texture, personality, and playfulness to our homes. And this small-but-mighty design trend is set to make a big impact in 2026.

From linking colors across a room to highlighting the shape of a piece, the trend offers a tactility that decorating with patterns can’t always achieve. So, why are designers championing a revival of this previously outdated look? I spoke to the experts to find out why they all want to embrace a little more pizzazz next year.

Are Statement Trims Replacing Bold Prints?

As I said, decorative trims certainly aren’t here to push bold prints off the stage – they’re simply expanding the fun we can have with a room. Where prints make a dramatic splash, trims work quietly alongside them, adding extra depth, texture, and fun.

As Kailee Blalock from House of Hive Design Co. explains: 'Statement trims aren’t replacing bold prints, they’re expanding the vocabulary of how we add interest to a space. These details bring a tactile richness that pattern alone can’t always convey. They help break up solids, soften edges, or highlight the architecture of a piece of furniture.'

'For years, detail work like fringe, tape trims, scallops, and piping took a backseat, but we’re seeing a resurgence of craftsmanship-driven design,' Kailee explains. 'I think of trims as the finishing touches that make something feel considered. What we’re really seeing is a desire to return to the artistry of upholstery and textiles. Prints still have their place, but trims allow us to layer, experiment, and create more nuanced, visually dynamic pieces.'

A fringe along a sofa or chair, a contrasting piping on a throw, or a delicate braided edge on drapes draws the eye, elevates a room's color scheme, and helps to highlight the lines of a piece.

'These small details can completely transform a piece and really pull a room together,' says designer Sean Symington. 'Spaces come alive through the details, and trims are a fantastic way to add personality without things feeling overly matched.'

'I often use them to link colors throughout a room or to introduce a subtle hit of texture,' Sean continues. 'You can also be quite playful – think a large braided trim as a contrast edge on a cushion or along a sofa skirt. Those little touches make such a difference; they add depth, visual interest, and that bespoke touch that makes a space feel considered and layered.'

While Sean uses traditional tassels and trims to create a very English country aesthetic, you can also use contrast edges in more modern schemes to bring sculptural pieces to life.

Fringe, piping, and braided details are no longer reserved for the overly formal or traditional spaces. Instead, they’re being used in fresh, modern ways that bring movement, color, and an edge to more minimalist spaces. These details let you dial up the personality without overwhelming the room, and they’re surprisingly easy to use.

'Statement trims are a nice way for the maximalism-phobic (myself included) to add a dash of pizazz to upholstery, pillows, and draperies,' says designer Bethany Adams.

'Where bold prints scream, delicate trims whisper “look over here!",' she adds. 'Adding a fringe to the base of a solid-colored chair or sofa adds whimsy, while a contrast piping on a pillow evokes tailoring and luxury.'

'Maximalist design continues to make a statement, and we are fully in favor of it,' adds designer Lauren Gilberthorpe. 'Trims introduce detail and texture in a controlled and thoughtful way, which allows a room to feel expressive while still calm.'

Of course, when we talk trim, there are plenty of styles and options to play with. Fringe trims are having a real moment, bringing a sense of whimsy and softness to pieces and giving a retro nod to a scheme.

'A double rouche fringe on cushions adds a touch of opulence that works especially well with a softer palette,' Lauren adds. 'Contrast piping is another favorite because it carries a single color throughout a room and creates a sense of continuity without relying on large-scale pattern.'

One of the loveliest things about statement trims is how effortlessly they adapt to different interior design styles. Whether your home leans minimalist, maximalist, or sits somewhere in between, these little extras can be styled to suit any space.

For neutral rooms with softer palettes, trims can be transformative. They bring in a hint of color and detail that keep a plain room from feeling flat – even the simplest cushion can feel custom with the right tassel or trim adding. And for those who shy away from maximalism, trims offer just enough flair without going pattern-heavy.

On the other side of the spectrum, trims also play beautifully with both pattern and color. They shouldn't compete, but complement pattern on pattern. A bold print can feel even more intentional when finished with a neat piping or a braid that ties it back to the rest of the scheme.

The beauty of decorative trim is that you don’t need to overhaul your entire home to enjoy them. A few small, thoughtful additions can instantly lift a room, giving your existing pieces a little more presence and polish.

A great place to start is with throw pillows. Contrast piping or a playful edge can introduce color without committing to pattern, and it’s an easy way to test how a new tone feels in your space. From there, consider adding fringe or braid to a lampshade, a bedspread, or even an ottoman – small shifts that bring movement and texture into a room.

For something a touch bolder, look to larger soft furnishings. Curtains with a statement border, a headboard outlined in contrast piping, or a skirted sofa can all add a hint of luxury.

'Adding statement details to furniture and accessories is a simple way to elevate a space without relying solely on bold prints,' British textile designer Tori Murphy explains. 'I love using elements like fringe, piping, studs or trims on headboards, cushions and curtains, because they add personality, texture and visual interest in a subtle way.'

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The most exciting design moments aren’t always the loudest ones. Fringe, piping, contrast edges, and thoughtful trims are proving that personality can be expressed just as powerfully through texture and small detail as it can through big and bold pattern. Will you be taking this trend into 2026?

A beautifully designed living room isn’t just about what you add to it – it’s just as much about what you choose to leave out. While many of us instinctively try to fill every corner with furniture, art, or decor, designers argue that the real magic comes from learning restraint.

In an era where styling often leans toward 'more is more', the idea of embracing empty space can feel counterintuitive to designing the perfect living room layout, yet experts argue that negative space is one of the most powerful tools you can wield.

Understanding how to work with negative space isn’t about stripping your living room right back; it’s about editing with intention. As Laura Lubin of Ellerslie Interiors explains, 'Restraint is luxury. A beautiful room needs air around its beauty – that moment of pause lets texture, form, and light do their quiet work,' helping the pieces you do choose feel even more impactful. Here's how.

Why a Living Room Needs Negative Space

Negative space is often misunderstood as simply the 'empty bits' of a room, but designers see it as a crucial part of a living room layout.

It shapes how the eye moves through a space, creates flow, and prevents a room from feeling overloaded with living room furniture and decor. As the team at LTA Interiors explains, 'Negative space allows a room to breathe and is pleasing to the eye. Resist the urge to fill every corner and instead use a few well-placed pieces surrounded by open space to provide a more elegant feel rather than an overcrowded layout.'

Without it, even the most beautiful pieces can feel lost in all the noise. Plus, it also plays a major role in how comfortable a space feels.