15 living room furniture ideas – the most-wanted trends and key designer tips to follow

When it comes to designing the perfect living room, aside from flooring and wall color, the living room furniture ideas play a pivotal role in shaping the room's success.

The focal point of every space, these living room ideas provide an indulgent vantage point for television viewing pleasure, socializing with friends and family, relaxing, and smart storage solutions.

Whether you’re on the lookout for a squishy sofa for your cozy lounge, or a colorful cabinet to tidy everything up, be inspired by our round-up of furniture trends, tips and tricks to suit every style.

Living Room Furniture Ideas 2024

The right furniture can transform a living room from a mere space into a cozy and stylish retreat.

Living room furniture ideas have a tough job: they have to look beautiful, bring pattern and color to a space and be practical, providing comfortable seating, storage – often hidden – and display space.

1. Stick to the classics

Classic furniture pieces are like the little black dress of interior design – they never go out of style and always look sophisticated. By investing in these timeless pieces, you can create a foundation for your living room that remains stylish for years to come.

Age-old furniture styles, such as mid-century modern living room ideas, traditional living rooms, and farmhouse style will stand the test of time due to their craftsmanship, enduring materials, and versatile aesthetics.

'I think timeless pieces like a camel back sofa, rolled arms with European lines will always be classic,' says interior designer Carley Summers. 'I am not huge on trends, but I do see people investing in quality furniture made in the US that can last into the next generations. We source most of our upholstery from our Max Collection with River and Bord because it is all made local, with quality in mind. I think a classic white sofa with a skirt will always add a feminine touch to space with velvets.'

2. Get the scale of your furniture right

Playing with scale in interior design is a trick that the experts use to create a high impact space. Upscaling can be done simply – with a piece of furniture, a lamp or pendant light, a pattern on a cushion or an accessory within a room.

Working with proportions also has the power to make a large room feel cozy and intimate, but upscaling can also make a small living room feel a whole lot larger and more impactful than it really is, and of course a super-sized feature is instantly attention-grabbing.

When furniture is proportionate to the room size and layout, it enhances both the aesthetic appeal and comfort of the area. Take the above space by DATE Interiors for example, this modern apartment has high ceilings that help to balance out a giant corner sofa.

3. Introduce texture with your materials

Woven materials are no longer considered dull, dated or dreary, and we very much welcome its highly-anticipated revival.

The rattan furniture trend shows no signs of abating, but why is it so popular? No longer resigned to just outdoor furniture, rattan has earned its rightful place in our homes.

Rattan furniture is so loved mostly because of how it looks and feels. The classic woven rattan texture is instantly recognizable, highly sophisticated and guaranteed to look on-trend for years to come. Perfectly blending country chic and modern minimalism, the design effortlessly adds a touch of elegance to any living room. Look for antique and vintage pieces to add real personality.

4. Select a colorful couch

While it can be tempting to stick to neutrals, choosing a colorful couch could be a game-changer for your living space. However, the key is to choose a hue that is striking enough yet still sophisticated and timeless.

Interior design Linda Hayslett of LH.Designs says, 'Having a saturated colored sofa that's in a hue that isn't too bright paired with more neutral tones is a design trend that's on the rise,' she notes.

'Bold sofa colors are trending because it's the biggest piece in a living room, but loud sofas can make it feel too much, so a soft orange or deep green sofa can really make a living room stand out, but not be too ostentatious,' she advises. Opting for a rich, saturated color that complements your existing palette will create a cohesive look that feels both lively and elegant.

5. Carefully select prints and patterns

It's not just the shape and color of your furniture that you want to get right but the pattern, too. Patterns bring energy and personality to a room, but it's important to use them strategically to avoid overwhelming the space.

'Designing a living room can be expensive so you want to go with prints and colors you will not easily tire of,' Carley Summers, who designed the space above, recommends. 'If you are scared of large scale prints, you can always add it to pillows and art to make a living room come to life.'

By carefully choosing prints and coordinating them with your existing decor, you can create a harmonious and dynamic living room. Mixing different scales of patterns can add depth without creating chaos, for example, pairing a large-scale floral couch with a subtle stripe throw pillow or a subtle check on your curtains.

6. Try built-in cabinetry to maximize storage

When debating freestanding vs built-in storage for your living room, the main thing is to consider your needs and the space available. Built-ins are a great way to maximize storage in small spaces, as they can be designed to fit into nooks and crannies that freestanding furniture can't.

‘Bespoke shelving is a hugely practical furniture addition to a living room, but that doesn’t mean it has to be purely functional,' suggests Felix Milns, founder of HUX London. 'Opt for a custom design to fully embrace every available inch of space as well as ensure the aesthetic fits your home perfectly.'

'Whether it is crafted from beautiful timber, designed with touches of glass and brass detailing, or finished with pops of color, paneling and beveled edges, this depth of detail will ensure it becomes a favorite family piece, elevating a home by delivering a design that will be cherished for many years to come.’

7. Place two couches facing each other

A face-to-face seating arrangement encourages interaction and gives the living room a welcoming, social vibe. 'I love two sofas facing one another, we do not all have the space for that, but if you do I say go for it!' adds Carley.

Linda Hayslett is also a fan of this way of arranging living room furniture. 'Living room furniture, depending on the amount of space you have, normally has a couple of go to options. One option is a sectional with ottomans opposite it, another can be two sofas facing one another with a fireplace centered between them, or you could have a sofa with two chairs.'

'These are the more standard layouts but are the easiest to implement in most spaces. Once you have that nailed down, creating space that's cozy, inviting and warm, yet can be dressed up when needed for when guests come over has been the trend that I've been seeing lately.'

8. Try the chair, lamp, table method

The chair + lamp + table vignette hack is the key to achieving a more balanced, more functional, and more thoughtful moment in your living space.

Coined by interior designer Rebecca Constable, the idea is that wherever you have a chair, you need to place a table and a lamp beside it to create a thoughtful vignette. It's wonderfully simple, but often an easy thing to forget until you're suddenly sat in a chair and realize you have nowhere to put your drink or not enough light for reading.

'The best living room layouts are those that promote both comfort and conversation,' agrees Molly Torres Portnof of DATE Interiors.

9. Brighten up a neutral space with colorful furniture

Getting living room color schemes just right is vital because this is the room where we spend most of our time.

The color wheel is your confidant when it comes to choosing accompanying shades for your living room furniture. For a soothing feel, taupe or olive green living room colors are perfect partners. Orange and yellow living room ideas add vibrancy, while dusky pinks will add subtle softness.

Adding colorful furniture to a neutral room is a great way to inject personality and energy without dominating the space. By thoughtfully selecting a few key pieces in bold hues, you can create focal points that draw the eye and add a dynamic contrast to your living room without the need to repaint.

10. Invest in somewhere to rest your feet

Sink into comfort with hardworking living room seating ideas like ottomans, footstools, and poufs that will enhance the layout of your space.

A good footrest not only adds a layer of comfort but also acts as a subtle design element that can tie the room together. These pieces can be easily integrated into your living room setup, offering additional seating, hidden storage, an alternative to a wooden or glass coffee table, or simply a cozy spot to put your feet up after a long day.

Top tip: make sure you arrange your chairs at an angle to create a sense of depth to the room, otherwise if you place all seating against the walls you might end up with a narrow 'bowling alley' look with the footrests.

11. Wood will always add warmth

Wood has a unique ability to make a room feel inviting and grounded. Wooden furniture, such as cabinets, coffee tables, bookshelves, and entertainment centers, can serve as focal points while providing functional benefits.

If you think that wooden furniture will feel too traditional in a contemporary home, think again. In recent years, there have been a number of new techniques which have reinvigorated the style, and made this old staple a very modern favorite.

Incorporating wood elements into your living room design is a timeless way to add warmth, character, and natural beauty to the space. For example, an oak coffee table can work as a practical centerpiece and a statement item that enhances the room's warmth. Similarly, wooden side tables and media units can blend seamlessly with various decor styles, from traditional to contemporary.

12. Incorporate some curved lines

Full-on voluptuous or gently rounded, cylindrical furniture will lift the layout and soften the overall look of your room, adding a gentle touch of shaping to your living room décor.

If you’re unsure whether curves are for you then consider a touch of subtle roundness. Introduce a single curved-front cabinet or accessories into your layout; think round table, circular footstool or undulating pendant ceiling lamps. It’s an adaptable and welcoming look – and without going round in circles, it’s one that’s here to stay.

'Curves offer that touch of individuality that everyone is searching for, softening the lines in the interior to create a much more welcoming space,' says Graeme Smith, conceptual designer at Metris.

13. Mix materials, eras, and interior design styles

Create a fresh look with an eclectic blend of interior design styles, eras and materials. The contrasts between the old and new make a space feel interesting and unexpected – and will also highlight the differences between individual pieces so the eye appreciates them more.

Find the line between eclectic and chaotic. Don’t cram in too many pieces into your living room – and balance out the furniture with neutral walls.

The harmonious feel of the space above is achieved through the crisp white walls that provide a calm backdrop which allows the furniture pieces to do all talking.

14. Create a bespoke media wall

The TV is an eyesore but an essential part of your Netflix nights in, so be sure to carefully and creatively plan a media space to house it.

You either love them or hate them, but a bespoke media wall is a standout feature in any modern living room, offering a sleek and customized solution for housing entertainment systems, showcasing artwork, and displaying various decor pieces.

Custom cabinetry allows you to incorporate built-in features like shelves, drawers, and even hidden compartments, making it easier to keep your space organized and (crucially) taking some of the focus away from the big black box - aka your television.

15. Try your hand at DIY

If you are after a DIY project for the weekend, then try your hand at painting your living room furniture and built-ins.

Hand-painted furniture offers timeless longevity – the color can be altered in the future to reflect changing fashions. The advantage is in its almost limitless choice of colors, allowing you free rein to express yourself, whether your home is period or contemporary, country or urban. Selecting the right type of paint is crucial for durability and finish. For instance, chalk paint offers a matte, vintage look ideal for rustic or shabby chic styles, while acrylic paint provides a sleek, modern finish.

For a timeless look, we sometimes err on the side of safety and choose a completely neutral scheme, while a little lick of vivid color can cheer up a room immensely.