Living room

Tonal living room with olive green walls and curated artwork

A daybed arranged with curated cushions becomes artwork in its own right 
and complements the trio of paintings that form a pleasing focal point above.

Languid Knows daybed, £3,900, The Sit Still Studio. Hikira rug, £2,240, A Rum Fellow. Woodpecker 
floor lamp, £299, Heal’s. Paintings (from left) Casting Round for Solid Ground, £2,400; Untitled, £550; Duality, £1,500, all Caroline Popham at Maison Artefact. Cushion in Bell Dusk, £98m, Mimi Pickard.

Photography/ Polly Wreford

Moody grey living room with bold, bright furniture

Elegant statement pieces with a handmade, considered feel are key to a design-led interior. Here, showstopping sculptural lighting 
is accompanied by an inviting sofa based 
on the classic campaign design.

Campaign sofa in Flagstone, £3,000, 
Harp Cottage. Hand-tufted cushions, 
from £85 each, all Kate Cullum. 000 Layered Light unglazed porcelain pendant, from £4,000, Unit 89. Dante side table in Dark Bronze, £1,803, Julian Chichester.

Photography/ Polly Wreford

Relaxed living room with striking wooden furniture and contemporary art

The simple yet striking wooden slatted divider sets the tone for this relaxed sitting area, where contemporary and antique pieces in different woods sit harmoniously together. 

Photography/ Jan Baldwin

Classic living room scheme with jewel-toned ottoman and Christmas garland

A teal ottoman adds sumptuous colour, while mirrored inserts either side of the fireplace amplify the sense of light and space. A large circular mirror above the fireplace adds a modern element in this other traditional space. 

Photography/ Mark Bolton

Classic living room with fir Christmas tree and foliage

A traditional space is the perfect setting for a classic fir Christmas tree that has been decorated in a minimal colour palette of blue and white. 

Photography/ Jon Day

Glamorous fireplace wood panelled walls and tile surround

Black or very dark hues can be cosy and enveloping. When going for this look, be sure to include interesting accents as a foil. Choose an elaborate tile for the surround and add sharpness with a graphic floor rug. Then use candles and fairy lights to inject spark and chandelier. 

Photography/ Chris Everard

A classic period sitting room in all its festive finery

The sitting room of this Victorian property has been been given a very sympathetic and elegant period treatment. A grand marble fireplace topped with a gilded mirror anchors the room. As well as framing the fine Victorian windows, the silk curtains with swags and tails lend a lovely touch of opulence.

Classic fireplace with delicate foliage and garland

The sharp seed heads of teasels are softened with sprays of delicate foliage, creating a beautifully unusual garland and wreath. Grosgain ribbon adds a colourful flourish.

Photography/ Simon Bevan

Traditional Christmas living room with natural foliage and classic furniture

The gentle glow of candlelight, frosted silver and natural foliage combine for an atmospheric Scandinavian-inspired feel. The unusual array of garlands gives this formal room an air of whimsy.

Photography/ Simon Bevan

Classic living room with elegant furniture and upholstered sofa

Upholster a compact sofa with an oversized print to create a strong, elegant statement piece set against a calm backdrop. A bold linear design rug offers a contrasting but complementary sense of scale and drama.

Photography/ Simon Bevan

Contemporary living room with a pastel palette

Reminiscent of a late-summer garden, this hand-painted watercolour mural in shades of warm peach and spice creates a relaxed and expressive backdrop for pared-back modern pieces.

Photography/ Damian Russell

Living room with tactile textures, rich colour and glamour

Celebrate raw materials, organic textures, natural scenes and crafts such as mark making and weaving. Sweeping lines, tactile surfaces and deep tones of copper and red combine to create a deliciously warm and cocooning interior, with contrasting textures and a touch of glamour.

Photography/ Damian Russell

Vibrant pink living room scheme with paisley patterns

Celebrate the heat and colour of the subcontinent with vibrant patterns and textural accessories. Shades of rose bloom in this flamboyant 
scheme, with touches of burnt orange 
to give a nod to tropical heat.

Photography/ Jan Baldwin

Living room with vibrant colour and pattern

Celebrate the heat and colour of the subcontinent with vibrant patterns and textural accessories. Fabrics in shades of sapphire and emerald create a space that both soothes and energises. 

Photography/ Jan Baldwin

French Modernist living room with mixed materials

A new wave of geometric designs, inspired by the work of abstract artist Sonia Delaunay, combines graphic shapes with exciting colour combinations to create a smart mid-century feel. Mixing a range of fabric designs featuring diamonds, circles and hexagons brings instant vitality, especially when directional light gives it a stripped appearance.

Photography/ Paul Raeside

Tropical-style living room with printed fabric and bamboo

Vintage-syle tropical prints, teamed with bamboo and cane, evoke the faded grandeur of colonial Cuba. Découpage is an impressive way of creating a bespoke piece of furniture that can be tailored to suit your room scheme.

Photography/ Adrian Briscoe

Modern living room with powdery pastel colour palette

Decorating with pastel shades needn’t mean going entirely pale. An accent wall in a darker colour, such as the deep blue used here, serves to balance lighter tones. To add depth, introduce subtle textures with wool upholstery and curtains and rugs in patterned weaves.

Photography/ Paul Raeside

Classic living room with simple linens and silk furnishings

Polished concrete flooring offers a smooth, subdued contrast to organic-shaped furnishings, while a smart grasscloth wallcovering lets dramatic artwork do the talking.

Photography/ Damian Russell

Calm, relaxed living room scheme with a neutral colour palette

Serene greens, monochrome patterns, tactile weaves and rich textures combine to deliver an inviting colour palette for a considered living space. As seen in Japanese homes, a freestanding wall acts as a divider, 
zoning a large room. Natural flooring and delicate paper lights complete the look.

Photography/ Damian Russell

Deep green and blue living room with a global artisan feel

We embrace our inner nomad with a considered mix of Eastern, African and South American patterns with natural materials, rich textures and bold hues for an elegant, worldly look at home.

Photography/ Damian Russell