40 of the best living room ideas to suit any style

There are a lot of living room ideas out there. Where do you even start with so much gorgeous inspiration available? Finding your living room style is the first step, and we have plenty of advice here to help you do that, plus the best 50 living rooms that are sure to inspire, no matter what your personal tastes. 

So whether your living room design is expansive, open-plan, a shared home office space or on the compact side, there are looks to suit. And, of course, we have asked for the help of designers too, who have put forward some of their favorite living rooms alongside their top tips on how to adapt the look for your home.

How should I decorate my living room? 

A good starting point for decorating a living room is to think about how many people you need to fit in your space on a regular basis. This will help you to choose the right living room furniture and living room storage.

Your floor plan should consider the room’s layout from a social and practical point of view. Plan seating in groups to ensure conversation flows when you have guests and consider scale and how different pieces will sit together. Seating heights vary so balance is key, but make sure guests are seated at the same level. 

'Not everything has to be two-by-two when it comes to layout,' says interior designer Nina Campbell. 'By combining different styles, colors and finishes you will create an effortlessly eclectic look.'

'Do put together a measured plan of your living room before buying new pieces of furniture to understand the sizes you require,' explains Emma Sims Hilditch, interior designer at Sims-Hilditch. 'That way you will avoid making expensive mistakes.'

In terms of color, your living room should reflect how you want to feel in that space. It is the room in which you will spend the most time in, so it is important to get it right.

40 living room ideas to suit any interior design style

These are our favorite living room ideas and we've added in-depth advice from well-known designers and our own team of experts, too, so that you know how to design a living room with aplomb.

1. Start with a moodboard

Sometimes the hardest thing to do when looking for living room ideas is to actually get started. We asked Patrick O’Donnell, Brand Ambassador at Farrow & Ball for his invaluable advice and the most important part? Get moodboarding to inspire living room color schemes.

‘Remember that any room is a sum of various parts so try and create a mood board with as many elements as you can get your hands on. When choosing paint colors, think about the aspect of your room (north, east, south, west) – a color you have seen in a magazine or friend’s house may not respond in your room so sampling is essential, try and paint large swatches that you can move around the walls at different times of day to see how the color transitions in all-natural light conditions.’

This beautiful room by interior designer Cortney Bishop is the perfect example of successful moodboarding. If you don't know where to start, knowing how to make a mood board will help you to create a useful tool that will prove essential to achieving the interior project of your dreams.

2. Paint all the surfaces in one single color

'We have found that as we’ve all been spending more time in our homes, there has been a really exciting shift in how experimental we’re being with living room paint ideas and our customers are increasingly focusing their living room scheme on a tone that they want to immerse themselves in,’ says Dominic Myland, CEO of Mylands. 

‘One such trend is head-to-toe color – painting the walls, woodwork, and even the ceiling one color for a welcoming, immersive room with a modern edge. We’d always recommend really thinking about how that color will interplay with the light in your room and trying samples first to make sure you love it. 

'A full immersion of color drenching, with one stunning shade for all walls and woodwork, can bring interest into the room without overwhelming the eye; mid-tone colors work particularly well for this. The style also complements strong architectural features in a fresh and modern way’ - great for living room ceiling ideas.

3. Choose two or more shades of the same color

For a thoroughly modern feel – in a period property – choose a couple of shades of the same color and use them in various spots in the living room. Consider painting the ceiling too, it’s been a big living room trend in the last few months that works wonders to make a living room feel more cozy and cocooning.

This green living room is the perfect example. The two tone walls tone down that darker more moody green, but you still get the dramatic effect. Plus, taking that lighter shade slightly down the walls creates the instant allusion of more height. 

4. Play with bold tones but keep it tonal

A harmonious and joyful living room has been created using the colors in the rug as the center point, pulling tones out to feature within the scheme. Muted pink walls offer just the right background palette and work well set against the crisp whites, which are key in the mix to offer breathing space amid all the color. 

Shapely furniture in warm hues is layered alongside a classic sofa in chalky white linen, punctuated with accessories in jewel brights.

5. Always use a rug to anchor the space

'Large, plush rugs make any space feel more opulent. Ensure the rug is proportional to the room and that furniture sits comfortably on it. This not only unifies the space but also adds a visual anchor,' explains Marie Cloud, owner and principal designer of Indigo Pruitt Design Studio.

A living room rug really is an essential to the room. Even if you have living room carpet so don't need that extra softness underfoot, a rug helps ground your space and anchor the furniture. 

6. Create balance with your living room layout

Once you’ve got your key ingredient – the living room color scheme – in place you can start considering furniture and where to put it. Correct placement in living room layouts is invaluable and can make or break a scheme. 

For the formal living room in this Park Ave apartment in NYC, BarlisWedlick removed one of the cabinets that flanked the fireplace and incorporated a custom settee with rounded edges and fur trim in its place. 

Colorful, jewel-toned throw pillows add a liveliness to the room, which features subtle pale gray-green walls and neutral fabrics. Artwork placed directly across a tinted yellow mirror balances out the opposite side of the room and allows the artwork to be seen from those sitting directly under the sofa.

7. Plan in your layout early

UK-based designer Tiffany Duggan of Studio Duggan believes careful planning is all-important when it comes to design – and since your living room ideas are quite literally the center of your home, it's all the more important.

'Measure and plan where you are going to put each piece of furniture and make sure you have sockets in all the right places before you get decorating or ordering,' she says.

8. Ensure an elegant living room with symmetry

Symmetry in interior design is usually introduced to create a balanced, calm space that's perfect for a living room that you want as a retreat. The simplest way to create symmetry is around a fireplace, but you can use a large piece of furniture with matching side tables and lamps for the same effect. 

9. Or avoid symmetry for a more eclectic living room

Sometimes symmetry is not the answer, and in fact it works better to be slightly more relaxed with your layout. 

'Eclectic layouts that avoid symmetry will prove to be more eye-catching, and avoiding matching furniture will lend to a more curated aesthetic,' explains Brandon Lange, Creative Director and Principal Designer of BZ Interiors.

'Larger rugs will always be more impressive than smaller ones, and considering window treatments to enhance the architecture of your windows will go a long way. If possible, take furniture pieces away from walls to have them float in the room which will give the appearance of a larger space.'

10. Make use of awkward nooks and corners

A common solution for a bay window in a living room is to convert it into a window seat. Instead, use a bay window as a bright but cozy inlet for a statement sofa, a la this space by Connecticut-based Camden Grace Interiors. Think of it as the window seat's sophisticated older cousin. Add sconces and you'll have your new favorite reading nook. 

11. Pick a dark wall color – but add touches of light and warmth

Stefani Stein, who runs an interior design studio in LA, specializes in room schemes that are easy to live with but which still create impact. This dark living room above typifies her approach – drama in the contrasts, curvaceous furniture that's modern but welcoming and a really traditional feel, despite the modern approach. 

If, like Stefani, you wish to use a dark color on your living room walls to create a cozy, intimate feel, be sure to balance out the darker shades with pale colors, seen here on the sofas, the floor and at the windows – and add a touch of warmth with accent colors in furniture and accessories.

12. Pick a high contrast color scheme

Tonal color schemes are easy on the eyes, however they don't have that same wow-factor as a contrasting color scheme. And they needn't be as jarring as they sound, this living room designed by Bethany Adams Interiors brings together two bold clashing colors, yellow and blue, and yet the neutral backdrop ensures it still feels chic and doesn't overwhelm. 

As Marie Cloud explains, 'A high-contrast color scheme, such as black and white or navy and gold, adds a bold, sophisticated touch. Use a neutral base for walls and large furniture pieces, accentuating with darker or metallic accents.'

13. Embrace the trend for reimagined ditsy florals

This minimalist living room idea from one of H&G's decorating shoots is brought to life with a fabulously vibrant twist on traditional chintz – perfect country living room ideas when you want a more contemporary feel. 

The neutral backdrop allows for the bright, colorful textile pattern to take center stage. The simple lines of the elegant, contemporary sofa have been covered with this glorious Spring Garden textile design for a heavenly pairing. The pink kilim, artwork and coordinating cushions all help to pull the living room together for a modern twist on a classic look. 

14. Add impact to a living room with a bold wallpaper

If maximalism is your thing, bold living room wallpaper ideas, like the one in this living room by Morris & Co, are a good way to create a space that feels eclectic, lively and fun. Choosing a pale green or blue for a maximalist design is a good choice for a living space – it will tone down the effect of the pattern to create an overall much calmer feel. 

‘For a playful living rroom go for a vibrant printed design on your furniture. If you’re not brave with pattern choose a plain hardwearing woven fabric and add some stylish cushions,’ says Hayley McAfee, Design Director, Villa Nova.

15. And don't shy away from bolder colors too

If you're up for a bold stroke, try decorating your living room floor-to-ceiling in saturated color, like this Palm Beach colorful living room by Peter Pennoyer. 

There are a few ways to pull off such a daring look. One, choose an inspiration piece, like a rug or artwork, to pull hues from. This ensures your room stays cohesive and creates a reference point for each color. 

Two, keep the colors in a similar shade or tone, like brights or pastels. Matching tones will keep the room feeling unified. 

Or three, if you're partial to a single color, mix up a monochrome look by incorporating various shades and tones of a single color. 

16. Be more purposeful with a gray living room scheme

'Gray living room ideas' is one of the most searched for phrases online – but many are really just a whisper away from neutral or beige living rooms, so pale are they. If you want to create a dramatic scheme that's cozy at night, a deep, contemporary grey like the one in this room is a bold but rewarding move.

Be sure to add warmth to the scheme with hotter colors, but choose them to match the depth of the gray so that the look remains modern and so that they can stand up to the gray.

17. Be inspired by the trend for earthy colors

Interior designer Sophie Ashby reveals that nature provided the inspiration for this scheme’s welcoming, earthy palette. This is quite a grown-up room, and the seating arrangement reflects this, with a pair of bespoke, classic couches in sage green velvet, teamed with a tan daybed. 

‘The palette was inspired by Holland Park in London and features neutral colors: greens, blues, russets, oranges and yellows,’ says Sophie. ‘We started with the rug, which we designed as an ode to the park, incorporating peacock feathers as well as leaf motifs.’

‘When looking at softer aspects within a space, opt for richer colors that can give a sense of warmth. If you are looking for a more trend-led design then focus on investing in items with fringing or trims as it adds more depth to the design,’ advises Holly Gannon, Design Manager, Milc Interiors.

18. Embrace transitional design by mixing eras

You don't need to have a one-track mind when looking for living room ideas, transitional living rooms that blend old and new are perfect for creating timeless spaces.

'We aim to create spaces that are inviting and timeless and we love to create a balanced mix of older antique pieces juxtaposed with vintage items and contemporary designs,’ says Susie Atkinson, Founder of London-based Interior Design Studio Susie Atkinson. 

‘Sometimes we might incorporate antiques that our clients have had forever as a starting point for a living room scheme, or we will source some characterful pieces for them. Mixing the old and the new ensures that a room won’t be overly influenced by current trends and date quickly, while statement pops of color and pattern combined with natural materials will really bring it to life with a tone of modernity.'

'For this room, we sourced a beautiful antique bobbin chair and updated it with a lovely slubby antique linen which we had dyed in this sunny yellow color, and the sleek lines and mirror finish of our cube steel side table contrasts it beautifully.’ adds Susie.

19. Stick with a neutral base and add interest with vintage pieces

Designer Heidi Caillier agrees that decorating with vintage in a living room is key to creating a space that has depth and interest. She explains, ‘We love to incorporate different design styles into our spaces, including mixing new with antique pieces. It helps to make the space feel layered and like it has been around for a long time.'

The key to ensuring that blending old and new never becomes too cluttered or confused is to stick with a relatively neutral base. Here, cozy brown walls are the perfect simple yet not bland backdrop for the vintage furniture and ditzy patterns. It's a color that leans into both the traditional and modern elements going on in this living room. 

20. Use rugs to tie living room colors together

Living room rug ideas aren't used as much as they should be – but they can add so much to a scheme, including color and pattern. We asked Clara Ewart, Head of Design at Kitesgrove for her thoughts on how important they can be to a scheme.

‘A strong rug can be transformational, bringing personality, texture and warmth to a living room. Sometimes they are a subtle design that anchors the overall scheme but sometimes it’s a stronger statement piece that dictates the tone of the whole room. We love to work with our clients to source something special and then use this as the starting point for the wider scheme. 

'Whether you have a dramatically patterned rug that will be complemented by softened tones in the rest of the room, or a more neutral rug that will work with bolder colors and patterns, it’s likely to be an investment piece that will stand the test of time. As a guide, we always recommend making sure your living room rug is as large as possible – anything too small will look pinched and uncomfortable.’

21. Let artwork spark the scheme

More often than not, we choose our living room art ideas at the end of the decorating process, but actually, a favorite painting can be used as your starting point, as Cath Beckett, Co-Founder of British Interior Design Studio, Yellow London explains:

‘We often start with artwork our clients choose or already love and extrapolate a wider scheme from there, drawing out striking paint colors to create harmony within the room. Art is so personal but if it is a piece that really speaks to us, it is a great place to start a scheme as it will say a lot about a client’s general style and color preferences. Once we have those details decided, complementary upholstery and the softer details will flow more naturally to create a cohesive and beautiful scheme.’

Adding artwork is also an excellent way to make your living room look expensive without costing the earth.

22. Use color as much as texture

Piling on texture can be smart when creating neutral living room ideas. 

'In a quiet corner, the elegant form of a classical pedestal table offers the perfect perch for a display of shapely vessels. The cool white marble top, ensures a modern classic feel, as does the monochrome palette which works beautifully against the natural plaster walls and warmth of the cane chair seat, wooden floors and woven rug,' says H&G's online editor Jennifer Ebert, of this room that we recently created for a Classic Decorating set.

‘Consider texture to be as important as color and pattern,' agrees Camilla Clarke, Creative Director, at interiors agency Albion Nord. 'There is nothing worse than a flat design. Try mixing different textures such as natural linens with soft velvets or robust leathers with thick wools.'

23. Give your living room a focal point

Whether you are considering a quick living room update or are looking for living room ideas for creating a focal point, decorating with artwork is an excellent option. 

'Knowing the ambiance you are aiming to achieve in your living room helps,' advises Federica Barretta Director of Opera Gallery London. 'Consider the architectural features of the room you are buying for, from ceiling height to the color scheme and lighting, when choosing a work of art. Living rooms are where the family gets together and where guests are entertained, making them the best places to showcase the richness and eclecticism of one’s art collection.'

24. Warm up a monotone scheme with wood

South Carolina-based interior designer Cortney Bishop is known for her modern design vision that runs the gamut of style and structure, balancing comfort with creativity and functionality. 

She brings this to the living rooms she designs by combining neutrals with a ton of wood textures, which make the spaces feel easy to live with, airy and bright, but warm and welcoming, too. Here, the wooden ceiling is the star of the show, subtly echoed below by the warm tones in the furniture and soft furnishings.

25. Divide a living room to suit your daily routines

Where once living rooms were somewhere we watched TV in the evenings, they're now invariably sitting rooms, homework studies for kids, home offices for adults and, of course, movie rooms – which is why searches for broken plan living rooms are rising sharply.

So how to pack this all into one space? If yours is a long living room you can divide it semi-permanently without closing off an area of the room entirely. The smartest, most permanent way to do so is with a wall of glazing, as above, which can include doors – allowing family members some time apart to pursue different activities, while keeping the room feeling spacious and open.

26. Use furniture scaling to exaggerate a living room's proportions

If your living room has low ceilings – or you want to make a living room's ceilings feel taller than they are – picking a low-slung couch for a small living room is a simple way to make the room feel taller. 

Note, too, low furniture creates a much more relaxed living room, while taller furniture or high-backed seating creates a more formal feel.

27. Pay attention to living room flooring

Living room flooring sets the scene, so it is a very important starting point for a living room design. ‘Usually, I begin thinking about the hall floor,’ remarks Sean Cochran, creative director, Cochrane Design. 

‘For instance, if I’ve used straight wooden boards along the length of the hall, I might use parquet in the same tone and finish in the living room.’ We have seen a resurgence of interest in wood flooring, so there are now all kinds of parquet styles, extra-wide boards and different finishes available.

28. Add instant character to a living room with pattern

‘Decorating with pattern is a great way to introduce character to living room decor,’ explains Bunny Turner, interior designer, Turner Pocock. It can be used to define a space and change the tone of different areas. ‘For example, you might want a bolder pattern on upholstery in a formal living area with a constant pattern used in an adjacent snug.’ 

The key is to start with a fabric that has a striking pattern featuring more than three colors. From that fabric choose the colors to be used in the scheme, then select a combination of designed in that palette, perhaps a stripe, a geometric, a floral and a textural option such as a coarse linen or herringbone.

29. Always try and maximize natural light

A refined palette or soft colors and pared-back style give this modern family living area by interior designer Cortney Bishop its bright, uncluttered feel. Sinuous living room ideas, such as the curvaceous furniture, accentuate the light mood of this design. 

Note the color punch supplied by the patterned rug, which adds interest and warmth to the room, and the filmy curtains that allow light into the room.

‘A quick and easy way to turn your window into a decorative feature is to introduce trimmings to existing curtains. For patterned curtains find a trim that complements the print and use it to add an interesting border, whilst with a plain fabric you can have a bit more fun, use the trim to create a stripe effect across fabric, creating a unique design feature,' explains Hayley McAfee, Design Director at Villa Nova.

30. Take aspects of the quiet luxury trend for a timeless living room

Going back to basics with your living room ideas is a surefire way to make your living room beautiful. Alongside all the clamor of color, pattern and shape in current interior design, there’s a quieter story of considered, understated forms and textures at their finest. Think quiet luxury, but even more timeless.

Dress your scheme with simple linen or silk, sleek metal, rich wood, and polished stone to bring an elegance and timelessness to interiors, placing them above and beyond seasonal fads. Here polished concrete flooring offers a smooth, subdued contrast to organic-shaped furnishings, while a smart grasscloth wall covering lets dramatic artwork do the talking.

31. Don't always play it safe with living room furniture

Just a single piece of living room furniture can transform a living room scheme. It needn't be as bold as pop of red or more subtle like the yellow velvet couch used here – it may be shapely, from a contrasting period (think mid-century in an otherwise country-style space) or it may be its proportions. 

Or, to look at it a different way, it may be that you can add a single, boldly colored piece that's an utter contrast to your living room paint ideas. This will require some bravery, experimentation, and a willingness to admit when you have got it wrong.

32. Combine soft shapes with clean lines

Katie Harbison of property development and design studio Banda achieves an elegant mix of modern and mid-century modern living room design in this room. Allow the room’s beautiful proportions and original moldings to shine by keeping the backdrop neutral. 

‘Walls are painted in a subtle grey and the floor is a natural oak, topped with a silky grey rug,’ explains Katie. The sofa’s rounded shape almost embraces the angular coffee table by artist Thomas Markunpoika. Every piece in the room is individual, but together they create a sense of harmony, thanks to their natural colors and subtle textural interest.

33. Interrupt a neutral living room scheme with classic stripes

A plain room can look utterly different if you add in some brave upholstery – here, an otherwise neutral living space has been given a touch of classic glamour with upholstery in broad stripes. 

Decorating with stripes like this can also play with a room's proportions – putting them vertically on upright chairs will make the chairs look taller and narrower, creating a subtle focal point in the room.

34. Be sympathetic to the age of your property

Work with the age of your home to create a sympathetic living room decor scheme that is both timeless and stylish. To reflect the age of the property, interior design company Sigmar used traditional gray for the walls, providing a contemporary note with pale-green doors and woodwork. 

A stronger color was added with green Kaare Klint Safari chairs and cushions in sea blue tones to create a calm but edgy look. ‘This space was stripped of its Victorian details in the 1960s,’ says designer Ebba Thott. ‘We reinstated cornicing and deep skirting boards, raising the door frames to celebrate the ceiling height.’

35. Furnish wisely around statement lighting

If you are picking out statement living room lighting for a space that doesn't have really high ceilings, ensure your furniture – particularly the coffee table and seating grouped on an area rug beneath the lighting – is low-slung. This will allow the room to breathe and for the lighting to be a focal point without the space feeling crowded.

'Do not be afraid to play with scale when it comes to bespoke statement lighting,' says Natalia Miyar, an LA-based interior architect and designer, who designed the room above. 'There are some wonderful high street options available if you do not have the budget to commission something bespoke. My advice is to not play too safe and use this as an opportunity to have a little fun.'

Architectural lighting is a solution that designers also use to light dark areas, surfaces and to highlight a room's structure. 'Think of the angles in the room and how to light them,' continues Natalia. 'What you want to achieve is a range of light sources, light

36. Avoid focusing everything around the TV

To give your country living room an atmosphere of warmth and welcome, arrange seating to make conversation – not the TV – the focus.

'In this room, the armchairs and sofas face each other across an upholstered ottoman, on which a tray of drinks or afternoon tea could be placed,' says interior designer Jojo Bradley. 'The comfortable furniture is softened further with cushions that invite you to relax and settle in for a while.'

This type of furniture arrangement works really well for small or larger groups, too. The pair of armchairs with their own side table provide an area for two people to sit and talk together, while the sofas provide additional seating when crowds gather.

37. Ensure the TV positioning makes sense

If you have both a TV and a fireplace in your living room, they don't have to co-exist. In fact, many interior designer would cringe at the thought of mounting a television above a fireplace. 

Instead, Connecticut-based Camden Grace Interiors allowed each of these prime living room features its breathing room by building a wall cabinet for the television. The furniture layout is fluid enough to allow either attraction to take center stage. 

38. Lift a muted scheme with bolder window treatments

The term 'pop of color' has become a bit of a decorating cliché, but like all clichés, there's good reason for it. Adding a dose or two of color to an otherwise neutral room can turn a pretty space into a memorable one.

If you're looking for a way to liven up white walls and neutral furniture, try on color with bright drapery, throw pillows, and a floral arrangement. 

39.Enliven an all white scheme with playful accessorizing

Living room accessories are like the jewellery of your scheme. Have fun with them, they are easy to switch out and can instantly lift the room so be sure to use your soft furnishings, pillows, throws, etc. to add color, pattern and interest to the space. 

In this neutral yet playful living room, a black cane sofa arranged with palm leaf-motif cushions against plain ochre linen lends an elegant exotic feel to a classic scheme – and it's a look that you can create quickly, and update again by simply swapping out the cushions. Dark wood flooring and a table of leafy plants complete the look.

40. Choose pendant lighting to double as decor

Chandeliers and pendants are popular living room lighting ideas for dramatic effect, but they don’t need to be in the center of a room. Try hanging a pendant low over a desk or table, or perhaps three blown-glass spheres suspended at different heights in a corner. Using a pendant is an unusual way can add a fun layer to your lighting scheme.

Lots of gorgeous living room ideas and advice to consider. The main thing is to ensure you design a space that you love and doesn't lean too much into trends in order to appear current. A living room should always be a cozy, relaxing and welcoming spaces, its where we spend the majority of downtime in our homes and the room should reflect that.