Living Room Furniture And Decor: Inspiration And Advice
If the kitchen is the heart of the home, your living room is the soul. It's here that you'll likely spend most of your time in the evening and quality time with your loved ones (or even just yourself). Not sure where to start when it comes to decorating it? Here's our guide to all things living room furniture and decor.
Living Room Furniture Ideas
In terms of living room furniture ideas, there are a couple of items that are absolute staples; think sofas, coffee tables, and lounge chairs. You need a place to sit and read, watch TV, or just generally unwind. How you choose those pieces depends on what you're looking to achieve with the room, and, more important, the style you're looking to decorate it in. From a boho living room to an English country space, we've got plenty of inspiration for you to dream about. Siri, open Pinterest.
Start with the sofa.
Nicole Mason for Hunker
Your sofa is the base of your living room furniture idea and you'll want it to be comfortable. Think about whether you want a statement sectional or a cozy three-seater. Don't forget to check out our designer-approved sofas for ultimate style points. But read this handy guide before you start shopping.
Add in other seating options.
Stephen Paul for Hunker
Once you've scored the dream sofa, the next step is additional seating options such as lounge chairs and accent chairs. In general, these should be different from your sofa — to avoid a matchy-matchy look — and add texture and additional color. These 12 chairs will inspire you to go bold.
Perfect your coffee table.
Sanford Creative for Hunker
Coffee tables tend to act as the central focal point of your living room idea, so make sure you choose the right one for your space. Layout is SO important, folks. While round and square options work well in smaller floor plans, rectangular coffee tables tend to work better in larger spaces. Once yours is in place, don't forget to decorate it with the right accessories. Here are our tips for styling your coffee table and a few of our favorite coffee table books to throw into the mix.
Think about storage.
Stephen Paul for Hunker
Storage needs are often hard to predict. There never seems to be enough, right? The storage for an open concept layout will differ from that of an enclosed living room because you're working with fewer walls. And if you're short on space, you're likely to be looking at dual-purpose furniture to maximize every inch. Try these living room storage ideas. You can thank us later.
Living Room Decor Ideas
Styling your living room is the tricky part — and we're not kidding when we say that your decor can make or break a room. Accessories and decor are the items that turn your house into a home and should be chosen carefully. Consider these living room decor ideas to guide you as you make your design decisions.
Make your rug count.
Sanford Creative for Hunker
A good rug can add texture, warmth, and color to your living room without you even having to lift a paintbrush. Decide whether you want to go bold with your rug choice, or choose something that is subtle but still adds character.
Add artwork.
Emma Jane Palin
Artwork is an amazing living room idea that shows off your personality while also adding different colors to the room. Go big with large scale abstracts or create a statement gallery wall that will also add plenty of visual interest. And if you're feeling really brave, you could even try out these living room wall decor ideas.
Style, style, style!
Stephen Paul for Hunker
Soft furnishings, plants, wall hangings, curtains, and trinkets all make for the final touches in a living room, so don't forget to incorporate these little additions into your design process, too. Oh, and once your house is feeling super cozy, add in the right lighting. Try these living room lighting ideas to make the most of your space.
Living Room Trends
While we could easily get caught up in the major color trends for 2020, there's so much more than color palettes to discuss. This year's design shows, such as Milan Design Week, confirmed that you need to be on the lookout for ribbed textures, smoked glass, earthy tones, and zodiac-inspired furniture and accessories when it comes to your living room design.
Where to Shop for the Living Room
Known for its classic midcentury pieces, West Elm is the perfect place to pick up a high quality sofa and all of the trimmings.
Joybird was founded on the idea that people should never settle when it comes to their home furnishings, but rather have the freedom to be boldly original. Shop custom-made furniture that will last a lifetime — and bonus, the collection comes in a range of colors, too.
This online-only brand offers just about any type of furniture you could imagine for your home. It's a one-stop shop for all styles and price ranges.
Rejuvenation is the place to head if you're looking for vintage-inspired homewares. It's especially great if you're looking for classic American lighting and midcentury pieces.