20 Living Room Decor Ideas to Elevate Your Home’s Comfort and Style

There’s nothing quite like the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. But, once the presents are unwrapped and the tree is taken down, it’s time to get back to reality.

And for many of us, that means looking around our home and realizing it needs a little love.

The living room is a great place to start, since it’s where you, you know, live. It’s also a high-traffic area, so it’s a great place to update if you’re looking to sell your home in the new year.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of a living room overhaul, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to make a big impact without breaking the bank.

1. Take stock of your space

Before you start shopping for new furniture or decor, take a good look at your space. What do you like? What do you want to change? What do you need?

If you have a small living room, you may want to avoid bulky furniture that takes up too much space. On the flip side, a large living room may feel cold and uninviting without a few substantial pieces to anchor the space.

2. Start with a plan

Before you start shopping, it’s important to have a plan in place. Decide on a color scheme, design style, and a budget that you’re comfortable with. This will help you to narrow down your choices and prevent you from buying things that don’t go together.

If you’re not sure where to start, consider hiring an interior designer. They can help you to create a plan that will work for your space and your budget.

3. Consider paint

Painting a room is one of the easiest (and least expensive) ways to make a big difference. In this case, interior designer Tamsin Johnson used a black and white palette to create a cozy and elegant space.

The black paint adds drama and creates a focal point for the room, while the white walls and furniture keep the room feeling light and airy.

4. Add texture

Balance out the sleek surfaces in your living room with some texture. Here, interior designer Tamsin Johnson used a rough stone fireplace to contrast with the smooth finishes and soft colors in the rest of the room.

From the shaggy area rug to the plush velvet upholstery and the fringed throw pillows, this space is full of cozy textures.

5. Mix in some metal

Mixing metals is a fun way to add visual interest to your space. You can start with small accents, like a gold picture frame or a copper lamp, then build up to larger pieces.

If you have a modern space, you can add in some warmth with gold and brass. If you have a more traditional space, you can add some edge with silver and chrome.

6. Play with patterns

Patterns can add a lot of personality to a room. The key to making them look cohesive is to make sure they complement one another. For example, in this living room by Emily Henderson, the florals in the rug are repeated in the pillows and artwork. The colors in the rug are also repeated in the room to create a sense of balance.

7. Add pops of color

If your living room feels a little blah, adding some color can make a world of difference. The best part? You can add color in small doses so you don’t have to commit to a bold palette.

In this room, interior designer Erika Dale used the rug as a jumping off point for the color scheme. The rug features a variety of colors, but it’s not overwhelming because it’s balanced by white space. She brought in the different colors from the rug in the throw pillows and art, and kept the rest of the room neutral.

8. Create a focal point

If your living room is feeling a little lackluster, it could be that you’re missing a focal point. A focal point is the part of the room that draws the most attention. Common focal points include a fireplace, a gallery wall, a large piece of art or a piece of furniture like a sofa or coffee table.

If your living room is lacking a focal point, consider adding one. This could be as simple as rearranging the furniture or hanging a large piece of art. A focal point helps to ground the room and gives the eye a place to rest.

9. Add some greenery

There’s something about a well-placed houseplant that can make any space feel more inviting. In a living room, consider adding a few plants to your windowsills, or use a plant stand to create a mini garden in the corner of the room.

If you don’t have a green thumb, you can always opt for faux plants for a similar effect. Or, add some botanical-inspired decor, like a leafy throw pillow or a floral area rug, to bring a little bit of the outdoors in.

10. Display your favorite things

Show off your personality and interests by displaying your favorite things. Whether it’s a collection of books, a unique piece of art, or a set of vintage glassware, a curated collection can add character to your living room.

This is also a great way to fill up empty wall space. Instead of hanging art, consider leaning a few of your favorite pieces against the wall. This creates a more casual, eclectic look and can be easily switched out.

11. Think about seating

When designing a living room, it’s easy to get carried away with the fun stuff, like picking out a rug or choosing the perfect coffee table. But, it’s important to think about seating before you start adding in accent pieces.

Consider how many people you want to be able to seat comfortably in your living room. Once you’ve determined that, you can pick the perfect sofa or sectional for your space.

12. Add some light

The right lighting can transform a room, but it’s often the last thing people think about when decorating.

Incorporate a mix of lighting options: overhead, like a chandelier or ceiling fan with lights; task, like a floor lamp for reading; and ambient, like a table lamp.

Don’t forget about natural light, too! If you have large windows, keep them unobstructed with light, sheer curtains and open them up to let the sun pour in.

13. Use mirrors to your advantage

Mirrors are a great tool to use when decorating any space, but they’re especially helpful in living rooms. Not only can they help make the room feel bigger by reflecting light and the rest of the room, but they can also be a great way to add some style to the walls.

The living room in this New York City apartment designed by Sasha Bikoff is a great example of how to use mirrors to your advantage. The large mirror above the sofa helps to open up the space and makes the room feel bigger, while the smaller mirror above the fireplace adds a nice touch of glam.

14. Add some art

Art is a great way to bring some personality to your space. You can choose a larger piece and make it the focal point of your room, or you can create a gallery wall with a variety of pieces that speak to you.

If you’re not sure where to start, think about the colors you’d like to incorporate into your room and find art that includes those colors. You can also use art to tie together different colors in your room.

15. Consider a rug

Rugs are a great way to define a space, and that’s especially useful in an open floor plan where you’re trying to create a distinction between the living area and the kitchen, dining room, or other spaces.

Rugs can also be used to add color, texture, and pattern. If you’re looking to bring in some color but don’t want to overwhelm the space, try adding a bright rug.

16. Bring in some curtains

Curtains are a great way to add color to your living space.

These simple, white curtains are a great choice for this room. They add a little bit of softness and texture without taking away from the other elements in the room.

17. Add some personality

Don’t be afraid to show off your personal style. Whether you’re all about the boho look or you love a good vintage moment, your living room is the perfect place to show off your favorite design trends.

In this space, an eclectic mix of patterns, colors, and textures make the room feel unique and personal. The gallery wall of prints and the mix of throw pillows on the sofa are the perfect finishing touches.

18. Don’t forget about the walls

We’re all for a great gallery wall, but there are so many other ways to decorate your living room walls. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders to change the look of your space.

You can also add some texture with wallpaper, or try a more temporary fix with peel-and-stick wallpaper. Shiplap is another great way to add some texture to your walls.

19. Think about the kids

If you have children, you might think that means your living room can’t be as stylish as you’d like. But that’s not true! You can still have a chic living room, even if it’s filled with toys and kid-friendly furniture.

The key is to find a balance between what you want and what your kids need. For example, instead of a glass coffee table, opt for an upholstered ottoman. You can still style it with a tray and decor, but it’s much safer for kids.

And when it comes to color, don’t be afraid to embrace the rainbow! A colorful living room can still be chic. Just make sure to balance out the bright colors with plenty of neutrals and other shades in the same color family.

20. Add some seasonal touches

In this living room designed by 2LG Studio, the color scheme is a mix of warm earthy hues and pops of bright yellow. The yellow chairs add a playful touch and are easy to swap out when you want to change up the room’s color story.

The duo also chose to use a floral arrangement with a mix of seasonal blooms and branches, which can be easily replaced as the seasons change.

Conclusion

Your living room is where you relax, entertain, watch movies, play games and more. That’s all the more reason why your living room furniture should reflect your style and meet your needs. Whether you’re shopping for a new sectional sofa, tv stand or stylish coffee table, you won’t find a better online furniture store than Wayfair. We have an amazing selection of living room furniture in any style, from traditional leather furniture to custom upholstery so you can get the exact fabric you need to match the rest of your decor.