Take everything out and reorganize them. When it comes to dcor, there's a lot of power in repetition. Danielle Colding achieved her signature cozy cool look in this prewar apartment on Manhattans Upper West Side. Design: Emily Henderson Design, Photo: Sara Ligorria-Tramp. The sculpture of a head on the bench at right is by Ernesto Canto da Maya, and the wall sculpture above the mantel is a 16th-century naval decoration. In the living area, the sofa is by West Elm, the wool rug is by Restoration Hardware, the flooring is reclaimed oak, and the wall is painted in Benjamin Moores White Dove; the photograph is by Sarah Bailey. When Lucinda Loya was tapped to design fashion model Maya Henrys London flat, she wanted to fill the cold space with plenty of personality. In the living area of hairstylist Marcos Proenca's Sao Paulo duplex, the sofa, upholstered in a Rubelli velvet, and the screen were made in the 1940s by Dinucci. In the formal living room of the Connecticut farmhouse of sisters Ariel Ashe and Alexi Asher Meyers (plus, Alexi's husband and Late Night host Seth Meyers), an RH, Restoration Hardware sofa is in a Perennials linen, the custom bench is in a Ralph Lauren fabric, and the walls are in Oval Room Blue by Farrow & Ball. From matte to glossy or soft to rigid, consider mixing various textures. This goes for colors, but also for shapes: If you have one or two dominant colors in your living room, try repeating them in various items throughout the space. As this Hollywood Hills living roomwhich was designed by firm Nickey Kehoe for Suzanne Goinproves, you can never have too many seats. Lacey is an editor with 4 years of experience writing about and researching home dcor trends, techniques, and helpful tips. The vibrant purple walls are paired with flea-market finds, a tiger sculpture from Kerala, and a custom ottoman and chairs. A coat of paint or different textiles can make your favorite items feel brand new. Since your sofa takes up the most space in your living room, why not go bold with the color? These Black History Sites Could Be Lost Forever, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. White walls and contemporary furniture give this living room a clean and classic feel. For example, find some fun side table pulls in different metals or shapes for a quick and easy refresh. In a remote New Zealand surf town, architects Lance and Nicola Herbst ingeniously tuck a spacious weekend retreat amid a lush grove of exotic trees. A pair of white chairs complement the marigold-colored rug by Miyabi Casa. Highlights include sofas reimagined in Brochier velvet, Pierre Paulins Mushroom chairs, and artwork by Donna Huanca. Deep blacks complement warm whites with gold accents to create a glamorous scheme. The rag rug is from Amadi Carpets, the steel-framed sliding doors are by Chateau Domingue, and the wall hanging is a 19th-century suzani. Mixing different style genres is also a great way to personalize your living room, and avoid feeling like you're living in a staged home. Custom sofas are by Atelier Tapissier Seigneur and the curtains are in a quilted Braquenie fabric; the Oeil cocktail table by Pierre Chapo is vintage, the lacquered-coral sculpture is by Maurizio Epifani, and the painting over the mantel is by Alex Katz. Wallpaper is back in style, and for good reason. You can be as minimal or as maximalist as you preferit's up to you. Looking for a red-hot living room idea? In the living room of designer of textiles and interiors Kathryn M. Ireland's compound in Santa Monica, the custom sofa is in a linen velvet from Irelands fabric collection; the armchairs are covered in an Otis Textiles linen slipcover (left) and a fabric purchased in Marrakech (right). You may be pleasantly surprised that your outdoor furniture works well indoors, too. Transform your space by combining objects, greenery, and other accessories at different heights for a vignette that will refresh the living room's character. Architect Lus Bernardo Brito e Abreu renovated his So Miguel home to reflect his family's artistic, maritime history. In the living room of a Manhattan apartment, a pair of 1960s chairs from John Salibello is in a Manuel Canovas fabric, the custom sofas are covered in Holland & Sherry fabrics, and the Karl Springer cocktail table (foreground) is from Mantiques Modern; the 1960s stainless steel chairs and cube are by Maria Pergay, the table lamps are by Andrea Koeppel, and the curtains are of a Manuel Canovas silk-cotton blend; the artworks on the wall are by (from left) Richard Prince, Rudolf Stingel, George Condo, and Elizabeth Peyton. The table lamp is by Niermann Weeks, the floor lamp is by Aero, the rug is Persian, and the cashmere throw is by Pratesi. Create a focal point for your living room with an eye-catching flush mount chandelier, which is great for low ceilings, or try a stylish pendant light in large spaces. Do you have bookcases in your living room? In a Buenos Aires home, the original marble mantel in the living room was specified by Maison Jansen, who decorated the apartment in the 1930s. Play around with scale (varying tall and short objects works well). Add warmth (and even some aromatherapy) with candles. You just need patience, a creative eye, and maybe a can of fresh paint. The Egan Frantz artwork spans the length of the sofa. A Brooklyn townhouse in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn, features a sofa from ABC Carpet & Home upholstered in a fabric by Soraya Shah for Studio Four NYC. Take a cue from lighting designer Marie-Lise Frys French abode. You can easily choose a standard circular or square coffee table to complete the look in your living space, but if you want to truly change things up, try going for an unconventional shape instead. By opting for coffee table dcor in the same bright white shade as the walls, every piece in this room feels balanced and intentional. Architect Piet Boon and designer Jennifer Schmidt transformed a Washington, D.C. loft with a palette of grey, white, and wood in light tones. Christiane Lemieux's New York City loft includes artwork by Robert Swain, custom sofas covered in a neutral linen, and a coffee table and side table from the Brimfield Show and a Paris flea market. Whether it's a beautiful blue or a gracious green, let the color of your sofa guide the rest of your decorative decisions. At this 16th-century retreat outside Siena, Italy, restored by Hubert Zandberg, more is more. The walls are painted in Benjamin Moores Huntington White and the trim in Iron Mountain. Vibrant designs are especially great options for rooms painted in neutral colors. A sophisticated, neutral living room in Chicago's historic Palmolive building features a clever mix of antiques and vintage finds, which create a sense of balance. Kara Mann's Chicago living room is a lesson in minimalist design. For example, if you typically push curtains aside during the day, consider tying them back or picking up a few curtain hooks to secure them. Slowly reintroduce items until you find the right fityou'll often find that adopting a less-is-more mindset can make the room feel open and refreshed. We know it's tempting to push your furniture against your walls, but this will only create dead space in the center of the room. Consider how you use your space the most, and arrange your sofa in a way that makes the most sense for your household. Your guests' eyes will light up the second they walk into your room, and they'll appreciate the new look. Styling with odd numbers is guaranteed to create success," she says. The Empire console is from Lucca Antiques, the cocktail table is by Ebanista, the vintage stool is by Maison Bagus, the Louis XVI secretary was purchased on 1stdibs, the Tabriz rug is antique, and the walls are painted in Benjamin Moores Alexandria Beige. The crisp palette and jolts of primary colors strike a happy balance between subtle and statement. Since the living room is the backdrop for cozy nights in and intimate happy hours, its important that it has the right ambience to match. Many designers are fond of using shapes to soften up harsh lines. This look is easy to recreate with items you already own: Toss a new throw blanket over an accent chair, or style woven accents on your sofa. Its no wonder that the living room packs the wow factor of this apartment on Manhattans Upper East Side. Why settle for one design style when you can enjoy a few? Is your living room design almost done, but lacking a finishing touch? A mix of cream upholstery with wood furniture and floors looks elegant but not fussy. Sometimes, you just need one antique to give a modern living room a little character. Most importantly, enjoy thempick scents you love that help you unwind. With a neutral backdropas well as the occasional pops of green and bluethis living room is both elegant and eclectic. This design tip works great on bare walls, but it's also great for letting natural light in through sliding doors. Beyond painting or adding new texture to your furniture, you can also switch up the hardware of your favorite pieces. Blending two distinctly different styles in one space is a tall order. Gas line not required: Simply fill in a faux fireplace with logs, candles, vases, or other deor that works with your design. In the West Village pied--terre of Los Angeles-based designers Waldo Fernandez and Tommy Clements, the daybed is by Rick Owens, the armchairs by mile-Jacques Ruhlmann are upholstered in an alpaca by Perrine Rousseau and the side chairs are by Jean Prouv. In the living room of Vivia Horns Japanese-style retreat in Hunter, New York, the leather-and-plastic Italian sofas, cocktail table, and wool shag rug were purchased in the 1980s at Bloomingdales. So no matter which scheme, style, or layout youve gravitated toward, this roundup proves that a little bit of creativity and thoughtful planning can go a long way. In the living room, she added a Paola Navone sofa and a slipper chair by Paul Marra Design to play off the extravagant fireplace. A quick dusting and a full declutter can make any room feel fresh, and all it takes is a few hours of deep cleaning to restyle your space. Whether you go for an abstract wood carved option or a geometric shape like this elegant living room, it's a simple and effective way to give your space an entirely different vibe. In this design, built-in bench seating is perfectly situated along the wall to add plenty of room for entertaining without taking up much floor space. Sheila Bridges took her Hudson Valley, New York, living room to new heights (literally) with a mobile she co-designed with Elizabeth Parker. With so many options, finding an ideal print for your home is a quick search away. In the living room, she opted for a custom sofa in a Kravet fabric with pillows in a Jim Thompson silk. The best pieces to make your living room feel brand-new again might already be inside your home. Make your living room feel like an otherworldly oasis, just as Fawn Galli did in this Boca Raton retreat. To keep the room feeling open and airy, opt for a glass table that doesn't visually break up your layout. Statement mirrors open up even the smallest space. An Anish Kapoor mirrored wall sculpture accentuates the 16th-century Italian limestone mantel, and the coffered ceiling, which is original, adds character to the room. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. Consider dividing the room into multiple zones, like interior designers Jeremiah Brent and Nate Berkus did in their L.A. living room above. When restoring her apartment in Tbilisi, Georgia, interior designer Eka Papamichael juxtaposed the spaces rich Art Nouveau architecture with a vintage cocktail table, a Murano glass ceiling pendant, and sofas by Gervasoni. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. The suede wallpaper by Holly Hunt, custom ottoman, and Daniel Wenger lounge chair give this space the tactile treatment. Actress Minnie Driver's inviting Hollywood living room features a mix of vintage fabrics and patterns. Meredith Melling and Zach Iscol's retreat on Martha's Vineyard has a stunning living room with a sofa by Restoration Hardware covered in a Perennials linen, Hans Wegner chairs upholstered in a Brochier fabric and a walnut cocktail table and stool that are custom. For instance, in the living room above by interior designer Stefanie Stein, the tan leather of the sofa and the teal blue of the pillowsare repeated in other accessories like lamps and benches. When designing his San Francisco home, Antonio Martins took a trip down memory lane for inspiration. Instead, head to online print shops for a more affordable way to outfit your home with art, including works by up-and-coming artists. The trick for mixing patterns is to focus on the color scheme rather than the print itself. In this Palm Beach villa, Mark D. Sikes turned this living room into a delightfully whimsical retreat with a hypnotic array of prints. It's natural to make this space look and feel its absolute best. The walls are painted in Benjamin Moores Cement Gray. Picture lights illuminate exactly what you want to highlight, and are a great option for renters. The colorful living room of Emmy Rossum's Manhattan apartment features armchairs by Aerin Lauder, a sofa by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams featuring a suzani throw by Creel and Gow, a 1940s Maison Bagues cocktail table and an antique Persian rug. Gabrielle Savoie is the founder of dcor site, 35 Designer-Approved Small Living Room Ideas. To help you find inspiration that matches your taste, we combed through the ELLE DECOR archives to highlight the very best living room ideas. In the living room of Evan and Ku-Ling Yurman's TriBeCa apartment, the mid-century furnishings include a pair of Nanna Ditzel chairs, a Hans Wegner armchair and a cocktail table by Hendrik van Keppel and Taylor Green, purchased at auction. This option allows you to design for your specific architecture: Create a setup that works with your room for an effortless flow. Theliving room is arguably one of the most important spaces in your home. When styling wallpaper, remember that every wall doesn't need to be covered: Choose one accent wall to stand out, and opt for removable peel-and-stick brands if you're not ready to commit (or when decorating a rental). Sternlicht gives his Miami Beach living room the first-class treatment with a Jean de Merry armchair, side tables from MS Ceramic Design, and a sofa covered in Loro Piana fabric. Embrace your bold streak with strategically placed patterns. The 1970s chairs are from Revival, and the vintage cocktail table is from Martin La Brocante. The floors are large-scale limestone tiles. From a gallery wall of 17th-, 18th-, and 19th-century portraits to the sleek RH, Restoration Hardware cocktail table, his living room bridges the gap between old and new. This quick design tip is simple, stylish, and impactful. Think of Chiqui de Echavarras Colombian home as a passport-free way to travel the world. The low-slung furniturewhich includes a brown leather couch from B&B Italia and a vintage daybeddeftly balances out the high, slatted wood accents. Is your furniture pushed against the walls? The designer added a hefty dose of color into the living room, covering the furniture in textiles from Mulberry and de Le Cuona. Expand your own square footage with a floor-length mirror, which reflects the room for an easy visual trick. This Ibiza living room features local-limestone floors covered in custom Spanish esparto rugs from Antonia Molina. The living room features a vintage chair by Illum Wikkels, and the mantel and stone benches are both of local basalt. And don't forget to leave white space for the eye to pause. The screen is by de Biasi, and the vintage wicker stool is by Franco Albini. For an easy (yet effective!) This Spanish-style space pairs the original Douglas fir-beamed ceiling with a cornucopia of sofas and armchairs, all of which are from the designers. Interior designers typically advise no smaller than an 8-by-10-foot rug in smaller spaces, and a 9-by-12-foot rug in larger living rooms. Try black-and-white hues with different imagery or a simple color palette to keep things interesting, vibrant, and fun. Being neck-deep in a gut renovationin the midst of the pandemic, no lesscan feel overwhelming. Exposed beams, a plaster fireplace, and wrought iron door frames create a Mediterranean vibe in this Newport, California home. The classic layout in a living room is to position the sofa to face the TV, but what if it were to face the window or another sofa instead? Minimalists can appreciate the simplicity of this living room. Below, read on to discover our favorite ideas to design a living room. Photo:Sharyn Cairns; Design: Fiona Lynch. a familys vacation home in Montecito, California, 16th-century retreat outside Siena, Italy, A Brooklyn townhouse in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn, Japanese-style retreat in Hunter, New York, Jamie Drake and Caleb Anderson of Drake/Anderson, antique-laden apartment in Greenwich Village, Meredith Melling and Zach Iscol's retreat, Evan and Ku-Ling Yurman's TriBeCa apartment. Designer Kevin Dumais created a space thats equal parts handsome and homey with a plethora of textures. The result? Contrary to popular belief, theres a lot more to a living room than a soft sofa or an impressive entertaining setup. Focus on the most visible places first and go from there. Make a room feel more spacious and create additional storage for your living room with corner shelves. It's also helpful to group similar objects together, swap out seasonal dcor, or mix up the textures of your decorative objects to refresh your coffee table. When decorating this Vancouver pad for a mother-daughter duo, PlaidFoxs Ben Leavitt featured an angular, 1970s-inspired chimney breast in red- and pink-toned Mutina tiles. For a Gramercy Park apartment, designer Bennett Leifer upholstered a settee in a Sabina Fay Braxton velvet, and chose a pair of carved wood armchairs by de Gournay covered in a Stark velvet. According to New York-based designerSasha Bikoff, you don't need to buy "the most famous work of art from well-known artists" for your space, "as you are mostly paying for the name or the signature at the bottom of the work." If movie nights in are your top priority, youll love this space that Kovac Design Studio created for Hollywood agent Todd Feldman. Every item on this page was curated by an ELLE Decor editor. The living room is furnished with claret armchairs (right) and a hexagonal table by Rose Tarlow Melrose House, along with a neutral rug by Patterson Flynn Martin. Texture goes beyond furniture, as well, and can be added with different varieties of plants to accomplish the look. Placing your curtains as high and wide as possible will make your windows appear larger and allow more natural light to enter the roommaking it look instantly more expensive. Opt for rounded side tables made from organic materials to incorporate an element of flow in your space. The space also includes a chaise by Timothy Oulton, a Danish cocktail table, the Akari pendant light by Noguchi, window treatments in a Rebecca Atwood fabric, and a vintage Moroccan rug. While hiring a builder to create custom furniture for your living room can certainly be pricy, DIY pieces are an affordable alternative. way to rack up the compliments, consider adding a punchy couch to a neutral space. Make your fireplace more contemporary by dressing it up with wallpaper. The Louis XV-style armchairs are antique, and the 1930s footstools are Italian. Milanese architect and designer Hannes Peer took this Italian living area to new heightsliterallyby drawing inspiration from the Alps. The living room, which showcases a mix of industrial elements as well as Shea's organic-modernist aesthetic, is a lesson in open-concept living. In the living room of Jean-Louis Deniot's Miami penthouse, the sofa from Deniots collection for Baker is in a Martyn Thompson Studio fabric, the 1930s Jindrich Halabala chairs are in a JAB Anstoetz fabric, the vintage cocktail table is by Paul Frankl, and the gold side table is by Herv Van der Straeten; the 1920s bronze-and-alabaster chandelier once hung in the Villa Kerylos in France, the indoor-outdoor rug is by Galerie Diurne, the artwork is by Franz Kline, and the shelf holds a Roger Desserprit sculpture (center) and a French 1940s lamp. The artworks include photographs by Jason Fulford, Garry Winogrand, and Richard Misrach, flanked by silhouette portraits by Julian Opie. But, as the saying goes, beauty lies in the eye of the beholderand this common area is no exception. The Queen Elizabeth II print is by Andy Warhol. The spacious great room boasts a custom motorized screen, creating a floating home theater. A little greenery will always make a room feel more put together. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. This built-in cupboard opens up into a home bar, yet any existing solid surface will do. Show off the artwork in your living room with upgraded lighting. This Upper West Side apartment single-handedly proves that the dark side has plenty of perks. Since this type of shelving doesn't have visible hardware to coordinate with the rest of your space, you only have to focus on the base material and the decorative elements that sit on each one. Choose an option that features a few of your room's accent colors for an intentional, cohesive look. The armchair, custom banquettes, and bone-inlay side table are all Robshaw designs, the cocktail table is from India, the table lamps are by Christopher Spitzmiller, and the dhurrie is a custom design. John Robshaw's vibrant Connecticut house is overflowing with character: The living room sofa and its fabric are by John Robshaw for Duralee. But while living room design is always an exciting process, it can also turn into a serious money pit (and quickly) if you don't prioritize and maximize what you already have. A sectional by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia, RH, Restoration Hardware cocktail table, and a rug from Armadillo make this the perfect place to Netflix and chill. Is your rug too small for your space? It's where your family gathers at night, you wind down on a Saturday afternoon, and where your guests first rest their eyes when entering your home. In the living room of an antique-laden apartment in Greenwich Village, the antique Swedish sofa and Baroque chair, right, are upholstered in Robert Kime fabrics, the armchair is 18th-century French and a vintage Persian Soumak rug from Istanbuls Grand Bazaar rests on a sea-grass rug from ABC Carpet & Home. From a rattan cocktail table by India Mahdavi to a half-moon shape Lejeune sofawhich is swathed in Dedar velvet and Scalamandres Maquis Tapestry Agave repeatthis space offers vacation vibes around the clock. If you don't have a fireplace to work with, may we recommend installing your own? A former barn now serves as guest quarters at actress Amanda Seyfrieds weekend retreat in the Catskills region of New York.