41 Living Room Ideas to Make Your Gathering Space Your Favorite Place

and Maria Sabella

Emily VanSchmus

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Living Room Patterns

cottage style contemporary living room with blue curtains — Brie Williams

A neutral color palette, warm materials, and an array of patterns creates a cozy atmosphere in this contemporary living room. A large sectional with plush cushions and layers of textured throw pillows sets the tone for the room’s modern style and comfortable atmosphere. A rustic wood coffee table ushers in relaxed warmth, while a pair of retro-style armchairs upholstered in a bold black and white stripe adds color contrast and extra seating.

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Layered Textures

living room with white textured rug — Jay Wilde

Layering is a clever design trick to make a space look more interesting and to give it a comfortable, lived-in feel. Here, a textured cream area rug (similar to this Better Homes & Gardens Araches Hi Low Area Rug, $90, Walmart) layered over a natural jute rug forms a soft base for the modern living room. A cognac leather sectional, Woven window shades, wicker baskets and rattan chairs offer a mix of materials and textural elements. While the majority of the living room features warm-toned neutrals, a wall of moss-green built-in shelves behind the seating area adds color contrast and depth, enlivening the space.

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White Living Room

A white color scheme accented with cool blues and shiny brass details creates an updated take on the coastal-style living room. Natural light pours in through the large windows, enhancing the bright and airy aesthetic. This modern living space holds multiple types of seating, which provides plenty of room to accommodate friends and family. The even distribution of seating elements throughout the room, along with their contrasting materials, creates intentionality and balance.

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Fireplace Focal Point

white sitting room with blue, green, and yellow accents — Kim Cornelison

A fireplace serves as a natural focal point in this transitional living room. To create even more of a statement, consider painting your fireplace an unexpected color, such as this deep moss-green. It’s an elegant way to draw attention to the architectural feature and to add color to an otherwise neutral space. Here, the traditional fireplace surround is juxtaposed with more modern furniture and textiles for a fresh and updated look.

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Modern Farmhouse Living Room

white living room with white couch — Jay Wilde

To create a practical and visually appealing living room layout, consider the size, shape, and style of the space, as well as its primary function. Here, white walls, bright curtains, and a creamy area rug provide a neutral backdrop for the larger decorative elements, including the plush couch with patterned throw pillows (similar to this Better Homes & Gardens Reversible Stripe Decorative Square Pillow, $16, Walmart), wood-filled wall space, and floating shelves. The light and uncluttered base allows the few simple decor pieces to shine in this farmhouse-inspired space.

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Dark Living Room Paint Color

living room with black built in shelves wall — Ali Harper

Set a moody tone in your living room by painting walls and built-ins black. Although the dark color is a bold choice, it creates a timeless look and cozy ambience when paired with lighter accents. Light wood floors, a cowhide rug, and a plush tufted sofa soften and brighten the space. Styling built-ins can help you create visual breaks in the dark paint color through stacked books, layered picture frames, or decorative accents.

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Picture Display

living room with gallery shelves and l shaped couch — Dylan Chandler

Picture ledges are an easy alternative to built-in shelves when it comes to creating an accent wall. Layer frames of various sizes and colors to add height and dimension, and mix photographs, paintings, and drawings for a collected and visually interesting display. In this modern living room, a collection of layered black frames helps the TV blend seamlessly into the decor. A pair of black square frames between the windows looks like an extension of the picture ledge decor, maintaining continuity and bringing the room together.

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Jewel Tone Space

A deep teal wall color fills this midcentury modern-inspired living room with a rich hue and unexpected warmth. Whenever you’re using a highly saturated paint color such as a dark jewel tone, balance it out with other more neutral room elements like the walnut coffee table, gray tufted sofa, and white curtain panels used here. A brass curtain rod stands out against the colorful walls and creates a sense of height, visually expanding the space.

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Monochromatic Living Space

striking living room with black gallery wall and white couch — Brie Williams

A black and white color palette lends an air of sophistication to this open living room. To prevent a limited color scheme from falling flat, repeat colors through different shapes, textures, and decorative elements. Instead of introducing an additional color, bring in a metallic accent, such as this brass-base coffee table. A wall of black built-ins provides lots of functional hidden storage as well as plenty of display surfaces. Crisp white walls, marble table tops, and a linen sectional add stark contrast and timeless elegance.

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Living Room Accent Color

white living room remodel black fireplace — Seth Smoot

Artwork, accessories, and textiles are an easy way to add a splash of color in small doses. If you don’t want to commit to a dark wall color (or simply want the option to easily change your color palette from season to season), incorporate an accent color sparingly. A cool shade of blue is strategically dotted around this contemporary-style living room in the form of a hanging canvas and various pillows and blankets on the sectional. Using the icy-blue color throughout the whole space helps it feel fully incorporated and intentional.

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Simple Seating Area

Living room with area rug and lounge chairs — Tria Giovan

When using a variety of patterns, the key to maintaining a harmonious space is creating balance. To achieve this, mix large and small-scale patterns and distribute them evenly throughout the space. The large pattern of the living room rug contrasts the tighter patterns of the fireplace and throw pillows to add texture without overwhelming the room.

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Living Room Layout

Living room with large area rug — David Tsay

Contemporary design meets traditional decor in this bright and open living room. When creating your furniture layout, don’t feel like you have to place key pieces against the walls. To create visual openness, pick a focal point—such as this wood-burning fireplace—and center your seating arrangement around it, pulling away from the walls and moving towards the center of the living room. An area rug helps pull everything together and anchors the individual pieces for a cohesive layout.

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Informal Family Space

living room with gray couch and wood ceilings — James Nathan Schroder

A living room is first and foremost a space to relax, so focus more on the practical elements rather than trying to create a formal look. This cozy living space provides a comfortable gathering space by combining plush furniture with textures pillows and throws for a lived-in feel.

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Small Space Style

living room with grey furniture — Kim CornelisonÂ

If you’re working with a small living space, focus on bringing design elements up, rather than trying to fit everything within the floor space. Here, the vaulted wood ceiling allows for an elaborate light fixture, while the floor-to-ceiling gray stone fireplace surround creates a backdrop for a piece of colorful art.

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Gray Living Room Ideas

white living room with built ins — TRIA GIOVAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Use neutral hues in textures that suit your design style to give a gray living room a more personal look. Plush blankets and layers of taupe accent pillows create a cozy, lived-in look without distracting from the modern feel created by the coffee table and abstract artwork.

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Add a Statement Color

living room with neutral walls, teal painted mantel and cow-hide rug — Anthony-Masterson

Whether it’s a bold color, an unusual pattern, or a whimsical decorative accent, an unexpected statement piece instantly adds character and personality to a room. A dark teal mantel adds a colorful twist to a traditional fireplace. When paired with classic pieces such as a deep leather sofa and two cozy armchairs, the pop of color gives the room an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere.

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Eclectic Living Room

Bold colors, cozy textures, and modern design elements come together to give this living room an eclectic feel. If you’re not sure where to start with your living room design, choose your largest piece of furniture first, so you can use it as a starting point. Here, a leather sofa holds a collection of throw pillows whose colors and texture remind us of this Better Homes & Gardens Blue Diamond Geo Decorative Pillow ($20, Walmart). The colors are echoed through the wall paint, artwork, accessories, and fluffy area rug. A fringed pendant light brings in a unique, sculptural touch and adds personality.

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Ace the Accessories

teal couch in white living room — Buff Strickland

Distribute color around your living room with a carefully curated selection of accessories. The teal couch steals the show, but the shelves, hanging plants, and artwork displayed around the room gives the space a finished feel. Keep the peace by highlighting one metallic finish, such as the gold tones in the light fixture and coffee table tray.

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Neutral Living Room

white living room with wood floors — Annie Schlechter

Neutral tones are a good place to start when designing living rooms that stylishly endure. This monochromatic space works by combining creamy plush furniture furnishings with a neutral area rug and white brick walls. The floating fireplace mantel ties in with the wood floors for a calm, natural feel.

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Sophisticated Accent Wall

modern living room with dark accent wall — John Bessler

Make a statement with dark walls and bright white molding. In this living room, the beautiful wood ceiling echoes the wood paneling of the accent wall for a clean, sophisticated look. Traditional furniture with classic lines blends perfectly into the stylish living space.

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Focus on Fireplace and Views

living room with white walls and brick fireplace — Edmund Barr

Let the fireplace take center stage by painting walls white. Carry the wall color to furniture arranged in a way that promotes conversation and allows guests to enjoy flickering flames in the hearth and window-framed vistas. Anchor the grouping with a pretty patterned area rug, and carry the rug’s hues upward with accent pillows boasting organic motifs.

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Go Bright and Bold

dark living room with blue built ins and leather couch — Werner Straube

Jewel tones, like jade green, sapphire blue, and ruby red, fashionably fuse in a modern and accessible way. Draw your palette from a lively patterned fabric or oversize artwork featuring at least three bright colors. Introduce the attention-getting hues with solid-color lamps, vases, trims, and furnishings, so they contribute a sense of vibrancy without overwhelming your design.

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Decorate with Animal Print

living room with black wall and red rug and green couch — Annie Schlechter

A touch of animal print goes a long way in this living room. Animal print chairs and throw pillows contribute to the layered, textured look of this space that effortlessly combines traditional and modern themes.

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White and Wonderful

All-white rooms are a contemporary living room idea that needs a dose of personality. Bright red and blue patterned throw pillows pack a punch of contrast while keeping the space calm and relaxing. In addition, using dark wood furniture prevents the room from looking washed out.

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Make It Modern

living room with stone fireplace and green walls — Max Kim-Bee

Think minimal when decorating modern living rooms. Move in a streamlined sofa and matching pair of chairs in the latest hues. Choose accent tables with metal frameworks and naturally finished wood, stone, or glass tops. Prevent modern spaces from feeling cold by introducing a natural element, such as the original stone fireplace here. Contemporary design is clutter-free, so keep the wall decor to a minimum.

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Contemporary Living Room

living room with blue rug and silver light — Hector Sanchez

Contemporary colors alongside more traditional pieces create a memorable living room. Use a bright rug and neutral furniture to ground the space without distracting from the decorative elements. The abstract art piece, bright yellow stool, and silver light fixture give the space a decidedly modern feel.

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Low, Middle, and High Points

Beautifully designed living rooms place noteworthy objects at every level. Mentally divide your space into low, mid, and high areas and position elements to encourage the eye to travel up, down, and around. Here, a faux animal skin covering a woven area rug provides underfoot allure while a charming accessorized tray atop a trunk and perky pillows add color at the midground. Use vivid canvases, colorful sconce shades, and unique floor lamps to keep interest running high.

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International Appeal

living room with white walls and colorful pillows — Edmund Barr

Draw inspiration from favorite vacations or cultural influences when decorating your living space. Base your color scheme on artwork collected from your travels, or brighten a neutral space with textile products sourced from artists around the world. Create a well-traveled look by incorporating international fabric patterns, folk art furnishings, handcrafted collectibles, and vacation keepsakes.

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Vintage-Inspired Living Room

white living room with patterned furniture — Annie Schlechter

Combine vintage style with modern elements by using pieces purchased from consignment stores and antique shops. Reupholstered cushions with modern fabrics update this eclectic living room with pops of pattern and color.

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Coastal Living Room Ideas

Life’s always a beach when you kick back in a living room that nods to sea, sand, and sky. Here, you can see how just a few hues—white, aqua, navy, silver, and seashell pink—fashion a cottage-charming view in this seashore-inspired retreat. The repetition of driftwood finishes, colors, shine, and collections provides a peaceful rhythm, making way for statement-piece pendant lights and a chandelier.

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Repurpose and Refresh

vintage wood frames above couch — Jason Donnelly

Decorating a living room doesn’t have to cost a bundle. Use your imagination and a little elbow grease to transform furniture and architectural elements into decorative fittings. Use thrifted frames and reupholstered furniture to turn found elements into a homey living space that fits your style.

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Living Room Fireplace Ideas

white living room with wood coffee table — Edmund Barr

Use a statement-making piece of furniture as the starting point for your living room decor. The furniture in this neutral space is centered around the eye-catching wood coffee table that perfectly contrasts the white brick fireplace. Other elements throughout the room feature the same color palette and add texture for a cohesive look.

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Homey Neutrals

white living room with gray couch — Anne Schlechter

Wake up a neutral color palette with touches of pattern and texture. Printed throw pillows stand out against the gray sectional, and patterned chairs add visual interest to the space. The combination of soft rugs and modern floor lamps adds depth and a contemporary flair to the space.

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Living Room Accessories

white living room with pink accents — Adam Albright

Dress up a neutral room with colorful accessories. Keep furniture simple, but juxtapose it with a combination of decor elements in a monochromatic accent color. Soft pink accents add a needed punch of color but don’t distract from the cohesive, neutral feel of the room.

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Collective Effort

Give your room a collected, eclectic look with varied patterns and wood finishes. Bright red and blue patterned pillows stand out against a neutral sofa. Bold blue and white ikat curtains complement the large, colorful rug. The dark wood coffee table provides a subtle contrast against the lighter wood floors and bookcase.

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Streamlined and Clean

Soft white walls and modern, low-lying furniture with simple lines create a streamlined look in this calm living room. Deep orange and bright green accents add welcome accents of color but still keep the space looking crisp and clean.

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Cozy Cottage Living Room

Create a country cottage feel with wood-panel walls and classic cottage hallmarks, such as gingham, soft blue, cheery neutrals, and a bouquet of textures.

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Work the Room

A uniquely-shaped room can make furniture arranging tricky. For a narrow space, try placing a couch along the back wall. Then, flank the right and left sides with love seats or chairs. Keep accessories simple, and create symmetry by placing end tables on both sides of the sofa.

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Classic With a Twist

This living room looks chic as it blends modern comforts with traditional pieces. Cozy chairs with exposed legs and velvet upholstery recall furniture of the late 19th century. Antique wood tables add an air of formal elegance. The vintage accents shine through the white walls and dark flooring. Placing classic furniture and accessories in a relaxed space creates a unique look that works for both formal gatherings and daily relaxation.

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Cottage Style Living Room

Don’t be afraid to mix themes within a single space. This living room embraces a charming combination of cottage, boating, and travel, which reflects the homeowners’ styles and interests. Floral-print pillows add a touch of cottage comfort. Boat- and fish-inspired wall decor brings in a splash of the sea. And suitcases used as a coffee table make the space look traveled and eclectic.

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Bold and Beautiful

Pack a punch with pattern and color against all-white walls. Bold coral and just a hint of blue are the colors of choice for this living room. Complementary patterns on the chair and ottoman blend perfectly with the solid-color sofa. The blank white walls emphasize the grain and hue of the dark wooden accents.

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