Best Living Room Décor Ideas for Every Homeowner

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Natural living room with furniture and wood burning stove — Photo:
Bjorn Wallander

If we asked you to define the heart of your home, which room would you choose? Your first instinct might be the kitchen, but we'd wager that your living room is just as popular a space—especially when the right décor ideas are implemented. It's where you kick back after a long day, watch movies as a family, and entertain your houseguests. When you think about it, the living room is aptly named: It's where you go to live.

Such an important space calls for taking extra care when designing it. To get started, you must first establish the area's main purpose. Will it be a place where you actively entertain? If so, consider supplementing your couch with a few cozy armchairs and an ottoman that can double as seating—then position these pieces in a way that encourages conversation. If the space is more often utilized as a home theater, a wraparound sectional is a must, as is a stylish media console to hold all of your gadgets.

After you establish your living room's function, you can get to work on its form. From choosing paint colors to hanging wall art strategically, we've rounded up some of our best living room décor ideas and tips. Ahead, everything you need to know about designing a living room that reflects and serves you.

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Decorate for Your Lifestyle

geometric print rug and wall decor — Katie Charlotte

Living in an environment you respond to positively will improve your quality of life, says interior designer Gillian Segal. For her, that means creating a space that is calming, comforting, and great for entertaining. When decorating your space, homeowners should think about what's important to them and make design choices that enhance their lifestyle. For instance, if watching television is a big part of your life, make the TV the focal point of the room. Is natural light important to you? Opt for sheer window treatments that invite the sunshine in.

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Use Natural Materials

Furniture arranged by fireplace in living room

If you love being outdoors, bring nature inside your home with a color palette and décor accents that evoke a natural aesthetic. A faux fur rug, end tables carved from wood, and wood beams on the ceiling all work to bring an outside-in vibe to this living room.

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Add a Bookshelf

modern living room with stools and tufted furniture

Are you an avid reader? A great opportunity to infuse your space with more personality is to create a built-in bookshelf. Not only is this a great choice for an accent wall, but it also gives you a one-stop location to store all your favorite novels.

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Create a Focal Point

Hancock Park Home Tour sitting room — Tessa Neustadt

Your living room's focal point gives visitors a nice place to direct their attention and helps set the tone for your space. Whether you do so with a commanding piece of artwork or a large sectional is entirely up to you and what you want to spotlight.

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Include Personal Details

dining room bar cart with eclectic accent art details and blue quartz lamp — Heather Hawkins

Make sure that everything you put in your living room is something you'd want to look at every day. Whether this means incorporating bright, quirky pieces of furniture that match your personality or selecting a neutral palette as a nod to your cool, calm, and collected lifestyle, this space should highlight who you are.

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Curate Your Shelves

built-in bookshelves stained brown geodes ceramic decor — William Abranowicz

Keeping your shelves neat with carefully curated items really ties a room together. Use anything from antique plates to tiny succulent plants—and don't be afraid to mix the old with the new.

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Use Catchall Trays

sullivan island house white living room — Katie Charlotte Photography

Lacking storage space? Keep beloved items out in the open, or better yet, use them as décor. That's where catchall trays come in—they corral your favorite books and knick-knacks in curated ways.

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Make It Multifunctional

light hued color scheme large coffee table between couches — Lauren Pressey Photography

When selecting furniture for your living room, go for something that pulls double duty. A large dresser can hold out-of-season clothes, linens, or anything else that needs a home, and serves as a useful surface for entertaining. Or, top it with your latest flatscreen and turn it into a media console.

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Keep Must-Haves Within Arm's Reach

Often the most used items in the home end up all over the place. Easy-access bins will keep items like extra blankets, DVDs, and TV cables neatly tucked away—and at the ready in a moment's notice.

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Optimize Awkward Corner Spaces

Corners often go neglected, but they are invaluable when you have a smaller space. Turn an unused pocket of the room into a reading nook by assembling comfortable seating, lighting, and a collection of books. Not only will it increase your living room's seating space, but it will also give you an area to cuddle up when you don't want to watch TV.

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Small Art, Big Impact

kettle cove home tour living room stone fireplace — Justin Levesque

If you don't have room for a giant painting, don't rule out art entirely. Displaying more compact prints is a great way to bring life to your living room—after all, who doesn't love a curated gallery wall?

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Add Splashes of Color

peel off wallpaper living room plush velvet sofa — Ryan Liebe

Want to make a big impact in your space? It's simple: Add bursts of color. You can easily swap out items like pillows and vases if you decide to change your color scheme down the road.

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Maximize a Small Space

white living room color scheme with gold accents — Courtesy of John McClain

Every homeowner should understand the basic principles of decorating a small space, especially when the room in question is the location of entertaining, eating, and relaxation. Adding more smart storage solutions, maintaining a single color palette throughout, and strategically utilizing curtains are only several of the many solutions for a small living room.

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Add Accents Last

When choosing furniture for your living room, start big and work your way down. Once you have your main pieces in place (sofa, coffee table, accent chairs, side table, and media console), start adding in decorative elements. This will keep your space looking cohesive, according to interior stylist Kristen Grove.

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