If there's one place in your home that really captures the essence of daily life, it’s the living room. It’s where you unwind after a long day, where movie marathons turn into traditions, and where laughter and stories flow during weekend gatherings. Since it’s likely the most used space in your home, it only makes sense for it to feel cozy, functional, and effortlessly stylish.
But sometimes, even when everything’s technically “in place,” something still feels off. Maybe the layout isn’t working or it doesn’t feel as cozy and inviting as you hoped. To get it right, think about all the elements that set the tone of the room. From the paint colors that make the walls feel inviting, the flooring (we love the warmth of layered with soft rugs), to wall decor to make the most of the room’s height. By adding thoughtful touches like textiles, natural materials, and curated accessories, your living room becomes a welcoming space at any time of day, whether the sun is shining in or the lamps are glowing at night. In this post, I’m sharing simple, doable living room decorating ideas to help you design a room that welcomes you home every day.
Measure Your Living Room Before You Start Decorating
Before rearranging or buying new furniture, step back and visualize where your big pieces will go. Planning their placement first ensures the room flows well and gives you a clear sense of how smaller items and accents will fit and helps create a balanced, easy-flowing room.
Even in open-concept living rooms, having a clear plan makes every design choice simpler, whether it’s finding a rug, selecting a coffee table that feel proportionate, or making sure every piece complements your style and layout.
Plan Your Living Room for Comfort and Flow
A living room layout helps you visualize what’s missing or what can be enhanced.
Regardless of whether your living room is square, rectangular, or an open-concept layout, the principles of balance and flow remain the same. Arrange your furniture to encourage conversation, maintain clear walkways, and highlight your room’s focal point.
Choose A Focal Point That Brings Your Living Room Together
In any living room, the focal point anchors the space, whether it’s a fireplace, artwork, or another standout feature.
Fireplace as a Cozy Focal Point
If your living room has a fireplace, let it naturally becomes the centerpiece. Add a decorative mirror above it to frame the area and draw the eye.
Place two armchairs and a small table between them in front of the fireplace to create an inviting and spacious feel while highlighting your furnishings.
Wall Art Ideas to Create a Focal Point
A beautiful piece of wall art can instantly become the focal point of your living room wall. Whether it’s a large abstract painting, a vintage portrait, or a bold sculptural piece, you can create a gallery wall for added visual interest or let a single statement piece take center stage.
Place it where it naturally draws the eye above a mantel, sofa, or console table for maximum impact.
Position Your TV for the Best Living Room Layout
If your TV must be in the living room (often the case when kids take over other rooms), place it so it doesn’t dominate the space. For optimal viewing, avoid positioning it directly across from a window as glaring can be a nuisance. Mount it at a comfortable eye level (about 100–115 cm from the floor) to ensure an enjoyable viewing experience without dominating the room.
Arrange Your Furniture for Easy Traffic Flow
Occasional chairs in the living room create a smooth, comfortable traffic flow. Their flexible design allows you to move them around as needed, keeping the space functional for both everyday life and entertaining.
For smaller rooms, opt for compact pieces like swivel chairs or modular seating. Leave 76–91cm of walkway space between larger pieces, or at least 46–61cm if you’re tight on room. If possible, pull it out your sofa at least 8–13 cm from the walls to create visual depth.
When choosing a coffee table for your living room, it should allow for easy movement around it, and feel just the right scale for the room. You want it to be within comfortable reach from your seating for drinks, books, or a laptop, and at a height that complements your sofa, so it feels effortless to use.
For a cohesive, balanced look:
- Your coffee table should be about half the length of your couch.
- Leave about 40–55 cm between the seating and the table for easy access.
- In terms of height, aim for a table that’s no more than 10 cm higher than the seat of your couch.
Layer Rugs, Décor, and Lighting for a Cozy Living Room
A living room feels vibrant and inviting when you mix furniture and décor with a variety of scales. Playing with proportion instantly adds balance, visual interest, and a hint of drama—because when everything is the same size, the space can feel flat and uninspired. Rugs, accessories, and thoughtfully placed lighting tie the room together, creating a cozy, connected, and visually dynamic space.
Pick the Perfect Rug for Your Living Room
Sometimes, all it takes is a rug that’s the right size to make the whole room feel connected. If the rug’s too small, the furniture ends up looking like it’s just floating around.
For most living rooms, a rug that’s at least 240x300 cm (or a bit larger) gives your furniture room to breathe and allow the furniture to “float” comfortably around it. Choose a neutral colour to open up the room and give it a fresh, airy feel. If you want to add some visual interest or lengthen the look of the space, geometric patterns can work beautifully.
When the basics are set, think about adding that one piece that does it all, like a stylish accent stool or this boulder ottoman that works as seating, a footrest, or even an impromptu table.
Layer Lighting for a Warm and Inviting Living Room
Even the most beautifully styled living room can feel flat without the right lighting. Layering ambient, task, and accent lighting makes a big difference in not just about how bright the room is but setting the perfect mood for every moment.
Add a floor lamp in a reading corner, a pendant light over your coffee table, and install a couple of wall sconces to highlight artwork or a favourite corner.
Use Plants and Accessories to Style Your Living Room
A little bit of green goes a long way in bringing a living room to life. Whether you love realistic faux plants (I’m a fan!) or the charm of real ones, adding greenery instantly makes a space feel warmer and more inviting.
Place a faux tree,in a corner, a few topiaries on a side table, or a hanging plant to introduce movement and softness. Style in vases on your coffee table or nestle in woven baskets. These simple touches make even the largest, square rooms feel anything but empty.