If there's one place in your home that really captures the essence of daily life, it’s undoubtedly the living room. It's where you unwind after a long day at work, where family movie marathons turn into cherished traditions, and where laughter and stories flow freely during weekend gatherings. But as comfortable as it may feel, there might still be something about your space that feels off, though you're not quite sure what.
Perhaps you're generally happy with your setup but wonder if there’s a way to make it feel even more inviting. Or maybe it's a small, subtle detail that you've noticed over time but can't quite put your finger on. It could be something as simple as choosing the right lighting or changing a few accents. The good news is, you don’t need a full makeover to transform your living room into the welcoming, stylish space. To help you get started, we’ve compiled some easy design tips and tricks to transform your living room into the stylish and inviting space you’ve always wanted—no major overhaul needed.
Know your room's dimensions
Start with measuring your space even if you already have furniture in place. Knowing your room's exact dimensions helps you see if things are properly scaled and if your pieces still fit well together. It’ll also help you decide if any adjustments are needed, like swapping out a too-large rug or a coffee table that feels out of proportion. Get this part right, and you’ll save time and avoid those frustrating return trips.
Look around at what you already have and ask yourself: What’s the vibe I’m going for? A cozy retreat, an entertaining space, or a mix of both? Setting a clear intention for your living room helps guide any changes or updates you make, even if you’re not starting from scratch.
These simple, yet effective steps will help you address common living room design challenges: Do you need a larger rug to pull the space together? Is your coffee table the right height for comfort? How to create more flow and seating without overcrowding?
Create A Floor Plan
The foundation of any great living room design begins with a solid floor plan. A mood board or floor plan can help you visualize what might be missing or what could be enhanced. One great tool for refining your space is to create a floor plan for your living room. Creating a living room floor plan layout before decorating helps you choose the right sizes and proportions for furniture, rugs, and decor. This ensures a balanced, cohesive look and makes the decorating process smoother, allowing you to select the perfect pieces with confidence. If you're wondering how to arrange your furniture and decor effectively, this simple square floor plan layout (above) can serve as a helpful guide. Even if your living room isn’t actually square, the principles we’ll explore apply to any shape or size, ensuring a well-balanced and functional space.
Maximize Your Focal Point To Draw the Eyes
In any living room, a focal point serves as the anchor of the space, whether it's a striking fireplace, a bold piece of artwork, or another standout feature.
If the main focal point in your living room is the fireplace, use decor like artwork or a decorative mirror above the mantel to draw attention to this frame. Complementing the front of the space with two armchairs and a small table for drinks between them makes the room feel more inviting and spacious while showcasing your beautiful furnishings in the best possible light.
If a beautiful piece of artwork is the focal point of your living room, start by choosing something that matches your style—whether it’s a vintage portrait, modern abstract art, or bold metal wall decor. To showcase your artwork, you have two main options: you can either blend it into your existing decor for a more balanced look, or make it pop by contrasting it with the surrounding furniture and colors. This will help your artwork stand out and become a statement piece in your living room.
Use complementary lighting for wall art like picture lights or wall sconces to draw attention and enhance its visual impact. Be sure to hang it at eye level to ensure it’s noticed—artwork placed too high can be easily overlooked.
And, when you don't have any other choice and the TV is going up in the living room, (because most times the kids are taking over the pajama room) place it so it doesn't dominate the room. You can still draw attention to other features in the living room layout even if the TV is centered. For optimal viewing, avoid placing your TV directly across from a window, as reflections can be a nuisance. Additionally, ensure it's not mounted too high on the wall, which is typically around 100-115 cm from the floor keeping it at a comfortable eye level for a more enjoyable watching experience.
Test Your Furniture Placement
As a fan of swivel chairs, this one is soft with lots of give, plus it has such a pretty modern shape.
There’s a lot of beautiful furniture available, but when decorating this space ensure there's enough space to walk around it. For smaller rooms, consider choosing more compact, small-scale pieces to optimize seating (like a couple of swivel chairs seems like the obvious answer) without overcrowding the space. Giving enough space between pieces of furniture creates a well-balanced living room where you can fit a small side table in the middle of two living room accent chairs giving both an organized and comfortable appearance.
Ensure a walkway of 76-91 cm between large furniture pieces to prevent the space from feeling cluttered; if space is limited, aim for at least 46-61 cm for easy movement and maintain an open, airy feel in your living room. If possible, pull it out your sofa at least 8-13 cm from the wall so the room can feel less cramped, and give it some breathing room.
Another essential element is ensuring your coffee table is the right size for your living room furniture. When choosing a coffee table, scale is crucial to avoid awkward visuals. A table that's too far from your sofa, too high like a barstool, or too low where you have to bend down to reach it can disrupt the flow of the room. To create a cohesive look, your coffee table should be about half the length of your sofa and positioned 40–55 cm from the seating. Ideally, the height should be no more than 10 cm higher than the seat of the sofa for a balanced and functional space.
Decorate the Living Room with Rugs, Accessories and Lighting
To create a balanced and visually appealing living room, mix different shapes, sizes, and heights in your furniture and decor. This will instantly bring a sense of proportion, interest, and drama to the living area. If everything is the same size, nothing will stand out. A great way to achieve this in design is by choosing one shade for the walls and the other complementary shades used in textiles, accessories, and furnishings. Use larger items (like area rugs) to anchor the space and smaller accessories for detail.
Rugs add a lot of visual space to a room getting the right size rug is important. When your seating doesn't at least partially sit on the rug, it creates a sense that each piece is isolated, making the room feel disjointed and lacking in cohesiveness. Most living rooms need at least 240x300cm to larger to accommodate the room and have all the furniture floating around it. An area rug with a light color palette will open up your space and create an airy feel -while a rug with geometric patterns creates visual tricks, making the room appear longer.
Need some extra seating when guests come over, or a friend to pair up with your accent chairs, PROBLEM SOLVED this boulder stool/ottoman comes in many stylish colors like diesel pumice and forest. I think this could work in almost any home.
Another essential element is ensuring your coffee table is the right size for your living room furniture. Without great lighting, your living room might just feel a bit in the dark. Using multiple light sources in a room can create a more dynamic and balanced atmosphere. Think beyond basics: a chic floor lamp in a corner, paired with a statement pendant can transform your space. Layered lighting not only brightens but adds depth and warmth, making your room shine. Remember, it's not just about function; it's about creating a vibe. With all those decor elements, gorgeous natural lighting, and that stylish rug, you're on your way to a very inviting, warm, and uber-stylish room.
Add easy-to-maintain plants in the living room. Don’t overlook the potential of artificial plants, they can truly elevate your living room giving it a lush, inviting feel that’s easy to maintain. Whether you’re a fan of faux greenery (and yes, I have a soft spot for artificial plants in all their forms) or you prefer the fresh touch of real plants, there’s no denying that adding a splash of green brings life to any room. Faux trees, vibrant greenery stems, charming topiaries, and cascading hanging plants can infuse your space with color and movement without the maintenance hassle. Plants in stylish vases on your coffee table or nestled in woven baskets in a cozy corner add a pop of green but also introduce wonderful texture and warmth to your living room.