Best guest room ideas
26 Designer Guest Bedroom Ideas and Essentials
Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
It's all in the details.
By Hadley Mendelsohn
ERIC PIASECKI/OTTO
Whether you agree with Benjamin Franklin that houseguests are like fish in that they start to stink after three days or you wish you could operate a bed and breakfast out of your home, having a proper guest room is always a good idea. To make sure everyone is comfortable during their stay—guests and hosts—give visitors the very best and make sure their quarters are all set up! Things like fresh flowers, blackout curtains, fluffed pillows, and a few more will elevate the guest experience, and leave a good impression on the loved ones who come to visit. Read on for designer=approved guest bedroom ideas, essentials, and style inspirations to curate a space that'll look beautiful and feel great.
Heidi Caillier
1 of 26
Arrange Near a Bathroom
Setting up a guest bedroom with easy access to a bathroom is always a good idea, even if it isn't a private en-suite restroom. In this warm yet polished bedroom designed by Heidi Caillier, a pocket door (which is a major space-saver!) leads right to a small bathroom.
Robert McKinley Studio
2 of 26
Don't Forget a Mirror
Hang a full length mirror so your guests have somewhere to evaluate their outfits before you to introduce them to everyone (just kidding). But really, houseguests will definitely appreciate having easy access to a full-length mirror since when living out of a suitcase. A mirror will also make a small guest bedroom feel larger. In this room at the Kinsley Hotel designed by Robert McKinley Studio, the extra hooks are also great for coats, robes, and towels.
Melanie Acevedo
3 of 26
Bring Them Breakfast (on a Bench)
Place a bench at the end of the bed to give the room a refined feel. And if you bring your guests breakfast in bed, you automatically earn a reputation as the best host ever. Giving them somewhere to sit other than the bed also diminishes the likelihood of spillage on the bedding.
William Abranowicz
4 of 26
Provide the Basics
Be sure to leave them water on their bedside table so they don't feel like they need to get up in the middle of the night in search of a tap. In this bedroom designed by Analisse Taft, a simple glass carafe complements the classic-meets-contemporary design.
Laure Joliet
5 of 26
Provide Reading Material
Provide your guests with some reading material in case they forgot to pack their own. Stacking floating shelves or a credenza like this one with books will also make a guest room feel homier and more personal. Sheer blinds in a recessed track filter the light in this bedroom designed by Regan Baker.
Stacy Zarin Goldberg
6 of 26
Consider a Climate Control System
Whether you're providing them with extra blankets or installing a ceiling fan, make sure you set your guests up for comfort with some sort of climate regulation tools. In this vacation home in Maui, Hawaii designed by Breeze Giannasio, the ceiling fan complements the tropical wood vaulted ceiling.
ERIC PIASECKI/OTTO
7 of 26
Convert a Nook
When you don't have an actual guest bedroom, maximize another room in the house by building out a nook. Deep enough to moonlight as a guest bunk, this alcove by Rita Koenig and architect Gil Schafer has drawers under the cushion. “It’s more than a reading nook or another piece of furniture,” says Schafer.
Seth Smoot
8 of 26
Liven it Up With Greenery
It's always a good idea to bring in plenty of greenery for a balanced, lively environment. In this bedroom designed by Lauren Nelson, she opted for a peaceful look with tall branches bunched together in an understated vase to match the cool California minimalism of the rest of the home.
Kerri McCaffety
9 of 26
Double the Fun With Twin Beds
You can't go wrong with twin beds featuring classic white bedding and headboards that match the wallpaper. Embroidered coverlets give them a formal, traditional look, while gingham skirts are a delightfully playful finish.
Nicole England
10 of 26
Transform the Attic
If all the rooms in your home are occupied or you just need to set up an extra guest bedroom, use your attic space. If the ceilings are low or sloped, keep everything low to the ground light to polish things off. This bedroom designed by McLaren.Excell is a lesson in restraint.
Leanne Ford Interiors
11 of 26
Hang a Diving Curtain
Not all room dividers are folding screens. You can get crafty! Interior designer Leanne Ford hung a curtain in this attic office nook to make it serve double duty as a guest room.
David A. Land
12 of 26
Give It a Reading Nook
A window seat is a great addition to a guest bedroom. It'll give them somewhere to cozy up in that isn't the communal living room. A dresser is also a nice touch, in case they'd like to unpack any of their belongings.
Kylee Shintaffer
13 of 26
Introduce a Sitting Area
Give guests a little seating area so they have somewhere private to unwind that isn't just the bed. A simple reading nook will do, but if there's enough room, add a loveseat and a small coffee table. This mini living room in a gorgeous chalet bedroom designed by Kylee Shintaffer is truly aspirational.
Nicole Franzen
14 of 26
Place a Phone on the Bedside Table
If you're a household that still has landlines installed, make sure there's one in the guest bedroom, too. It could come in handy if your guest's cell phone needs recharging, and if you don't get good cell service, this is even more essential.
Trevor Tondro
15 of 26
Get Scrappy With Furniture
When space is limited and you don't want to shop for new, bulky furniture, use a chair as a side table and install wall sconces to save surface space. A cheerful color, like this pale turquoise hue, is also a good idea to set a happy mood.
Robert McKinley Studio
16 of 26
Add a Mini Bar
Add a mini bar to give your guests extra privacy and a hotel vibe, especially if your guest bedroom is actually inn it's own private structure away from the main house. Just don't forget to keep it empty once they depart. For style inspiration, it doesn't get better than this summery set up by Robert McKinley Studio.
Shari Francis
17 of 26
Leave Fresh Towels on Their Bed
Placings towels on the bed before your guests arrive leaves out the guesswork and shows them they're welcome. This bedroom designed by Shari Francis has bonus storage space above the closet, which may not be convenient for everyday items but is perfect for extra suitcases or outerwear—but make sure you clear out enough space for guests when they visit!
Fantastic Frank
18 of 26
Provide a Robe and Towels
Want to take things to the next level? Make your guest room feel like a hotel by putting the things they'll need throughout their stay right there in the room, like a robe, slippers, and makeup remover.
PHOTO: Douglas Lyle Thompson; DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors
19 of 26
Make It Do Double Duty
If your home doesn't have enough space for a guest room but you host a lot, make one of the other rooms in the house (like the family room or home office) serve double duty. Just put a daybed in a corner—make it super cozy and comfortable with tons of pillows and throws.
Catherine Kwong Design
20 of 26
Use Darker Tones
Keep things streamlined, with clutter at a minimum, and bring in darker colors for a sense of intimacy and coziness. Bedside sconces are a guaranteed way to make your bedroom look and feel as fresh as a five-star hotel room.
Nicole Franzen
21 of 26
Dial Up the Art
A gallery wall will give the space character and make it feel more like a home without taking up valuable surface space. An alarm clock and radio are also nice touches.
HB
22 of 26
Don't Forget Fresh Flowers
Fresh flowers in the guest bedroom are a small but mighty detail. They communicate that you're so excited to have them there!
Miguel Flores-Vianna
23 of 26
Bring in a TV
Deck the guest bedroom out with all the classic pieces, like high-end, traditional monogramed bedding, an orate mirror, full drapes, and a canopy bed. Then add an unexpected, fun throw pillow like this one, which says besos. And a television will be appreciated when guests want to unwind alone, or if they can't fall asleep.
Fantastic Frank
24 of 26
Let the Light in (but Provide an Eye Mask)
If possible, put the guest bedroom in a space where lots of natural light floods in. Just be sure you leave a sleep mask on the bedside table, especially if you didn't install blackout shades.
Eric Piasecki
25 of 26
Set Up a Work Space
If space allows, model a hotel room by giving your guests a little en suite work space. A side chair, desk or console, and table lamp are all it takes.
Alec Hemer
26 of 26
Pick a Theme
Go with a theme that speaks to your home's location. This one is super fun for a children's guest bedroom somewhere coastal: These bunk beds save space while also reflecting the nautical ship theme.
13 Inspiring Purple Bedroom Ideas
Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House.
Guest Room Ideas That Will Wow Your Visitors – Forbes Home
If your guest bedroom has become the space where random furniture lives and the storage area for the items you don’t quite know what to do with—it’s time for a room refresh. Before you have company over to stay, let these guest bedroom ideas inspire you to create a space that is calming, cozy and will have your guests wanting to stay longer. From bedding, decor and even giving your guest bedroom a test run, these 12 guest room ideas will transform your extra room from storage to stylish.
1. Give Old Furniture a New Look
Bees Knees/Kyle J Caldwell Photography
If your guest bedroom is full of mismatched furniture–there’s no need to panic. Now is the time to do a little DIY. A fresh coat of paint or adding a different color stain can transform those pieces into a matching furniture set that creates a cohesive look in your guest bedroom. Pull the look together with coordinating accessories like throw pillows, bedding and throw rugs.
Advertisement
THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.
One-Stop Customized Solution For All Your Decor
Every home is a unique expression of its homeowners. Transform your space into the home of your dreams with trusted Interior Decorators from Angi.
Explore Options
2. Make Guests Feel Welcome
Bartone/ Lissa Gotwals Photography
Freshen up the room and add personal touches that will make your guests feel right at home. From fresh flowers on the nightstand, a few snacks left by the bed and towels and toiletries that are just for your guests, these small additions can make home feel even more welcoming.
3. Give Guests a Place to Work
Etch Design Group/Cate Black Photography
While you’ll want to create a space that your guests can relax in and get a good night’s rest, they may need to do some work while they visit. If that’s the case, consider creating a small home office area in your guest room. Transform a small closet into a work space or choose a desk that has a small footprint. Offer plenty of lighting and a comfortable chair so your guest can wrap up their work while they stay in your home.
4. Add a Bold Color
Caroline Brackett/Brie Williams Photograph
To make a dramatic change in a plain guest bedroom, choose a bold color that will wrap the room in warmth and style. From paint, wallpaper or an accent wall, the guest room is the perfect space to try out colors that you’ve wanted to use, but haven’t found the right space. Just be sure to choose colors that allow guests to relax when it’s time to end the day.
Advertisement
THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.
Turn A Plain Room Into A Designed Space With Wall Decor
5.
Spend the Night in the RoomCaroline Brackett/ Emily Bolt Photography
If you’ve never spent the night in your guest room–now is the time. You’ll be able to test out the mattress, know if you need to add blackout shades for early morning sun, or know firsthand if the room gets chilly at night. Once you know the conditions of the room, you can make any changes that are needed so your guests get the best experience each and every night of their stay.
6. Offer Plenty of Storage
Living with Lolo/Life Created
Don’t let your guests live out of a suitcase. Even in a small space, you can offer plenty of storage. From skipping nightstands and using small cabinets next to the bed, to choosing a bed that has drawers along the base, and even extra shelves on the walls to hold all of their items, get creative with storage options. Maximize closet space by clearing out your items–or at least moving everything to a higher shelf, and leave plenty of room for your guests’ belongings.
7. Even Small Spaces Can Have a Big Impact
Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop/Chad Mellon
If you’re converting a small space into a guest room, a few careful designs and details can make the room feel larger and make it the perfect spot for company. From opting for furniture with a smaller footprint, choosing a simple and light color scheme, adding plenty of mirrors and pulling your curtains all the way to the ceiling, these simple changes will instantly make the room appear larger.
8. Offer Plenty of Bedding Options
Etch Design Group/Mia Baxter Smail Photography
Make sure your guests are feeling cozy at night by leaving several layers of extra bedding in case they get hot or cold when they sleep. Also don’t forget to leave a variety of pillows with differing firmness. You’ll be the perfect host or hostess with these additions. While decorative blankets and pillows add color and texture to the room, they often aren’t comfortable to sleep on–so let guests have their pick of bedding.
Advertisement
THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.
Create The Atmosphere Of Your Choice With Bedding Options
9. Create a Sitting Area in the Room
Curated Nest/ Kyle J Caldwell Photography
If you have the space in your room, give your guests a place to pull up a chair and have a seat by creating a sitting area. From a great decorative chair, a cozy bench, to a small set of tables and chairs, offer your guest a place to relax, scroll or read while they stay with you. This is also a great way to add zones to a large room and make your design more purposeful.
10. Add Plenty of Light to the Room
Jessica Lagrange Interiors/Nathan Kirkman
Don’t leave your guest in the dark. Make sure the guest room is filled with light–natural light from windows, added light from lamps and overhead lighting, and don’t forget to leave a nightlight. You’ll also want to make sure all of that light can be darkened at night. Blackout curtains are a nice touch to make sure guests won’t be woken up with the sun.
11. Make the Bed the Focal Point
Etch Design Group/Mia Baxter Smail Photography
Whether you’re working with a small space or an extra large guest room, turning the bed into the focal point will make the room look and feel well designed. From choosing a fabulous bed frame or headboard, adding extra layers of bedding and comforters that will give your guest room a five star hotel finish, and completing the look with throw pillows and blankets, your guests will appreciate the extra details.
Advertisement
THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.
Compare Quotes From Top-rated Interior Decorators
Free, No-commitment Estimates
Find a Decorator
12. Give the Room a Clean a Fresh Look
Urbanology Designs/J Turnbow Photography
Don’t let your guest room feel cluttered and overwhelmed. Keep it simple and airy so your guests feel relaxed and you don’t have to spend hours in the room cleaning before guests arrive. From fresh and light colors and furniture, well placed decor and adding touches of nature with plants, you can create a serene space for guests in your home. Plus it will be a space that’s easy to tidy before and after guests arrive.
Your Home. Your Decisions. Our Support.
Get expert advice on your home, design tips, how much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you daily.
{{ newsletterState.emailErrorMsg }}
Thanks & Welcome to the Forbes Home Improvement Community!
{{ newsletterState.emailErrorMsg }}
I agree to receive the Forbes Advisor newsletter via e-mail. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information and details on how to opt out.
tips for choosing style, decoration and furniture - INMYROOM
The living room in the house is the place where, as the name suggests, guests are received. However, the owners themselves relax here, spending time in front of the TV or a book, with drinks, pleasant conversation and other activities. Therefore, the living room should be the most comfortable place in your home.
If your family consists of several people, it is important to consider the interests of everyone. It is quite possible that for one of the family members, when designing the interior of a living room in an apartment, they will have to give space for working at a computer, doing creative work, even sports. All these points must be planned at the stage of designing the premises.
Determine the center of the living room
Living room design is inseparable from a competent layout. After looking at examples of photos of the living room in the apartment, you can see various space planning options. Of course, the choice depends on your preferences, as well as on the size and functionality of the room.
Place sofas and armchairs around the perimeter of the room in no case is worth it. Firstly, this is the last century, and the modern design of the living room categorically does not accept such a layout. In addition, you will clutter up the space with only recreational items, leaving no free space for other functional areas.
The best option for the interior of the living room is to highlight the central group, around which the rest of the furniture will be grouped. As a rule, a recreation area with a TV and a sofa is chosen as the center of the composition.
A fireplace can also be a central element, next to which chairs, rocking chairs or even luxurious skins for relaxation will comfortably fit.
Standard set of furniture for designing a living room in an apartment:
- sofa;
- several armchairs;
- coffee or coffee table;
- shelving for decorative objects and/or books.
If the room is large, or it has to take on a diverse functional load, of course, you should not limit yourself to this. The living room may well have a desktop for a computer, chests of drawers and cabinets, a bar counter.
In order not to clutter up a cramped room too much, give preference to the transformer models that are popular today. Such furniture is very functional and allows you to perfectly save scarce space.
Choice of colors
If your living room is located on the sunny side, then you are practically unlimited in the choice of colors for finishing and furnishing it. The contrasting interior design of the living room will look very interesting. For example, walls and floors can be decorated in cold colors, while furniture, in contrast, in warm colors.
Many modern interior styles welcome the clean slate living room design. This technique involves decorating the walls and ceiling with plain white plaster or paint. And furniture and decor elements can be selected in a variety of colors: bright or rich dark - to create a spectacular and stylish interior, delicate and pastel - for a light, cozy and elegant design.
For north-facing living rooms with little to no daylight, choose warm-coloured finishes. Such an interior design of the living room compensates for the lack of sun, makes the room cozy and conducive to relaxation no matter what.
And, of course, if the room is a bit dark, you should take care of good artificial lighting. Well-placed spotlights are best suited to illuminate every corner of your living room.
Of course, the choice of colors for decorating a room should also depend on what visual and emotional effect you want to achieve.
If the living room is intended for stormy parties and active pastime, then it makes sense to decorate it in bright, saturated colors.
If the owners want to indulge in a calm and relaxing holiday, then the interior of the living room should be to match. In this case, you should give preference to soft light tones or, conversely, deep and calm, but in no case flashy.
Finishing materials
The choice of finishing materials should largely depend on the style in which you would like to maintain the design of the living room in the apartment. So, paper wallpapers with romantic flowers are definitely not suitable for laconic hi-tech or minimalism. And Provence or country-style interiors will not be combined with bright carpets with psychedelic prints and ultra-modern wall coverings with fur or leather texture.
In addition, the shape and size of the room is of great importance. Properly selected finishes will perfectly smooth out the flaws of the room and focus on its merits. While a thoughtlessly chosen design can spoil even a spacious and bright room.
Walls
The classic rule is that for small rooms it is better to choose light shades. It always works flawlessly. However, if this solution seems too boring for you, you can try all sorts of interesting wall designs. Spectacular examples of wall design in the living room, photos of which are presented in our article, will help you navigate and choose the most attractive options for yourself.
For example, even smooth, light-colored walls can be made a spectacular interior detail by adding bright or simply contrasting color accents to them. See such unusual living room interior ideas in the photo below.
All kinds of plasterboard niches look very stylish. They not only diversify the interior, but also become its very functional detail. After all, they can accommodate both decorative elements and items needed in the household. And if such a niche is beautifully illuminated from the inside, this will create an interesting effect of depth.
The traditional option for decorating the living room walls is wallpaper. Fortunately, today there is a great variety of them: both classic paper, and modern non-woven, and washable, and glass, and even innovative liquid wallpaper. If you are a lover of change, then you can pay attention to the wallpaper for painting. With such a finish, you can easily change the look of the room, at least several times a year. However, please note that, as a rule, such wallpapers are designed for a limited number of repaints.
Smoothly plastered or painted walls look great in modern interiors. At the same time, if you are a fan of the original design, you can pick up plaster with all sorts of beautiful and unusual textures. With its help, you can add a twist to your design and create a truly beautiful living room interior.
One of the fashion trends in modern design is the combination of materials. It is very important to use combinations of several finishes in one room: different types and shades of plaster, paint plus wallpaper, or even a combination of two types of wallpaper with different patterns and textures. See examples of such a living room design in the photo below.
Using this technique, you will not only be able to make your interior bright, stylish and original, but will also successfully cope with the zoning of the room. As you know, for proper zoning, it is not enough to collect several diverse groups of furniture in one room. So that all this does not look like a "hodgepodge", it is necessary to highlight each of the functional areas with its own design elements. And here, the design of wall sections in different colors and even different textures is the best fit.
Ceiling
When choosing the design of the ceiling in the living room, first of all, start from the size of the room. No matter how much you like spectacular multi-tiered structures, in a small room, packed full of necessary furniture, they will look simply ridiculous. In no case do not overload the design of the room.
If the room is small, then the best option is a simple ceiling in light colors with built-in ceiling lights. A good design move would be a small cornice around the perimeter, it will add a sense of depth.
Another interesting solution for visually increasing the space is the so-called "floating" suspended ceilings. This is a two-tier structure with a small height difference and built-in lights mounted inside the "upper" tier in such a way that they themselves are not visible. This technique creates soft diffused light and an interesting depth effect. As a result, the room seems visually higher and more spacious.
However, remember that the design tricks you have listed are inappropriate for small rooms with high ceilings. If in such a room you try to “distance” the ceiling even more due to visual techniques, then you will feel in it like at the bottom of a bottomless well.
In narrow rooms with high ceilings, it makes sense, on the contrary, to reduce the height - through visual means or with the help of suspended structures. Then the living room will immediately seem more comfortable and suitable for a comfortable stay.
If you are lucky and your living room is spacious and has high enough ceilings, then feel free to experiment with their design.
Here, multi-level suspended structures, both laconic and intricate forms, stucco, columns, scallops, and complex lighting systems can be used.
The main thing is not to overdo it and stick to the intended design of the room. If the room is decorated in a ceremonial classical style, in the spirit of Baroque or Empire, then without a doubt, both bas-reliefs and columns will be appropriate. But for more concise modern styles, you should choose a simpler and more rigorous ceiling design.
If your living room will have several functional areas, then the zoning can be "supported" with an appropriately designed ceiling.
For example, a central seating area with a sofa group and a TV set can be highlighted with a second tier of false ceiling. Depending on the general style of the room, both strict rectangular shapes and soft rounded lines may be appropriate.
The ceiling does not have to be white. Delicate, warm pastel shades will look perfect in almost any room.
Fans of more extravagant options can experiment with bright shades. It is not necessary to decorate the entire ceiling in saturated colors. However, if you highlight only part of it or one of the tiers with a spectacular shade, you will get a chic look.
As far as materials are concerned, it is best to avoid whitewashing and painting. After all, this will take a long time and carefully level the surface. An excellent modern solution is plasterboard suspended ceilings or stylish stretch models. They are quick to install, provide perfectly flat surfaces, and in addition, allow you to create a wide variety of design options.
Lighting
Just a few years ago, when choosing lighting, the issue was always decided in favor of a large ceiling chandelier. Of course, today there are many lovers of such lighting fixtures, including those decorated with numerous "crystal" pendants. However, you should not get hung up on this option, because modern manufacturers offer many interesting, stylish and comfortable options.
If you - due to adherence to traditions or in order to create a certain style of interior - have opted for a massive chandelier, you do not need to limit yourself to this. In any living room, additional sources of lighting will be appropriate: wall sconces, floor lamps and portable standing lamps.
Additional light sources perform several functions at once:
- They allow you to well illuminate all corners of the room without leaving any terra incognita areas in it, where it is dark in the evening, even if you gouge out your eye.
- Create separate lighting and comfort in each functional area. Thanks to a well-placed floor lamp or sconce, one of the family members with all the conveniences can read or work at a computer in the corner of the hall, while others have a “movie show” or an evening rest in the twilight on the sofa.
- Can create decorative lighting in a niche, near art objects, etc.
- They are additional decorative elements.
If you are a supporter of laconic design, then recessed ceiling lights are the best fit. They also allow you to create separate lighting in different functional areas of the living room. And besides, with their help you can always adjust the brightness and level of illumination of the room. And with all this, they remain almost invisible, do not overload the design and fit almost all interior styles.
It's safe to say that recessed ceiling lights are the best choice for a small room with low ceilings. But, at the same time, they will also be appropriate in a spacious hall.
Style Selection
Choose a style based on the tastes of the whole family. Look at photo examples of living room designs in a magazine, on the Internet, explore the various styles that are in abundance today.
Of course, the dimensions of the room must also be taken into account. In a small room in Khrushchev, a lush baroque or any other “palace” interior will look out of place. For small living rooms, it is best to choose a laconic design in the Scandinavian style, elegant classics or strict hi-tech or minimalism. Country and Provence are perfect, as these styles suggest comfort and emphatically home furnishings.
If your living room is large, then there is room to roam. In principle, a spacious room can be decorated in almost any style that you and your family like.
When choosing the style of the living room, be sure to take into account the features of the interior of the other rooms. Maintain style and harmony.
Classic
The classic style of the interior involves the use of the most natural materials. The whole environment should breathe quality and good taste. As part of this style, traditional furniture made of solid wood or at least high-quality MDF will be appropriate.
Classic interior colors are soft, calm, usually light. But in principle, within the framework of this style, almost any shades (except bright and flashy) will be appropriate if they are correctly beaten.
Elegant wallpaper, paintings, vases, traditional chandeliers, beautiful curtains - all this will be an excellent frame for an interior in a classic style.
Despite certain design rules, there are different directions for decorating a living room in the spirit of the classics. Within the framework of the classical style, several variations can exist at once:
- refined and rich "palace", in which discreet gilding and more elaborate forms will be appropriate;
- solid and reliable English style, suggesting solid furniture of simple shapes and unpretentious decor;
- neoclassical, meaning lighter and simpler forms, expensive elegance without ostentatious luxury.
Minimalism and high-tech
High-tech and constructivism can also be combined under this general direction. All these styles imply laconic finishes, emphatically simple and modern furniture models, built-in lighting, and an abundance of technology.
Minimalism is characterized by soft colors, calm combinations, stylish and simple shapes.
For hi-tech, for all their similarities, saturated tones, metallic luster and a lot of glass are more characteristic. High-tech furniture or decor can have very unusual, but at the same time laconic and streamlined shapes.
Minimalist interior of the living room is best suited for young and energetic people who keep up with the times, who do not attach much importance to luxurious surroundings, preferring simplicity and elegance of lines.
However, do not think that the interior in the style of hi-tech or minimalism is something from the category of "cheap and cheerful". Such a design may well turn out to be much more expensive than some magnificent Empire style.
Country and Provence
These styles are perfect for lovers of home comfort, antiquity and rustic simplicity. If you want to enjoy peace as much as possible, relax and forget about the bustle of the city, then these are excellent options for the living room.
At the same time, country is deliberately rough, emphatically rural, with simple, almost unfinished furniture and themed textiles. It is characterized by natural, natural shades: soft light and dark green tones, the whole range of brown, light yellow, ocher. Of the prints, a large cage, as well as various variations of floral patterns, will be especially harmonious.
The Provence style, as it should be for a true Frenchman, is more refined, distinguished by a special chic and charm. It is characterized by lighter shades of furniture and finishes: white, cream, pale blue, turquoise, beige. Decor and textiles can be very flirtatious: with ruffles, scallops, flounces, etc.
Today, these design trends are very popular not only in the design of country cottages, but also in the decoration of city apartments. Therefore, in stores you can easily find furniture, decor and finishing materials that perfectly match these styles.
Scandinavian
This style is incredibly popular right now. The secret of its success is in the harmonious combination of minimalism, comfort and homeliness. It involves a simple and concise finish, convenient and comfortable furniture of simple shapes, stylish, but at the same time soft and not defiant decor.
The Scandinavian style is characterized by calm shades: white, beige, light gray, gray-green, pale blue, dark blue. Often in the colors of such an interior there is a certain marine theme.
Living room interior in Scandinavian style is the perfect balance of functionality, convenience, modernity and home comfort. Stylish and modern upholstered furniture for the living room is perfect here, a photo of which you can see below.
Choosing furniture
Before you start choosing furniture for your living room, carefully consider which functional areas will be allocated in the room. Beautiful furniture for the living room, the photo of which can be seen below, is not all. It is important to correctly arrange it so that all the inhabitants and guests of the apartment feel cozy and comfortable.
If it is intended exclusively for families, then a comfortable sofa, armchairs, a TV stand and a couple of shelving will be enough. If space allows, you can add a coffee table, as well as small cabinets where you can place various decor items.
If you often arrange parties, like to receive and treat guests, then you will need a bar counter. It looks stylish, modern, spectacular, can serve as a place to store all kinds of items and will allow you to organize the serving of drinks and treats for guests in a very small area. In addition, the bar counter can be an excellent dividing element if you need to zone the living room.
Choose the dimensions of the sofa and the number of chairs depending on the number of family members and the possible number of guests. It makes no sense to choose an airfield sofa and three armchairs if you live alone and rarely receive guests. In this case, it is worth limiting yourself to more compact options and leaving more free space in the room - to create a feeling of spaciousness or to accommodate other functional elements.
If you expect your guests to occasionally stay overnight, then the choice of sofa should be approached especially carefully. Choose folding models, on which, if necessary, you can fully sleep. If there can be several overnight guests, then it makes sense to consider options for transforming chairs that can fold out and turn into a bed.
Modern design solutions, as a rule, do not involve the placement of solid cabinets in the hall. It is assumed that this tradition should remain in the Soviet past. However, if you don't have a walk-in closet and don't have enough space to place storage items in other rooms, no one can force you to give up a spacious closet in the living room.
In a classic interior, it can even be a solid wall. However, if you prefer more modern design trends, then it is better to pay attention to stylish wardrobes. For a small room, models with mirrored doors are perfect, they allow you to visually expand the space, and will not weigh down the interior as much as their counterparts with solid doors.
A small room should not be cluttered with a large number of pieces of furniture. Such an "abundant" environment will overwhelm, distract, and simply interfere with free movement around the room. If you don’t have a lot of things, then you definitely shouldn’t put a massive closet in the living room, limit yourself to a light and elegant rack. If you want to create a truly light and stylish design, pay special attention to the modern style living room furniture, the photo of which can be seen below.
If you do not plan to receive guests often, it makes no sense to purchase a grand dining table in the hall. In order to drink coffee or have a snack in front of the TV, an elegant coffee table will be quite enough. To save space, you can choose a functional transforming table, which will serve as both a stand and a storage for books and magazines, and, if necessary, can be expanded into a fairly full-fledged springboard for home meals.
Fireplace in the living room interior
If you want your living room to breathe genuine comfort and hospitality, consider purchasing a fireplace. Naturally, it is almost impossible to establish a real hearth in a city apartment. But today there are a lot of magnificent imitations on sale that will emphasize the elegance of the interior, create an atmosphere of comfort in the room and even be able to heat it.
An electric fireplace is perfect for an apartment. Do not think that this is a more beautiful analogue of the heater. In fact, modern manufacturers produce incredibly realistic models that amazingly imitate real flames. There are even models with sound and aroma accompaniment. That is, in front of you there will be not only the illusion of an open fire, but also real crackles, as well as the smells of burning logs.
Fireplaces are produced in a wide variety of styles: exquisite classic, ultra-modern laconic high-tech models, mysterious gothic, luxuriously decorated with gilding and marble in the rococo style, cozy stoves in the spirit of the country. In addition, fireplaces in the living room can vary in location: wall, corner, island.
Such a variety of models will allow you to choose exactly the option for your living room that fits perfectly into the layout and style of decoration.
Photo
See our gallery for 212 more amazing living room design ideas.
Living Rooms - 135 Best Hall Interior Design Photo Ideas
Living Room
Design Bureau of Tatyana Alenina
Photo of a large open living room in a modern style with green walls, dark parquet flooring, TV on the wall and brown flooring from
Living room
Alexandra Protasova
Original design example of a modern living room with a brown sofa, medium parquet floors and clapboard ceiling without a fireplace
Sponsored
Emsdetten
Wir kreieren das passende Ambiente –
PlanB InteriorAverage rating: 5 out of 5 stars 22 reviews
Düsseldorf | Individual Lösungen fur jedes Einrichtungsprojekt!
Scandinavian minimalism
Anna Golovneva
Design idea: front, two-level living room in a Scandinavian style with white walls, light parquet floors, TV on the wall and beige floors
Interior SC
INT2architecture
Photo of a medium sized open plan living room in white with modern wood finishes with bookcases and shelves, white walls, medium parquet floors, freestanding TV and paneling on part of the wall
Living room
Tatyana Vakueva | Abwarten!
Modular sofas can be arranged according to events in a small living room, making it versatile.