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Elegant living room interior design


17 elegant living room ideas to add grandeur to any size space |

(Image credit: Mel Yates)

Elegant living room ideas can encompass so many styles. What exactly doe elegant mean? What first comes to mind for us is lofty ceilings, chandeliers, antique mirrors, ornate pieces, lots of metallics, brave patterns and bold deep hues. But elegance comes in many forms and no matter what your style or size of living room you can blend in some classic elegant vibes. 

From quick switches like hanging an eclectic gallery wall, to updating your space with a new elegant color palette and brave patterns, we have pulled together all our favorite classic living room ideas to get you inspired to give your space a stylish update...

1. Blend old and new in an elegant living room 

(Image credit: ogan Irvine-MacDougall)

An elegant palette of soft greys and chalky blues unites the elegant living room of this Victorian home, with unexpected pops of industrial lighting and edgy art. The style may look upmarket, but there’s plenty of high street mixed in with high-end. The French Regency-style fireplace, which was in the house when it was bought, goes nicely with the new, more contemporary parquet flooring, while the 'aged' mirror and glamorous gold coffee table adds a vintage twist to the Mid-century style seating.

2. Pick sculptural pieces

(Image credit: Matthew Williams)

Here a simple white living room is given an interesting, elegant twist through sculptural, rounded furniture and accessories that echo the curves of the space. The sinuous pieces of mid-century designer Vladimir Kagan inspired the shape of the bespoke curved sofa.

You'll find more statement seating ideas in our shopping guide to the best sofas.

'Popular in the ’60s, curves are having a resurgence and they’re here to stay.' explain Jen and Marr, founders of interior design studio, Interior Fox . 'We are moving away from harsh lines in favor of soft, sumptuous curves as a way of embracing a more relaxed feel. Seen across furniture, rugs and lighting, rounded curves work well contrasted against materials such as brass or even concrete. Adding curves into your living room whether big or small helps soften the feel of the place and it doesn’t just stop at décor. Using arches in the doors, windows, or even the ceiling can elevate a room’s architectural impact.'

3. Enhance heigh ceilings

(Image credit: Paul Massey)

Soaring ceilings and vast windows are just a few of the grandiose features of the living room in this classic Georgian house. A carefully curated mix of antique and modern gives the home a unique style and sense of personality. 

Many of the furniture, lighting and artworks were sourced in Scotland, but with Tom Dixon and Matthew Hilton also mixed in – plus furniture picked up in Thailand, the Philippines and China, as well as some classic mid-century pieces. 

4. Don't shy away from bold color

(Image credit: Paul Massey)

Elegant living room ideas aren't all about neutral color palettes, as this bold blue living room proves. This space is a more playful take on elegance, where modern Tom Dixon pieces are mixed with classic Seventies furniture, and then those Georgian antiques nod towards the origins of the house and give that all-over elegant vibe. 

5. Make an elegant living room cozy

(Image credit: Paul Massey)

Elegant spaces do risk feeling a bit... stark and while there's nothing wrong with a lofty room, you can inject some coziness and still keep the class. As this living room proves. The painted floorboards, log burner, bookcase and layers of soft textures make the space feel warm and welcoming, and yet this room is clearly not lacking in elegance.

6. Choose a soft color palette 

(Image credit: Matthew Williams)

The genteel peach-soft spectrum of pastels in this elegant living room took their cue from its key artwork, an oscillating orb of colors by Charlotte Hallberg. With the shafts of natural sunlight that flow in through the tall windows, this space feels both sophisticated and dazzlingly simple.  

7. Pair pale sky blue with crisp white for instant elegance

(Image credit: Rei Moon)

An obsession with Dulux’s Blue Poppy shade was the starting point for the aquamarine living room in this Victorian apartment. The swathes of blue envelope the space, like that blissful feeling of being submerged in water. If the aquamarine expanses conjure up the joy of swimming in breakers, the white twists and turns of the moldings that frame all doorways and ceilings are their frothy crowns. 

8. Embrace the grand-millennial trend

(Image credit: Paul Raeside)

There’s an elegant formality to the living room wallpaper that's used here, subverted with tiger print and granny lamps, neon artwork and shaggy sheepskins, chandeliers and chintz, while shell-shaped seating brings a retro vibe to the space. It’s an eclectic vintage look that's taken to a new, more elegant level. 

9. Create an elegant display with book and curiosities

(Image credit: Kate Martin)

In this grey living room, a huge disc chandelier injects a bit of Seventies rock ’n’ roll to the mix of vintage and modern pieces, creating a gentleman’s club vibe. The bookshelves heave with a carefully considered collection of antique leather and hand-painted clothbound books; tucked in between are pieces of vintage coral, framed butterflies, and insects, and old magnifying glasses. Two pieces of raw amethyst on the mantelpiece bring calm. It has a rich mix of tactile materials – velvets, silks, lacquered raffia and gold-flecked cork, plus big sofas and cozy rugs. 

10. Mix in Scandi shapes

(Image credit: Paul Raeside)

What makes a living room feel full of interest in personality is a mixing of styles, and while elegant living rooms are often associated with vintage pieces, adding in an unexpected piece of Scandi inspired furniture can give the space a modern edge. See how the clean lines of the coffee table and the striking shape of the rocking table both contrast and compliment the opulent original features of the room.

11. Hang a gallery wall

(Image credit: Paul Massey)

Gallery walls come in all shapes and sizes and can add instant color, pattern and texture to a living room. For an elegant take on the trend, be inspired by this living room and hang a collection of vintage oil paintings in mismatching frames. Be quite ad-hoc with the arrangement, try and avoid a formal grid layout for a more eclectic look.

12. Choose dark color for a sophisticated vibe

(Image credit: Paul Craig)

This library area/living room in photographer Paul Craig's Victorian villa was created with a gentleman’s club in mind – as a comfortable spot to read a book, make calls and catch up with emails. The dark color palette makes the space feel both elegant and cocooning and the deep plum velvet only adds to the luxuriousness. 

13. Create an elegant living room layout

(Image credit: Matthew Williams)

The design of this living room layout was approached like an exercise in geometry. Shapes are perfectly balanced, so that the hard white lines of the day bed contrast with the rounded mirror behind. The fireplace is inset with black tiles in a herringbone pattern, giving the space a traditional focal point with a twist.  

14. Blend original features with modern furnishings

(Image credit: James Merrell)

This space is a masterpiece of balance and measure, with modern furniture blowing the dust off the house’s handsome original features, and adding the odd surprise. Think less English Heritage, more English eccentric.

While this living room dates from the mid-1800s, later additions have brought Victorian paneling and some Arts and Crafts feature into the architectural mix. Final flourishes include pulp fiction art and a sprinkling of offbeat but glam finds. 

15. Let classic pieces be the focus 

(Image credit: Paul Massey)

Sometimes less is more when it comes to elegant living room ideas. If you have a really stand out piece of classic furniture, whether it be a vintage French chaise lounge, a hanging egg chair or as can be seen in this space, the iconic Eames lounge chair, let that be the focus of the space and keep everything paired back and minimal.

16. Keep it simple

(Image credit: Paul Raeside)

The furniture in this living room was painstakingly curated until the right Pierre Jeanneret chairs, the perfect Georgian sofa and the most delicately balanced mid-century Italian pendant came along. The result is a space that exercises restraint and balance.

Without the distracting floridity of period features on the walls, photography by Moby, Nan Goldin and Anne Collier can get top billing. The art and photography collection injects extra dashes of originality into this home. A vibrant blocky yellow emanates from the Jessica Dickinson artwork.

17. Make an elegant living room family friendly

(Image credit: Sean Litchfield)

The living room feels contemporary, with a scattering of gilded frames glowing against gloss-blue shelves and a sprawling sofa, which accommodates 10 without overwhelming the space. This space is welcoming and punchy. Restored paneling sits comfortably with ocean-blue hues and fronded wallpapers in a setting reconfigured to meet the needs of a modern family.  

How can you decorate a living room elegantly?

The easiest way to decorate a living room elegantly is to bring in vintage and antique pieces, no matter what style you have going on already opulent, ornate furniture is sure to add an elegant touch. Mirrors are our go-to – hang a large french mirror above a fireplace or on the main wall of your living room for an elegant upgrade. 

Layouts can make a difference too. Rather than have all the furniture pushed up against walls, pull it out in the room and give it space to breathe. You'll often see in larger, more traditional-style living rooms themore bulky furniture, like sofas and armchairs face each other, with an ottoman or coffee table in between to create an almost symmetrical layout. 

When choosing fabrics for an elegant living room, go for rich, tactile materials like velvet and chenille that have a weight to them. And be sure to add a large rug to keep things soft and luxurious underfoot. 

What colors should you use in an elegant living room?

The best colors for an elegant living room are rich, deep hues like navy blues, plum shades and magenta pinks, red, used in the red quantities, can also add a luxurious feel to a living room. Neutrals hues are often used in elegant living rooms too – whites, creams, greys are beiges all work to create light and open rooms, ideal if you are working with a smaller room that you want to give that elegant lofty feel 

Lotte is the Digital Editor for Livingetc, and has been with the website since its launch. She has a background in online journalism and writing for SEO, with previous editor roles at Good Living, Good Housekeeping, Country & Townhouse, and BBC Good Food among others, as well as her own successful interiors blog. When she's not busy writing or tracking analytics, she's doing up houses, two of which have features in interior design magazines. She's just finished doing up her house in Wimbledon, and is eyeing up Bath for her next project.

38 Elegant living rooms that are brilliantly designed

Elegant living rooms share a common element that is visually pleasing, they showcase a neutral color scheme that is luxurious yet extremely inviting. Living rooms are a place to relax, enjoy great conversation and delight in the comforts of home. With a palette of soothing neutrals and an abundance of textures, these spaces radiate a timeless elegance. Adding elegance to your space does not necessarily mean that you have to spend a lot of money to do so. There are simple ways to infuse elegance into your living room, from adding pillows and a fresh coat of paint to window treatments and hardwood floors.

Some ideas to try: crown molding, paint, pillows, window treatments, hardware finishes (drawer pulls and knobs), light fixtures, hardwood flooring (add an area rug for comfort, texture and visual appeal), accessories, furnishings — and most important, declutter! With these suggestions in mind, you can re-create your own elegantly styled living room with the help of some inspiration below. Have a look through our collection of elegant living rooms showcasing various sizing, layouts and grandeur that will surely delight your senses.

RELATED: 35 Super stylish and inspiring neutral living room designs

RELATED: 43 Cozy and warm color schemes for your living room

In the elegantly styled living room above, its all about the view!

Above, is luxurious living room in an 11,000 square foot French chateau style home in the Biltmore area of Phoenix, Arizona.

RELATED: Light-filled living rooms: 40 Absolutely brilliant ideas

A coastal chic living room in Houston, Texas features an elegant layout with a fireplace and built-in entertain center.

With an enticing fireplace and comfortable seating, this contemporary living room in a home in Boca Raton, Florida is ultra-luxe.

This home in Toronto, Ontario, Canada features an open plan living room and kitchen. If you don’t have a lot of space in your living area, consider purchasing a sofa with low arms (like the image above), or no arms — it will help make your room appear more spacious.

Above, a six-story home designed for a family of six in London, England elegantly displays a contemporary white palette adorned with crystal lighting. Chrystal chandeliers are showcased as a central focal point throughout the home.

Sheer glamor and elegance is showcased in this Las Vegas, Nevada high-rise penthouse pictured above.

While double volume rooms offer an abundance of natural light, they can also feel sterile due to the shear scale. The designers of this Boston, Massachusetts home transformed the above living room into a comfortable and elegant gathering place for a family who loves to entertain.

The designers of this living area (above) were posed with a challenge of taking a long, narrow living area and creating a comfortable seating arrangement. A nice flow has been created from one end of the room to the other. A backless daybed was used in the center of the space, creating delineation that harmonizes the space.

A luxurious condo in Austin, Texas, pictured above, features an elegant open concept living room with a neutral color scheme.

Above, an elegant living room in Nashville, Tennessee showcases a double-sided fireplace, with a step-up library and warm dark hardwood flooring.

A home in Boston, Massachusetts features a classic formal open concept living room with a neutral color palette, dark hardwood flooring and a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace surround.

A home in Los Angeles, California features an expansive living room with elegant interiors. The windows wrap around the perimeter, highlighting breathtaking city views. The rest of this sleek pad is also a mix of punched openings and floor-to-ceiling windows. In each space, the choice is appropriate to the view and varying levels of privacy. Here, the low ceiling height reinforces the horizon and the expanse of downtown LA.

Pictured above, a transitional living room in Chicago features a neutral color palette and a fireplace for added warmth. An equestrian painting by Ashley Collins can be seen in the adjacent dining area.

Above, an elegantly designed residence in Toronto is an award winning luxury model home for Kylemore Communities. It won the 2011 BILT award for best model home!

This historic limestone home and coach house in a landmark district on Astor Street in Chicago, Illinois was built in the late 1800’s. An elegant formal enclosed living room features a custom designed plaster mold that was fabricated by a Chicago plaster company and installed and finished on-site.

Photo Sources: 1. Claudia Pimenta | Patricia Franco, 2. MuseInteriors, 3. Michael Abrams Limited, 4. Architema, 5. Jones Clayton Construction, 6. Martyn Lawrence Bullard Design, 7. Dream Design Studio, 8. Zillow, 9. The Sitting Room, 10. Gemma Zimmerhansl Interior Design, 11. Peter Mikic, 12. Jane Lockhart Interior Design,  13. Midwest Home Magazine, 14. Nuevo Estilo, 15. Amanda Carol Interiors, 16. Mila Design, 17. El Mueble, 18. McCroskey Interiors, 19. Interiors by Steven G, 20. Garrison Hullinger Interior Design, 21.  Kolenik, 22. Jane Lockhart Interior Design, 23. Catherine Staples Interiors, 24. SHH studio, 25. Gestion René Desjardins, 26. InsideStyle Home and Design, 27. JTM Interiors, 28. Possibilities for Design, 29. Michael Kyle Photography, 30. Inspired Dwellings, 31. Bravo Interior Design, 32. P. Shea Design, 33. Grossman Photography, 34. Mary Cook Associates, 35. Studio Pali Fekete architects, 36. Michael Abrams Limited, 37. Jane Lockhart Interior Design, 38. dSPACE Studio

Elegant balance: transitional interior

At the end of the twentieth century, a new vision of home furnishing appeared in American interior design. Designers and decorators managed to create a style that strikes the perfect balance between classic and modern - transitional. The "golden mean" is able to create a comfortable and light atmosphere with a bright personality. In fact, this style embodies the American classic today. What does "transit" style mean, and how to make it work in the interior in the best possible way - we tell in our article.

"Transitional" style in the interior - a new look at the old

The word "transitional" itself is translated as "intermediate", "transitional". Furniture in this style is characterized by soft, elegant forms, solidity and comfort, discreet shades of upholstery. Transitional style is a modern and thoughtful combination of classic and modern. This is not an eclectic mess, but a detailed design in a neutral palette. It takes all the best from the classics, but looks fresh and relevant.

All furnishings should not only match and complement each other, but also represent your lifestyle, your philosophy.

In the photo: sofa Moroso Redondo from the leading Italian designer Patricia Urquiola . The model is distinguished by smooth, elegant lines, original three-dimensional geometry and original fabric texture.

The essence of style is to create a look that is soft enough, but at the same time not devoid of personality. Stick to simple solutions that will enrich the interior without overwhelming it:

In the photo: a living room by Prianera and an armchair by Casamilano .

Transitional style is suitable for those who are not "tied" to one era or design style. There is more freedom here as you can experiment until the "mix" suits you. You can make the interior as expressive as you like. So that the house reflects your tastes and is completely unique to you.

Pictured: Mobilidea . All products are made from precious woods: walnut, beech, cherry with steel and aluminum elements. Laconic forms emphasize the sophistication of natural materials.

Scale

One of the key points here is to keep the proportion of furniture and accessories in the room. These include tables, sofas, armchairs, chairs, and wall art. It is also worth remembering that the style gravitates towards symmetry and regular geometry.

In the photo: chair Bonaldo Bruno by designer Mauro Lipparini , sofa Desiree Tulissup . Interior details line up in simple, uncomplicated lines. The symmetry of the classics is preserved, but with a trend towards minimalism.

Furniture is at the heart of the design, and the surrounding space is built around it:

Photo: quilted sofa from Valdichienti . If your living room has traditional architectural features such as trim and moldings, add solid and contemporary chairs and sofas.

Color

Light neutral tones can be used in various finishing materials: tiles, stone, wood, carpet. When introducing bright accents, make sure that they do not disturb the calm atmosphere of the interior. This role is perfectly performed by the blue gamut. Soft shades of green and purple also work well.

Too many colors and patterns in a room will compete with each other. While too much generality looks insipid. Look for common denominators that will allow all items to work together seamlessly without being too similar. Restrained, and, at the same time, saturated is the use of khaki, light chocolate, tan, milk cream. Such shades soothe, give a sense of confidence and security:

In the photo: sofa group Desiree . The special softness and comfort of Desiree sofas is created by an internal polyurethane filler with a memory effect. The structure of the frame with elastic straps provides the necessary elasticity.

In the photo: living room Ditre Italia Classic .

"Transition" should not look too flashy, so every detail here is verified. Home décor in this style is a balance of design solutions and elements united by classic lines that are combined with more modern shades and furniture.

In the photo: sofa and poufs Ditre .

transitional furniture

Use simple silhouettes balanced by nuanced, rounded elements. The protagonists of a transitional room are usually large soft sofas and armchairs. They take up a lot of space and often form groups. It is important that you leave enough air and light at the same time:

In the photo: sofa Bonaldo Gossip . The objects are arranged nicely and symmetrically, forming regular shapes. It is comfortable in such a room, everything is “in its place”.

Choose furniture without sharp straight lines and sharp corners:

Pictured: chairs Bross . Feel free to use corduroy, cotton, velvet and suede in furniture, bedspreads, pillows and curtains.

The transitional style delights in keeping everything in a strict color palette for maximum balance, while the soft play of rounded and rigid silhouettes competing against each other is quiet and almost invisible.

Photo: table Mobilidea Norman , armchair Milano Bedding Greta .

Textile

Imagine a transitional home with textural, luxurious and varied textiles, yet each room looks subtle and coherent. The key is that no detail should look random - everything rhymes.

In the photo: sofa upholstery Casamilano .

A combination of suede, leather, velveteen, fur, tweed, velvet, silk is welcome... It is better to choose non-contrasting patterns. The main decoration is the quality of the fabric and rich drapery. Bright upholstery should be discarded. The complex texture of the fabric will look much more interesting.

In the photo: furniture Alberta .

Accessories

Transitional design allows you to use accessories in the interior, creating a rich layering. It fits well with vintage items, glass vases, exotic items:

In the photo: SigmaL2 .

Pictured: Porta Romana is a British factory that produces original furnishings inspired by wildlife. The range of the factory includes a wide selection of lighting and interior accessories: screens, vases, mirror frames.

In the photo: home accessories from the factory SigmaL2 . Thanks to a few bright touches, the interior, designed in soothing colors, does not seem boring and monotonous.

In the photo: vases and dishes from VG New Trend .

It is important to find a balance point in style. This applies to literally everything in the interior: palettes, shapes, sizes, layouts, lighting.

In the photo: pouf-table Alberta Richard Soft .

For the kitchen, choose a playful mix of vintage and modern appliances that boast clean, beautiful lines and soothing colors. The transitional kitchen is, first of all, clean lines and minimalist design. You can use different textures: stone, wood, tile.

Pictured: Italian kitchen Castagna Princess . The classic style subtly flows into the modern, it is on the balance of the past and the future that this kitchen was created.

Let decorative but practical items such as crockery and kitchen utensils be the bridge between classic and modern in your kitchen.

In the photo: interior details from the brand SigmaL2 and table accessories Savio Firmino .

The main advantage of using the transitional style in home design is the atmosphere of calm and comfort.

In the photo: elegant furniture Mobilidea . The absence of sharp corners, flashy colors are the main positions of the room design.

In the photo: dining group Cattelan Italia . Note how in this dining room, the antique console and large mirror add another irresistible "collision element". The interior is light but dramatic.

On the floor you can see natural coverings - soft carpets, or sisal. Wooden floors in neutral tones are also characteristic of the "transitional" interior.

In the photo: furniture from the Italian factory Valdichienti . The modest and sophisticated style of furniture does not make the interior too brutal, or vice versa, pretentious. The choice of environment in favor of the golden mean creates a space that is comfortable for everyone.

In the photo: bed Selva with high upholstered headboard and textile upholstery.

An excellent solution for creating a quiet accent would be to use monochrome sketches in the interior within strict frames:

In the photo: bedroom Meridiani looks quite airy and soft.

In the photo: elegant beds Cantori . The best choice would be elements that increase comfort. You can actively use carpets, sofa cushions, blankets and blankets.

In the photo: upholstered headboards Bolzan .

Use glass, metal, ceramics and wood in your bathroom. If you have a traditional clawfoot bath, install modern floor tiles.

In the photo: bathroom Capo d'Opera and accessories Savio Firmino .

In the photo: wall panel Alex Turco . Two key parameters to keep in mind when working with the transitional style are "simplicity" and "serenity".

An "updated version of a classic" for elegance without sacrificing comfort. American classics always look light and relaxed. Look for new sounds of familiar things. For example, to decorate a room, use familiar materials, but in new shades and in more modern interpretations. The rule of "transitional" style is to find the point of perfect balance of color palette, shapes and sizes of furniture, layout and lighting.

Tips for choosing style, decoration and furniture - INMYROOM

The living room in the house is the place where guests are received, as the name suggests. 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:

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 its decoration and furnishing. 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:

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:

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 what 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.

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