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Formal living room design ideas


51 Formal Living Room Ideas With Tips And Accessories To Help You Design Yours

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Formal living rooms carry an air of elegance, shaped by high-end furniture, plush rugs, eye-catching fireplaces, spectacular light installations, stirring artwork, luxe decor and stylish accessories. They are the grand reception room where guests are welcomed, entertained and impressed. A formal living room design can be achieved under many different aesthetics, so we’ve gathered together 51 of our favourite ideas to inspire you on how to design yours. We've got just about every eventuality covered from traditional living rooms and neoclassical spaces to modern mansions and minimalist interiors, plus a dose of rustic romance and industrial style living in between. We’ll focus on the details that make these spaces really shine and offer tips to help you get there.

Mix colour and class. Classically tasteful in its approach yet colourfully executed, this rich, eclectic formal living room exudes character and vibrant energy from contrasting sofas and stools. A large area rug pulls the contrasting arrangement together.

Bring in a bench. Conversational seating arrangements make a welcoming, sociable layout in a formal living room. Enclose the seating area on all four sides without cutting it off from the larger space by employing a sleek modern bench design. Modern side tables flank the bench on either side adjacent to the sofas.

Soften a square space with a curved sofa. The smooth silhouette will detract the eye from the encroaching corners. Add a large ceiling rose and a spherical chandelier to complement the rounded shape theme.

Frame with a blast of botanical beauty, like this plant lover’s modern french interior design. Introduce green accent furniture to expand upon Mother Nature’s colour palette.

Two facing sofas produce a smart but rigid layout. Try softening out those edges with two curved sofa alternatives to create a more relaxed setting.

Keep sofa upholstery and scatter cushions plain and take pattern to the floor with a spectacularly bold black and white living room rug. Use coffee table adornments such as vases, bowls, and decorative trays to heighten interest nearer to eye level.

Play with light and shade. This mesmerising living room chandelier is given a contrasting black background to draw attention to its exquisite detail.

This modern crystal chandelier gleams in the sunlight from clerestory windows, whilst an imposing TV wall makes an impressive statement in bold black and gold finishes.

Sunlight and nature. If you’re the fortunate owner of a double height living room that’s flooded with natural light, then use that bright influx to feed an indoor garden, as well as your soul.

Bring balance. In this large and luxurious formal living room, the core lounge area is picked out in pale grey, whilst black drapes and black accent chairs darkly balance out the border.

A space for reflection. White marble wall panels make luxe framing for a prized piece of artwork, and all are reflected in a mirrored ceiling feature directly above. Channel tufted sofas gather around the spectacle, peacefully interspersed by indoor plants.

Take it to the top. More of an art installation than a lighting feature, these freeform mesh pendant lights float like wispy white clouds above an airy living space.

Bring the outside in with edge-to-edge picture windows and patio doors. Unique modern chairs add another point of interest.

All about the architecture. Whether it’s a fabulous sweeping staircase design or towering windows, let architectural wonders take the spotlight.

Create a palatial feel with opulent gold fixtures and fittings that ooze wealth. See more inspiration for using gold accents in interior design.

Set a scene for good times and good company with a prominent wine storage wall. Stack bottle racks all the way to the ceiling line and back with mirrors. Install a thin border of LED strips to accentuate the result.

Construct a multifaceted focal wall. With the TV taking the prime central spot on this focal wall, the modern fireplace is situated off-centre of the floating tv stand to avoid potential heat damage to the screen. Built-in bookcases balance out the opposite side of the hearth, whilst illuminated curio cabinets brighten the upper volume.

If crystal chandeliers feel too grandiloquent for your tastes, then consider filling a tall ceiling void with a structured sputnik chandelier instead.

Tackle double-banked windows with custom-made ceiling-to-floor drapes. The full-length white drapes in this wonderfully light luxury living room create a uniform march across the window wall, almost like a colonnade.

Pockets of pleasure. A plethora of furniture gives this formal living room a more lived-in look, where piles of coffee table books provide entertainment and a wet bar is on hand for refreshments.

Crisp and concrete. Linear sofas, contemporary artwork, and an elongated modern fireplace draw a crisp layout across this living room, where cool concrete rules.

Fluted and gilded, this fine interior is alive with texture, reflections, and light play.

Hang a mid-century vibe with a ceiling-mounted fireplace. These shapely fireplaces can tuck neatly into corners to produce a cosy glow where there is no chimney breast present. The wooden coffee table and mid century modern chairs drive home the look.

The icing on the cake. Intricate cornice and ceiling embellishments introduce elegant scrolls around the border of this neoclassical living space, like elaborate icing on a wedding cake.

Encased in boiserie panels and bestowed with classical statues, this traditional living room is a picture of grand taste.

Arched windows give this aesthetic living room a graceful backdrop against which to layer bold modern furniture.

Just one hero. Let a single colourful accent piece sing out by setting the rest of the room under shaded tones of grey and black.

Nature and neutrals. With panoramic nature views to colour your space, keep furnishings peacefully neutral and understated.

Cool blue meets earthy brown accents here, fashioning a tonally balanced decor scheme that feels fresh and cosy.

Style that transcends the ages. Shape a mid century modern living room with iconic furniture designs and bold lighting.

Grey grandeur. Beautiful furniture pieces are spaced widely throughout this large living room to create a chic and airy aesthetic. A fluted chimney breast threads attractive texture around a grand modern fireplace.

Speaking of grand fireplace walls, a stunning stone arrangement is the star of the show in this luxury rustic living room.

This mesmerising fireplace wall makes a darkly reflective vertical plane for double-height windows and a superb modern chandelier.

All about the arches. From chic arched windows to an inverted fluted ceiling, this fresh living room has curves in all the right places.

This arch festooned interior is accompanied with equally curvaceous lounge furniture and floor lamps. See more ideas for using arches in interiors.

The knowledgeable library look. Think floor-to-ceiling built-in bookcases and atmospheric mood lighting.

Natural rugs and exposed wooden rafters team up to make a cosy scene with a rustic touch.

Play to your best features. An impossibly tall TV wall is given due diligence with stupendous wood panel treatment.

High and mighty. Draw the eye upward in a high-ceilinged living room with large artwork, tall panel moulding, and large lighting fixtures.

Take the rawness off industrial living spaces by introducing a formal area rug, large scale wall art, and a healthy peppering of indoor plants.

Be inspired by a favourite piece of art. This wall art inspires a sophisticated colour palette of deep blue, beige, grey, and gold. Gallery white expanses provide breathing space between.

Ravishing red accents. Whether it’s a single red accent sofa or lounge chair, a red side table of bright area rug, red is a colour that is sure to boost and energise any room that it graces.

Well rounded and botanically inspired. Botanics are all about curves and segmentation, so why not complement a lush garden view with furniture and stucco treatments that draw upon nature’s deep beauty. With its sculptural base, the living room table lamp is a point of interest as well.

Rich colour contrast. Burnt umber accent chairs, scatter cushions and a unique modern chandelier add colour and bold character to a formal living room with classic wainscotting and cool stone details.

Another burnt umber singed home interior, this time with the artistic undertones of modern 3D wall art and classical sculpture.

Old elegance meets new ideals. Twin tufted wingback chairs instate a traditional, stately feel into this living room layout, which gracefully counteract the harder lines of a modern gray sofa. LED circle chandeliers brightly mirror the simple rounded outline of a luxe marble coffee table.

Floating features. Wall panels float in front of arched windows, a classical ceiling dips from the edges of the room to reveal perimeter lighting, and gold disc pendants appear to levitate over this unique formal lounge.

Another fabulous floating feature, this golden sculptural chandelier commands the stage.

Purple perfection. This tailored formal living room design features a made-to-measure bookcase wall and a smart serving hatch. However, it’s the snazzy purple accent furniture that really packs a punch.

Black and gold glamour stands striking and timeless.

Opposites attract. Blue and orange might be opposite to each other on the colour wheel, but they come together to make glorious impact in a modern living room decor scheme. Orange adds warmth whilst blue brings feelings of calm. See more ideas for ​​blue living rooms.

1. Wingback chair 2. Curvy sofa 3. Modern sputnik chandelier 4. Statement chandelier 5. Oluce Atollo table lamp 6. Serge Mouille floor lamp 7. Ornate fireplace mantel 8. Nesting coffee tables 9. Arco floor lamp


Recommended Reading: 
51 Luxury Living Rooms And Tips You Could Use From Them
51 Living Room Design Ideas That Are Set To Impress

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10 tips for elegant sitting rooms |

(Image credit: K&H Design )

Getting your formal living room ideas right is essential to making your guests feel not only welcome, but special. 

Creating a reception room where the living room ideas are geared towards your guests wants and needs – rather than your day-to-day need to put your feet up – is a wonderful way to celebrate visitors.

It’s also a room where you can have a lot of fun with decor too. As a more occasional room, the layout and chosen furniture pieces can be more about form than function, with elegance prized over comfort. 

Formal living room ideas

From seriously stylish sofas to the importance of showing off your prized antiques, we asked the experts to share their top formal living room ideas, and found some beautiful examples to inspire your sitting space. 

1. Choose an upright sofa style 

(Image credit: Melinda Kelson O'Connor Design/Wendy Concannon)

‘Often our clients require two separate spaces in their homes for formal entertaining and relaxing with their family,’ says Louise Wicksteed, Design Director at Sims Hilditch . ‘A formal sitting room might include a beautiful sofa upholstered in velvet and a selection of smart armchairs, whereas a family room might include a deep L-shaped sofa upholstered in hard-wearing child-friendly material.’ 

A key part of making these spaces feel distinct is getting the sofa choice right. While low-rise couches with corner units that make them apt for reclining are better suited to informal spaces, sofas with a higher seat, upright backs and design-led detailing are often more appropriate for welcoming guests. This theory is evident in the living room of this home designed by Melinda Kelson O’Connor . While a family room features an L-shaped sofa ripe for sprawling, the small living room ideas include this neat pair of blue button-backed couches.

2. Mix antique furniture with contemporary styling

(Image credit: K&H Design)

‘Don't be afraid to mix old and new,’ says Martin Waller, Founder of Andrew Martin , with regards to living room furniture ideas. As the notion of the sitting room has a longstanding history, it’s a great part of the house to employ some of your favourite antique pieces and pair them with contemporary styling elements, as demonstrated in this room by K&H Design . 

‘Interior design should transcend the limits of time and geography,’ says Waller. ‘It's a form of escapism, a root of happiness and most importantly the background to your life. So cherish your grandmother's antique rocking chair or the Chinese wedding cabinet donated from your parents' living room, it is these pieces that give character to your home and tell your unique story… Vintage and collectable accessories will also add eternal quirk and give a space which might otherwise be on-trend but lifeless, a real sense of depth, personality and soul.’ 

3. Offer your guests an assortment of seating 

(Image credit: Olivia Stutz Design/Jonathan Hokklo)

A formal living room is likely to need to cater to varying levels of formality, and for guests ranging from your grandmother to your friend’s kids – so make sure your living room seating ideas are prepared for every eventuality. 

‘I like a room to feel alive whether there are 2 people or 20 people in it,’ says home decor designer Jonathan Adler . ‘Pullable-uppable ottomans, tables you can perch on, conversation cocoons – make your space work like one giant gossip bench. ’ 

In this room by designer Olivia Stutz , a grey sofa is joined by a pair of curved armchairs, a black and white accent chair from Parisian brand Liaigre, and a quirky pair of red, space age-style stools found in a Paris flea market, in a collection that balances fun and formality. 

4. Be unique

(Image credit: Liz Caan/Eric Roth)

‘Every home and design should have some sort of story attached to it,’ says Albion Nord ’s Creative Director Camilla Clarke. ‘If the design doesn’t tell a story about the homeowner, the house or the surrounding area, it can then lack depth and connection.’ 

‘Whether it be a design around an inherited piece of art or, a celebration of the classical features of a property, this will help create the soul and character of a home and make it different to any other house,’ adds Clarke. 

Interior designer Liz Caan has certainly stamped individuality all over the living room styling for her Boston home. The hand printed pink and white wallpaper by Raoul surrounds what Caan calls her ‘collection of curiosities’, an eclectic mix of vintage furniture, artwork, ornaments and books.  

5. Make the fireplace your focus 

(Image credit: Amanda Evans Interiors)

When it comes to deciding on your layout, centering the scheme around your living room fireplace ideas creates a timelessly welcoming focal point, as demonstrated in this space by designer Amanda Evans . If the fireplace is the star of the show, ensure that it is pitched perfectly design-wise between your home’s period and your contemporary tastes. 

‘It’s important to decide whether you would prefer a restored antique fireplace, salvaged from another property, or whether you would like to create your own based on your research of the property and the kind of look and feel you aspire to for your home or room,’ says Owen Pacey, Founder of Renaissance London . ‘Restoration can be a hugely gratifying and challenging process, from sourcing to installation, but the result is a true piece of history amongst the fabric of your home.’ 

6. Swap a TV for a library

(Image credit: Sims Hilditch)

‘When designing a formal space for entertaining guests, we often omit a television from the design, or else devise intelligent ways to hide it from view,’ says Wicksteed. ‘Some of these include creating bespoke joinery disguised to look like a bookcase and installing a television which looks like a mirror.’ 

Providing an intellectually stimulating alternative to a TV, designing a home library as part of your formal living area is a great way to add purpose to the room, create meaningful storage for a book collection, and demonstrate your personal tastes and interests. 

7. Keep it cultural with artwork

(Image credit: Yellow London/Matt Clayton)

‘Art adds character and a sense of personality to a space that you can’t always fully achieve through materials and colours in a room,’ says Clarke. ‘A room without art is a room unfinished. Your wall should be the canvas for your art.’ 

When thinking about how to design a living room, art should never be an afterthought – if you’re a keen collector, consider putting your favourite pieces pride of place in your formal living room to be enjoyed by guests. In this Pimlico townhouse by Yellow London , the living room is filled with bold pieces of colorful art that not only ooze personality, but inspire the eclectic color scheme around the rest of the room.  

8. Finish off a look with purposeful curtains

(Image credit: Kit Kemp/Simon Brown)

For visual interest that runs from top to bottom, give some serious thought to your living room curtain ideas. ‘Curtains are the hairdo of the room, framing the space like the tresses of a groovy 60s Rock chick,’ says Jonathan Adler. ‘Think Jean Shrimpton, Marianne Faithful, Nico. Blondes do have more fun.’ 

Curtains in a purposeful pattern and color choice, and made from a luxurious fabric can really make a formal living space feel elegant and special. In this living room by interior designer Kit Kemp , a blue-led scheme is made to feel warm, playful and contemporary with the use of blush pink patterned curtains.

(Image credit: Jonathan Adler)

In a more formal space, your living room sofa ideas have licence to focus more on exciting design than they do comfort. As a space for entertaining, consider choosing pieces that are individual, interesting and ready to party.  

‘Float a unique sofa in the middle of your living room to anchor an organic furniture plan, or let it own that corner you haven't figured out what to do with yet,’ says Adler. In this room put together by Adler, a pair of highly contemporary curved sofas wrap around a circular coffee table, creating a cocooned seating area that is as stylish as it is welcoming. 

10. Swap cozy carpet for a large scale rug

(Image credit: Davide Lovati)

Coziness may be of paramount importance in a family room or TV snug, but too much in the way of soft furnishings can feel a little overwhelming in a more formal setting. To balance the need for comfort with a touch of restraint, consider swapping a carpet for a large living room rug. Not only will it bring focus to the center of the room, but it will prevent the atmosphere from feeling too cosseting, and mean neither you nor your guests worry too much about them keeping their shoes on in the room, with rugs often easier to clean than carpets.  

What furniture should you put in a formal living room? 

Seating is the most important aspect of any formal living space – and it’s important to have as much of it as you can manage. Offering your guests a variety of seating options allows them to choose which are most comfortable for them – a squashy ottoman might be great for kids but not so great for grandma. A sofa is a must-have, while armchairs are a more adaptable addition that provides similar comfort. 

Placing a coffee table – or upholstered bench with a tray – at the center of the seating area serves as a focal point and a perch for food, drinks and games. Storage may be necessary for books, games and ornaments, but the priority for these pieces is for them to be aesthetically pleasing first: antique dressers and ottomans that can function as both seating and storage are helpful for a room that needs to stay neat and tidy. 

How do you make a formal living room feel elegant?

Providing you have a more relaxed space for kicking back and watching the TV, the formal living room should channel beauty over comfort every time. Leave the squashy sofas elsewhere and choose leaner silhouettes with thoughtful design details. Invest in statement curtains or a rug for some softness that still carries some aesthetic weight, and always leave the television out, or be sure to disguise its presence. 

In terms of decor, this is the place for putting the best on show. Incorporate some open shelving to display prized ornaments, artwork and books – leave the family photos to the more relaxed spaces. 

Ailis started out at British GQ, where a month of work experience turned into 18 months of working on all sorts of projects, writing about everything from motorsport to interiors, and helping to put together the GQ Food & Drink Awards. She then spent three years at the London Evening Standard, covering restaurants and bars. After a period of freelancing, writing about food, drink and homes for publications including Conde Nast Traveller, Luxury London and Departures, she started at Homes & Gardens as a Digital Writer, allowing her to fully indulge her love of good interior design. She is now a fully fledged food PR but still writes for Homes & Gardens as a contributing editor.

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

Photo

See our gallery for 212 more amazing living room design ideas.

style, lighting, areas and furniture arrangement

Just because your living room is small doesn't mean it can't be stylish. We have collected the most successful options: from wall decor and eye-catching wallpaper patterns to oversized furniture and bold shades. Although they are designed for small living rooms, they can be used in rooms of any size. Here are 15 ideas on how to properly plan your space. nine0003

Varvara Kirova

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Furniture, decor and modern gadgets can fit into any living space. The design should show how organically all this can be combined. Soothing neutral colors in the interior will create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere, while bright, catchy shades will create a positive mood. How to decide on style? Let's look at examples.

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1. Open plan

When designing an open plan living room, use the entire space as one large room, including adjoining spaces. Paint colors, wood finishes, and furniture styles don't have to match exactly between rooms, but they do need to correlate to create an aesthetically pleasing effect. A good idea for a large room is wooden beams and a neutral color palette that will create a smooth transition between the living room, kitchen and other spaces.

2. Proper furniture placement

Make your living room more comfortable with proper furniture placement. Place the sofa and chairs close together to create the effect of a smaller, more inviting space that can be used for games and conversations. You can further define your living room by adding a rug in a geometric pattern or in a bright shade.

3. Accent wall

Looking for art ideas for accent walls in your living room to make it stand out? If you're considering putting photos and paintings in your living room, one way to make them really stand out is to paint the wall behind them in a bold shade that completely contrasts with the colors of the artwork. nine0003

4. Embossed wallpaper

Using texture in interior design is an integral part of a successful living room scheme, and embossed wallpaper is a great way to add dimension to a living room interior. To reduce congestion, a neutral backdrop for eclectic furniture and the right mix of styles will help. Embossed wallpaper with a natural composition, presented in a wide range of bright colors, is a great way to bring a little decor to the interior.

5. Color psychology

Light colors always create a feeling of openness and spaciousness. It's best to start by using neutral colors like white, beige or light gray on the walls. Furniture should be chosen in light colors, whether it be white, light brown or any other.

A white living room with light-coloured walls and pastel-colored furniture reflects light, making the space look larger. To keep the room from looking boring, you can choose bright pillows, textured upholstery with a spectacular pattern, add some bright wall decorations to the main wall. nine0003

6. Guest Lounge

In a small living room or one-room apartment, it is almost impossible to accommodate a large amount of seating. That's why we offer sectional sofas and ottomans along with folding chairs. These chairs can be easily expanded on ordinary days and get extra seats when receiving guests. Perhaps it is also a family room where your loved ones gather, then extra seating, accent chairs and low stools will easily do the job of accommodating everyone. nine0003

7. Carpets

In small rooms it can be difficult to create separate zones for different parts of the house. Lay carpets to divide the space. You can use rugs under a small coffee table and create a seating area with cushions, just like Japanese interior design does. You can also place a small rug next to the chair bookshelf to create a reading nook.

8. Vertical Space

Like any other space in a small home, a small living room benefits from vertical storage space. Install tall rather than wide pieces of furniture and bookcases. Hang long curtains to make the room seem larger. If necessary, use a stepladder or a high stool to get things from the upper shelves. nine0003

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Matching luminaires

Small spaces require bright light to illuminate every corner. You can opt for a small, elegant chandelier, or use ceiling lights to keep the small space clutter-free. Another idea is to hang pendant lights on the walls or on the sides of the sofas. You can add decorative glass details or use reflective surfaces. Thanks to this, your small living room will seem larger. nine0003

10. Using mirrors

There is no easier way to decorate a room than mirrors. They visually expand the space, which is especially useful for those who live in tight spaces, reflect light, making the living space brighter, and turn everything else in the room into a wall decoration. Buy antique or antique-like frames and your home will look especially sophisticated.

11. Installing gadgets

If you are passionate about electronics, there is no reason to hide this hobby. Make your tablets and TVs the centerpiece of the room. Purchase exquisite stands for game consoles, speakers and equipment. nine0003

12. Base first, accents later

There's no reason why a beige sofa and a plain wood table can't be stylish. The trick is to make sure it's not all you have. Details are what make a room stylish, so once you have a neutral base, start adding bold accents with pillows, curtains, lamps, and trinkets scattered around the room. This decor is also easy to change without the need to change large items.

13. Planting

Greenery can enliven any room. Fill your living room with plants, use empty spaces and walls. Combine greenery with wooden decor and, if possible, small bodies of water. Give a room a personal touch with plants and art. Foliage is original, gives character to the space and will enliven even the most boring living room.

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