Living rooms today

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(Image credit: Future)

When it comes to modern living room trends, what we love most is that unlike perhaps kitchen or bathroom trends which may take a whole remodel to recreate in your home, living room trends can be brought into your space in an instant. A new statement piece of furniture, a new selection of cushions, some new lighting could be all it takes to give your room an on-trend update for the new year.  

And there are so many gorgeous looks coming through for 2023 – new palettes, new textures, new ideas for what makes a house a home. So to decode the latest interior design trends we've asked the experts for their insight, offering plenty of inspiration for your own decor. 

'A lot has been changing in design this year generally, and the way this is filtering into living room for next year is really exciting,' says Livingetc's editor Pip Rich. 'Smartness coupled with informality is a really enticing vibe, leading to rooms you feel you can curl up in, but feel nice while doing so.'

So could next year be the year you embrace a cork? Or maybe it's time to dip your toe into the world of maximalism with some brightly colored cabinets? Whichever of these trends resonates with you, they all lead to living rooms you'll want to spend time in.

What are the living room trends for 2023?

1. Over-sized furniture

(Image credit: Albion Nord)

“It’s about scaling up your furniture, even in small living rooms,” states Creative Director of interior design studio Albion Nord , Camilla Clarke. “Fill a small sitting room with a large sofa or a large potted plant. It becomes so much more inviting and aesthetically compelling.” 

In this project Camilla completed, the sofa takes up the bulk of this white living room - and doesn't it look comfy and like you want to be on it? So, if you’re wondering, now is the time to think big. Oversized silhouettes or large sculptural forms, it’s all about the drama and making a statement. 

2. Blue Marble Furniture

(Image credit: Bohinc Studio)

While marble has been a staple in our homes for decades, opting for unconventional varieties of the stone is becoming more popular. The deeply veined Azul Macaúbas, as used here in the Sun and Moon Coffee Table by Bohinc Studio , brings theatre and intensity to the home. 

'I love blue stone', says the interior designer Noa Santos, whose work is reguarly featured in Livingetc. 'It's so dramatic.'

While marble is often applied into muted or Scandi-style home decor themes, colored varieties paired with metallic finishes are perfect for maximalist environments.  

3. Cork Strip Flooring

(Image credit: Recork)

Cork flooring was a 70s must-have; however, we fell out of love with the trend as other fashions caught our eye. Thanks to Recork , cork flooring has had a facelift and is a superb solution for homes today, meeting the sustainable and visual needs of conscious consumers. 

With natural resources under threat, this material is harvested using only the bark of a cork oak tree meaning the trees continue to thrive and biodiversity isn’t put under threat. Using plant-based oils, Recork offers six finishes bringing a refined aesthetic to cork strip flooring.

4. Brightly Painted Woodwork

(Image credit: Future)

Make a feature of the woodwork with an accent tone which complements the scheme of the room. “I always go with a general plan of using three main colors in a room,” states Matthew Williamson . “One for the walls and ceiling, one of larger items such as a sofa and one main accent colour for the details. ” 

This is similar to the 60-30-10 rule we've seen take hold of decorating this year.

Think softer tones on the walls and ceiling and opt for brighter, more intense hues to spotlight the beauty in the detail of architrave, skirting and window frames. Or, if you want to keep to a neutral living room, painting the door brightly - with an even brighter slither of color on the side - is a wonderful way to introduce this living room trend.

5. Bespoke Decorative TV Cabinets

(Image credit: Hutley and Humm)

Hiding a living room TV is often a challenge, but designers are coming up with innovative solutions to create decorative and functional alternatives. Interior designer Melissa Hutley, one half of Hutley & Humm , states that more and more requests are coming in as we see each room as a multifunctional space. 

“We recently created a cabinet with gilt bamboo framed prints (as pictured), and it was easy to forget it had another function!” she explains.  

6. Curtained Storage

(Image credit: A Rum Fellow)

Our all defining need for our homes to be workspaces too may be over, but that mood is here to stay. 

With more tech to store, and the importance of returning the space back to a home after work, practical living room storage has become a necessity. In smaller spaces larger storage units can be cumbersome and curtained storage provides a clever alternative. 

With the simple addition of a shallow shelf, under which to store items you need quick access to, you can create a softer aesthetic with the chance to bring in vibrancy through different fabric options as seen here with The Rum Fellow’s new Pepenado textile collection.

7. Organic color schemes

(Image credit: Felix Speller - design by Margot Tsim)

“I think for 2023, many people will still be longing to have living spaces that can act as a sanctuary,” states interior designer Margot Tsim. “Despite maximalism dominating the interiors world recently, I think people will long for homes that are calm, serene and uncluttered without too much visual stimulation to promote wellness for the mind & soul, in search of peace, especially given the current climate we are living in. ” 

Through embracing these neutral living room color trends and natural materials such as timber and hessian, we can find comfort, tactility, and tranquillity to come back to each day, the embodiment of the new organic modern style.

8. Open Storage Dividers

(Image credit: USM)

Adding functionality into the home is a priority for many as we spend even more of our working days at the dining table or home office area. Open storage room dividers, such as the modular Haller system by USM , is a great way to zone the living room without removing light or creating something which makes the room feel more enclosed. 

This system also offers ample storage for extra technology and plant holder fixtures to bring greenery into the room, again a great way to liven up the space. With an array of bold color choices available, this is a superb concoction of practicality and elegance. 

9. Polished metals

(Image credit: MDF Italia)

Highly polished metals are having a resurgence in living room trends, with designers working with such materials in new forms and applications. Alluding back to the popularity of materials such as aluminium and steel in the 1950s, we are falling in love again with the glamour and finesse they bring to the home. 

MDF Italia have reimagined four of its iconic designs in polished steel and aluminium When bringing this into the home, don’t be afraid to mix different metals and finishes to create added depth and interest. 

10. Limewash paint

(Image credit: Francesca's Paint)

With its breathability, non-toxic and plastic-free qualities making it a popular choice for historical and period architecture across the world, limewash has been used over centuries with its textured, velvety aesthetic being loved by many. 

This appearance has again become increasingly popular, and, thanks to Francesca’s Paint , it is available to buy in a ready-made format making application a lot simpler. With a variety of shades available, bringing this finish into a contemporary interior has never been easier. 

11.

(Image credit: Future)

Bold blocks of blue, red and yellow are the hottest colors for larger pieces of furniture next year. What they do is shimmer like jewels in the crown of the room, ruby, sapphire and amethyst. It's an exciting way to decorate which goes against color theory but somehow feels right regardless.

12. Gallery-style elegance 

(Image credit: Kelly Behun Studio)

Opting for a curated collection of lovely things is a sure-fire way of getting an original interior. 1228 Madison Avenue is a modern, boutique residential building with architecture by Robert A.M. Stern Architects and interiors by Kelly Behun Studio , and is full of modern living room trends. 

The apartment building in question is located in the Upper East Side’s Carnegie Hill, one of New York City’s most storied and classically elegant neighborhoods. Founder and lead interior designer Behun comments, ‘I designed one of the full-floor apartments as a living gallery; a space filled with my own custom designs along with some of my favorite furniture, lighting, rugs, art, and accessories. It is a homage to my favorite gallery spaces and the style reflects the refined and elegant feel that galleries tend to embody.’ 

Behun’s sensitive approach to the living room design means that whilst it works as a whole scheme, each of the modern furniture ideas and piece of art truly sings in its own right. The design for the main room, referenced as ‘The Great Room’, all started with the wow-factor rug. ‘The notion of a traditional bordered rug that you might see in a townhouse on the Upper East Side was what inspired the design’, says Behun. ‘Instead of using straight lines, we designed a series of undulating shapes and forms that flow around the rug margins. 

13. Cocooning and calming color palettes

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Ruth Mottershead, who is the marketing director at paint and wallpaper brand powerhouse Little Greene , highlights tranquility and a calming color palette as one of the most major modern living room trends, as a result of the pandemic and people looking to seek ultimate comfort and calm within their home surroundings, with more soothing living room color ideas.  

Ruth says, ‘over the last year we have seen a big shift from cooler tones towards softer and warmer shades, helping us to create cozy spaces within our homes. Neutrals and warm tones help us to create calming and restful schemes, working particularly well for bedrooms and living rooms, spaces where we seek peace and comfort. ‘These tones really make a space feel modern. They transition well from season to season and have been very popular over the last year as we have sought out neutral tones and natural texture.'

‘Neutral tones, such as our Little Greene Normandy Grey and Stone Mid Cool are very versatile and are easy to combine with warmer olive greens, paler creams and other earthy tones for a more dynamic and contemporary look. For a more harmonious scheme that is calming, yet still looks fresh and uplifting, look no further than a selected mix of white tones. Our new Silent White family exists for exactly this reason. Neutral White, available in paler and darker variations of the same shade, can be used in combination on walls, ceiling, and paneling for a sophisticated tonal scheme whilst simultaneously providing soft warmth. Effectively, you can bring interest by shifting shades in the most subtle of ways’, says Ruth. 

‘Whichever colors you opt for on the walls, layering in a few textural elements will help to tie the scheme together and ensure it looks fresh; wooden finishes, wool, and linens will really help bring the room together and make it feel new. The most successful way to make a cocooning and calm living room work is by bringing in a textured boucle sofa or armchair, a deep pile rug, and cushions and accessories which give the living space a relaxed vibe.’

14. Global prints

Nautica Lampshade with Kerala Floor Lamp Base, Mind The Ga

(Image credit: Mind The Gap)

The globally inspired look has been seen on interior mood boards and schemes for a couple of years now, but that just highlights how these modern living room trends bubble under before coming to the fore. The fact that it hasn’t shifted off the radar demonstrates that this is an interiors trend that has both staying power and impact.  

What’s the concept? It’s a pick and choose scenario, pooling signature styles and pattern motifs from countries around the world and either mixing just one or two together or in abundance for a maxi and multi-layered approach. 

Stefan Ormenisan, the creative director and taste aficionado behind Mind The Gap and many an interior design scheme, says, ‘with the current focus of being at home over the last year, we have all been longing for global influences in our homes, now more than ever.' 

'A selection of different countries and their traditional prints have inspired our latest collection.Our Sundance Villa collection includes beautiful painterly scenes of the Mediterranean, subtle Greek motifs, and vibrant sea-inspired prints, meaning it's easy to capture the essence of the holiday feel in our homes by layering pattern, color and texture’, says Ormenisan. 

What better place to capture that holiday spirit than in our living rooms, which are places we naturally retreat to for relaxation and comfort. From charming, coral and fish motif adorned wallpapers and fabrics to tribal and tropical-inspired cushions. Rich, colorful lampshades and furniture - the global traveler trend isn’t a strict rule abider and is all about layering eclectic prints and lavish designs to transform those holiday memories into a permanent lifestyle, bringing the spirit of the world, indoors.

15. Rustic wall panelling 

(Image credit: Andrew Martin)

There are no flies on this decorating trick. Wall paneling, which is by no means a new invention we admit, has seen a resurgence in popularity recently as people look for alternative ways to bring interest into their living rooms, other than the traditional wallpaper and paint methods. However, this modern living room trend is all about thinking wall paneling with a modern twist! 

Whether you opt for a sleek 1960s style slim-line paneling, or indeed a more traditional period formation with beading and detailed molding, it’s all about the color you paint or indeed the finish that you coat it with. It can also be about being clever and creating a paneling effect but with wallpaper. We caught up with Martin Waller, founder of Andrew Martin,  one of the UK’s most prolific wall treatment design houses, to ask how you can make sure that your wall paneling is oh-so modern! 

‘Wall panels add subtle textures and still achieve their original function of maintaining warmth, fulfilling our longing for the tactility and natural materials that modern life is often lacking.' Martin says. 'Wall paneling is often seen as a traditional application to our homes but fast forward to today and many people are adding their own spin to paneling, making it a more accessible design trend.'

'Take a traditional wall paneling for example - as soon as you paint it a contemporary tone of paint then it instantly takes on a rather joyous and modern aesthetic. If taking part in this DIY task seems overwhelming, you can also achieve a wall paneling look through the use of wallpaper - design trick 101! It's one of those living room wallpaper ideas that offers the same effect but requires minimal effort. ’

16. Bringing the outside in

Design by Sova Studio

(Image credit: Studio Sova)

Bringing outdoor elements into a living room needn’t involve oversized palm prints and glaring green tones, that’s the word on the street when it comes to modern living room trends in 2022. It can be achieved with the most subtle of touches that are perfect if you prefer neutral living room ideas; wooden surfaces, natural woven fibers, and a general, subtle, infusion of nature in the interior design scheme. 

For New York-based interior designer Ewa Podgórska, this is exactly how she approached the living room in her Luna House project. Podgórska says, ‘In designing spaces of the Luna House, we looked to nature to create configurations for depth, openness, and refuge. Nature is particularly evident in the material finishes and subtle texture choices in the main living room space’ says Podgórska. 

‘In this design, we create connections with the use of natural materials, like wood, stone, natural fabrics (think natural woven wool textures, linens, and natural fibers like jute). We focus on subtle textural differences, so each piece has a unique tactile effect. Smooth, rough, polished, brushed – even the same material will feel unique to the touch depending on how it’s finished!'

'Another thing we borrow from nature is the use of the - often subtle - variety because nature loves diversity. So when using wood, we like to mix a few different species and colors of the material in the same space. Colors are soft and neutral, yet we add touches of unexpected patterns, to have that small element of surprise and interest. It’s all about layering. Simplicity can also be dynamic,’ explains Podgórska. 

Want to recreate the subtlety of this trend? Seek out your natural materials and cues and keep it all understated and calm.

17. Very dark walls

(Image credit: Future)

 ‘Dark tones feel incredibly inviting whether you're in for the day or reading deep into the night,' says Patrick O’Donnell, Farrow and Ball ’s brand ambassador. 'A living-room-meets-workspace with a velvety Down Pipe tone feels smart and business-like during work hours, yet glamorous enough to set the scene for intimate dinners or relaxing when the day is done. '

We're seeing that dark walls are feeling like the hug we all feel we need. But to stop them looking too gothic, add in some brighter accessories - a hot pink cushion will really pop.

18. Maximalism 2.0, more is more 

(Image credit: Jonathan Adler)

Maximalism is all about loading the space with stand-out design elements. Initially, people perceived maximalism to mean patterned wallpaper, on every surface. This was what caught people's attention and put the trend at the forefront of designer and brand lines. 

However, over the last year or so, the maximalism look has shifted and elevated into a new sphere, and modern living room trends have moved the idea on. It’s about being a curator, and surrounding yourself with interesting, beautiful, and fun objects and things. And comfort! Squishy couches with good sofa depth are key. The designer who probably best resonates and represents this is renowned New York-based designer Jonathan Adler, a leading light in how to curate a ‘wow’ interior space where every element sings and is as fabulous as it can be.  

Adler says, ‘Minimalism is a bummer. Minimalism is very safe, Tasteful, but it is not memorable. I think it’s a sign that you are slightly afraid of doing anything wrong and I think that’s a very boring way to live. To me, minimal is miserable, and maximalist is merry. People might think that I’m very post-Marie Kondo but I absolutely love her concept that you should only surround yourself with things that spark joy. I just happen to have lots of things that spark happiness within my soul - and encourage you to find joy in, say, a lipstick-pink chair, just because.’ 

You heard it here first. More beautiful things are, well, more! Get the look by shopping for all of the things you find beautiful.

19. Downtown urban city chic 

(Image credit: Apartment 48)

Bringing the urban city apartment look right up to date, with a certain downtown chicness, is New York-based designer Rayman Boozer. We’ve had the Industrial trend. You probably know what that looked like. Stripped back steel, burnished metal fittings, and lots of copper and exposed filament bulbs. Well, it’s moved on. Take your industrial apartment or warehouse-style and get confident with color, says Rayman, a proponent of this modern living room trend. 

Brick walls or wall paneling looks brilliant painted out - softening the backdrop - with a muted color hue. Boozer has the ultimate touch when it comes to transforming a downtown living room. 

‘Color palette can really set a tone for a room, and particularly in your home, it sheds light on your personality!' Rayman says. 'You can walk into a space and instantly learn something about the inhabitants without speaking a word. The real challenge is discovering what personality to emote.'

Recreate that urban city buzz and energy with a smorgasbord of colorful furnishings, accessories, and art, against a smooth and sophisticated backdrop hue. It’s confident and it’s new. If the infamous - original - Carrie Bradshaw apartment needed a 2023 interior overhaul, our bets would be it would be looking like this.

20. 20th century magpie 

(Image credit: Sigmar)

Reclaimed, vintage, and modern antiques are a buoyant trend in the interiors industry. Mid-century modern furniture design pieces, in particular, prove greatly appealing for interior designers and their clientele. 

Kurt Kovacs Braidley, gallery manager at Sigmar , a King’s Road-based interior design business that specializes in the sourcing and supply of unique and highest quality 20th century design furniture and lighting, says ‘Including original vintage furniture and objects within an interior is a necessity for us. It’s our raison d’etra. Most people are aware that putting something old within a new space is a good way to inject warmth and character into a room. However, sourcing the right vintage piece for an interior can do much more. The perfect armchair, chair, or coffee table can help make a space more operational, breathable, and calm. It is all about feeling.'

'Generally speaking, we find that objects from the past were awarded a greater level of consideration in regards to their design and materials. You have to go far to match the same levels of craftsmanship and inherent uniqueness in today’s world. Specifically, Modernist design from the Mid-20th Century, an era characterized by Utopian post-war reconstruction, was resolved in being better than what came before and pieces were designed to last. In a nutshell, the high level of consideration put into designs of the Mid-20th century design items means that they retain a sense of traditional craftspersonship even though, more often than not, they utilized modern industrial materials and were mainly produced by machine. Include a 20th century item of quality, say a table or chair from the mid-1950s or 160s, and you instantly add a higher level of design to your living room.’

21. Dusky yellows

(Image credit: Paint and Paper Library)

'For a living room, the use of yellow can create a mellow and uplifting interior all at the same time,' says Martin Waller of Andrew Martin. 'It transports us back to long lazy sun-drenched days in the Mediterranean and it can brighten us up on gloomy days. It works brilliantly with blues, teals, greens and reds, and for real crisp freshness use with white. But if you want to opt for tones such as grey, this will help create the illusion of space.'

Now yellow can be a tricky shade to work with, but pick the right one and choose the best colors to pair with yellow and it can transform a room into a sunny cave of warmth and comfort. And if painting all four walls seems like too much of a jump, be inspired by this living room trend and just take it up onto the ceiling for a subtler look.

What colors are on trend for living rooms in 2023?

As a lot of these living room trends show, when it comes to colors there has been a huge shift over the past year from light, airy, bright rooms to colors that instill more of a cozy comforting vibe. So rather than crisp white walls and grey sofas we have seen in past years, it's now all about warm hues – creams, beiges, ochres, terracotta, and when done right, even browns. 

And the colors are getting bolder too. Maximalism is back in a big way but with more of a curated, less cluttered vibe and this look is all about experimenting with colors as well as prints. More muted versions of the primary hues are seeping into interiors, red for example, a once rarely used shade, is popping up more and more frequently in living rooms adding vibrancy but also that warmth too. 

The key colors for living rooms in 2023 will be brown, black, yellow and green.

What furniture in on trend for living rooms?

The love for Mid-century modern furniture isn't going anywhere let's just say that from the off. Those clean, slim lines are still a huge living room trend. But, again linked to the whole comfort trend, furniture that's cozy and comfy and curvy is creeping in amongst the simple silhouettes of Mid-century modern pieces. And tactile upholstery is here too, boucle, velvet, suede, fabric that feel good to touch are on trend living room furniture ideas.

Design Writer, presenter, panel host, consultant and journalist Roddy Clarke is a regular in the pages of Livingetc. He also writes frequently for FT Weekend and Forbes. Based in London, and with a breadth of skills and hands on industry experience, Roddy now offers an exclusive interior styling and design service.

tips for choosing style, decoration and furniture - INMYROOM

The living room in the house is the place where, as the name suggests, guests are received. However, the owners themselves relax here, spending time in front of the TV or a book, with drinks, pleasant conversation and other activities. Therefore, the living room should be the most comfortable place in your home.

If your family consists of several people, it is important to consider the interests of everyone. It is quite possible that for one of the family members, when designing the interior of a living room in an apartment, they will have to give space for working at a computer, doing creative work, even sports. All these points must be planned at the stage of designing the premises.

Determine the center of the living room

Living room design is inseparable from a competent layout. After looking at examples of photos of the living room in the apartment, you can see various space planning options. Of course, the choice depends on your preferences, as well as on the size and functionality of the room.

Place sofas and armchairs around the perimeter of the room in no case is worth it. Firstly, this is the last century, and the modern design of the living room categorically does not accept such a layout. In addition, you will clutter up the space with only recreational items, leaving no free space for other functional areas.

The best option for the interior of the living room is to highlight the central group, around which the rest of the furniture will be grouped. As a rule, a recreation area with a TV and a sofa is chosen as the center of the composition.

A fireplace can also be a central element, next to which chairs, rocking chairs or even luxurious skins for relaxation will comfortably fit.

Standard set of furniture for designing a living room in an apartment:

• sofa;
• several armchairs;
• coffee or coffee table;
• shelving for decorative items and/or books.

If the room is large, or it has to take on a diverse functional load, of course, you should not limit yourself to this. The living room may well have a desktop for a computer, chests of drawers and cabinets, a bar counter.

In order not to clutter up a cramped room too much, give preference to the transformer models that are popular today. Such furniture is very functional and allows you to perfectly save scarce space.

Choice of colors

If your living room is located on the sunny side, then you are practically unlimited in the choice of colors for finishing and furnishing it. The contrasting interior design of the living room will look very interesting. For example, walls and floors can be decorated in cold colors, while furniture, in contrast, in warm colors.

Many modern interior styles welcome the clean slate living room design. This technique involves decorating the walls and ceiling with plain white plaster or paint. And furniture and decor elements can be selected in a variety of colors: bright or rich dark - to create a spectacular and stylish interior, delicate and pastel - for a light, cozy and elegant design.

For north-facing living rooms with little to no daylight, choose warm-coloured finishes. Such an interior design of the living room compensates for the lack of sun, makes the room cozy and conducive to relaxation no matter what.

And, of course, if the room is a bit dark, you should take care of good artificial lighting. Well-placed spotlights are best suited to illuminate every corner of your living room.

Of course, the choice of colors for decorating a room should also depend on what visual and emotional effect you want to achieve.

If the living room is intended for stormy parties and active pastime, then it makes sense to decorate it in bright, saturated colors.

If the owners want to indulge in a calm and relaxing holiday, then the interior of the living room should be to match. In this case, you should give preference to soft light tones or, conversely, deep and calm, but in no case flashy.

Finishing materials

The choice of finishing materials should largely depend on the style in which you would like to maintain the design of the living room in the apartment. So, paper wallpapers with romantic flowers are definitely not suitable for laconic hi-tech or minimalism. And Provence or country-style interiors will not be combined with bright carpets with psychedelic prints and ultra-modern wall coverings with fur or leather texture.

In addition, the shape and size of the room is of great importance. Properly selected finishes will perfectly smooth out the flaws of the room and focus on its merits. While a thoughtlessly chosen design can spoil even a spacious and bright room.

Walls

The classic rule is that for small rooms it is better to choose light shades. It always works flawlessly. However, if this solution seems too boring for you, you can try all sorts of interesting wall designs. Spectacular examples of wall design in the living room, photos of which are presented in our article, will help you navigate and choose the most attractive options for yourself.

For example, even smooth, light-colored walls can be made a spectacular interior detail by adding bright or simply contrasting color accents to them. See such unusual living room interior ideas in the photo below.

All kinds of plasterboard niches look very stylish. They not only diversify the interior, but also become its very functional detail. After all, they can accommodate both decorative elements and items needed in the household. And if such a niche is beautifully illuminated from the inside, this will create an interesting effect of depth.

The traditional option for decorating the living room walls is wallpaper. Fortunately, today there is a great variety of them: both classic paper, and modern non-woven, and washable, and glass, and even innovative liquid wallpaper. If you are a lover of change, then you can pay attention to the wallpaper for painting. With such a finish, you can easily change the look of the room, at least several times a year. However, please note that, as a rule, such wallpapers are designed for a limited number of repaints.

Smoothly plastered or painted walls look great in modern interiors. At the same time, if you are a fan of the original design, you can pick up plaster with all sorts of beautiful and unusual textures. With its help, you can add a twist to your design and create a truly beautiful living room interior.

One of the fashion trends in modern design is the combination of materials. It is very important to use combinations of several finishes in one room: different types and shades of plaster, paint plus wallpaper, or even a combination of two types of wallpaper with different patterns and textures. See examples of such a living room design in the photo below.

Using this technique, you will not only be able to make your interior bright, stylish and original, but will also successfully cope with the zoning of the room. As you know, for proper zoning, it is not enough to collect several diverse groups of furniture in one room. So that all this does not look like a "hodgepodge", it is necessary to highlight each of the functional areas with its own design elements. And here, the design of wall sections in different colors and even different textures is the best fit.

Ceiling

When choosing the design of the ceiling in the living room, first of all, start from the size of the room. No matter how much you like spectacular multi-tiered structures, in a small room, packed full of necessary furniture, they will look simply ridiculous. In no case do not overload the design of the room.

If the room is small, then the best option is a simple ceiling in light colors with built-in ceiling lights. A good design move would be a small cornice around the perimeter, it will add a sense of depth.

Another interesting solution for visually increasing the space is the so-called "floating" suspended ceilings. This is a two-tier structure with a small height difference and built-in lights mounted inside the "upper" tier in such a way that they themselves are not visible. This technique creates soft diffused light and an interesting depth effect. As a result, the room seems visually higher and more spacious.

However, remember that the design tricks you have listed are inappropriate for small rooms with high ceilings. If in such a room you try to “distance” the ceiling even more due to visual techniques, then you will feel in it like at the bottom of a bottomless well.

In narrow rooms with high ceilings, it makes sense, on the contrary, to reduce the height - through visual means or with the help of suspended structures. Then the living room will immediately seem more comfortable and suitable for a comfortable stay.

If you are lucky and your living room is spacious and has high enough ceilings, then feel free to experiment with their design.

Here, multi-level suspended structures, both laconic and intricate forms, stucco, columns, scallops, and complex lighting systems can be used.

The main thing is not to overdo it and stick to the intended design of the room. If the room is decorated in a ceremonial classical style, in the spirit of Baroque or Empire, then without a doubt, both bas-reliefs and columns will be appropriate. But for more concise modern styles, you should choose a simpler and more rigorous ceiling design.

If your living room will have several functional areas, then the zoning can be "supported" with an appropriately designed ceiling.

For example, a central seating area with a sofa group and a TV set can be highlighted with a second tier of false ceiling. Depending on the general style of the room, both strict rectangular shapes and soft rounded lines may be appropriate.

The ceiling does not have to be white. Delicate, warm pastel shades will look perfect in almost any room.

Fans of more extravagant options can experiment with bright shades. It is not necessary to decorate the entire ceiling in saturated colors. However, if you highlight only part of it or one of the tiers with a spectacular shade, you will get a chic look.

As far as materials are concerned, it is best to avoid whitewashing and painting. After all, this will take a long time and carefully level the surface. An excellent modern solution is plasterboard suspended ceilings or stylish stretch models. They are quick to install, provide perfectly flat surfaces, and in addition, allow you to create a wide variety of design options.

Lighting

Just a few years ago, when choosing lighting, the issue was always decided in favor of a large ceiling chandelier. Of course, today there are many lovers of such lighting fixtures, including those decorated with numerous "crystal" pendants. However, you should not get hung up on this option, because modern manufacturers offer many interesting, stylish and comfortable options.

If you - due to adherence to traditions or in order to create a certain style of interior - have opted for a massive chandelier, you do not need to limit yourself to this. In any living room, additional sources of lighting will be appropriate: wall sconces, floor lamps and portable standing lamps.

Additional light sources perform several functions at once:

• They allow you to well illuminate all corners of the room without leaving any terra incognita areas in it, where it is dark in the evening, even if you gouge out your eye.
• Create separate lighting and comfort in each functional area. Thanks to a well-placed floor lamp or sconce, one of the family members with all the conveniences can read or work at a computer in the corner of the hall, while others have a “movie show” or an evening rest in the twilight on the sofa.
• Can create decorative lighting in a niche, near art objects, etc.
• They are additional decorative elements.

If you are a supporter of laconic design, then recessed ceiling lights are the best fit. They also allow you to create separate lighting in different functional areas of the living room. And besides, with their help you can always adjust the brightness and level of illumination of the room. And with all this, they remain almost invisible, do not overload the design and fit almost all interior styles.

It's safe to say that recessed ceiling lights are the best choice for a small room with low ceilings. But, at the same time, they will also be appropriate in a spacious hall.

Style Selection

Choose a style based on the tastes of the whole family. Look at photo examples of living room designs in a magazine, on the Internet, explore the various styles that are in abundance today.

Of course, the dimensions of the room must also be taken into account. In a small room in Khrushchev, a lush baroque or any other “palace” interior will look out of place. For small living rooms, it is best to choose a laconic design in the Scandinavian style, elegant classics or strict hi-tech or minimalism. Country and Provence are perfect, as these styles suggest comfort and emphatically home furnishings.

If your living room is large, then there is room to roam. In principle, a spacious room can be decorated in almost any style that you and your family like.

When choosing the style of the living room, be sure to take into account the features of the interior of the other rooms. Maintain style and harmony.

Classic

The classic style of the interior involves the use of the most natural materials. The whole environment should breathe quality and good taste. As part of this style, traditional furniture made of solid wood or at least high-quality MDF will be appropriate.

Classic interior colors are soft, calm, usually light. But in principle, within the framework of this style, almost any shades (except bright and flashy) will be appropriate if they are correctly beaten.

Elegant wallpaper, paintings, vases, traditional chandeliers, beautiful curtains - all this will be an excellent frame for an interior in a classic style.

Despite certain design rules, there are different directions for decorating a living room in the spirit of the classics. Within the framework of the classical style, several variations can exist at once:

• refined and rich "palace", in which discreet gilding and more elaborate forms will be appropriate;
• solid and reliable English style, suggesting solid furniture of simple shapes and unpretentious decor;
• neoclassical, meaning lighter and simpler forms, expensive elegance without ostentatious luxury.

Minimalism and high-tech

High-tech and constructivism can also be combined under this general direction. All these styles imply laconic finishes, emphatically simple and modern furniture models, built-in lighting, and an abundance of technology.

Minimalism is characterized by soft colors, calm combinations, stylish and simple shapes.

For hi-tech, for all their similarities, saturated tones, metallic luster and a lot of glass are more characteristic. High-tech furniture or decor can have very unusual, but at the same time laconic and streamlined shapes.

Minimalist interior of the living room is best suited for young and energetic people who keep up with the times, who do not attach much importance to luxurious surroundings, preferring simplicity and elegance of lines.

However, do not think that the interior in the style of hi-tech or minimalism is something from the category of "cheap and cheerful". Such a design may well turn out to be much more expensive than some magnificent Empire style.

Country and Provence

These styles are perfect for lovers of home comfort, antiquity and rustic simplicity. If you want to enjoy peace as much as possible, relax and forget about the bustle of the city, then these are excellent options for the living room.

At the same time, country is deliberately rough, emphatically rural, with simple, almost unfinished furniture and themed textiles. It is characterized by natural, natural shades: soft light and dark green tones, the whole range of brown, light yellow, ocher. Of the prints, a large cage, as well as various variations of floral patterns, will be especially harmonious.

The Provence style, as it should be for a true Frenchman, is more refined, distinguished by a special chic and charm. It is characterized by lighter shades of furniture and finishes: white, cream, pale blue, turquoise, beige. Decor and textiles can be very flirtatious: with ruffles, scallops, flounces, etc.

Today, these design trends are very popular not only in the design of country cottages, but also in the decoration of city apartments. Therefore, in stores you can easily find furniture, decor and finishing materials that perfectly match these styles.

Scandinavian

This style is incredibly popular right now. The secret of its success is in the harmonious combination of minimalism, comfort and homeliness. It involves a simple and concise finish, convenient and comfortable furniture of simple shapes, stylish, but at the same time soft and not defiant decor.

The Scandinavian style is characterized by calm shades: white, beige, light gray, gray-green, pale blue, dark blue. Often in the colors of such an interior there is a certain marine theme.

Living room interior in Scandinavian style is the perfect balance of functionality, convenience, modernity and home comfort. Stylish and modern upholstered furniture for the living room is perfect here, a photo of which you can see below.

Choosing furniture

Before you start choosing furniture for your living room, carefully consider which functional areas will be allocated in the room. Beautiful furniture for the living room, the photo of which can be seen below, is not all. It is important to correctly arrange it so that all the inhabitants and guests of the apartment feel cozy and comfortable.

If it is intended exclusively for families, then a comfortable sofa, armchairs, a TV stand and a couple of shelving will be enough. If space allows, you can add a coffee table, as well as small cabinets where you can place various decor items.

If you often arrange parties, like to receive and treat guests, then you will need a bar counter. It looks stylish, modern, spectacular, can serve as a place to store all kinds of items and will allow you to organize the serving of drinks and treats for guests in a very small area. In addition, the bar counter can be an excellent dividing element if you need to zone the living room.

Choose the dimensions of the sofa and the number of chairs depending on the number of family members and the possible number of guests. It makes no sense to choose an airfield sofa and three armchairs if you live alone and rarely receive guests. In this case, it is worth limiting yourself to more compact options and leaving more free space in the room - to create a feeling of spaciousness or to accommodate other functional elements.

If you expect your guests to occasionally stay overnight, then the choice of sofa should be approached especially carefully. Choose folding models, on which, if necessary, you can fully sleep. If there can be several overnight guests, then it makes sense to consider options for transforming chairs that can fold out and turn into a bed.

Modern design solutions, as a rule, do not involve the placement of solid cabinets in the hall. It is assumed that this tradition should remain in the Soviet past. However, if you don't have a walk-in closet and don't have enough space to place storage items in other rooms, no one can force you to give up a spacious closet in the living room.

In a classic interior, it can even be a solid wall. However, if you prefer more modern design trends, then it is better to pay attention to stylish wardrobes. For a small room, models with mirrored doors are perfect, they allow you to visually expand the space, and will not weigh down the interior as much as their counterparts with solid doors.

A small room should not be cluttered with a large number of pieces of furniture. Such an "abundant" environment will overwhelm, distract, and simply interfere with free movement around the room. If you don’t have a lot of things, then you definitely shouldn’t put a massive closet in the living room, limit yourself to a light and elegant rack. If you want to create a truly light and stylish design, pay special attention to the modern style living room furniture, the photo of which can be seen below.

If you do not plan to receive guests often, it makes no sense to purchase a grand dining table in the hall. In order to drink coffee or have a snack in front of the TV, an elegant coffee table will be quite enough. To save space, you can choose a functional transforming table, which will serve as both a stand and a storage for books and magazines, and, if necessary, can be expanded into a fairly full-fledged springboard for home meals.

Fireplace in the living room interior

If you want your living room to breathe genuine comfort and hospitality, consider purchasing a fireplace. Naturally, it is almost impossible to establish a real hearth in a city apartment. But today there are a lot of magnificent imitations on sale that will emphasize the elegance of the interior, create an atmosphere of comfort in the room and even be able to heat it.

An electric fireplace is perfect for an apartment. Do not think that this is a more beautiful analogue of the heater. In fact, modern manufacturers produce incredibly realistic models that amazingly imitate real flames. There are even models with sound and aroma accompaniment. That is, in front of you there will be not only the illusion of an open fire, but also real crackles, as well as the smells of burning logs.

Fireplaces are produced in a wide variety of styles: exquisite classic, ultra-modern laconic high-tech models, mysterious gothic, luxuriously decorated with gilding and marble in the rococo style, cozy stoves in the spirit of the country. In addition, fireplaces in the living room can vary in location: wall, corner, island.

Such a variety of models will allow you to choose exactly the option for your living room that fits perfectly into the layout and style of decoration.

Photo

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

What to put instead of a wall in the hall

The living room is a multifunctional and versatile room where residents go about their business, spend time with family and welcome guests. Therefore, the issue of furnishing here must be approached especially carefully. For a long time, it was customary to put a wall in the living room - a furniture set in the form of cabinets with many different sections. It was once popular, but today it has a very different position in interior design. Let us consider in more detail what to put instead of a wall in the hall so that the interior is stylish and comfortable.

Contents

1. How relevant is the wall in the hall today.
2. How and with what to replace the wall in the hall: top 7 different ideas.
3. TV stand.
4. Living room.
5. Chest of drawers.
6. Shelves.
7. Shelving.
8. Wardrobe.
9. Buffet.
10. Top 5 trendy wall options.
11. Conclusion.

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How and with what to replace the wall in the hall: top 7 different ideas

Any modern furniture instead of a wall in the living room has the main difference - it is more open, does not look so bulky, does not weigh down the space and provides more freedom in the living area, but at the same time also allows you to store a lot of things.

Modular furniture is particularly popular. It is very functional, because it can be easily rearranged to any place, remove unnecessary or add new elements. This is a kind of constructor with high mobility. Modular furniture is a kind of cabinet furniture, consisting of separate rigid parts (sections, cases), which are obtained by connecting horizontal and vertical elements.

The list of what to put instead of a wall in the hall includes:

• TV stand;
• living room;
• chest of drawers;
• shelves;
• racks;
• cabinet;
• buffet.

TV cabinet

Living room - a room where there is almost always a TV. If it is in your hall, then instead of the wall you can put a cabinet under the TV. It is especially useful if the TV is also paired with speakers or a home theater system. On the pedestal, you can conveniently place all the listed equipment.

Will be especially handy with casters as it will allow you to easily move or turn the TV for comfortable viewing.

An equally interesting option is a cabinet that is attached to the wall. She has no legs, that is, she does not come into contact with the floor. If you make LED lighting at the bottom, you can create the feeling that the cabinet is floating above the floor.

Cabinet can be with open shelves or drawers. Here the choice depends on what you want to store on it. It is convenient to arrange decor items, books and magazines on the shelves, and put some other things that you don’t want to keep in sight, put in boxes.

The TV can be placed on a pedestal or hung above it, and then its surface can be fully decorated.

There are cabinets with a built-in TV bracket. The bracket allows you to adjust the angle and swivel of the TV.

Living room

The living room is a modern, more stylish and functional alternative to the very furniture walls. Structurally, this is a TV stand combined with additional elements: pencil cases, open or closed shelves, small cabinets and even a linen closet. All of them are made in the same style, so this "wall" looks stylish and harmonious.

Living rooms can be straight (located in one line along the wall) or corner (located along two walls in the corner of the room). The TV can be located both on the cabinet and on the shelves, and also mounted directly on the wall, and at different levels.

The living room has space for books and magazines, decor items and even crockery. If the kit includes lockers and closed drawers, you can store any other things there.

Chest of drawers

Chest of drawers is a larger version of the nightstand. Despite the fact that they have much in common, they are still different from each other. Chests of drawers are larger than bedside tables, as they are designed to store more things, most often clothes, bedding. Therefore, it is believed that chests of drawers are more spacious.

Another difference is that the width of the chest of drawers usually prevails over the height. In the cabinet, it's the other way around. Chest of drawers in most cases consists of a certain number of identical drawers. The curbstone can have not only drawers, but also compartments with hinged or folding doors.

If there is little space, it is better to choose a cabinet, and if the area allows, you can put a chest of drawers instead of a wall. It can have different lengths along the wall. Today, especially often, instead of a wall, a long chest of drawers is placed in the living room. It visually lengthens the room and looks very harmonious.

Shelves

The easiest way to furnish your living room interior is to install shelves instead of a wall. It is convenient to store a home library, accessories, decor items and other household trifles on them, as well as to put a TV, speakers, home theater and flower pots.

When choosing shelves, keep in mind that they are designed to accommodate and store what can be seen. They will not be able to store things that can be put, for example, in a cabinet or chest of drawers. Although there are options in which the shelves are combined with closed cabinets.

Despite the apparent simplicity of the shelves, they can be used to create a very interesting design. First of all, this concerns the design and shape of the shelves themselves, which can be completely different. They can be of the same or different lengths, located strictly one above the other or offset, connected to each other or be separate. Shelves are often combined with a cabinet, a chest of drawers, a closet-pencil case.

Shelving

Another option to put in the living room instead of a wall is a shelving unit. It is the ancestor of modern storage systems, but this does not reduce its demand today. In its simplest form, a rack is a rack divided into tiers by shelves where you can store items and things. It can be with glass hinged doors or without them.

Shelving usually beautifully arranges crockery, collectibles and antique art. The shelving with LED lighting looks especially impressive. You can also display your collection of books and magazines on its shelves.

Wardrobe

Today, interiors are widely used in which a wardrobe is used instead of a wall, most often a wardrobe, although sometimes there are other options, for example, a pencil case. This is a kind of element of cabinet furniture, the main feature of which is that its height is much greater than its width. In simple words, these are narrow cabinets.

Pencil cabinets are used as a separate piece of furniture or in living rooms in combination with cabinets and shelves. In the interior, 2 pencil cases look most harmonious, placed symmetrically with respect to another piece of furniture: a TV, chest of drawers, cabinets, a desk, etc.

Wardrobes are no less popular. For living rooms, they are often performed with a special place for a TV. It can be placed on a specially designated shelf or hung on the wall, while remaining in the plane of the closet. It can be freestanding or built-in, occupying the entire space along the wall or only a certain part.

In addition to the linear wardrobe in the living room, you can put a corner wardrobe. In addition to closed drawers, compartments and sections, open shelves can be provided in it, where decorative elements and plants are placed.

Models with a mirror on the doors are especially common in living rooms. Mirror surfaces visually expand the space of the room, adding more air to it. When choosing a closet, there are many useful tips given by experts in interior design.

Buffet

The last option to replace the old wall is a sideboard. A similar piece of furniture at some point was undeservedly forgotten. But today, the glass display cabinet is back in fashion, and in modern and more stylish versions.

The main purpose of the sideboard is to store crockery and kitchen utensils. The cabinet has glass doors and sides, and the lower part is usually made with solid walls, although there are also completely transparent models. The buffet usually displays beautiful sets and souvenirs, as well as bottles of wine.

The sideboard can be represented by two identical cabinets, which are installed on both sides of a beautiful cabinet on which to place a TV. You can also choose a special model with a niche for TV. There are not only linear, but also corner sideboards, which are appropriate in not too large living rooms.

The modern version, the sideboard, belongs to a separate category. This is a lightweight version of the display cabinet, suitable for storing a small amount of dishes.

Top 5 trendy wall options

If you still adhere to tradition and decide to opt for a furniture wall, choose the most stylish and functional model. We offer your choice of the top 5 popular furniture set options:

• Modular wall . The most popular in their category, because they win in terms of ease of installation and ease of use. In addition, the composition has everything you need: a wardrobe, shelves, niches, a chest of drawers, cabinets, a sideboard, and sometimes a mini-bar.

• Slide Wall . Represents a wider segment of cabinet furniture. In fact, it is a complex made up of individual elements. It may include: wardrobe, shelves, cabinet, racks, chests of drawers. Unlike a full-fledged furniture wall, the slide is smaller and often does not take up all the space along the wall.

• Mini Wall . It is a compact version of a conventional wall. It includes the most necessary elements: a shelf or TV stand, a few more hanging shelves, a cabinet or chest of drawers and sometimes a pencil case.

• Recessed wall . It is just as in demand as a built-in wardrobe, but unlike it, it is not so closed, it has transparent doors or fully open shelves.

• Classic wall . This is a traditional version of the furniture walls, which are still popular today. The set includes the main wardrobe, mezzanine, bar, TV compartment. The furniture looks antique, has beautiful and textured facades, figured legs and beautiful decor. Most often, such walls are made in dark or light brown shades.

Conclusion

The final choice of what to put in the living room instead of the wall is up to you. Depending on the size and configuration of the room, you can choose individual pieces of furniture, such as a TV cabinet, chest of drawers, shelving, wardrobe or sideboard, as well as furniture sets in the form of entire living rooms or a combination of several shelves.

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