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Traditional formal living room decorating ideas


19 Traditional Decor Ideas for Living Rooms

By

Deirdre Sullivan

Deirdre Sullivan

Deirdre Sullivan is an interior design expert and features writer who specializes in home improvement as well as design. She began her career as an assistant editor at Elle magazine and has more than a decade of experience. Deirdre contributes content for brands including The Spruce and Realtor.com, and has been a featured speaker at various conferences.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 09/12/22

Fact checked by

Jillian Dara

Fact checked by Jillian Dara

Jillian is a freelance journalist with 10 years of editorial experience in the lifestyle genre. She is a writer and fact checker for TripSavvy, as well as a fact-checker for The Spruce.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Traditional décor is an expansive category that includes a wide range of decorating styles from French country to neoclassical. Think classic furnishings, elegant wallpaper, beautiful curtains, antique accents, patterned or textured rugs, statement lighting, and last but not least, thoughtful color schemes. But do not think spaces like these feel overdone or stuffy. These days interior designers are giving traditional style a fresh and modern twist. Our favorite 20 examples share how.

What Is Traditional Interior Design Style?

classic decor for lounges |

(Image credit: Georgia Zikas Designs/John Lewis & Partners/Sofas & Stuff)

Traditional living room ideas bring with them a charm and sophistication that is guaranteed to offer a warm welcome to both your family and visiting friends. Your living room is the space in which you unwind and as such the design should be centered around the principles of comfort and relaxation. 

When it comes to designing your living room ideas, there’s plenty to think about, from wall colors and flooring types to that all important living room suite and window treatments as well as those vital finishing touches.

‘Traditional design in a living room is all about creating and telling a story in the colors, textures and pieces that you choose. It is not trendy nor of the moment, rather, will stand the test of time and always make the home feel elegant and sophisticated. Focus on rich elements like area rugs, antique furniture or unique wallcoverings to bring your space to life,’ says Ana Rovai, designer at Perlmutter Freiwald .

Traditional living room ideas

Traditional living room ideas are one of the easiest looks to achieve. Start by viewing  your space as a bare room, highlight any architectural elements that make your living room unique. This could be a large bay-window, coving and ceiling roses or traditional fireplaces. These elements will help you ground your design. From there, let traditional decorating ideas guide your design, select classic furniture shapes and styles, antiques are always a good choice for traditional living room ideas but there are also lots of newer pieces which are based on historic designs. Pair this with antique and classical decor to complete the look.

‘When designing a traditional living room incorporating antiques is a great way to stay true to the design style while still creating a space that feels fresh and unique,' says Megan Dufresne, Principal Designer at MC Design . 'A key feature of traditional style is intertwining historical pieces with newer pieces to create a beautiful balance of old and new. The use of antiques in the decor connects the room to the time period while the newer pieces add a modern edge.'

1. Create a timeless living room with classic furniture

(Image credit: Georgia Zikas Designs)

Any style of home can channel traditional decorating ideas in your living room, after all this timeless look offers a pared back sophistication that works in a wide range of spaces. Opt for classic shaped furniture and natural materials, paired with accent antiques or vintage pieces to set the tone. 

‘However, traditional does not mean dated or boring! On the contrary, there is nothing more exciting than to modernize traditional design elements to adapt and work with the way we live today, while still giving an overall sense of timeless elegance to a living room,' says Georgia Zikas, founder of Georgia Zikas Design . 'This can be as simple an idea as beautifully rich fabrics for your arm chairs, to incorporating family heirlooms and furniture that have been passed down over generations. Creating this layered look adds character and substance to a room.'

2. Add sliding barn doors to offer flexibility

(Image credit: Cortney Bishop Designs/Katie Charlotte Photography)

Open-plan living room ideas are very of the moment, creating an informal welcoming heart to your home. While it is perfect for entertaining, sometimes you want your traditional living room ideas to feel cozy and intimate. Adding sliding barn doors to your open-plan living room offers the best of both worlds. When open, these sliding doors create a seamless link between the living room and kitchen/dining areas. However, when you’re looking to create an intimate space for cozy night’s in, you can close the doors and create a sanctuary. 

Opting for sliding doors rather than traditional swing doors has minimalist impact, paint in a soothing shade to create a feature and give your traditional living room ideas a country-style edge.

There are plenty of different broken plan living room ideas that can provide versatility to your traditional living room ideas, from internal glazing and panels through to screens and drapes.

(Image credit: Perlmutter & Freiwald)

Use the architectural features in your space to define your traditional living room ideas. If you have large windows, consider leaving them undressed to maximize the light that floods into the space. Natural light is your best-friend in living room styling, making everything seem brighter and more welcoming. If your living room is a darker space, consider adding mirrors and other ways for how to increase natural light to help elevate your space.

If you’re lucky enough to have a vaulted ceiling or original beams, leave these unpainted to add texture and character, great for living room ceiling ideas.

4. Opt for colored walls to add warmth to your traditional living room ideas

(Image credit: John Lewis & Partners)

Traditional living room ideas do not have to be devoid of color. While white walls set a minimalist backdrop for your traditional scheme, consider experimenting with colored walls. A plaster-pink wall color makes the space feel instantly warmer while offering a pretty backdrop to wall art and decor. Pair pink living room ideas with rattan accessories and velvet upholstery in a mustard shade to channel a more boho feel. Original wooden floors and a period fireplace complete the traditional living room ideas.

(Image credit: Sofas & Stuff)

Your sofa is the key piece of furniture in your living room and as such it should define the tone of the space. While there are plenty of living room sofa ideas from which to choose, for traditional living room ideas, opt for a classic sofa shape. ‘The rounded arms of a roll arm sofa are a hallmark of traditional style, but the choice of color and fabric can elevate this living room staple. I use color and texture to ensure the sofa makes a statement but doesn't overpower the space,’ says Megan Dufresne.

Buying a new sofa or armchair is one of the most important furniture purchases you will make for your home. There are endless possibilities for the design and fabric choice, but perhaps most importantly, you need to focus on comfort, as every seat feels different. ‘Don’t order a sofa online without seeing it in person. While you might take the risk with an occasional-use armchair, your primary seating must feel just right. Try out as many different options as you can, and work out whether you prefer an upright or more relaxed sit, firm or soft cushions, and the levels of support you require,’ recommends Period Living editor Melanie Griffiths.

7. Combine traditional prints with modern colors for a contemporary edge

(Image credit: Bobbi Beck)

Floral room decor comes hand in hand with traditional living room ideas but that doesn’t mean it has to be dated and kitsch. A heritage print in a bold modern shade is sure to give your traditional living room ideas a contemporary flair.  

‘Wallpaper is almost a must for a traditional living room scheme and traditional patterns are a great way to hint to a particular era. If you’re looking to balance the look with some modernity then a traditional pattern in a modern color is a great way to do that,’ says James Mellan-Matulewicz, creative director at Bobbi Beck .

8. Choose striped upholstery for a timeless feel

(Image credit: Future / Emma Lee / Sally Denning)

Whether chic, wide stripes or rustic french ticking linens, striped fabrics are a brilliant choice when it comes to both upholstery and window treatments in traditional living room ideas. Inoffensive and easy to live with, they will stand the test of time and come in all manor of weaves, weights and colors to match your scheme. 

If you feel apprehensive about decorating with stripes, the key is to avoid too many patterns in the space. Start by introducing a small striped accessory, such as a vase, a piece of artwork or even a rug, then you can build up to upholstery and window-dressings. If opting for multiple different stripes in a scheme, keep to a similar color palette but add texture by incorporating stripes in different directions and sizes.

9. Use lighting to create accents and spotlight key features

(Image credit: Future.Brent Darby)

Accent lighting is a technique used to highlight focal points and add interest. Placing a picture light above a favorite piece of artwork elevates its status in the room and draws the eye. To achieve this in your traditional living room ideas, prioritise symmetry. Here, a picture light is flanked by symmetrical table lamps and wall sconces, which provide a practical element without compromising the look of the space.

10. Select a colorscheme inspired by the natural world

(Image credit: Colefax & Fowler)

Green is a great choice for traditional living room ideas. When paired with white it brings a spring-like feel to the space which will feel bright and airy even on the grayest days. This green Stratford sofa from Kingcome  is dressed in a fresh yet understand pastel green which beautiful complements the botanical prints on the footstool and panelled cabinetry.

'Based on traditional Edwardian designs, the Stratford sofa perfectly embodies timeless and luxurious living. With its generous deep seat, low arms and sprung back, this sumptuously comfortable sofa is perfectly suited to traditional interiors as well as town houses and cottages,' says Frank Phipps, design director at Kingcome Sofas.

11. Layer neutral colors for a traditional living room scheme

(Image credit: Future / Davide Lovatti)

Wall color is one of the key decisions to make when deciding on which traditional living room ideas to incorporate into your own space. As the as the backdrop to your scheme, wall color will have a huge impact on the look and feel of the space. For a classic, calming scheme but one that still has interest, consider using a mix of neutral shades suggests Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene .

‘Timeless living room schemes are all about creating an elegant, calming space using soft natural colors such as stone based hues and neutrals,’ she says. ‘Remember "neutral" does not mean bland and the use of stone colors is not about a return to beige, greige or even magnolia, it’s about adding warming, natural shades to create subtle schemes with a sense of longevity and timelessness.’ 

If you want to add a statement to your neutral scheme, consider incorporating wall mural ideas or living room feature wall ideas for an eye-catching injection of color and pattern.

12. Hang curtains in archive fabric prints

(Image credit: Warner House)

There are all sorts of window treatment ideas that can look great as part of your traditional living room ideas. However, nothing says traditional style like classic floor to ceiling drapes. From Edwardian chintz to designs inspired by 18th century palampores (bed covers) from India's Coromandel Coast, Warner House has a rich archive of velvets, weaves and embroideries to inject luxurious pattern and history into your living space. Director, Lee Clarke, explains why he loves prints from the past and why scale is important.

'Traditional homes are often roomy, with high ceilings and large windows. This is why scale is important. Choose large scale patterns to get the proportion right and don’t be afraid to match the same pattern on the walls and the curtains,' he says.

'At Warner House, we carry many old, traditional patterns that have been given a twist with the use of more contemporary colors. I am not a fan of replicating the original decorative style of the home, I feel it can look a little forced and may not suit how we live today,' Lee continues. 

'What I much prefer is decoration which pays respect to the past, but lives for today; bold chintz, large scale florals, toile de jouy all work well in period homes, they can work equally well with both traditional and contemporary furniture or indeed a mix of the two!'

13. Decorate with chinoiserie for an opulent feel

(Image credit: Warner House)

A Western style that seeks to emulate the art and design of China, Japan and other Asian countries, chinoiserie has been bringing an air of luxury to interiors ever since it emerged in the mid 18th century. Chinoiserie is a great choice for traditional living room ideas, bringing heritage charm as well as pattern and color to the scheme.

Sourced from an early 20th-century printed linen sample, this Yentai Stone paper from Warner House, depicts a chinoiserie scene of urns and floral arrangements, and is available in a co-ordinating printed linen – perfect for creating co-ordinating window treatments.

14. Furnish with antique pieces

(Image credit: Future / Kasia Fiszer)

Finely crafted using traditional methods and boasting a quality of manufacture inimitable by many modern designs, antique furniture makes a great choice for furnishing for traditional living room ideas. 

Whether it's a pair of exquisite Georgian Chippendale chairs or a weathered French cabinet with chippy paint found at a flea market, furniture with age brings personality and character to a space often unattainable with modern pieces. 

Provided they are well cared for antique sofas such as these Howard designs, with their elegant silhouettes and loose sink-in feather filled cushions, will ensure timeless elegance and comfort for years to come.  

15. Opt for versatile seating options

(Image credit: Jojo Bradley Interior Design)

For many, the living room is a place to gather with family and friends, so its important to factor in plenty of seating options into your design. As well as sofas and armchairs, consider adding in upholstered pouffes and footstools into your traditional living room ideas as these can be easily moved in and out of the space and think about using a window area to create a cozy window seat. 

16. Mix and match fabrics to add texture

(Image credit: Colefax & Fowler)

Capturing the enduring beauty of nature, florals are a brilliant choice for upholstery for traditional living room ideas. They also work brilliantly when layered with other prints explains Daniel Slowik, associate design director at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler . 

'The trick with florals is understanding how to work with them in terms of pattern, color, texture and scale to create a timeless scheme, without them appearing old fashioned,' he says. 'Combining the patterns with neutral or plain color tones and adding colorful block-printed cushions and rugs always works well. 

'There is nothing wrong with a bit of a clash but it's worth noting that while the most surprising colors can work well together you have to play around a bit with the designs themselves to achieve a harmony of pattern. The perfect combination will unify a scheme and can give it a timeless quality but it's always important to remember the process is organic.

'Plain floorboards in a light color or white keeps the room looking fresh as does stone and natural flooring. Play up the freshness of the designs by combining with contemporary ceramics and baskets.'

17. Invest in quality pieces you love

(Image credit: Birdie Fortescue)

To give spaces a timeless feel for years to come it's a good idea to invest in quality pieces you love says Birdie Fortescue , designer and founder of the eponymous interiors brand. 

'Build up and invest carefully in a collection of furniture, whether antique or contemporary, that you love and will stand the test of time. This, in addition to your favorite art, will create the bones of a room from which you can layer with color, pattern and texture,' says the designer. 

Decorating spaces in neutral colors and limiting color and print to cushions which can easily be updated is another great way to keep spaces feeling calm but fresh. 

'Refresh your cushions each season as this will immediately give a room a new look and lease of light,' says Birdie.

18. Create a focus with a characterful fireplace

(Image credit: Future / Kasia Fiszer)

Whether it's a snug stone inglenook surmounted by historic beam or a grand, carved marble surround, the fireplace is often the main feature of a living room and, creating warmth and a homely feel, is the place people naturally congregate. 

If you're lucky enough to have an original fireplace be sure to preserve it and make it the focus of your scheme, alternatively, if you don't, consider fitting a reclaimed fireplace for a traditional feel and fitting it with a wood-burning stove. There are plenty of traditional fireplace ideas that would create a stunning centerpiece in your traditional living room ideas.

19. Add a feature rug to bring color to your living room

(Image credit: Future / Michael Sinclair)

Choosing a pared-back palette will ensure your living room scheme stands the test of time, so, rather than a feature wall that you may tire of, why not inject color and pattern through the addition of a beautiful rug? For similar designs to this blue oriental style pictured try Oka .

20. Fit floor to ceiling book shelves

(Image credit: Future / David Lovati)

Whether they're used to store books or display cherished collectables, bespoke built-in shelves will give your traditional living room ideas valuable storage space. Living room bookshelf ideas will also help make your space feel homely and lived in which is what traditional spaces are all about. If your ceilings are tall, they're a brilliant way to make spaces feel more cozy.  

How do you make a living room look traditional?

You can make a living room look traditional by incorporating classically designed furniture and pairing it with antique or vintage decor and design elements. ‘To create a timeless scheme, consider the architectural period of your home as well as the atmosphere you wish to create; often the most enduring design schemes are those that are a natural fit for the style of property,’advises Ruth Mottershead, Little Greene 's creative director. 

What is a traditional living room style?

A traditional living room style is one that is timeless. Painted in neutral colors with characterful furnishing and soft textiles, your traditional living room ideas should exude warmth and comfort. 

'I think the main key in designing a more traditional living room is the use of color, pattern and elegant shapes. Traditional living room ideas can be a fun way to make an elegant statement. One starting point is a patterned rug with possibly scroll-like details or even an antique hand knotted piece. I then look to coordinate items from the rug to more detailed, dramatic lines and images in the furniture, lighting, accessories and even wallpaper,'  recommends Amy Youngblood of Amy Youngblood Interiors . 'Finally don’t forget about artwork which really finishes off the space. More traditional subjects such as landscapes or still lifes with fussy frames are a go to or for more of an ecclectic look contemporary paintings with coordinating colors look great too!’

Pippa is Content Editor on Homes & Gardens online contributing to Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors print issues. A graduate of Art History and formerly Style Editor at Period Living, she is passionate about architecture, creating decorating content, interior styling and writing about craft and historic homes. She enjoys searching out beautiful images and the latest trends to share with the Homes & Gardens audience. A keen gardener, when she’s not writing you’ll find her growing flowers on her village allotment for styling projects.

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.

Actual living room design ideas in a modern style

Modern style is probably the most democratic direction in interior design today. It is a little eclectic, has no strict rules and offers a lot of variability in the choice of furniture and accessories. Therefore, the interior in a modern style reacts faster to changing trends and perceives them more willingly. In this article, we tell you what techniques are relevant for decorating a living room in a modern style today. nine0003


Designed by Diego Paccagnella


The main features of the modern style

Design: ICON

Design: Pallage studio

Authors of the project: Anna Pakhomova, Oleg Azovsky

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Authors of the project: Boris Uborevich-Borovsky, Irina Selezneva, Maria Mikheeva, Vladimir Sarukhanyan, Oksana Lobanova


Authors of the project: Dmitry Korshunov, Elena Korshunova


What ideas are relevant today?

1.

Functional zoning

The priority is free open space and the absence of additional partitions. Therefore, it is better to zone the living room with the help of furniture, creating various functional “islands”. It is important here to make the most of the available space, not allowing square meters to be empty. nine0003

Creating a comfortable arrangement in the living room is quite simple, divide all the furniture by function and group them together on the plan. A glass coffee table on a carpet, a sofa and a pair of comfortable armchairs form the perfect living group that is visually separated from the dining room or workplace.

Authors of the project: Alexandra Fedorova, Sergey Kalyuta, Irina Gubskaya

Authors of the project: Alexandra Fedorova, Yulia Vasina, Polina Fedorova, Sergey Kalyuta

Authors of the project: Alexey Vyazminov, Evgeny Koblov, Anna Goloukhova, Yulia Borisenko

Authors of the project: Anna Pakhomova, Oleg Azovsky


Project author: Aram Gevorgyan


Authors of the project: Boris Uborevich-Borovsky, Irina Selezneva, Maria Mikheeva, Vladimir Sarukhanyan, Oksana Lobanova


Designed by: Diego Paccagnella


Author of the project: Yury Zimenko


Author of the project: Olga Freiman


Author of the project: Olga Freiman


Project author: Natalia Lao


Project author: Lina Savina


Authors of the project: Maxim Prunkov, Alexander Korolev


Project author: Maria Gubina


Project author: Tatyana Alenina


2.

Sustainability

Despite the fact that all eyes and minds are now on the problems of climate change, resource renewal and recycling, interior design cannot fully accept and develop this trend and abandon many decorations in an instant. materials. Nevertheless, such a trend is emerging: more and more owners of apartments and houses are consciously approaching repairs, are actively interested in the composition of the materials used, the place of their extraction or production, the impact on the environment and the possibility of further processing. nine0003

Renovating your living room in a modern style, you can also follow the new trend. For example, replace some of the new furniture with items made from recycled materials, refuse to use natural leather upholstery, check the environmental certificates of companies from which you buy finishing materials.

Project author: Alena Totskaya

Author of the project: Anna Ishutova

Project author: Dmitry Voyunkov


3.

Imitation of natural textures

Modern manufacturers of floor coverings, tiles, wall finishes actively offer to replace the natural textures of wood and stone with high-quality imitations. Technologies today are so advanced that only a professional in a photo of a living room in a modern style will determine whether natural material or its analogue was used.

Project author: Artyom Babayants

Project authors: Dmitry Artemiev, Maria Nechaeva, Eleonora Talish

Project author: Natalia Dashkova


Authors of the project: Ivan Kolmanok, Alexander Tomashenko


Authors of the project: Dmitry Bykov, Evgenia Furmenkova


4. Compact pieces of furniture

It is not necessary to place storage systems along the entire wall, a few sections are enough, a huge folding table is not needed in a house where there are rarely guests, it is better to replace large pedestals with drawers with more compact ones - especially if they are needed only as a stand for lamps or vases. It is important that the interior does not press and allows you to breathe deeply. nine0003

Authors of the project: Anna Belyaevskaya, Natalia Smorgonskaya

Authors of the project: Anna Pakhomova, Oleg Azovsky

Author of the project: Valeria Veselova

Project author: Galina Mikulik


Project author: Marina Kutuzova


Author of the project: Olga Chernenko

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5. Multifunctional furniture

This is especially true for coffee tables - two or three sliding tables are better than one. Firstly, such sets are usually compact and take up as much space as one table. Secondly, if guests come to you, you do not have to worry where each of them put a cup or glass.

Author of the project: Alexander Krivitsky

Authors of the project: Anna Morozova, Konstantin Doronchenkov

Authors of the project: Anna Morozova, Konstantin Doronchenkov

Project author: Victoria Vlasova

Author of the project: Yulia Piskareva


Project author: Tatyana Brimmer


Project author: Tatyana Alenina


Author of the project: Lidia Bolshakova


6.

Minus the sofa from the plan

Replacing a traditional sofa with a couch or a pair of comfortable chairs is one of the trends in living room interior design. Photos of rooms in a modern style confirm this once again. Do you want to make the atmosphere more fashionable? Get off the sofa.

Project author: Artyom Babayants

Project author: Daria Vasilkova

Author of the project: Olga Chernenko

Project author: Svetlana Dikushina

7. Velvet upholstery

Before this trend has completely disappeared, it is gaining popularity again in modern interiors. There is practically no piece of furniture that cannot be upholstered in velvet, but, of course, sofas, armchairs and chairs are the most obvious and popular. The use of this beautiful and noble material will add gloss and depth to your living room. And rich shades of textiles will help not to divert the interior into a classic style. nine0003

Authors of the project: Alexey Nikolashin

Authors of the project: Anna Belyaevskaya, Natalia Smorgonskaya

Author of the project: Zoya Tomilina

Author of the project: Oksana Shirvanova


Project author: Natalia Khudaya


8. Minimalism

One minimalism is gone, another has come to replace it. If you didn’t like monochrome interiors, bare walls and empty surfaces, lack of personal belongings, now everything will be different. Modern minimalism involves the creation of more personal, cozy interiors with finishes that are tactilely and visually pleasing, with a small number of unique and cherished things. nine0003

Authors of the project: Alexandra Fedorova, Sergey Kalyuta, Irina Gubskaya

Authors of the project: Alexey Nikolashin

Project author: Julia Vlasova


Author of the project: Maxim Samoilov-Babin


Author of the project: Marina Bocharova


Project author: Marina Kutuzova

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Project author: Maria Gubina


9.

Playing with proportions

Large pieces of furniture and decor will help make the living room interior in a modern style more interesting. The designer offers to play with proportions, making our brain wonder - for example, a half-wall painting where you expected to see a small canvas will definitely not go unnoticed. Now is the time to try something unusual: add a large lamp to the interior, replace one sofa with two small ones, put a miniature coffee table next to a large chair. nine0003

Design: Alexandra Hartke

Authors of the project: Alla Polenova, Natalia Lavrik

Project author: Evgenia Sytnik

Author of the project: Nikolai Bannikov

Authors of the project: Maxim Prunkov, Alexander Korolev


Project author: Kirill Ponomarenko


Project author: Kirill Ponomarenko


10.

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