The living room is one of the most important areas in your house for a great hosting experience. It's likely you and your guests will spend countless hours in this room, discussing and entertaining.
Decorating your living room properly will deliver deeply satisfying living for your leisure time. To get there, however, you must pay attention to all of the following areas:
1. the colors that you select
2. material and quality of seats and furniture
3. wall decorations and art
4. lighting and light fixtures
Below we show you some great ideas for decorating your living room.
The Best Colors for Your Living Room
One area that will have a disproportionate impact on the mood of your living room is the color you choose for the walls. While you can install wallpaper to change the look of certain walls, there are areas that wallpaper cannot cover. Getting the wall color right, therefore, gives you the best shot at creating a remarkable effect.
Some of the best color palettes for living rooms include:
1. White - White walls add a touch of class. They are the perfect backdrop for decorating with upscale furniture.
2. Turquoise - This color is great for creating an informal but refined feel. Your kids and family will love the refreshing mood this color creates.
3. Cream - Striking a balance between formal and informal, cream-colored walls create a quiet, soothing effect.
Furniture Choices
With your wall color selection made, you should select furniture that pairs well with the colors you've already chosen. For example, combining white couches with white walls will create resonance in your room design.
Make sure to provide ample seating to avoid crowding. Add multiple sofas, easy chairs and other seats that can accommodate a complete roomful of people, depending on the size of the room.
Furniture like TV stands and tables should generally blend in with the colors of the room and ceiling. There are some natural materials, however, that can work regardless of the colors on the walls. For example, wooden table surfaces look good whether your walls are white, blue or another color.
Lighting Ideas
You can greatly improve the aesthetics of a living room with bright lighting and impressive light fixtures.
To start, you can consider a beautiful chandelier in the center to provide light around the whole room. This central masterpiece ensures adequate lighting throughout the living room while adding an air of elegance.
You can then add to the light sources in the living room with individual lights on tables and around the walls in areas where people will not knock them down.
Carpeting
Consider adding carpeting to your living room to create a comfortable walking area. Carpeting lets you and your guests go barefoot if you choose. The living room almost demands this since you will want to take off your shoes and kick back on occasion. Warm plush carpets provide a good, comfortable surface for this. There are many choices when it comes to carpet size.
If your living room is very large, you can opt for wall-to-wall carpeting. On the other hand, if it's smaller, you can add just an area rug in the place where you will sit. For example, you can have a rug around the sitting and TV area where your kids will play.
The advantage of area rugs over wall to wall carpeting is, mainly, lower costs and ease of replacement. You can completely change the area rug and create a new aesthetic in a fraction of the time it would take to begin installing new wall-to-wall carpeting.
Art Ideas for Your Living Room
Many homeowners like to have some wall art in their living room. If your living room is spacious, it can accommodate a good-sized piece of art mounted alongside one wall. In some instances, you can consider multiple art pieces. Invariably, tasteful art adds to the sophistication of a living room. It adds an interesting item that sparks many conversations from impressed guests.
Selecting art is an opportunity to express your unique personality. If you are fairly conservative, you can select some classical type pieces that portray a quiet life. If you are more adventurous, you can experiment with a post-modern impressionist piece that others might consider risky. It's your space, and so feel free to decorate it to express who you are.
Well thought-out open plan living room ideas can boast the most clever and stylish of designs. As a multifunctional space, your lounge come dining room takes on a number of different roles, depending on your household and on your lifestyle.
Your living room layout ideas can be tweaked to accommodate for absolutely everyone. They can be a space to entertain friends in the evening, a place to watch movies with the family the next – and an impromptu playroom at any given time. But, these areas don't have to look cramped or messy, as carefully carving and zoning areas means that everyone has their own section without stepping over each other.
Where formal dining areas have fallen slightly out of fashion, a modern open plan living room has become an acceptable place to tuck in. So let these seamless spaces whet your appetite and break the walls of outdated architecture down.
Open plan living room ideas unveiled
'Family living spaces often mean open plan, where one space has to fit all – from watching TV to schoolwork, mealtimes to play, working from home to cooking, and of course relaxation,' Jennifer Morgan, interiors writer, John Lewis & Partners.
'But this hard-working hub of the modern home can look great, too. Style is combined with function, storage is smart and adaptable, while hero pieces give this space as much personality as its family.'
1. Be strategic in a small space
(Image credit: Dabito (Old Brand New) in collaboration with West Elm)
Working with West Elm, Dabito (aka Old Brand New), a graphic designer, photographer, and art director based in New Orleans took to making over his small living room. He proves you can incorporate open plan living room ideas, even if you're short on space.
'When you have a small space, pick furniture that sits low to the ground, like this coffee table. It will make your ceilings feel higher. Choosing leggy furniture also makes any room feel airer, because pieces like these take-up less visual space,' says Jake Lemkowitz, associate manager, social media and digital content.
'Even with a small space, sometimes you have to go big. Start with large pieces and work around them. Dabito went with an 8×10 wool rug which is almost the size of his entire living room. It grounds the space and actually makes it feel bigger.'
'Dabito uses a modular system to store his books, cameras and tchotchkes all the way to the ceiling. He added a small desk component to make the system more functional, and painted the brackets gold so it doubles as an eye-catching statement piece.'
'Add art and mirrors, and you create visual interest in your small space. The only problem is that art can be expensive and hard to find. Dabito turns to magazines to discover frame-worthy art.'
2. Make a cozy space with mustard
(Image credit: John Lewis & Partners)
When looking at hues to decorate this space, you may be overwhelmed by the amount of choice and the difficult decision in choosing a living room paint color. But one expert advises us to look at spicy ocher notes for your open-plan living room ideas.
'Mustard yellow is a great choice for a family space, and works well with both light and dark furniture. Choose a practical, washable paint finish for the walls – Little Greene Paint Co's Intelligent Matt Emulsion in Yellow Pink adds warmth to an open-plan space.' says Morgan.
3. Create a free-flowing, modern boho look
(Image credit: Homesense)
A neutral living room is the perfect canvas for an open-plan living room idea. It's a foundation where you can really make the space your own, adding affordable homewares to inject your own interior personality. Here, white walls are decorated with three frames to stop the living room wall looking too sparse.
'Choose an adaptable palette for an open-plan space, saving color and pattern for a separate room where you can go a little more crazy as you aren't there the whole time,' advises Fionnuala Johnston, partner and senior designer, home design studio, John Lewis & Partners.
4. Choose light furniture that can be easily moved
(Image credit: John Lewis & Partners)
The versatility of an open plan living room layout idea means that you can navigate where you want your furniture and other decor to go – chopping and changing the structure as the seasons change, or more often if you wish.
Certainly, material advances in design means that modern living rooms are full of lighter (and even stackable) furniture at an affordable price point.
'Make occasional pieces lightweight – you'll be more likely to move a coffee table out of the way for a yoga session if it's easy to lift,' says Morgan.
'One of the simplest updates for a living room that can work in many guises all day long is a pouffe or footstool. Pop a tray on it for a quick snack, prop your feet up after a long day, use for a quick tidy up thanks to its hidden storage, or pull it out as a casual extra seat.'
5. Break the traditional layout
(Image credit: @emeraldterrace)
Period homes are privy to having lots of rooms with very distinct purposes, like a traditional living room idea or dining area away from the lounge. But that shouldn't stop you from breaking away from this structure and creating an open plan living room. Yes – this may involve some remodelling so make sure you don't knock down supporting walls. It's always best to check with a professional if in doubt.
'We've designed the layout of the house so that everything is open plan - unlike a traditional Edwardian Terrace,' says Alicia aka @emeraldterrace, an Instagram home enthusiast.
'As much as the idea of separate rooms and spaces was appealing, in a small terraced house like mine, space isn't really a luxury we had so it made the most sense for us to have everything out in the open.'
'However, I've learned a lot about the art of zoning a room and adding in corners like a reading nook and bar area separates the spaces so it really does feel like a proper living room and dining room.'
6. Use every inch of space
(Image credit: John Lewis)
We often think about our open plan living rooms blending into our dining setups and kitchen spaces. But with the cost of childcare rising and an ever-ageing population – sectioning off a space for a playroom may be essential in your modern open plan living room.
Barbie and her brood needn't take over your Dreamhouse as her own. But it's a good opportunity to show your little one that there is a designated space for dollies and dress-up. And, a good use of dead space that would other wise remain empty.
And for the fitness fan in the house, framing a bike on the wall (instead of parking it against the wall or in a hallway) is a genius idea that means no one will trip up over cycling equipment.
7. Bring the outdoors in
(Image credit: DFS)
Bringing the outdoors in by adopting a biophilic scheme is always going to be a winner when it comes to open plan living rooms – for our mental and physical wellbeing. So when we saw this mint green living room – we were obsessed.
We've often seen sage and khaki take precedence in this space, but this time herby mint proves a fresh and horticulturally-inspired overhaul. Like being in your own greenhouse (plants included), there's lots of light peering through the window and open shelving. And, as a nod to our exterior spaces, exposed bright wall has been painted white to brighten up the terracotta blocks.
Special attention must be given the shiplap back walls too. A clever idea that a) doesn't cost much and b) gives us chic she-shed vibes.
8. Create a breezy coastal scheme
(Image credit: Dunelm)
Combining two laid-back and breezy styles to create a relaxed modern look, this blue living room by Dunelm merges coastal and global influences in perfect harmony.
In this open plan living room, there's a real casual and family-friendly mood and this is connoted in the furniture choices. A jute woven footstool, rope motif throw for when things get chilly. Peek through to the kitchen and you will find a bench that's good for casual dining.
'It's important with open plan living to have carefully considered the planning of the space and for it to feel inviting. The Global Coastal trend works particularly well in an open space as it has a light and airy feel that allows light to flow through the home.' says Carolyn Foster, art director, Dunelm
9. A warm Mediterranean vibe
(Image credit: John Lewis)
Whether or not the weather is on your side where you live, you can always fake it 'till you make it with an open plan living room idea with an exotic color palette and bi-fold sliding doors.
And, even when it's looking a little gloomy, you have two choices. You can either use a living room window treatment such as a curtain, or take grey skies in your stride – outdoor light will still shine through.
'Inspired by the design and culture of southern France, our Modern Mediterranean trend brings together natural materials alongside soft pastels and the sun-bleached hues of terracotta, plaster and pistachio. It radiates a calming, laid-back vibe that embodies creativity' says Morgan.
'The indoor/outdoor style with its relaxed holiday feel makes spaces feels inviting and sociable, places that you want to spend time in.' adds Philippa Prinsloo, partner and head of product design home, John Lewis & Partners.
10. Contrast a colorful living room with a white kitchen
(Image credit: Future)
Full of energy, this living room with its pink velvet chesterfield-style table and bright yellow, pattered armchair is the perfect place for a confident color enthusiast.
However, look a little further into the background and a white kitchen is the perfect tranquil spot to take five, or for the kids to do their homework without any distractions... Except for the gorgeous smell of a home-cooked meal of course.
If you're looking for some concrete advice when deciding how to design an open plan kitchen, one simple take away is to use a bright color which will make it look like an invitingly social space.
11. Layer your lighting
(Image credit: Ruth Stolerman Design )
When looking at living room lighting ideas in an open plan layout, you'll want to accommodate for the size of the space you have. Bear in mind that a variety of different sources need to be taken into account including ceiling lights for general illumination purposes and perhaps a few task lights for family activities. One expert explains how to get it right in this industrial-rustic open plan living room layout idea.
'Spot the lights!' says Ruth Stolerman, interior designer.
'Pitched roofs often cause my clients concerns in regards to lighting. There are however so many ways you can go - here are just some of them.'
Pendants on a track like in this image, concealed lighting above the beams, strip lighting - this has come along a lot and doesn't just look like office lighting now! Up-lights give interesting shadows and wall lights too.'
How do you zone an open plan living room?
'Open bookcases create a sense of privacy between zones and add height to the space, while rugs also help as the change of texture gives a different atmosphere.' says Bethan Harwood, partner and home design stylist, John Lewis & Partners.
How do you style an open-plan living room?
'Good storage is key,' says Wil Law, partner and home design stylist, John Lewis & Partners.
'You just can't close the door on open-plan spaces. Rooms that were once a fusion of kitchen, dining and living have become so much more. Look for cabinets to store office essentials, open shelving units positioned next to the dining table, for easy clear-up time, side tables next to a comfortable chair and baskets for quick tidy-ups.
'Last, but not least, don't forget a touch of nature with house plants such as aloe vera and succulents. They are a great way to create a visual connection between different areas and help to bring the outside in.'
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55 Living Room Decor Tricks for a Standout Space
Expert pointers for a stylish and functional space.
Michael J. Lee
Much like the kitchen, the living room is the heart of the home. It's where you enjoy family movie nights, unwind with a good book, or even help your kids tackle their homework assignments. Since it's used in so many different ways, it's important for your living room to be outfitted with the right furniture, including a comfortable sofa, and decorative pieces. It also presents the opportunity to show off your design aesthetic.
If you're stumped on how to craft a space that's equal parts stylish and functional, see our roundup of 55 standout living room ideas. Whether your goal is to simply refresh your living room for the season or completely revamp it, you're bound to find the perfect design idea for you.
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Rustic Flair
Wooden beams and decorative pieces can add texture and play up a living room's rustic flair.
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Collected Look
An all-white living room doesn't have to be boring. Achieve a collected look by displaying potted greenery, decorative trays, and an assortment of vessels on your mantel.
SHOP DECORATIVE TRAYS
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Colorful Light Fixture
Refresh an unsightly light fixture with a few simple coats of paint, round bulbs and pom-pom fringe for a whimsical touch. Bold colors overhead pull together the room's eclectic vibe.
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Streamlined Shelves
Upgrade your storage by removing the jackets off old books (you can load up at yard sales) to expose the stitching or covering your collection with coordinating papers.
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Tilted Mirror
For a relaxed mantel look, rest a sturdy style against the wall – no hammering required.
SHOP MIRRORS
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Lush Leaves
Fill any underused nook or corner with an oversized plant to make it the focal point of the room. Tuck the pot in a woven basket for an extra punch.
SHOP PLANTS
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Give Your Home a Refresh!
Discover brilliant ways to get organized, declutter, and make over any room! These downloadable digital guides make it easier than ever to give your home a refresh. Visit our store to find dozens of ideas from Good Housekeeping and our sister brands.
SHOP NOW
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Painted Brick
Update an old-school brick fireplace (or wood paneling) with a coat of cream-colored paint. Take that, '70s-era decor.
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Soothing Palette
Let the vibes flow from room-to-room with another clever paint tip. "I often paint a home one color throughout," says Susana Simonpietri, interior designer and co-founder of Chango & Co. "Or, I'll try the softest hue in the room that gets the most natural light, then work through the rest of the home with deepening shades of blue and gray."
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Slate and Copper
Pair metallic accents (we see you, adorable end table) with traditional wood pieces to add depth and visual interest to your living room.
SHOP COPPER TABLES
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Better Flow
It's not as much about where you place your furniture as it is about the style of pieces you choose. "In each room I design, I try to include at least one round piece, such as a coffee table, that people can walk around without bumping their knees," says interior designer Katie Rosenfeld. "I also add a few armchairs and a versatile piece like a garden stool that can be used as a stool to sit on or as a table for a drink."
SHOP ROUND TABLES
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Streamlined Screen
Don't let your primetime viewing habits impede your style. "Go for a slim TV (mine is a Samsung), and use a thin mount that lets it sit flat against the wall," says lifestyle blogger Carley Knobloch. "Then have the wires threaded through the wall so it looks uncluttered."
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Velvet Sofa
Make your living room feel much airer (and spacious) by replacing a bulky sectional with pretty seating. Besides, what feels more luxe than velvet?
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Dual-Purpose Bar Cart
Setting up a booze station on your bar cart is a no brainer — but using it as an end table (especially when space is limited) to showcase blooms, art, and coffee table books is just brilliant.
SHOP BAR CARTS
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Low Furniture
Short pieces, like this tufted couch, give an open floor plan a cozy feel. Use area rugs to define individual "rooms" within the space.
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Navy Walls
Give beige a break. Dramatic hues can drench a large living room, like this inky wallpaper. The deep blue provides a surprisingly neutral backdrop.
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Comfy Seating
Your style may be polished, but your furniture can still be cozy. Plush sofas and armchairs rule the roost in Ellen Pompeo's L.A. home. "It's fancy in a cool way, not in an 'I can't sit there' way," she says.
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Chic Storage
Need space, stat? Swap boring shelving for more decorative options, then load up on fabric boxes or baskets to hide an overflow of knick knacks.
SHOP FABRIC BOXES
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Slim Footprint
Save square footage without sacrificing seating by using dining chairs in the living room. A rattan-and-cane perch takes up less real estate than a traditional recliner.
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Family-Friendly
Yep, white furniture can work in a house with kids. Just choose durable fabrics (a leather couch) and surfaces (the plastic rocker, the lacquer table) that wipe clean easily.
SHOP ROCKING CHAIRS
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Statement Rug
The key to subtle color lays at your feet. A patterned carpet plays up the neutral furniture in a New Jersey home, while a similarly-hued pillow adds another punch to the armchair.
SHOP BOHO RUGS
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Fast Fixes
Makeover a room by rethinking the pieces you already have. Use up leftover wall paint on the frame of an old chair or refresh curtains and pillows by sewing fancy trim along the edge.
SHOP POM-POM CURTAINS
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Subtle Pattern
Avoid future boredom with calm colors using texture and pattern. In a dreamy beach house, muted prints in the same palette keep a neutral room from looking bland.
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Sheer Curtains
The quickest way to let light in starts at the source. Replace heavy fabric curtains with gauzy ones, making sure the panels go all the way to the floor. To accentuate a tall ceiling, mount the drapes about a foot above windows and doors.
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Second Surface
Change up tired decor with this quick DIY. Add old wood planks to a coffee table as a bonus shelf. And skip painting — the weathered finish has more character.
SHOP FARMHOUSE COFFEE TABLE
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Easy Access
An open floor plan like in this Connecticut cottage creates one large space for entertaining. Two columns (garage-sale finds from years ago) stand at the corners of the kitchen, anchoring the room.
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Dark Accent
Look to the opposite end of the color spectrum to tie everything together. A moody blue grounds a windowed living room by Sarah Richardson without overwhelming it.
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Sneaky Furniture
Steal a space-faking secret from this tiny Brooklyn apartment. Choose a few full-size furniture pieces instead of cramming in lots of smaller ones. The living room will feel larger, and you'll have a sofa you actually like to sit on.
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Bonus Materials
Don't forget to punctuate color with natural texture. Sarah Richardson used wicker baskets, a wood-frame mirror, and an antique pine dresser to warm up this rustic cabin.
SHOP WICKER TABLES
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Blank Space
Start with an all-white canvas and swap in seasonal accents all year-round. This summery living room uses cool blues, jute accessories, and nautical accents for a beachy vibe.
Monique ValerisSenior Home Editor, Good HousekeepingMonique Valeris is the senior home editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers decorating ideas, home tours, gift guides and more.
Caroline PicardHealth EditorCaroline is the Health Editor at GoodHousekeeping.com covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news.
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This post has been updated, and you can read it here: What Paint Colors Go With Gray Furniture?
I have to give credit to gray. For a color that is so neutral and really neither here nor there it's really holding its own and STILL a very sought after hue. People want gray in their homes but sometimes get stumped when they have to tie in the rest of their decor to liven up this *quiet hue. So what colors go with gray and how can we jazz up our homes when gray is the feature color?
CR Laine
The obvious choice is to add wall color to coordinate with your gray furniture. You can do so much with gray furniture, the options are really endless. But what paint color is the best choice to coordinate with gray furniture? Here are some Sherwin Williams colors that go with gray.
Looking at these colors you'll see Fashionable Gray which will give you a monochromatic, classy look. It's light, soft and versatile since it's a fairly quiet color. You, of course, can incorporate more color into your room with pillows, throws, art and area rugs to bring in just tad more interest to your room. Have fun with this floral damask for drapery or if you're not that brave, pillows would be perfect.
Manitou Blue is the "in" color now and even a darker navy is an excellent choice but just about any blue will look amazing with gray. The "Re-Blue" as CMG refers to it adds a nice spin on the already very popular blues that we all love.
Now Moroccan Brown is probably a color that you wouldn't consider for your home but think about it for a minute. What if you have this Berkshire leather chair in your living room? It would look pretty impressive, wouldn't it? I would certainly use a warmer gray fabric for your furniture to tie in the yellow tones or warmness of this particular leather. Can't you just see yourself sitting in that chair? Cozy.
CRLaine
Fired Brick red will be the hue for you if you want a bolder more modern feel. This red will definitely be the focus in the room so you will really need a super quiet piece of furniture to take backstage to this strong color.
So, when you're purchasing furniture for your home, considering gray is just smart. Like I said earlier, you can dress it up or keep it traditional. There is so much you can do with gray so invest in the best furniture you can afford but also, color is key here.
*Quiet color – when I refer to a "quiet color" it usually just either a soft color or a neutral color that you really don't notice right off the bat.
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About Donna Frasca
I am an energy that has found a new vibration and frequency. Through many years of writing, learning, and experiencing, I've found comfort in trusting in myself and in Spirit.
This entry was posted in Benjamin Moore, Color, Gray and tagged blue, CMG, color trend, colors that go with gray, CRLaine, gray, gray furniture, grey, navy, paint color, red. Bookmark the permalink.
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