How to decorate a living room: 13 great tips for chic styling

Decorating a living room isn't all that hard on the face of it. The real challenge is finding the time to stop and think about what you're doing before flying into it. These great decorating tips cover some longstanding interior design strategies as well as a few contemporary techniques for you to use directly or inspire some unique ideas of your own.

Decorating your living room becomes a lot easier if you're able to hone in on an interior design style that you like from the outset. It's a decision that will clearly define the aesthetic traits you need to achieve that style, bringing focus to all the choices you then need to make about colours, decorative elements, furniture items and more.

It's always best to choose a design style that reflects your personality, tastes and your home's surroundings. Minimalist styling makes sense for those who like clutter-free spaces while Coastal styling is a popular choice for those who live by the sea. There are plenty of other options to explore too so you'll have no problems finding something that appeals.

Related article: The most popular interior design styles shaping Kiwi homes

The chosen colour scheme of a room will have a massive impact on the look, mood and perception of a living space, so it's something you need to have certainty on. Even when you've chosen an interior design style, choosing colours can still be difficult.

Try to select a colour palette that works in harmony with your chosen style and the existing colours of the house. Having done this, many then opt for a dominant colour for large surfaces like the walls, a complementary secondary colour for large furniture items or curtains and an accent colour for decorative pieces like accent pillows, cushions, vases and other ornamentals. It's a tried and tested formula that many interior designers turn to which makes it one that you can place a fair amount of trust in.

Related article: The best interior paint colours to consider for your home

Another great idea is to pivot your living room design around a focal point like a fireplace, a prized work of art, a luxurious item of furniture etc. Doing so can quickly help you make your living more functional and stylish.

A strong focal point immediately draws the eye adding interest and intrigue to the space. It also acts as an anchor from which you can balance your layout around while also giving your living room a sense of scale and proportion. When done well, it can also amplify the mood or atmosphere of a room, especially if you're featuring evocative artwork or showcasing a particular cosy furnishing. This is one of the simpler living room ideas to pull off and a great one to pursue, especially in an otherwise neutral space.

Related article: How to choose a fireplace — 8 tips to get you started

The tactile characteristics of a living room are often underestimated but no less significant than those related to design, colour and layout. More than any other space in the house, the living room is about feeling and touch and the use of texture and material can enhance these qualities.

The approach you take will vary depending on your desired outcomes for the space. If you want to create a relaxed family room that epitomises comfort, then focusing on plush furniture and soft textures might be the route to take. If you're looking to heighten a visual response, then combining options like a glass coffee table on a coarse area rug or leather chairs and fabric throw pillows, are ways to create compelling contrasts.

Related article: Coffee table decor ideas to enhance your styling

Rarely can a truly complete living room design be achieved without calculated and controlled lighting. As a matter of fact, all your good work can be completely undone if the lighting is poorly executed — something you need to plan for from the outset.

Layered lighting is a sound strategy to adopt, incorporating a mix of lighting sources that cover ambient, task and accent lighting responsibilities. Actual examples include pendant lights for ambient lighting, floor lamps for task lighting and picture lights for accents. This can help you add a bit of depth and dynamism to your space and make it more functional too.

Related article: How to choose a floor lamp — 7 great tips

Knowing where to place furniture in living rooms requires a bit more skill than you might appreciate. Again this is sometimes an afterthought in the process for many when it should be considered from the beginning to stop it from becoming a real issue.

There are many different ways to think about modern furniture placement but one technique we think stands out revolves around the social experience of the space. The living room serves many purposes but one of the most important is the fact that it's a place where people come together. Given this fact, positioning your furniture in a way that promotes conversation and comfortable traffic flow will ensure its setup encourages social interaction in a free-flowing way.

If your dream living room is one that has a bit of character and personality then this idea may just be the one for you. Wall treatments, be it paint, wallpaper, murals or even decals, can bring your living room to life with a richness that is irresistible. The vibrant range of options available means you can really tailor the look you want to go for to create a space that is completely unique.

You can choose to do this on all the walls of your entire living room or you can create an accent wall by focusing on one (usually the wall furthest from the entry). The latter technique will help guide the eye while the former will immerse you into the living space in a captivating way.

Related article: Exquisite wallpaper designs for inspired spaces

When designing a living room, you're naturally more inclined to think about the aesthetics but you shouldn't forget about functionality either. The living room is one of the most used spaces in the home and if it doesn't work on a practical level the styling won't be able to save it.

Storage is extremely important in this context as it will help you organise your space and keep things orderly, allowing you to get the most out of it. Bookcases, cabinets, and storage trunks are all great options to consider. There are also multi-functional solutions like storage ottomans that provide storage and extra seating. Floating shelves are another popular choice given they provide storage without consuming valuable floor space.

Related article: How to make a bookcase look good

If you're content with your colour scheme, furniture choices, layout etc and are still wondering where improvements can be made then lower your eyes to your floors for inspiration. Again, this is a part of a living space that is often just accepted as is but it is definitely an area of opportunity.

The steps you take to make a difference here can be subtle or drastic. A light approach might be to add an elegant floor rug to the space to tie the room together. A more significant move would be to completely change the carpet or choose a different type of flooring altogether like hardwood or vinyl. This can totally transform the look and feel of your space in a seismic way.

The humble mirror is a great asset for an interior designer with benefits that you should embrace in your own living room. Broadly speaking, it's their versatility that makes them so helpful as both decorative and functional items that can be used in a plethora of ways.

The most obvious functional benefit is the reflection of the living space that can increase the sense of spaciousness instantly. When positioned near a window, they will also bounce natural light into the room making it feel more bright and airy. The design of mirrors, be it wall mirrors or freestanding mirrors, can also be incredibly eye-catching, making them a legitimate feature in themselves.

Related article: Where to place a mirror in a room — 9 tips for maximum impact

A contemporary living room should be a space that celebrates life (hence the name) and there's no better way to explore and express that sentiment than through art. Wall art offers a living space so much in terms of atmosphere, styling and expression and a key benefit of including it is that it makes it more personal too.

You can showcase art in different ways in a living room. Some might choose one statement piece against a neutral backdrop for impact. Others might prefer a curated collection arranged like a gallery wall. No matter what you choose, be sure to pick pieces that are meaningful to you. You'll spend more time in your living room than anyone else so you are completely justified in prioritising your own tastes, interests and passions.

Another way to inject life into your living room is to incorporate elements of nature in the form of indoor plants and greenery. The presence of plants can add a fresh sense of vitality to a living space that can create an incredibly soothing atmosphere. They also are a fantastic natural air filter too, again an excellent calming trait.

Visually, they are incredibly diverse with many species with vastly different physical qualities, allowing you to find something that personally appeals. With a few placed throughout your living room, perhaps on a coffee table or within a bookcase, you'll be adding some nice natural accents that will make it a much more inviting space.

Sometimes little things can make a big difference when decorating a living room and it's this attention to detail that should come to the fore when accessorising. Decorative items like vases, sculptures, ornaments, throw pillows, coffee table books etc always get noticed and contribute to the mood and atmosphere of a space in a big way.

With that in mind, it's important to be selective with your choices. Pick items that will enhance a room's styling in a positive way, thinking about the impact they are likely to have. By taking a holistic viewpoint, you'll ensure that none of your choices, no matter how small, disrupt the appearance and atmosphere of your living space.

With a great mix of living room ideas at your disposal you can start planning your own living room redecoration today. This might involve just one of these tips, a combination of a few or maybe something completely different you've thought of while reading this. Whatever your choices may be, as long as you've thought about the impact of your decisions on the aesthetics and functionality of the space as a whole, you'll be able to refresh your living room with confidence and style.

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