9 spectacular ideas to decorate your living room

Betti Hunter—homify Betti Hunter—homify
Valle Escondido, MARIANGEL COGHLAN MARIANGEL COGHLAN Living room
Loading admin actions …

The big question on everyone's lips when they move into a new home is how am i going to decorate the living room?

This space is, of course, where the majority of social interactions in the home take place. Families relax, guests are entertained, and sometimes even business meetings are conducted here. So how can you design this room as a place for community and enjoyment?

Personal decor is of the utmost importance in the living room. The tastes of the inhabitants should be shown off in the colour of the walls and the type of furniture selected, and of course by the ornaments and trinkets that are placed around the room to be admired. But sometimes, we aren't even sure of what our tastes actually are until we see them in front of us! Let's have a look at some inspiring ideas that will fire up the imagination of every homeowner…

For lovers of large spaces and luxury

You can do pretty much anything with a room this size! However, in order to make the most of it, try and work towards a classically luxurious ideal with a couple of modern twists thrown in for good measure. 

In some respects, this living room looks like it could be where the two runaway heroes of a Hitchcock movie hide out until their innocence is proved. The comforting cottage ceiling beams, exposed stone wall and blazing fire all speak of a quiet, old-school elegance. But look closely, and you'll see that modern details are nestled everywhere—a digital patterned rug, recessed lighting in those sturdy beams, and a high-shine contemporary glass coffee table.

For lovers of festive flair

If you love colourful details, but are reluctant to make your home look like the set of a kid's TV show, then stick to a widely neutral colour palette for the walls, floor, and ceiling, and seek out bold accessories instead. 

Never underestimate the impact of azure blue cushions against a soft, creamy couch, and carefully placed wall art on a plain white wall.

For those who have a favourite colour

Minimal might be in right now, but don't let that stop you from filling your home with the colours you love the most! Believe it or not, minimal, Scandinavian, and modern trends can all still be adhered to while sticking to a fun tonal scheme. 

It's all about working with the right hues—find a colour wheel, pinpoint your favourite colour, then use that as the basis for your decorating scheme. Try to stick within a three-shade zone, so that the colours you picked complement rather than clash against each other!

For those who admire terracotta tones

This rich terracotta living room exudes warmth and personality. To achieve this look, the starting point is obviously an exposed brick wall—the ultimate fired clay tone! From there, base all colour decisions around the shade of the bricks. 

Burnt orange cushions, burnished leather chairs and mahogany wood would all look amazing, but make sure there are enough white and neutral elements in the space—you don't want your living room to end up looking like Dante's Inferno…

For those who like to catch the eye

Are you an attention-seeker, and proud? Then surely you need an interior to match your out-there personality! This crisp modern interior works eye-grabbing details to perfection. 

The bold flashes of yellow inject life into what would otherwise be a sterile, minimal space, and the inclusion of an unusual white resin floor is sure to make anyone's jaw drop.

For the ones who want intense textures

The more tactile among you will LOVE this texture-rich space. Heavy velvet drapes hang next to a cool marble wall, while the thick, rough hessian sofa coverings contrast delightfully with the soft shaggy fur rug… and just look at that wooden relief wall!

The entire space screams touch me—and we have to admit we'd find it hard to resist…

For those who are secret hipsters…

Fans of eclectic interiors will be blown away by this kooky idea. Interior design franchise Iqosa chose to line an entire wall of this retro living room with antique suitcases! It might be a bit out-there for some, but those with a lust for unusual interiors should definitely give it a try.

This simple but effective suitcase wall looks incredible when placed with the low mid-century furniture in complementary shades of brown and taupe. You can just imagine a 70's Woody Allen movie being shot in these luxurious yet quirky surroundings!

For those who keep their heads buried in books

What could be more appealing to a passionate reader than a living room designed entirely around books? This calming space looks as though it was set up solely to facilitate a few hours of quiet reading. 

An entire bookshelf wall provides endless stories to get lost in, and the cool blue tones of the comfortable sofa seem to coax you to lie down and lose yourself in the pages of the latest best-seller-

For those who want runaway romanticism

Those wanting a living room that reflects their most loving side need look no further. This bright and futuristic living room contains ALL the romantic stereotypes. 

Silky pink textiles? Check. Glamorous chandelier? Check. Wall mural of Paris aka THE most romantic place on Earth? Check, check, check. The only thing missing is a box of chocolates and a bunch of roses…

We hope this article helped you to decide on a decorating scheme for your living room! If you need more ideas, find out how to design your room according to your star sign.

What would your dream living room look like? Let us know in the comments below!

Need help with your home project?
Get in touch!

Highlights from our magazine