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How to Decorate a Living Room in 13 Steps

Mark Lavender living room design

Chris Bradley for M. Lavender Interiors

Wondering how to decorate a living room like a designer, but not quite ready to commit to the designer price tag? From choosing a functional and spacious layout to determining a style that suits your needs to arranging accessories in the perfect vignettes, with the right inspiration and a few expert tips, your living room can be absolutely magazine-worthy.

We spoke with several of our favorite designers and found that the process starts before you've ever picked a paint color. While the exciting part may be shopping for a new sofa in your favorite shade of blue or choosing the large scale abstract art to hang on your wall, the first steps include measuring, finding your aesthetic, and creating a mood board that will drive the entire project.

And, whether your space is large or small, these 13 steps will look just the same. It's a foolproof approach that leads to a cohesive, styled space that also feels like your home. Ready to get started? Here's what our design experts had to say.

Meet the Expert



  • 01 of 13

    Measure Your Space

    well-arranged living room furniture

    The Spruce / Michelle Becker 

    Before you can make any drastic decisions about decorating your living space, you'll want to have an accurate sense of its square footage.

    "Proper measurements will ensure you select the correct size rug, furnishings, and window treatments," designer Kate Lester says.

    Keep in mind that doing your due diligence ahead of time will save you both time and money—ordering and returning furniture and accessories because they don't fit into a space as you had hoped can be a hassle!

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  • 02 of 13

    Establish Your Intentions

    using an area rug to accentuate a living room

    The Spruce / Michelle Becker

    Determining the way in wish you wish to, well, live in your living room will significantly shape the decorating process.

    "It is critical to fully understand how you want to use your space before you begin the design process," designer Mark Lavender states.

    However, there is no one-size-fits-all use for a living area.

    "Personally, I knew our living room was meant for conversation and reading," designer Tracy Morris says of her own space. "So, I placed the furniture in a grouping that allowed maximum conversation and allowed me to read by the window."

    In other spaces, existing fixtures such as a fireplace or built-in shelving may affect the furniture arrangement from the get-go and ease the decision-making process.

    It's critical to be realistic about your intentions for the space, too, and not just base your design off of what you see in high-end design publications.

    "Make sure the room reflects you and your lifestyle—whatever your needs are at the time, make sure the room serves for that," designer Rozit Arditi states. "If you have kids, you do not need a glass coffee table or too many floor lamps that could be tripping hazards. Opt for a wood table and wall sconces instead."

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  • 03 of 13

    Focus On Your Aesthetic

    well-placed artwork above a sofa

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

    "Are you feeling modern farmhouse vibes, or more romantic and feminine?" Lester asks.

    Of course, it may be challenging to determine the direction that you wish to take with your living room design if you find yourself swooning over many types of decor styles. There's no need to commit solely to one particular look, but establishing a general scheme is important.

    "The space doesn’t have to be a total theme party, but determining and overall design direction will help when narrowing down selections for the space," Lester says.

    Upon making this decision comes the fun part—turning to favorite resources for inspiration. Lester enjoys looking through design books, magazines, or Pinterest.

    "I like to have at least 10 images that help inspire a room design," she offers.

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  • 04 of 13

    Make a "Room Board"

    formal living room

    Chris Bradley for M. Lavender Interiors

    Before grabbing your wallet, you'll want to consider how your ideal furniture pieces will function in a space.

    "Gather images of the pieces you intend to use and make a small 'room board,'" Lester suggests. "See how all of the pieces interact with each other and play off of one another before you get them home."

    You may find yourself catching key mistakes—far before they're too late to fix, fortunately.

    "Oftentimes, this is when we see that we have pulled too many items with the same leg style or that a rug pattern may be competing with a drapery fabric," Lester explains. "It’s a great way to make simple changes and swaps and fine-tune the look before you place the final order!"

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  • 05 of 13

    Choose a Cohesive Color Palette

    ivory and blue living room with coastal accents

    Chelius House of Design

    Opt for a cohesive color palette to make choosing prints, furniture, and textiles easier and instantly more stylish. In this room, the living room décor is built around a calming palette of light neutrals and shades of blue.

    It's primarily neutral living room colors but those accents of blue, from the built-in-bookcases to the accent pillows to the styling accessories throughout the shelves tie it all together.

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  • 06 of 13

    Get Shopping

    gray living room with beige walls

    Greg Powers for Tracy Morris

    Given that furniture can be quite pricey, you may wish to spread out your purchases over time. If you're not sure what to buy first, think big—literally.

    "Start with the larger pieces to ground the room, like the sofa or the area rug, and build from there," Arditi says.

    Arditi offers another key piece of advice, for buying sofas: "Always invest in the best sofa you can afford at the time," she comments. "We spend so much time in our living rooms and most of that time is spent on the sofa—make sure it is the most comfortable and the best one you can get. You won't regret it."

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  • 07 of 13

    Select Complementing, Not Matching Furniture

    modern living room with curvy velvet furniture

    Desiree Burns Interiors

    Forget the days of buying a living room suite with a matching sofa and accent chairs. The sophisticated way to create a designer-worthy living room is to choose pieces that complement each other, but do not match.

    In this living room, the velvet texture of the sofa and stools play off each other and the cohesive color palette guides you throughout the room, but each piece stands alone.

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  • 08 of 13

    Don't Choose a Rug That's Too Small or Too Big

    vibrant living room with turquoise accent wall

    Casa Watkins Living

    Look at all the pieces you have within your living room and how they interact to determine the right size area rug. It's easy to go to big, where the rug practically goes wall to wall, or too small, where none of the furniture actually sits on the rug.

    Instead of guessing on the size, place all your furniture where you'd like it actually sit, then measure how big the rug needs to be so that all of the main items of furniture in your primary sitting area have at least their front legs on the rug. Mark it out with painters' tape if you need a visual.

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  • 09 of 13

    Add Styling Moments Throughout the Space

    rustic living room with natural textures and rattan lounge chair

    Bespoke Only

    Look beyond the walls for opportunities to create décor moments throughout a room. With its large stone fireplace and abundant windows, there's a lack of space for wall décor in this living room, but that doesn't mean it's short on styling.

    From the rustic vase on the coffee table and the bare branches stretching out beyond its boundaries to the coffee table books and wood bowl to the painting and candles set on the mantle just so, this living room shows how décor can be intentionally placed throughout a room.

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  • 10 of 13

    Incorporate Varied Textures

    neutral textured living room with vibrant red rug

    Sara Toufali

    Approach your space with an eye for texture in addition to color. You can use all neutrals, but as long as the texture is varied, it will keep your eye moving, while also making a space feel cozier. This boho-inspired small living room primarily uses neutrals in the furniture, from the inviting white sofa to the taupe lounge chair, but there are multiple textures throughout the space.

    The ivory pillows each have a different, nubby texture, while the lounge chair is reminiscent of shag carpeting. The rug also has a shaggy texture and the ornate design on the wood coffee table adds even more interest.

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  • 11 of 13

    Address Your Walls

    green and blue living room

    Michael Hunter for Kim Armstrong Design

    By no means should the walls be left blank, either. Wall decor is essential.

    "Artwork, pillows, and decorative items always act as the jewelry for the room," Lavender says. "These pieces really add that next layer of panache to the space.”

    Not sure what to hang?

    "Either a large piece of art—or a gallery wall, depending on your style—or a mirror to reflect the sunlight through the room are always great ways to decorate," Arditi adds.

    You can always go the secondhand route, too, to source an artifact that will make your living room truly shine, notes Mia Jung, director of interiors at Ike Kligerman Barkley.

    "Having a special vintage or an antique piece and art will set it apart from the family room," she states.

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  • 12 of 13

    Don't Forget About Greenery

    modern living room with fiddle leaf fig

    Kate Lester Interiors

    According to Arditi, plants make for the perfect finishing touch in any living room.

    "If you are tight on budget or live in a rental where you cannot invest much in your decoration, make sure to get some plants," she encourages. "The greenery adds life and freshness to any room without breaking the bank."

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  • 13 of 13

    Enlist Multi-Functional Furniture and Décor

    neutral living room with white sofa and abstract art

    Andi Morse Design

    Utilize multi-functional pieces, especially when you're decorating a small space—nesting tables, for instance, offer great versatility. In this room, these open and airy, yet industrial, ottomans can serve their main purpose as an ottoman or they can also pull up as extra seating or be used as a side table for a book or even a drink if you have a tray.

FAQ
  • What do you start with when decorating a living room?

    Before you buy anything, even a side table, measure your space! The size of the room will dictate how large of a sofa you can purchase, which will then determine the size of the art, coffee table, area rug, and any other critical pieces. Plus, you'll want to decide on the focal point that will drive your design. That could be statement piece of furniture, an incredible fabric, or a work of art.

  • How do you give a classy look to a living room?

    Elegance is all in the details. Consider dark paint colors, sophisticated neutral color schemes, and just the right touch of metallic. Spring for well thought out light fixtures, splurge on upholstery, and don't forget the window treatments. Fresh flowers are always an upscale touch.


  • How can I make my living room cozy?

    Texture and warmth will make any living room cozy and inviting. Try incorporating different textures through textiles like blankets, throws, rugs, accent pillow, and drapery. Add candles and seasonal books.