5 Living Room Ideas to Create a Gathering Space Everyone Loves

The best living room ideas focus on making one of the most-used spaces inside a house appealing to everyone. Because it’s meant for gathering, it’s often the space that welcomes friends and family into your home. It also provides a place to showcase your personal style. When it comes to living room ideas for design and decor, consider its size, architectural style, and primary practical function. Think about how you live in your space and determine the types of furniture and living room layout that will best suit your needs.

We’ve rounded up our best-ever living room ideas and are sharing tips for creating a functional layout, choosing a color palette, incorporating prints and patterns, and making your space feel like home. Whether you lean towards soft neutrals or you’re drawn to saturated tones, these living room ideas will inspire your next room refresh.

 

1. Living Room Patterns

A neutral color palette, warm materials, and an array of patterns create a cozy atmosphere in this contemporary living room. A large sectional with plush cushions and layers of textured throw pillows set the tone for the room’s modern style and comfortable atmosphere. A rustic wood coffee table ushers in relaxed warmth, while a pair of retro-style armchairs upholstered in a bold black and white stripe adds color contrast and extra seating.

 

2. Layered Textures

Layering is a clever living room idea to make the space look more interesting and to give it a comfortable, lived-in feel. Here, a textured cream area rug (similar to this Better Homes & Gardens Araches Hi Low Area Rug, $96, Walmart) layered over a natural jute rug forms a soft base for the modern living room. A cognac leather sectional, Woven window shades, wicker baskets and rattan chairs offer a mix of materials and textural elements. While the majority of the living room features warm-toned neutrals, a wall of moss-green built-in shelves behind the seating area adds color contrast and depth, enlivening the space.

 

3. White Living Room

A white color scheme accented with cool blues and shiny brass details creates an updated take on the coastal-style living room. Natural light pours in through the large windows, enhancing the bright and airy aesthetic. This modern living space holds multiple types of seating, which provides plenty of room to accommodate friends and family. The even distribution of seating elements throughout the room and their contrasting materials create intentionality and balance.

 

4. Fireplace Focal Point

A fireplace serves as a natural focal point in this transitional living room. Try painting your fireplace an unexpected color like this earthy green to create even more of a statement. It’s an elegant living room idea that draws attention to the architectural feature and adds color to an otherwise neutral space. Here, the traditional fireplace surround is juxtaposed with modern furniture and textiles for a fresh and updated look.

 

5. Modern Farmhouse Living Room

For a practical and visually appealing living room idea, consider the size, shape, and style of the space and its primary function when deciding on the layout. Here, white walls, bright curtains, and a creamy area rug provide a neutral backdrop for the larger decorative elements, including the plush couch with patterned throw pillows (similar to this Better Homes & Gardens Reversible Stripe Decorative Square Pillow, $17, Walmart), wood-filled wall space, and floating shelves. The light and uncluttered base makes the few simple decor pieces shine in this farmhouse-inspired space.