Formal Living Room Decorating Ideas

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 Valeris Senior Home Editor, Good Housekeeping Monique Valeris is the senior home editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers decorating ideas, home tours, gift guides and more.

Caroline Picard Health Editor Caroline is the Health Editor at GoodHousekeeping.com covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news.

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