From creating a luxurious open-plan space to making a statement with artwork, these 12 interior designers share their top tips for designing your living room.
Discover how to use large chandeliers, paint and wallpaper, fabrics, and soft furnishings to create a beautiful and functional space. Whether you want to add a bar or a hanging seat, these designers show you how to bring your living room to life and make the most of your space.
Start celebrating your life with your most precious treasures and get ready to create the living room designs of your dreams!
Karen Howes – Taylor Howes
I love how Karen used that really large chandelier to make the space look really glamorous.
Rachel Laxer – Rachel Laxer Interiors
Rachel did indeed paint her house for a party… It used to be a rich creamy colour and when Rachel hosted a party with 1st Dibs last year, she did get the house house painted in Farrow & Ball Downpipe.
Henriette von Stockhausen – VSP Interiors
So many great tips from Henriette, but I think the most important being, have fun with your interiors. I love this space designed by VSP Interiors, you can see exactly how they have used a colour and created a beautiful room around it.
Sophie Robinson
My top living room idea is to group all your artwork in one place to make an eye catching focal point. Think of a similar colour story or framing style and then anything goes to create your own one off gallery wall.
Thomson Carpenter
I think a fully stocked bar is essential in every Living Room. Whilst it’s all very well making drinks in the kitchen, the sense of occasion and theatrical encore that ensues from mixing cocktails in front of guests – or better still, encouraging them to help themselves – is unmatched.
For this Drawing Room in Belgravia, I had an 18th century French linen store converted into a bar, replacing the shelves with glass and marble, mirroring the back panel, and inserting downlights.
Maurizio Pellizzoni, Founder & Creative Director of Maurizio Pellizzoni Ltd
The best way to design a living room, particularly in London when most of the time space is restricted, is to create a comfortable and luxurious open plan living area with an eclectic mix of sumptuous materials. This is the most effective way of adding luxury to the space.
Georgina Cave – Cave Interiors
Linking the colours in the art through the fabrics & bespoke soft furnishings was key in creating this elegant yet relaxed Living Room in Primrose Hill as briefed. By working with these colours we were able to update the interiors whilst bringing our clients art collection to life.
Hannah West – Cannon West Interiors
This is one of my favourite living rooms because it shows how wallpaper and panelling can turn an uninspiring bland room into a beautiful cosy and comfortable family retreat.
The Clients, a family of six ,were absolutely thrilled with this informal country house living/tv room.
James Gostelow
I always say start with the main art piece chosen for the room, and from this draw out the colours within the painting which will help accessorise helping to soften and finish a room such like ‘Soft Furnishing – Cushions & Throws. This would bring the room together and complete your room scheme. I have examples attached which is the living room of an Apartment situated within Butlers Wharf, Tower Bridge, London.
2 Lovely Gays
Go bold with artwork. We kept this news house in Islington light and bright, with a clever use of a mirror wall in the dining room the space was doubled! A huge artwork commissioned by Brooklyn designers Calico wallpaper is the centre piece to this classic Scandi home. Adding structure with the design classic “Oluce atollo” lamp in black to keep the whole look grounded.
Photo credit: Megan Taylor
Aberdare – Shalini Misra Ltd
If you have an awkward area in a space that you’re not sure what to do with, look at unusual solutions like a hanging seat. This hanging seat serves to highlight the architecture of the bay window by not crowding it which is an important historical feature of this Victorian house.
Grant Pierrus – Interior Style Hunter
I couldn’t resist adding in my own tip. The above space I designed for Christie’s last year. It represents a space that shows someone celebrating their life and enjoying their most precious treasures.
My tip is to keep your best items on show, you want to live with them and enjoy them. Don’t hide them away in a loft or attic.
How to Design Your Living Room
Designing your own living room can be a fun and exciting process, but it can also be overwhelming. There are so many different elements to consider and it can be hard to know where to start.
We will go over some tips on what to think about when designing your own living room, including key elements such as side tables, minimalist living rooms, coffee tables, and more.
- Functionality: One of the most important things to consider when designing your living room is how you will use the space. Think about the different activities that take place in the room, such as watching TV, entertaining guests, and spending time with family. Make sure to choose furniture and layout that will support these activities.
- Side Tables: Side tables are a great addition to any living room, as they provide a surface for holding drinks, books, and other small items. When choosing a side table, think about the size of the room and the style of the furniture. If you have a small living room, consider a minimalist side table with clean lines.
- Coffee Table: The coffee table is often the focal point of the living room and can add a lot of character to the space. When choosing a coffee table, think about the style of the room and how it will fit with the rest of the furniture. If you have a minimalist living room, a simple coffee table with clean lines would be a great choice.
- Living Room Features: Think about the specific features you want in your living room, such as a fireplace or a bay window. These features can add a lot of character to the space, but they also need to be considered when choosing furniture and layout.
- Grey Living Room: If you’re thinking of having a grey living room, it can be a great choice as it’s a versatile color that can be paired with a variety of different colors. Grey is a neutral color that can help create a calming and relaxing atmosphere.
- Drawing the Eye: When designing your living room, think about what elements you want to draw the eye to. This could be a piece of art, a statement light fixture, or a beautiful piece of furniture.
- Room feeling: Think about the overall feeling you want to create in your living room. Do you want it to feel cozy and inviting, or sleek and modern? The furniture, colors, and layout you choose will all contribute to the overall feeling of the room.
- Modern Living Room: If you’re thinking of having a modern living room, it can be a great choice as it’s a timeless style that will never go out of fashion. A modern living room typically features clean lines, neutral colors, and minimal decor.
- Sitting Rooms: When designing a sitting room, think about how the space will be used. Will it be a place for entertaining guests, or a quiet space for reading and relaxing? Choose furniture and layout that will support the intended use of the space.
- Living Room Walls: The walls of your living room can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of the space. Think about the colors and textures you want to use on the walls, and how they will complement the rest of the room.
- Living Room Furniture: When choosing furniture for your living room, think about the style of the room and how the furniture will fit with the rest of the decor. Consider the size of the room and the layout, and choose furniture that will work well in the space.
- Mid-Century: Mid-century design is a popular style that features clean lines, minimal decor, and a focus on functionality. This style can be a great choice for a living room as it can create a timeless and modern look. Consider incorporating furniture and decor with a mid-century aesthetic, such as a sleek sofa or a geometric-patterned rug.
- Small Space: If you have a small living room, it’s important to make the most of the space you have. Consider using furniture that can serve multiple functions, such as a storage ottoman or a coffee table with built-in storage. Incorporating a few key pieces of furniture that can be used in multiple ways will help to save space and keep the room looking uncluttered.
- Living Space: Ultimately, the most important thing to consider when designing your living room is how you want the space to feel. Think about the overall atmosphere you want to create and choose furniture, colors, and decor that will help to achieve that feeling. Whether you want a cozy and inviting space or a sleek and modern look, the key is to create a living room that feels like home.
In conclusion, designing your own living room can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it’s important to consider a variety of different elements to ensure that the space is functional, stylish, and feels like home.
