16 Living Room Décor Ideas to Create an Inviting, Functional Space

Add Plants

One of the easiest ways to refine a room is to add leafy greens: Potted succulents on tables, draping ivies on shelves, miniature trees in sunny corners, or flowering blooms in hanging baskets. "Plants tend to fix everything," says Laura Chappetto Flynn, an interior designer and founder of Element Design Network.

Optimize Awkward Corner Spaces

Corners often go neglected, but they are invaluable when you have a smaller space. Turn an unused pocket of the room into a reading nook by assembling comfortable seating, lighting, and a collection of books. Not only will it give you a lovely, cozy spot to lounge in, but it will also increase your living room's seating space when guests come over.

Use Natural Materials

If you love being outdoors, bring nature inside your home with a color palette and décor accents that evoke an organic aesthetic. A natural fiber rug, tables crafted from trees, and wood beams on the ceiling all work to bring an outside-in vibe to this living room.

Build a Bookshelf

Are you an avid reader? A great opportunity to infuse your space with more personality is to create a built-in bookshelf. This is an eye-catching choice for an accent wall—and it also gives you a one-stop location to store all your favorite novels.

Create a Focal Point

Your living room's focal point gives visitors a place to direct their attention and helps anchor a room. Whether you choose a commanding piece of artwork or a large sectional is entirely up to you.

Decorate for Your Lifestyle

Living in an environment you respond to positively will improve your quality of life, says interior designer Gillian Segal. For her, that means creating a space that is calming, comforting, and great for entertaining.

When decorating a space, you should make design choices that enhance your lifestyle. For instance, if you have guests over frequently, design around a comfortable seating arrangement. Is natural light important to you? Opt for sheer window treatments that invite the sunshine in.

Include Personal Details

Make sure that everything you put in your living room is something you want to look at every day. Whether this means incorporating bright, quirky pieces of furniture that match your personality or selecting a neutral palette as a nod to your cool, calm, and collected lifestyle, this space should highlight who you are.

Curate Your Shelves

Keeping your shelves neat with carefully curated items really ties a room together. Use anything from antique plates to tiny succulent plants—and don't be afraid to mix the old with the new.

Use Catchall Trays

Lacking storage space? Keep beloved items out in the open—or better yet, use them as décor. That's where catchall trays come in. They corral your favorite books and knick-knacks in curated ways.

Add Accents Last

When choosing furniture for your living room, start big and work your way down. Once you have your main pieces in place (sofa, coffee table, accent chairs, side table, and media console), start adding decorative elements. This will keep your space looking cohesive, according to interior stylist Kirsten Grove.

Make It Multifunctional

When selecting furniture for your living room, go for something that pulls double duty. A large dresser can hold out-of-season clothes, linens, or serving pieces, and provides a useful surface for entertaining—or turns into a media console when topped with your flatscreen.

Keep Must-Haves Within Arm's Reach

Often, the most used items in the home end up all over the place. Easy-access bins will keep items like extra blankets and TV cables neatly tucked away—and at the ready at a moment's notice.

Display Small Art for a Big Impact

If you don't have room for a giant painting, don't rule out art entirely. Displaying more compact prints is a great way to bring life to your living room.

Add Splashes of Color

Want to make a big impact in your space? It's simple: Add bursts of color. You can easily swap out items like pillows and vases if you decide to change your color scheme down the road.

Maximize a Small Space

Every homeowner should understand the basic principles of decorating a small space, especially when the room in question is the location for entertaining, eating, and relaxation. Add in more smart storage solutions, maintain a single color palette throughout, and strategically utilize curtains to make your room feel bigger.

Bring In the Old

Instead of buying a set of matching furniture from your closest chain retailer, take the time to collect unique pieces from thrift stores, estate sales, and secondhand markets. A truckload of brand-new furniture can't match the depth and richness provided by repurposed tables, lamps, art, and textiles.