25 Simple & Stylish Living Room Decor Ideas

Your kitchen has some competition

Family smiling and playing on living room sofa
Photo: Hero Images/Hero Images – stock.adobe.com
Family smiling and playing on living room sofa
Photo: Hero Images/Hero Images – stock.adobe.com
Paul F. P. Pogue
Written by Paul F. P. Pogue
Editor-in-chief, Angi Magazine
Updated December 27, 2021
Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.

The living room is the heart of the home for many homeowners. It’s where you entertain guests, enjoy family movie nights, and curl up with a good book. Because living rooms serve so many purposes, it’s important that they be functional, comfortable, and stylish. 

Bringing these elements together can be a challenge, so we’ve rounded up the best simple and stylish living room decor ideas to help get you started.

Living Room Wall Decor 

What you put on your living room walls is just as important as what you put on the floor. These wall decor ideas will bring empty walls to life.

Living room with grey couch, blue rug, and a gallery wall
Photo: Photographee.eu / Adobe Stock

A gallery wall adds personality and color to a quiet living room. It’s also perfect for art lovers who can’t decide on just one piece to hang. Different types of artwork can be brought together with uniform frames and recurring colors.

2. Large Bookcase

Gray living room couch with a bookshelf behind it
Photo: Victor zastol'skiy / Adobe Stock

If your living room has run out of floor space for a bookshelf, take the bookshelf to the wall and incorporate it into your decor. A bookshelf can also be home to odds and ends that you don’t know where to put, such as photos, storage baskets, or plants.

3. Mirrors

Green couch with mirrors and hanging plant behind it
Photo: New Africa / Adobe Stock

Mirrors work beautifully on bare living room walls, especially if they’re across from a window and can reflect light into the space. They also complement colorful furniture, as pairing artwork with colorful furniture can sometimes appear chaotic. You can choose between a few smaller hanging mirrors or one large one that rests above your couch. 

4. Hanging Shelves

Gray couch with decorated hanging shelves in the background
Photo: Pixel Shot / Adobe Stock

In addition to being space savers, hanging shelves can make your living room look cleaner and more organized. Additionally, hanging shelves are much more affordable than purchasing a whole cabinet for storage. 

5. Patterned Wallpaper

Pink couch with patterned wallpaper behind it
Photo: Photographee.eu / Adobe Stock

One of the easiest ways to fill up a blank wall is with patterned wallpaper. Wallpaper allows you to incorporate unique, bold colors into your living room, and best of all, you don’t have to nail any holes into your wall. You can also place the wallpaper on an accent wall if you don’t want it to be the focal point of your living room but still want to add a splash of color.

Small Living Room Decorating Ideas

A small living room can make your decor options feel limited. However, you don’t need to compromise aesthetics for the sake of function, even if you can barely squeeze in a couch. 

Outsmart your limited flooring plan with these small living room decorating ideas.

6. Dark Colors

gray couch with decorated hanging shelves in the background
Photo: Pixel Shot / Adobe Stock

Small living rooms automatically emit a cozy feel. Lean into that cozy feel by choosing dark colors for your decor scheme. Dark walls serve as a sophisticated backdrop for small spaces. You can enhance the sense of intimacy even more by painting your ceilings the same dark color as your walls. 

7. Hanging Chair

gray couch with decorated hanging shelves in the background
Photo: Pixel Shot / Adobe Stock

Nothing ramps up the fun in a living room quite like a hanging chair. In addition to adding a sense of playfulness to your living room, a hanging chair will allow for more floor space. 

8. Small Coffee Table

gray couch with decorated hanging shelves in the background
Photo: Pixel Shot / Adobe Stock

Super large and bulky coffee tables are out of the question for small living rooms. However, that doesn’t mean you need to forgo the coffee table altogether. A small coffee table will give your living room a sleek, Scandinavian feel. If one doesn’t feel like enough, you can layer two small side tables of varying heights on top of each other. 

9. Bright, Natural Light

Living room with a gray couch and light pouring in
Photo: Victor zastol'skiy / Adobe Stock

If your living room has access to natural light, don’t block it out with dark curtains. Choose light, airy curtains and keep them open as much as possible to let light pour in. This will make your small space feel airy and roomy. 

10. Clutter-Free Relaxation

Minimalistic living room with green couch
Photo: Supertall Media / Adobe Stock

A living room cluttered with belongings is going to feel a lot smaller, and there’s going to be a lot less space to move around in. Cutting down to one or two pieces of furniture and a few decor items will instantly open up the space. 

Modern Living Room Decor 

While contemporary decor is all about the now and future, modern decor refers to a style that’s rooted in the early to mid-1900s. It’s all about natural color palettes, strong lines, and functional decor. These modern living room decor ideas will bring this classic style into your space with a unique flair.

11. Colorful Furniture

Blue couch and green chair in colorful living room
Photo: Supertall Media / Adobe Stock

Colorful furniture serves as a slightly funky take on modern design. It pairs well with stark white walls, as well as other colorful decor items. Mixing and matching furniture colors will give you more opportunities to play with color in your wall decor. 

12. Art Deco

Blue and purple art deco style living room
Photo: ostap25 / Adobe Stock

While modernism is a style in itself, there are many mashup styles that break the rules, such as modern Scandinavian, modern bohemian, and modern art deco. Art deco incorporates bold geometrical shapes, vibrant, contrasting colors, and modern materials. A blue and purple living room with gold accents is the perfect way to bring this style into your home.

13. Velvet

Living room with green velvet furniture
Photo: FollowTheFlow / Adobe Stock

Statement seating is common in modern decor, and there’s no better way to make a statement than with a bold velvet sofa. Modern decor is all about texture and material, so try pairing wood accent tables or leather chairs with your velvet sofa. 

Farmhouse Living Room Decor 

Farmhouse decor gives a nod to the past while still being firmly rooted in the present. Think beyond the barn door with these farmhouse living room decor ideas. 

14. Shiplap Wall

White living room with shiplap wall
Photo: Collov Home Design / unsplash.com

Shiplap walls bring a farmhouse look to your living room while still allowing you to bring in other design styles. A white shiplap wall paired with earthy tones will create a rustic, laid-back vibe. 

15. Wood Elements

Living room with wood elements
Photo: oksana_bondar / Adobe Stock

No farmhouse-style living room is complete without wood elements. Consider combining white furniture with wood accents to create a simple and uncomplicated farmhouse look. 

16. Shades of Brown

Living room with wood elements
Photo: oksana_bondar / Adobe Stock

A brown color palette is a good place to start for any farmhouse living room. While brown can quickly become overwhelming, incorporating different shades and textures will add some necessary variety. 

Living Room Lighting 

A well-lit living room creates balance and a pleasant atmosphere. To achieve the right ambiance, you may need to mix table lamps, floor lamps, and other kinds of lighting fixtures. 

17. Multi-Tiered Pendant Lights

Pink living room couch with multi-tiered pendant lights
Photo: J.Zhuk / Adobe Stock

Multi-tiered pendant lighting is perfect for when you want to add a touch of glam to your living room without being too showy. Pair the pendant lights with brass accents such as a coffee table or vase. 

18. Modern Chandelier

gray and black living room with modern chandelier
Photo: Victor zastol'skiy / Adobe Stock

A modern chandelier contrasts well with more traditional elements, such as tufted couches or chesterfield sofas. 

19. Built-In Lighting

Living room with white couch and built-in lighting
Photo: Arsel / Adobe Stock

Built-in lighting or an LED lighting strip can add warmth to a contemporary space. This type of lighting can illuminate a console’s underside and highlight coffered ceilings. Mix the built-in lighting with an interesting fixture or two to add sculptural interest and create a homey feel. 

Neutral Living Room 

There’s nothing more calming than a neutral living room. If you’re a fan of beige tones, creamy whites, or warm browns, these neutral living room ideas are for you. 

20. Black and White

Black and white living room
Photo: Pixel-Shot / Adobe Stock

A neutral living room doesn’t just mean earthy tones. Decorate your living room black and white for a seriously elegant vibe. Touches of gold and silver will bring the room's sophistication to a whole new level. 

21. Earth and Clay Tones

Living room with tan sofa and brown accents
Photo: FollowTheFlow / Adobe Stock

Earth and clay tones will give your space a bohemian, natural vibe. Adding greenery to the space will help create some contrast and a nature-like environment. 

Cozy Living Room 

Creating a cozy environment is pretty much at the top of everyone’s living room to-do list. There are plenty of small and big changes you can make to your living room to make the space feel cozier and more welcoming. 

22. String Lights and Candles

Living room with gray couch and string lights
Photo: Dariusz Jarzabek / Adobe Stock

String lights and candles can help emphasize the secure and intimate feeling of a space. Radiating calm and peace, these lighting fixtures will help you unwind at the end of a long day. 

23. Wood-Burning Stove

Brown leather couch next to a black wood-burning stove
Photo: brizmaker / Adobe Stock

It’s not just the warmth that makes a wood-burning stove enticing. It’s also the sound, smell, and soft light it adds to the space. 

Boho Living Room

Bohemian decor incorporates a lot of bright colors, eclectic charms, and natural textures, so it’s not for the faint of heart. If you consider yourself a free spirit, consider these boho living room ideas

24. Macrame Wall Hanging

Green chair with macrame hangings in the background
Photo: Photographee.eu / Adobe Stock

Macrame wall hangings are a staple of interior boho design. Macrame adds texture and a natural element to your living space, and it can help balance out hard surfaces and lines. 

25. Rattan Accents

Woman laying on floor surfing laptop in front of rattan storage container
Photo: Rawpixel.com / Adobe Stock

Sturdy and versatile, rattan furniture is typically reserved for the outdoors. However, incorporating rattan accents into your living room can help create the perfect boho vibe. 

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.
Learn more about our contributor
Paul F. P. Pogue
Written by Paul F. P. Pogue
Editor-in-chief, Angi Magazine
Paul F. P. Pogue is a veteran writer and reporter with Angi since 2006. He enjoys putting his extensive experience to work to inform readers as Editor-in-chief of Angi Magazine.
Paul F. P. Pogue is a veteran writer and reporter with Angi since 2006. He enjoys putting his extensive experience to work to inform readers as Editor-in-chief of Angi Magazine.
The homeowners guide to Interior Design and Decorating
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.