Maybe your space still has blank walls, or the coffee table came from a friend-of-a-friend, or your old area rug is looking a little lonely in your new living room layout. We get it — turning a living room into a space that feels comforting and impressive can be overwhelming. Between endless Pinterest boards and the urge to splurge on that velvety curved sectional sofa, it’s hard to choose furniture and decor that feel cohesive and stays within budget. 

In this guide, we’ll break down how to decorate your living room with confidence and style. From setting an interior design budget to choosing a look, we’ll walk you through practical advice and creative ideas to make your space feel revitalized. 

Getting started: How to design your living room the right way

Before you rearrange the furniture or head to the virtual checkout lane, let’s strategize. Having a clear interior design plan will save you time, money, and frustration — and might even make the whole process more fun.

Here are four tips for designing a living room the right way. 

1. Define your goals and set a budget

The living room is your space. Is it a cozy retreat, a hangout for your friends and family, or a mix of both? Figure out what you want to get from your living room and how much you’re willing to spend on furniture. Knowing your goals and limits upfront means you won’t fall for every shiny decor item or end up with pieces that don’t make sense for your lifestyle. 

2. Measure the room and plan your living room layout

There’s nothing worse than finding the perfect rug, sofa, and floor lamp combo only to realize it doesn't all fit in your space. Before you look for new pieces of furniture, get the exact measurements of your room, including windows, doorways, and especially those awkward cutouts. Sketch out a living room layout or use Onton’s AI tools to test out different furniture arrangements. 

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3. Choose a color palette and style direction

   

Part of learning how to style a living room is deciding the vibe. Do you want your living room to be calm and cozy or bright and eclectic? You can either clearly define your design style — like modern Mediterranean or Japandi minimalism — or cultivate a mood, like a cozy cabin or ’70s glam. Finding your design style or mood will help you narrow down the colors, textures, and furniture pieces. For example, Japandi leans toward natural materials and neutral palettes, whereas ’70s glam calls for bold oranges, deep greens, and eye-catching furniture pieces. 

Once you identify your vibe, choose two to three main colors to build your palette. Test your colors in your actual space with swatches and paint color samples. This strategic approach to styling keeps your living room cohesive and stylish rather than feeling like a mishmash of random decor choices. 

4. Identify one anchor piece to build around

Find your showstopper. Think of a sofa and ottoman you can’t wait to sink into, an area rug with a bold design, or a sculptural floor lamp that catches every eye. Build the rest of your design around this piece, and your living room will instantly feel curated and intentional. If you have time, select your furniture collection slowly, making sure every piece complements the rest. 

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Living room decorating ideas for every style

Whether you’re in need of cozy living room ideas or inspiration for sleek modernism, these decorating tips work across the board. They’re the behind-the-scenes tricks interior designers rely on to make a living room design feel thoughtful, cozy, and pulled together. 

Choose a rug that fits the room

A good area rug sets the stage. It helps define the furniture layout, adds visual and tactile texture, and connects your furniture — sofa, armchairs, coffee table — into one cohesive zone. For most living room layouts, that means going larger than you think. Ideally, the rug should sit under the front legs of your sofa and extend beyond the coffee table to anchor the living space. 

For color and fabric, choose a type of rug that complements your palette and lifestyle — wool, jute, and sisal work well in high-traffic areas — and opt for a bold rug to add a pop of color, or go neutral if you want the furniture pieces and artwork to take center stage. 

Find a rug that pulls it all together on Onton

Mix and match furniture styles for depth

Matching is a safe bet, but feel free to mix styles to make a room personal and add depth. For instance, a modern sofa with clean lines can play nicely with a curvy, sculptural armchair. It’s all about arranging contrasting furniture with a common thread: Repeat a finish, hue, or shape somewhere else in the room to tie different decor elements together. 

Add functional and stylish storage

Clutter is a style killer, so make storage part of your decor strategy, especially if you have a small living room. Think baskets, shelves, or an ottoman with hidden storage. Your organizers can also double as living room decor, so look for functionality with a bit of flair. 

Hang art at eye level or above the sofa

Whether you have a bold print, original abstract painting, or black-and-white family portrait, artwork is the heartbeat of your living room’s personality. When it comes to placement, aim to hang art at eye level (about 57 to 62 inches from the floor) or above the sofa. It’ll draw the eye to the seating area and give your space a curated feel. Don’t forget other spots like above a fireplace or console table — these are also prime real estate for making a statement. 

Decorate tables with intention

Wondering how to decorate your living room with simple things? Start with the living room decor on your console, side table, and coffee table. Beautifully styled tables usually play with the rule of three: texture, shape, and color. For instance, try stacking coffee table books topped with a sculptural object next to a vase full of fresh flowers. Mixing these elements creates a balanced vignette that feels curated without being overstyled. 

Add throw pillows and blankets 

Your living room should be the kind of place that makes you want to curl up with a good book or sneak in an afternoon nap. Adding throw pillows and blankets in a mix of fabrics — think soft velvet, cozy knits, and breathable linen — amps up the comfort and visual diversity. In living rooms with neutral color palettes, textiles are a simple way to introduce color and pattern without interrupting the room’s sense of calm. 

Layer your lighting

Good lighting is like a well-composed playlist — it has highs, lows, and everything in between. Combine wall sconces, floor lamps, and table lamps to create pockets of light that serve different moods and tasks. Install soft bulbs and dimmers for evenings you want to unwind, and bring in accent lights to spotlight art or cast light and shadow across the walls. Mixing design styles and decor height keeps things visually interesting, as well.

Living room design made easy with Onton

Do you want to redecorate your living room into a stylish and functional space? Let Onton’s AI-powered search engine help you discover the perfect vibe. Try prompts like “window treatments,” “modern coffee table,” or “woven area rug” to find pieces that make you want to relax after a long day.

Then, bring your ideas to life with Onton’s Imagine tool. Upload a photo of your living room and experiment with different styles of furniture and decor to see how everything fits together. 

Dream up your ideal living room aesthetic with Onton.