Whether you're decorating a new home, updating a tired space or completely redesigning your living room, getting the basics right can make a huge difference. Good living room design balances comfort, practicality and style, helping you create a space that's perfect for relaxing, entertaining and everyday living.
From choosing the right furniture layout to selecting colours that suit your room, these expert tips will help you design a living room you'll love spending time in. Our Product Design lead, Laura, has offered up her insider know-how from years of being an artist, furniture designer, and former estate agent on what really matters when designing your living room!
Get A Feel For The Room, Your Tastes And Your Budget
Yes, we all love a good vision board and Pinterest can be a great way for collecting your ideas in one place. But - will a maximalist explosion of colours and patterns actually work in the small room you've got (for example)?
What Size Living Room Do You Have?
Make a list of what you want your space to do, what your space is able to offer (size, light, obstacles or features like fireplaces etc.) and styles you like. Understand your available budget and scope - this will really affect how big you can go with remodelling; can you afford it. Lastly, are you allowed to decorate? For renters, this can be a hurdle but not a full stop; there's still a lot you can do with temporary changes and accessories!
Then make your mood boards for inspiration!
The 60/30/10 : The Essentials Of Good Living Room Design
The 60/30/10 rule defines the proportions of how to use colour in a room to create a pleasing interior.
Choose one main colour and use it in 60% of the room (on the walls, the flooring and/or in the larger items of furniture). It creates a base for everything else - think of it as a room primer.
Next, choose a secondary colour and use it across about 30% of the room (think accent chairs, soft furnishings or a feature wall).
The 10% is saved for a final ‘pop' of another colour. You can use accessories, greenery, soft furnishings or artwork to good effect here.
Feature Wall Hack
If you're not confident to pick colours that will work well together, a patterned wallpaper is a great way to start because the hard work is done for you! All you need do is choose a wallpaper you really like, then pick out colours from it for the 60% and 10%. The wallpaper itself will make up the 30% if you use it on one wall in the room.
How To Arrange Living Room Furniture
One of the most common living room design mistakes is choosing furniture before thinking about the layout. Start by identifying the room's focal point, whether that's a television, fireplace, feature wall or large window. Arrange your seating to make the most of this feature while maintaining enough space to move comfortably around the room.
In smaller living rooms, consider furniture with slimmer profiles or raised legs to create a greater sense of space. In larger rooms, use rugs, coffee tables and sofas to help define different zones and make the room feel more inviting.
Know Where To Invest Your Money
Olympus coffee table in Walnut (see featured products at end)
Following the 60/30/10 rule means working from the big stuff down to the smaller stuff and is another of the essentials of good living room design. You can set the feel of your space from the big stuff through to the small stuff. If you're aiming for a modern, minimalist living room, but the room already has some 70s gold shag carpet, it won't matter how white your walls and furniture are, you'll always notice the floor first. This is a particular problem for tenants in rented properties. Flooring, walls and ceilings make up the 60% base of a room design so they're pretty important. If you can't change the flooring then big rugs are where to invest some of your money!
Then, it's about the big furniture pieces - sofas, armchairs etc. The look, colour, and finish of these will have a big impact on your room. As tempting as it is to jump on the big trends, consider futureproofing your pieces to last through multiple styles while the room around them can be updated. Also, make sure to measure your space before you buy!
Small Details Can Be Just As Essential For Good Living Room Design
Now it's time to think about the smaller things. What do you want to pop? Do you want your fixtures, smaller furniture pieces, and soft furnishings to stand out or blend into the background? Do you want a feature coffee table as a focal point or something that blends seamlessly into the surroundings to keep a sense of space? The same can apply to your lighting, switches, curtains, and cushions. This is where you can really let your personality shine and also get on those interior trends without breaking the bank. A few well-chosen accessories can shift the overall style of the room.
Palma Round Black Pedestal Coffee Table (see featured products at end): A coffee table that acts as a focal point that stands out
Miami glass & chrome coffee table (see featured products at end): A coffee table that blends into the surroundings.
How Do You Do Yours?
We love seeing how our customers style their Furniturebox products so be sure to give us a follow on Insta and tag us in your product pics. We've also got heaps more inspiration over on Pinterest so give us a follow there, too.
Living Room Design FAQs
What is the golden rule for living room design?
The best living rooms balance style and functionality. A clear layout, cohesive colour scheme and furniture that's proportionate to the room will help create a comfortable and attractive space.
What colours work best in a living room?
Neutral colours remain popular because they're versatile and timeless, but accent colours can be used to add personality and visual interest. The 60/30/10 rule is a useful guideline for creating colour balance.
How do I make a small living room look bigger?
Use lighter colours, maximise natural light, position mirrors strategically and choose furniture that's appropriately sized for the space. Raised-leg furniture can also help create a more open feel.
Where should a sofa be placed in a living room?
A sofa should usually be positioned around the room's focal point, such as a TV, fireplace or feature wall, while allowing easy movement throughout the space.
