Having a spacious living room doesn’t mean filling every corner with furniture and objects.
Let yourself be inspired by these magnificent ideas and don’t hesitate to put them into practice. You know what they say: less is more!
1. Equip yourself with the basics
The first thing to consider when decorating your living room is carefully selecting the size and materials of your furniture, based on how you’ll use it.
You’ll need a large, comfortable sofa, cushions in various colors and textures, a rug in neutral tones, a low coffee table —or a pouf like the one shown here—fun artwork that doesn’t overwhelm the space, and, of course, plants to add a touch of freshness.
Stylist Olga Gil-Vernet also suggests adding a piece made of natural fibers, whether it’s a rug, lamp, or plant stand.
2. Store horizontally…
Using light colors and mirrors is the ABCs of living room decor if you want it to appear larger. This one is already spacious, but a little extra room never hurts, and if you can visually expand the space, all the better.
Other tricks? Choosing a low sideboard, which can be used to store dishes and linens or as a TV stand. The one in the image, without handles on the doors, also creates a sense of uniformity.
3. …Or vertically
If you’re worried about keeping your living room tidy, a wall-to-wall bookcase will solve your problem. Built-in models that extend from floor to ceiling make better use of the space.
You can use the shelves not only to store books, but also to display those stylish objects and pieces you’ve brought back from your travels.
4. Sit in a circle
If your living room is spacious, you probably have a fireplace—real or decorative—around which you love to sit and chat.
It’s perfect! For this conversation area, the best option is to arrange two identical sofas in an L-shape and complete the circle with two armchairs to make it even more inviting. In the center, place a beautifully decorated coffee table.
To avoid obstructing the flow of traffic, leave 50 cm between the sofas and the table. And of course, a large, vertical mirror above the fireplace is a must. Sofas, fireplace, coffee table, lamps, and curtains, in Coton et Bois. Mirror, in India&Pacific. Carpet, in Papiol.
5. Surround yourself with XS and XL plants
Indeed, plants are essential when decorating your living room. From small bouquets of flowers on coffee and side tables to large pots that brighten up an empty corner, like this immense ficus behind the sofa.
They refresh, add color, and make you feel closer to nature. Sofas, from Côté Déco. Side table, at Casa Valentí. Fireplace, by JVR. Mirror, from Portobello Street.
6. Have the dining room nearby
Want to get more out of your modern living room? Integrate a dining area. The one in the image has been installed between the seating area and the kitchen, taking advantage of a built-in bench.
To visually separate the two spaces, the floor has been covered with a strip of ceramic tiles, creating a border. And instead of a vertical shelf, two horizontal shelves above the sofa have been chosen, spanning from wall to wall and serving as a bookcase.
Custom sofa by Sancal. Coffee and dining tables by Brucs at Sacum. Floor lamp by Marset. Rug from Gra Bcn. Chairs by Vergés. Ceiling lights from Pia Capdevilla Interiorismo.
7. Add color to your accessories
With white walls and a sofa and rug in neutral tones, what should you do to keep your living room from looking flat, bland, and boring? Introduce color through accessories, such as textiles.
Choose brightly colored cushions for the sofa to give the space a boost of energy. Also, opt for elegant curtains, screens, or blinds, like this double-sided one with a very appealing print. Printed linen roller blind, Pontoise Pale Jade model from the Giardino Segreto collection, and plain linen roller blind from Designers Guild, in Usera Usera.
8. Create a reading area
Try to place your sofa or armchair as close to a window as possible to get plenty of natural light, and complement it with a floor lamp.
Keep in mind that if you’re left-handed, you should place it on the right. And how can you prevent glare? Make sure the bulb is hidden behind the lampshade. It’s a great idea for decorating a living room!
9. Rejuvenate your living room with a special piece of furniture
Sometimes, while browsing home decor websites, you fall in love with something and can’t resist! If you’ve fallen in love with a piece of furniture and can already picture it in your living room, think about how to decorate it.
This beautiful wooden sideboard, with its ample storage, features metal and glass pieces to demonstrate that mixing materials works beautifully. The wall is covered with a collection of unique framed prints.
As you can see, this living room, decorated by stylist Dafne Vijande, is a winner. Sideboard, from El Globo Muebles. Vases, from Fronda. Paintings by Carlos Arriaga.
10. Create a workspace that appears and disappears
The lockdown has made us consider the need to set aside a workspace in the living room. To separate it from the relaxation area, you can position the sofa with its back to the workspace or opt for a desk that can be easily concealed, whichever suits you best.
This antique secretary desk in the image serves as a desk with its drop-leaf door open and becomes just another piece of furniture once you close it.Sofa, by KA International, upholstered in Gancedo fabric. Secretary desk, from Benerice Antiques and Decoration.
11. Create an area to escape to
If you’re someone who enjoys spending a few hours a day reading, gazing out the window at the scenery, or simply unwinding and relaxing, set aside a corner in your spacious living room for a chaise lounge —if the room is big enough.
Or, if you prefer, an armchair with a matching footrest. What else do you need? A floor lamp and a throw to keep you warm.Custom-designed plasterboard bookcase by Natalia Zubizarreta. Armchair from Bazar. Floor lamp from Pratka.
12. Make room for some side tables
As coffee tables or side tables next to the sofa, nesting tables are essential in a modern living room. The best option is a nesting table, which allows you to place one, two, or three, depending on your needs, and remove them when not required.
These two small oval tables in the image look perfect next to the low sideboard. If you look closely, you’ll see that their tops have been decorated with a couple of books and some understated vases.