Simple Living Room Ideas For Contemporary Homes

Simple living room ideas add soul to your home. The space is the social nucleus of the home environment. When guests visit, your living room is their first destination. 

Simple Living Room Ideas

The living room setup shares a connection to each family member’s personality. When designing your living room, it’s easy to make the project harder than necessary.

A common mistake is people will add many elements or focus on multiple details simultaneously. When adding visual interest, it’s easy to get carried away. We’re here to prevent you from making those mistakes. 

How To Decorate A Simple Living Room

The living room ideas showcased here will offer plenty of inspiration. Decorating a living room may seem daunting. You want to create a room that appeals to you on both a form and a functional level. It may sound complicated, but it’s easier than you think.  

Multifunctional Pieces

Multifunctional pieces

Versatile, stylish, and utilitarian decor will help. For example, ottomans are made from upholstered coffee tables. A sofa sleeper enables the space to function as a guest room. 

When selecting investment pieces, remember to maximize their utility. Determine the space’s center. Arrange your rug first, followed by your coffee table and sofa. Balance the space with one or two side chairs. 

Introduce ambient lighting to the floor or a side table adjacent to the sofa, as well as a basket for rolled throws, and you should be good to go. 

Decorative Accents

Make use of art and objects

Over 100 years ago, the phrase “decorative art” only applied to paintings and sculpture. Today, its connotation is associated with interior design. Hang an art piece on your living room walls, or dedicate one wall to family photos. 

Bookcases, consoles, and coffee tables are affordable options, just go with cheaper brands. Decorate your coffee table with literature, candles, or vintage brass decor. 

Experiment With Texture

Consider playing with texture

Texture is the most significant when designing a living room. It’s not as visible when we touch it. However, it’s necessary when creating an atmosphere featuring velvety textures The material appeals to the senses.

Living room spaces include textures like glass, stone, metal, wood, cotton, and plants. With living room design, pillows are easy to add. Pillows are ideal when working on a shoestring budget. 

Living Room Rug Size

What Size Rug for Living Room

After you choose the best rug for your living room, you’ll notice how the space will be balanced.  will help the space feel balanced. A rug is a living room base. It provides comfort for your feet while protecting the floor.

A living room rug is a focal point in the area, so it should look and feel well. Pay attention to a rug recommendations which will help you achieve the look and feel you want.

Investing in a large rug isn’t something you’ll regret. Allow at least 18 to 24 inches of space in your living room if it is small. You’ll need help to make an informed decision on rug size.

How To Decorate A Small Living Room

There are living room decor ideas you can rely on when decorating a small living room. Let’s take a look at a few layouts and see what makes them special.

Storage Solutions

Living room creative storage solutions

Consider bookcases, storage inside furnishings, and a specific location for keys and mail if the living room is adjacent to the foyer. Additionally, covert storage for gadgets and wiring is possible.

Tall Art

Choose tall wall art

Your little living area has a small footprint. There is a limited amount of floor area, and you already have a plethora of furniture strewn around the floor. To achieve equilibrium in this situation, you want to draw attention upwards. It’s as though you’re deceiving your brain.

Choose an item for the living room’s main wall and make it the space’s focal point. 

Simple Living Room Mirrors

Add mirrors

A wall mirror reflects light in a room. Increased light in a location creates the illusion of additional space. When you put a mirror close to a window, it may reflect the outdoors  

If you have outside decor, a living room mirror will help you showcase it inside 

How To Use A Rug In A Simple Living Room

How to Place a Rug in a Living Room

“A beautiful rug is a poem in a room,” said interior designer Vicente Woolf. According to Woolf, rug colors should be felt and not seen. Form, size, and configuration are the Holy Trinity of living room design. A living room rug should be the same size as your seating area to anchor your conversation area. 

How To Arrange Furniture In A Small Living Room

Small living rooms are less than 130 square feet. Understandable if you’re having a hard time arranging furniture to have space to move around. Here are some living room decor tips that might help you with that. 

Simple Living Room Furniture

How to Arrange Furniture in a Small Living Room

Every piece of furniture counts in a small living space. Select slimmer tables and replace your floor lamps with wall sconces to conserve valuable floor space. 

Close-back sofas and club chairs are welcomed additions to a living room. Loose chairs are deeper, but they maintain the same comfort level. Install wall shelves and a floating desk instead of heavy bookcases and workstations.

Use It Or Lose It

Remove furniture or objects you don’t use or serve a purpose. If you require additional storage replace your end tables if they don’t provide it. Rocking chairs are ideal for small living rooms.

Floating Furniture

In any room with limited space, it’s tempting to cram all large furniture towards the walls to create a pool of open flooring in the center. 

Simple Living Room Indoor Plants

If you’re on a budget or live in a rental where you can’t spend much on decoration, invest in some plants. Greenery breathes new energy and vitality into any room and doesn’t cost very much. 

Anthurium

Anthurium Living room plant

Anthurium is known for its heart-shaped crimson or pink blossoms. The plants require bright and indirect light, but not direct sunlight. 

Peace Lily

Peace Lily

The gleaming leaves and intriguing spoon-shaped white blossoms of the peace lily bring flair to any arrangement. They thrive in low to moderate light, but blossom best in bright light. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Maranta

Living room setup with big sofa in white leather

The maranta plant, often known as the prayer plant, has veined leaves that curl upward at night, as if in prayer. It’s a low-maintenance plant as long as it receives adequate light. Allow it to dry somewhat between waterings.

Moth Orchid

Moth Orchid

These delicate-looking orchids, also known as phalaenopsis, are more robust than their delicate appearance would suggest. They have a month-long blooming period and can live for years.

Provide them with ample, indirect light. Add water on a weekly basis, until the water drains from the bottom of the pot.

Spider Plant

Spider Plant

The spider plant’s arching, strappy leaves look best on shelves or hanging baskets, where they can dangle down. While they prefer bright light, they can adapt to dim light. Trim the plantlets and place them in a separate pot to create new plants.

Living Room Decorating Ideas For 2022

The L-shaped sofa and the armchair double as space dividers and close off this area

The L-shaped sofa and armchair double as space dividers and close off this area. The main piece of living room furniture is the sofa. It could be a couch, sectional, or loveseat depending on the size of your space. 

Rather than complicating the space with unusual or original seating options, stick with the basics instead and focus on comfort.

Narrow Living Room

The two sofas in this long and narrow living room are placed against opposite walls

Living rooms have an elongated shape, making them difficult to furnish. Create two or more seating areas that complement each other rather than trying to concentrate everything in one spot. 

Retro Living Room

The transparent glass divider doubles as a stylish and eye-catching decoration in this case
The transparent glass divider doubles as a stylish and eye-catching decoration in this case

Dividers are ideal for living rooms with large open layouts. They’re useful for creating visual separations between areas with different functions.

For example, a divider can be placed between the seating area and the dining room. This one is made of glass which enables both spaces to remain connected.

Quaint Living Room

The TV area can either define the entire living room or can be only a section of it
The TV area can either define the entire living room or can be only a section of it

Most often than not, the main focal point of the living room is the TV. Its placement is very important because it also pretty much dictates where the sofa and the rest of the seating should be.

Be sure to place the TV at the right height and distance based on the configuration of the seating area.

Lamp Decor

A large open floor plan offers lots of freedom when furnishing and organizing the room
A large open floor plan offers lots of freedom when furnishing and organizing the room

Interior designers often use stylish lamps to capture the right ambiance.  Organizing the living room into several smaller seating areas is a good idea. Each can have a different configuration and can be used for slightly different purposes.

A small nook with a couple of armchairs and a side table can make a nice reading area. Blackened original floorboards or stained wood paneling both make for interesting flooring.

Eye Catching Chair

A matching armchair and ottoman or footstool combo can look very cozy in the living room
A matching armchair and ottoman or footstool combo can look very cozy in the living room

It can also be nice to have a little one-person lounge area with an armchair and a footstool where one can sit down, unwind, and relax. Add to a corner of your living room and use as a reading nook. You can also position it to watch TV from your favorite seat.

Center Point

Combine dark accent colors with matte and elegant finishes to give them a deep and beautiful look
Combine dark accent colors with matte and elegant finishes to give them a deep and beautiful look

Dark colors can be used strategically in a living room to create areas that feel warm and cozy. For instance, this lounge area has a nice corner sectional and dark brown walls as a backdrop. It creates an intimate and comfortable ambiance. The mirrors are decorations meant to brighten the area and make it look bigger.

Simple Living Room Seating

Texture and color go hand in hand so try to find a harmonious mix that works
Texture and color go hand in hand so try to find a harmonious mix that works

Area rugs and window treatments have the power to change a room. With simple living room design, use every inch of your interior space.

Sitting Room

When entertaining guests in your living room it's pleasant to have seats that face each other
When entertaining guests in your living room it’s pleasant to have seats that face each other

Rather than having a sofa facing a wall, use it to add more seating in front of it. A few chairs or a pouf would do the trick. They can be temporary decor items or focal points. 

Neutral Tones

Gray is a soothing color which goes well with lots of other nuances, thus being a great base for the living room decor
Gray is a soothing color which goes well with other nuances, thus being a great base for the living room decor

Gray is the most neutral color. The layout and decor of the living room have to be in harmony. It also includes elements like the color palette and materials, finishes, and textures. 

Mid Century Modern Living Room

Matching furniture can be tricky to work with but can also look very chic and elegant
Matching furniture can be tricky to work with but can also look very chic and elegant

Filling the living room with lots of matching furniture pieces can end up looking overwhelming or dull. However, this strategy will help make the room look and feel more pleasant by adding a sense of familiarity to it.

The subtle details in this chic seating area setup like the golden tips of the tapered legs.

Clean Lines

The matching tables combined with the leather padded benches give this area a chic and modern look
The matching tables combined with the leather padded benches give this area a chic and modern look

This living room setup takes simplicity to a new level. Rather than the typical sofa or sectional with padded backs and lots of cushions this space features sleek and stylish benches.

The dark leather upholstery and the pattern add visual interest to the room and go well with the blue and gold accents.

Small Items

Multifunctional furniture sometimes comes in a very simple and basic form
Multifunctional furniture sometimes comes in a very simple and basic form

Versatility and flexibility are important when designing the living room. Ideally, this space could be used in several different ways. For example, it could be a place where you can sit down with some guests and chat, where you can play board games, watch TV, lounge and so on. Being able to easily switch the configuration of the room is very helpful.

Living Room Color Scheme

Another idea to consider is having multiple accent tables spread around the living room which guests can easily reach without leaving their seats
Another idea to consider is having multiple accent tables spread around the living room which guests can easily reach without leaving their seats

Focus on the center lighting in the sitting area to create a harmonious vibe. That works if the room is large enough to have multiple light fixtures. In a small room, an offset chandelier can add a messy vibe to the space. 

Side Tables

There are lots of different ways to make sofa and table combos, such as this built-in type of setup
There are lots of different ways to make sofa and table combos, such as this built-in type of setup

Finding a placement for your sofa is an essential element when creating a harmonious and comfortable setup. Often the sofa is pushed against a wall, which is space-efficient.

If you want to try something different, pull the sofa away from the wall and fit a table or shelves for extra storage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

What Was The Original Intention Of The Modern Living Room?

The living was first intended to replace the parlor. It would become a multi-purpose space where families and guests would entertain each other. The transition was accelerated with the advent of recorded music. When TV sets began appearing in living rooms, the space took on a new and defining meaning. 

How Much Does A Living Room Remodel Cost?

The average living room remodel costs between $3,000 and $15,000. For an 850 square foot living room, you would spend $8,000. Even if your project included a black glass chimney breast wall, you could still pay less than $10,000.

What Is The Key Aspect Of The Tropical Asian Living Room?

The tropical Asian living room style is centered on its relationship with the surrounding environment.  

What Is The Best Living Room Flooring?

Materials like LVT, wood, and solid timber planks are popular flooring styles. Luxury vinyl flooring and waterproof hardwood have emerged as popular choices in climates that receive heavy rainfall. 

Simple Living Room Conclusion

When designing an entire living room, look at the space as if it was a puzzle. If you have a small space, treat it the same way you would a large space. Take advantage of your natural light sources. 

Simple living room ideas are meant to be easy. If you can add furniture that creates hidden storage, you will be successful. Living room design is like any interior design scheme. Focus on your seating arrangement and give it a modern twist.