Big Impact Living Room Decorating Ideas

Discover these big impact living room decorating ideas from a Designer and True Color Expert!

Transform your living room into a stylish and functional space with these inspiring design tips. 

In this article you will learn how to:

• make a big impact with small changes to create a living space that’s gorgeous and pulled together!
• I’m also sharing ways to add big impact when you’re starting with a blank slate!

Whether you want to tweak the decor you have with a simple refresh.

If you’re moving into your first home or apartment.

Or starting with a clean slate with a new build home.

Why is decorating your living room important?

Your living room decor creates a specific look and feeling in the space.

It’s an essential part to the entire room design and can’t be skipped.

If your room doesn’t have enough decor or the right decor pieces it will feel empty, cold, sparse, unwelcoming and boring.

You won’t want to spend time in the space if it’s not well decorated.

Decor adds layers to the room to create an inviting, pulled together look.

So let’s look at how to decorate your living room the right way!

These living room ideas are what I use as a designer and True Color Expert in my virtual design client‘s living room spaces!

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Choose The Living Room’s Design Style

The first step when decorating your living room is to chose the living room design style. 

Is your style organic modern, Scandinavian, new traditional, modern or farmhouse?

Every design style has a specific look and feeling.

Determine the design style for the room and keep this in mind throughout the decorating process.

Declutter And Simplify

Before you begin the decorating process it’s essential to declutter and simplify the room.

Remove everything you don’t want to keep and is dated.

This is the second step when decorating your living room.

Choose A Color Scheme

I recommend using a neutral color palette for the room’s decor with an accent color for interest.

This is the best way to create a timeless look.

When selecting a color scheme make sure they compliment the colors of the fireplace, mantel,  flooring, built in cabinetry, ceiling beams and any stone or tile that’s in the room.

Your decor must also compliment the wall color.

White walls are very popular right now which allows a versatile color palette in the decorative accessories!

See Top 50 Bestselling Paint Colors At Sherwin Williams

Create a neutral base with creams, beige, browns, white and black.

Draw inspiration from the colors of nature for a timeless, inviting look.

If you like color (such as blue or green)  you can add this as an accent color in your decor.

You can easily switch out the accent color for the seasons and holidays when your room’s base is composed of neutral colors.

Textiles are a great way to create a color scheme.

Make sure the color of the decorative fabrics that you select compliment your furniture upholstery!

Artwork is also an easy way to create a color scheme. 

Select a few pieces of art in colors and styles that you love and repeat the colors in the art in your area rugs, decor, accent pillows and throw blankets for a cohesive look!

Your furnishings are one of the biggest expenses in your living room so you want the decor to compliment and highlight them.

Add throw pillows and throw blankets in neutrals or your favorite accent color

See: 5 Ways To Create A Whole Home Paint Color Scheme

Living Room Decorating Ideas: Incorporate Statement Pieces

It’s important to have statement pieces in your decor to create big impact and give your room style, eye-catching interest and create an on-trend, updated look.

Statement pieces will create the ‘wow’ factor in your room!

As well, they will create that ‘interior designer’ look

Make Small Changes

If you want to make small changes with your decor, start with a big impact overhead light fixture.

Adding a few decorative accents to your coffee table and fireplace mantel are also small changes you can make that will make a big difference in updating your space.

Mix Textures And Patterns

To avoid a bland and boring living room make sure you mix textures and patterns.

Mix smooth and rough textures.

For patterns I recommend mixing solids with stripes, checks and geometrics.

The most popular textures right now are boucle, natural textures such as decor made from stone, marble and rattan, as well as fringe.

The most popular patterns right now are check, plaid, abstract, vintage patterns and geometrics.

Adding accessories with mixed textures and patterns add warmth to the room.

Add Plants And Natural Elements

Plants are key to a beautiful living room.

The bring the look of nature, pattern, texture and style to a space 

I use a lot of faux plants and faux trees with my design clients.

Artificial plants look so lifelike today and can be much cheaper than real plants.

My favorite faux tree is the olive tree.

Adding an artificial tree in a living room is the perfect way to decorate an empty corner.

It will also add height to a living room and compliment all of the hard finishes in a living room – such as builtin cabinets, flooring, coffee tables and end tables.

Plants and natural elements also help blend in the TV and help soften the look.

Regarding TV’s I typically recommend the Samsung Frame TV because it looks like art.

Small plants on shelves and built-ins are a beautiful look as well.

Utilize Lighting Effectively

Do not forget about lighting! 

Also, don’t skimp on lighting!

Lighting has such a huge impact on a room!

And don’t forget about natural lighting.

Make sure your windows have curtains to soften the room and give the room polish.

Drapes that filter or block light depends on your personal preference.

It’s important for a living room to have as much natural light as possible in the day time.

And for the room to have privacy at night with light blocking drapes and shades.

Lighting is essential to create ambiance and style in a room.

It’s also important for reading and entertaining!

Create A Focal Point

Determine what your focal point will be with your decor.

This is where I recommend that you spend the most money.

Typically the living room’s lighting will be the focal point.

Select a beautiful pendant light for your living room ceiling and a gorgeous table lamp or two.

These will create wow factor in the space and a cozy, welcoming look.

Another focal point in the living room is the sofa or sectional sofa.

So make sure you add beautiful accent pillows and throw blankets to compliment your sofa or sectional as well as your armchairs!

I love these sofa accent pillow sets that have coordinating colors and patterns!

Incorporate Personal Touches

Add personal touches to your living room with coffee table books that reflect your passions!

Love to travel? Add a few travel coffee table books to your living room builtins and coffee table.

Love design or fashion? Add these books to a console table.

You can add a decorative box or bowl you’ve picked up on your travels.

Family photos are a great way to add a personal touch to your living room but I recommend doing this very strategically.

When it comes to family photos I recommend adding those as a framed photo gallery wall, in black or light wood frames, on an empty wall area.

Or add one or two in these lucite picture frames to a builtin bookcase.

Black and white family photos are a very chic look and don’t compete with the colors in your living space.

Don’t clutter your shelves and builtins with a lot of framed photos and don’t scatter framed photos all over the walls in mismatched frames.

Don’t make your living room look like a photographer’s portrait studio!

Use Storage Solutions

Functional storage is so important when decorating a living room!

Store TV remotes in a decorative box.

Organize and store kids toys in cabinets with closed doors or storage ottomans.

Bring In Extra Seating Options

Add extra seating in your living room decor with poufs, benches and ottomans.

In a pinch they can be used as extra seating for guests.

They will also add visual interest, pattern and color.

These key pieces will also balance out your living room furniture layout.

The next step when decorating your living room is to layer.

Layer Different Elements For Depth And Dimension

Add plenty of layers to your decor for a stylish, visually interesting room.

Add depth and dimension to your living room with your decor pieces.

Mix the shapes and sizes to create interest and avoid a boring look.

Mix round with square, large with small, tall with short when selecting your accessories.

Frequently Asked Questions About Living Room Decorating

Where Do I Start Redecorating My Living Room?

It can be confusing to know where to start when decorating your living room.

The first step is to decide on the style of room you want, as well as the look and feel you want to create.

This will be the basis of your living room decor selections.

How Can I Decorate My Living Room Nicely?

Be sure to layer your decor to create a beautiful cozy, stylish look.

Use the steps listed above to create the living room of your dreams!

How To Design A Timeless Living Room

Select decor that is classic, in timeless styles and colors.

Avoid using too many trendy pieces.

The majority of the decorative accents should be in neutral colors for a timeless look.

What Do You Buy First When Decorating Your Living Room?

Your furniture is the first thing you will buy for your living room.  

Your living room seating will be the most expensive and functional items in the room, so that is the starting point in your living room design.

Once you have the furniture selected, for decor I recommend selecting the lighting first, then the area rug.

So the first thing to buy when decorating your living rom is a beautiful ceiling light fixture (or if you have pot lights select a statement table lamp or 2), then buy a gorgeous area rug that’s the right size for the room.

Should You Have Matching Lamps In Your Living Room?

Typically I do recommend matching lamps for the end tables at each end of a sofa.

A console table can have a lamp that doesn’t match exactly, but matches the color of the other lamps.

A floor lamp in a corner of a living room can also be it’s one style and look.

What Are The Rules For Decorating?

See: How To Decorate a Room In 5 Simple Steps

How To Decorate A Room For Beginners?

See: The Beginner’s Guide To Design and Decor

How Do You Make A Boring Living Room Interesting?

The easiest way to make a boring living room interesting is to add faux or real trees.

I always include artificial trees in my clients living room design consults.

They fill in empty corners, add height and style.

Another solution for a boring living room is with new accent pillows and throws.

The will instantly transform a lifeless, dated room into a stylish space.

What Colors Go With A Grey Sofa?

If the sofa is light gray I recommend dark charcoal gray, white, black, green and cognac colors to coordinate.

If your sofa is dark gray I recommend white, black, green, cognac or merlot colors.

Conclusion: Make It Your Own

Creating a living room that is filled with your style and personality will bring you joy every time you are in it!

Make it your own and you’ll feel relaxed, comfortable, at ease and joyful!