The living room is where life happens in your home. It’s a place to relax and unwind, entertain guests, and the perfect place to spend quality time with the family. The decor of the living room should reflect your personal style, while being welcoming and comfortable. If your space isn’t meeting your design or functional needs, it’s time for an upgrade. Whether it’s a complete overhaul or a few cosmetic changes, you’ll need living room design ideas to help you create the living room of your dreams. If you’re looking for inspiration, we’ve rounded up 30 living room decorating ideas that will turn your space into one you really want to live in.

1. Hack a light source

Wall sconces can brighten up your space and add an interesting design element to your room. If you don’t have a power source nearby, use this hack. Instead of a bulb, attach a battery-operated puck light inside the wall lamp. Then hang the sconce on the wall and use a remote control to turn the lights on and off.

2. Paint your chimney

Megann/gresham_houze

Turn your fireplace into a fabulous focal point in your living room with a few coats of paint. Whether you choose to go for sleek white, matte black, or a pop of color, painting your fireplace creates a centerpiece that can inspire the entire room.

3. Create a cozy seating area

Jessica Smith /jessica.lyn.smith

Rather than lining your sofas and chairs along the walls, pull the seats in the middle of the room to create an interesting layout and a comfortable seating area. Floating your furniture can change the look of the room and give you more space to add light, art, and storage to the walls.

4. Add ceiling beams

Joyce/jkt.redbud.designs

Your ceiling is a blank canvas that deserves as much attention as your walls. The beams on the ceiling add visual interest that will catch your eyes and make the room appear larger and have a dramatic design effect.

5. Add texture to the room

Michaela/michaelanoelledesigns

An easy way to create visual interest in your living room is to add texture. Mix materials, colors and textiles to transform a room from apartment to finished. Cushions and coffee table displays are a great place to start.

6. Style a shelf with a similar palette

Jessica Smith /jessica.lyn.smith

Streamline the look of your shelving and built-in items by using a similar color scheme for all items you will display. Whether you opt for neutral tones or pops of color, you’ll have a cohesive look on your shelves. Remove the covers from your book collection and display the pages facing out to keep your color palette consistent.

7. Add some green to your bedroom

Dawn Moon/dawnmoonhome

Bring the green in by adding plants to your living room. Plants add texture and color to any space, and they can purify the air and remove toxins. If you don’t have a green thumb, there are plenty of fake options that are beautiful and realistic.

8. Hang a collection

Dawn Moon/dawnmoonhome

Turn your favorite collection into a centerpiece in your living room. Prints, plates or baskets can easily become an eye-catching display on your walls.

9. Ignore the traditional sofa shape

Lena Winn/elena_winn

Make sure everyone has a comfortable spot by choosing a sofa that fills the room and provides more seating. From the “L” shape to the section, your family will want to bring more life to the room with a comfortable seat.

10. Add statement lighting

Jen and Manny/were role models

Say goodbye to boring ceiling lights and upgrade your room with remarkable lighting. Not only will you get ample lighting in your living room, but statement lighting also helps set the tone for your design.

11. Make it kid-friendly

Melissa/sanabriaandco

Can you design a stylish kid-friendly living room? Yes, and here’s what to bring and leave out. Opt for durable fabrics and easy-to-clean materials. Forget the coffee table and opt for a set of ottomans instead. Add oversized baskets to store toys at the end of the day.

12. Choose great artwork

Melissa/sanabriaandco

If you’re looking to make a pivot from a gallery wall, choose an admiring piece of art that’s large enough to stand on its own on a wall or mantelpiece. A large piece of art can really add personality to your room and streamline your wall space.

13. Add Personal Parts

Sarah/sarahkaitlinstudio

You can really make a statement and personalize your space by decorating with things like heirlooms and artwork that you’ve created. Create a photo ledge above your sofa for paintings or photos, place items from your family travels on shelves or interesting collectibles on the coffee table. These items tell your family’s story and add personality to your home.

14. Make a statement with wallpaper

Lauren Lerner / live with loloaz

Add a pop of color or a bold pattern with wallpaper. If you’re not ready to commit to an entire room, create an accent wall or use the wallpaper inside the shelves of your built-ins or shelves.

15. Add a colorful couch

Lauren Lerner / live with loloaz

If you design with neutrals, you can always add a pop of color with your sofa. The seating area quickly becomes a centerpiece that won’t overwhelm the room.

16. Add Mirrors

Jessica/HouseFullOfSummer

Mirrors help create the illusion that your room is larger than it actually is by allowing light to bounce off its reflective surface. Plus, they look great as a design detail. So add a mirror strategically placed on a wall, a mantle, a console table or leaning against a wall.

17. Camouflage the TV

Jen and Manny/were role models

We know you have a TV in your living room, but it doesn’t have to be the first thing everyone sees in the room. Painting the wall around the TV a shade of black adds drama to the room and helps camouflage the screen when the TV is off.

18. Divide the space

Demetri Gianni/moderneradesign

Change the flow and layout of your living room by adding a room divider. Now you can separate spaces for different uses.

19. Decorate with books

Cameron/newcentral

Whether second-hand or part of your own library, stock your shelves with books to add color and personality to your room.

20. Make the design consistent

Jessica/HouseFullOfSummer

An all-white color scheme is sleek and classic. Combine this clean look with different textures throughout the room.

21. Mix Styles

Megann/gresham_houze

Mix design styles like bohemian, vintage, mid-century, or farmhouse in one piece. Bring them all together using a common theme, like color.

22. Have fun with the seats

Adrienne/adrienne.andco

Give extra seating a fun touch. With so many hanging chair options available, you’ll be able to find one that matches your room design.

23. Change the pillows

Adrienne/adrienne.andco

Instantly change the look of your room by adding accent pillows. Vary the textures, sizes and colors to enhance your design.

24. Mix and Match Prints

Cameron Jones/cameronjonesinteriors

It may seem like a design no-no, but done the right way, mixing and matching prints and patterns can create an interesting design in your living room.

25. Be inspired by your surroundings

Colette interiors/colette interiors

Let the outdoors inspire your indoors. If you live near the beach, go for a coastal look by focusing on shades of blue and decorating with seashells and driftwood. If you live in the mountains, think about it in the design of your living room.

26. Use a large mat

Cassie Bustamante/ cassie_bustamante

Bigger is better when it comes to rugs. A rug that is too small makes the room look smaller and hectic. Choosing a large area rug will anchor the room and give it a cohesive look.

27. Decorate with similar colors

Lauren Lerner / live with loloaz

Let one color be the inspiration for your entire room and decorate with variations of that color. You’ll still have a cohesive look, but the variety of shades will add a level of sophistication.

28. Go dramatic with color

Sara/so what tomorrow

Not interested in neutrals? Then, be bold with your color choice and fill the entire room with dramatic color.

29. Create a standout accent wall

Adrienne/adrienne.andco

Accent walls create focal points in a room and expand the space. Whether it’s paint, wallpaper, or reclaimed wood, a standout accent wall can make a big impact on your room.

30. Create a Different Kind of Gallery Wall

Echols of Brittany/sunshine_and_shiplap

Gallery walls are not limited to images. Add personality to a display by using different sized mirrors.