When you consider living room décor ideas or home décor in general, the first thing you think about is probably comfort. But the style and arrangement of furniture in your home décor is just as important: as House Beautiful says, a good layout is key. The aesthetic choices you make in your living room can even increase your comfort level, since a unified design and style will invoke a sense of harmony in both you and your guests. Ashley Furniture provides living room furniture for all décor styles and aesthetics, and we've highlighted some living room upgrades that integrate them into your home.
Add Lamps
Let there be light! Every living room needs appropriate lighting. Floor lamps are a good idea for open-plan homes where the walls are far apart from each other, while wall sconces are compact and versatile (and easy to place over furniture). Think about adding a large central lighting fixture if you have high ceilings. Table lamps can help you customize your lighting setup as well.
When it comes to floor lights that make a statement, it's hard to go wrong with this design from the Bernadate Collection. Its three-way switch lets you customize the lighting level, while its detailed design adds charm to your living room.
Integrate a Fireplace Insert
You don't have to do an expensive remodel or settle for the Netflix fireplace show. If you want a truly showy piece to add to your living room (especially in colder climates), you may want to consider a fireplace insert. These come in a variety of configurations — some use real gas flames, while others simulate the flames instead. If you opt for a gas fireplace, make sure to follow its installation requirements and give it sufficient clearance.
This fireplace insert from the Entertainment Accessories Series comes with an LED-lit fire display and an electric heating element. You can easily customize it with crushed glass or stone pieces, and you can even turn on the light without the heat if you want.
Put Up a Wall Clock
A wall clock can add visual interest to your living room, but it's important to place it well. Try not to hang your clock over the couch or a chair. Instead, try placing it over a bookshelf or a table. You can also arrange planters at the sides of the clock to help frame it.
One large wall clock we love is this one from the Thames Collection. At 40 in. by 40 in. wide and with bold black and gold design, it's sure to become the centerpiece of your living room. It even incorporates subtle Roman numerals into its design, making it both fashionable and easy to read.
Lay Down an Area Rug
If you have hardwood or another hard floor, an area rug can easily pull double duty in your living room. It helps you keep your floor from being scratched, while adding comfort and noise reduction to your living room. Your area rug should extend under both front legs of your sofa, as well as any chairs in the room.
With its medium pile and neutral tones, this area rug from the Chayse Collection is an excellent addition to nearly any living room. Its jute backing gives it strength, while its bold design is inspired by the Cubist art movement.
Install Wall Shelves
Wall shelves can add utility as well as style to your living room. If you want to keep your treasured items accessible but out of the way, consider shelves with baskets. Floating shelves, on the other hand, add a feeling of timeless class to your living room. Just make sure to avoid overfilling your shelves. The general rule of thumb is to fill each shelf about two-thirds of the way and leave the rest empty.
This floating gold shelf set from the Etharis Collection comes in a lovely gold finish. The shelves various sizes add interest to your walls, while the keyhole brackets make them easy to install.
Sprinkle In Decorative Home Décor
You can easily personalize your living room with small pieces of home décor. Play around with texture and color to add visual excitement and variety to the area. Décor is a great way to add contrast to your living room, as well.
This candle holder is from the Jalal collection, and its antique gold finish complements its waved glass center. It holds a pillar candle up to 4 in. wide, which will provide plenty of mood lighting in the evening.
Add Greenery with Planters
You can never go wrong with indoor plants, especially if your living room gets a lot of sunlight. While your choice of plants matters, your selection of planters matters just as much. Try to vary the sizes of the planters you use. Consider hanging planters to fill vertical space. And don't forget that good indoor planters need drainage.
We really like this set of planters from the Domele Collection. Its galvanized metal planters combine with the antiqued brown wood to create a Bohemian vibe that will especially suit eclectic living rooms.
Fill Floor Space with a Coffee Table
If you have a lot of floor space in your living room, a coffee table can be a great way to fill that space. It's a good idea to keep things simple: you don't want your coffee table to be too busy. For bright spaces, consider a glass-top table, or choose a coffee table in a color that contrasts with the rest of your living room.
One delightful coffee table to consider is this one from the Watson Series. At 42 in. wide, it neatly fills your space, and its dark brown stained finish matches a wide variety of décor. The stretchers even add extra support for heavier loads.
Add Reclining Sofas for Custom Comfort
A reclining sofa is an incredibly versatile addition to any living room. With one, you can have overnight guests or just have a nice, comfortable nap. It's important not to place other furniture in the path of your reclining sofa, including space around the button or lever.
One of the centerpieces of the Woodsway Collection, this gray reclining sofa would make a wonderfully modern focal point of your living room. Instead of just a few positions, the sofa allows you to place the reclining section anywhere you want. Meanwhile, it even comes with USB charging ports!
Liven Things Up with Wall Art
Wall art is a great way to add a personal touch to your living room, and there's a nearly infinite selection to be had. When hanging your wall art, try to place the center of each piece at eye level (keeping in mind that people will usually be sitting while in your living room). If you have a lot of smaller pieces to fill up a wall, consider placing them staggered with each other (rather than in a grid layout). Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with the placement of your art! It may take a couple of tries to find the right configuration for you.
This gorgeous hand-painted tree art from the O'Keria Series would make a great addition to many living rooms. At 60 in. by 30 in., it's definitely a statement piece. The brown and cream colors complement nearly any décor, while the included D-ring bracket makes it easy to place.
Related Questions
Does a sofa have to face a TV?
No, a sofa doesn't always have to face the television. In many cases, you can place the couch perpendicular to the TV. This is often useful when having the TV align with the couch would create an access barrier in your living room.
Should a rug be lighter or darker than a couch?
A good area rug will contrast with your couch and other furniture. This means that dark-colored rugs tend to go better with light-colored furniture, and vice versa.