Comfortable Living Room Decorating Ideas

equally ample upholstered furnishings are clad in arresting colors and patterns including cherry red velvet and the sofas blockprinted linen while plaster and marble objects echo the color and classical tone of the original ceiling moldings the medallion border on the drapes was inspired by one in a christian lacroix showroom

Mark Roskams

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Americana Drama

"I like to utilize the entire volume of a room," says designer Anthony Baratta, pointing to an American painting by Tomory Dodge and oversize custom floor lamp, both of which take advantage of the capacious height of this New York City apartment.

Equally ample upholstered furnishings are clad in arresting colors and patterns, including cherry-red velvet (Pierre Frey) and the sofa's block-printed linen (Christopher Moore). Plaster and marble objects, including an over-the-top amphora lamp, echo the color and classical tone of the original ceiling moldings. The medallion border on the drapes was inspired by one in a Christian Lacroix showroom.

two sofas face each other in a large living space with a landscape painting hanging above the fireplace

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todd romano san antonio living room

Douglas Friedman

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Anything But Mellow Yellow

Designer Todd Romano's San Antonio living room might as well be a virtuoso's guide to owning the color wheel: Taxicab yellow, pure red, and cobalt are a mighty foundation for soft pastels and nuanced naturals. A pair of Chinese baluster vases fitted as lamps bookends a custom button-tufted sofa. Central artwork, C-Ring 1, Todd & Fitch.

a calacatta marble partition separates the seating area from an open kitchen shielding countertop clutter while inviting conversation between cook and guest

William Abranowicz

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an oil painting by london artist daisy cook hangs over a nine foot sofa upholstered in stain resistant fabric and the coffee table is crafted from a 19th century chinese screen

Thomas Loof

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the casual living room is furnished with antique french leather armchairs and a sprawling sectional sofa covered in a vintage ticking stripe and several of the pillows were crafted with fabrics the owners picked up on their travels

Joshua McHugh

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European Simplicity

The inviting, casual living room of this colonial Connecticut home designed by Philip Gorrivan is furnished with antique French leather armchairs and a sprawling sectional sofa covered in a vintage ticking stripe. Several of the pillows were crafted with fabrics the owners picked up on their travels.

a custom mohair sectional in a library surrounds a table and the walls are a dark eggplant hue

Brie Williams

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in the living room an antique needlepoint sofa is slipcovered in a cool ocean blue linen

Eric Piasecki

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Scale and Age

In the living room of this waterfront Maine home designed by architect Gil Schafer, troweled plaster walls and immense, dual, custom-carved Dorset stone fireplaces give a sense of European heft and age. An antique needlepoint sofa is slipcovered in a cool ocean-blue linen.

a radiant office is dressed in a lee jofa tartan pattern recolored specifically for this room and the armchair upholstery is inspired by an early american weaving and the leather chair is antique english

Mark Roskams

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Mad for Plaid

This radiant New York City study designed by Anthony Baratta is dressed in a Lee Jofa tartan pattern recolored specifically for this room (Anthony Baratta credits the "perfect pitch" of his team, Erick Espinoza and Jamie Nagoon, for refining such hues). The armchair upholstery is inspired by an early American weaving; the leather chair is antique English.

2021 © nickolas sargent photography

Nickolas Sargent

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Primitive Modern

That's how designer Mikel Welch would describe his personal design aesthetic, and he channeled himself as a client for this comforting living room at the 2021 Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach. Welch says he loves to blend old, rustic pieces and vintage finds with his affinity for modern homes to create a unique space—and that is certainly on display here.

The designer used pieces from his own furniture collection to anchor the space, while filling in with furnishings from Jayson Home. The oversized abstract art above the console table is from Briggs & Co. The room is painted an airy Swiss Coffee in matte from Benjamin Moore's Aura line and the breezy window treatments were fabricated by The Shade Store.

2021 © nickolas sargent photography

Nickolas Sargent

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Nautical and Nice

For Lexington, Kentucky–based Benjamin Deaton, transforming the

2021 Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach living room was all about blending the Palm Beach lifestyle with his personal aesthetic and experiences. The designer envisioned the conceptual homeowner as being a well-traveled, renowned host with an endearing quirkiness that makes this traditional space have a fresh and relaxed feel.

a sofa and chairs in a large living room with a paneled wood ceiling

Douglas Friedman

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gauzy block printed drapery filters sunlight into the great room

Thomas Loof

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the living room's wall lights and most of the oak paneling are original to the home

Annie Schlechter

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kips bay dallas mark sikes

Stephen Karlisch

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La Fiorentina Lives On

At the 2020 Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas, the living room evoked so much Mediterranean charm, you could almost feel the warm ocean breeze right in the middle of Texas. Inspired by the iconic La Fiorentina, designer Mark D. Sikes utilized his signature blue-and-white color palette to reinterpret the historic, elegant space into one fit for a North Dallas manse.

The star of this room is the magnificent wallcovering by Iksel Decorative Arts that envelopes the space in European seaside glamour. Elegant tailored-pleat drapery fabricated by The Shade Store gave the room a romantic, dreamy feel. The history of La Fiorentina was beautifully continued through this inviting, serene living space that evoked the same casual elegance and grace.

jon meacham dinner party

Laurey Glenn

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A Gracious Gathering Space

a blue and white room with mosaic tile looking wallpaper and an overscale photo on the wall

Douglas Friedman

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anne spilman sea island house tour

JD Powers

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turner pak atlanta living room

Mali Azima

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Deco Neutrals

In the spirit of French Deco, architect Yong Pak and designer Melanie Turner worked together to create this light-filled salon, complete with two cozy seating areas and a dining table for 12, this 100-year-old Atlanta home. In the main seating section, a conical Murano glass chandelier glimmers over pair of Louis XVI–style commodes and retro-inspired sofa (Björk Studio). The artwork above the mantel is by the late artist Todd Murphy.

palmer weiss yellowstone club montana great room

Francesco Lagnese

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Soaring Chintz

The entire scheme of this charming living room in a Big Sky, Montana condo stemmed from the owner's love of Pierre Frey's floral linen, Mortefontaine. Designer Palmer Weiss covered two swivel chairs and several pillows in it, then carried the aubergine, soft brown, and olive tones throughout the rest of the room. The 19th-century portrait of Pocahontas is by Victor Nehlig.

angie hranowsky living room austin texas

Julia Lynn

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a living room with green walls and floral furniture and blue curtains with red accents all over

Douglas Friedman

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'80s Glamour

With a shared love for 1980s design and glamour, designer Miles Redd and his client, Sam Milner, played with bold color and lively pattern in the jewel-toned living room of her Greenwich home. Rich sapphire, emerald, and ruby tones seen in the chintz-covered furniture and Persian carpet inspired the room's taffeta curtains, silk walls (Kravet), and velvet pillows.

huge windows in the corner of the room let in natural light and the room is decorateed with mostly warm neutral colors

DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN

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Hollywood Influences

A soulful mix of natural materials, soft suedes, Belgian linens, and luxe velvet brings a sense of Old California back into this 52-acre vineyard estate by Ken Fulk. At the center of the living room, a linen sofa (Gregorius|Pineo) and a leather armchair (McGuire) offer ideal spots to perch beside the peninsular fireplace.

a living room with windows to the ceiling and a sofa and leather ottoman

Emily J Followill

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chiqui woolworth manhattan living room

Annie Schlechter

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matthew carter bahamas living room

Brie Williams

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Island Vibes

When renovating his 70-year-old midcentury cottage on Harbour Island, designer Matthew Carter used a color palette of deep greens, dark browns, and a blend of whites to make each room feel more organic. For the living room, the Kentucky-based decorator paired a classic sofa (George Smith) paired with armchairs in a blue-check fabric (Alan Campbell). At the center is a 1970s coconut shell table.

richard hallberg living room nashville

Max Kim-Bee

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Artful Restraint

Los Angeles–based designer Richard Hallberg used a cloud-like palette and a symphony of objéts to tie together each room of this historic Nashville mansion. Chess by John Cage (1968) hangs over a custom sofa within the living room. Soft linen upholstery fabric is by Formations.

a parlor full of pattern has a sofa and several chairs and bookshelves and an upholstered ottoman

DYLAN THOMAS

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Patterned Connections

To unify the two halves of the large drawing room in his English countryside cottage, textile designer Richard Smith covered the walls of each section in the same shell-pink wallcovering (Madeaux). The flame stitch fabric covering the settee can also be seen on pillows in the other side of the parlor.

marco bay italy living room

HELENIO BARBETTA

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The Mediterranean Edit

Handmade terra-cotta floors, a brass hearth surround, and tiles crafted in Tangier, Morocco, bring elemental beauty and warmth into the living room of landscape architect Marco Bay's Portofino escape. The blue and green glassware on the mantel echoes the sparkling Mediterranean outside.

mikel welch new york city living room

Courtesy of Mikel Welch

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Innovative Thinking

Designer and TV host Mikel Welch proves neutrals and wooden accents are far from boring in this New York City apartment. Welch repurposed barn doors as an innovative wall decor piece that warms up the entire space.