Formal living rooms are designed to welcome guests, enjoy conversations, and relax with family and friends. Depending on your style, space size, and functional needs, there are several ways to avoid a stuffy atmosphere.
1. Anchor With an Area Rug: Kate Figler Interiors/Allison Elefante designed a room that, despite its formal white chairs and bookcases, feels welcoming due to the moody green walls and beige animal-print rug.
09 of 50: Hang Linen Drapes by Clayton Korte. Leave floor-to-ceiling windows bare if they open to the outside. If you hang curtains, interior designer Christina Clark of Clayton Korte suggests choosing a natural fiber like linen for an effortless feel.
10 of 50: Elevate Original Details by Teaselwood Design / Photo by Ridgelight Studio. Add coziness to a formal living room by highlighting architectural features. For this living room from Charity Buchika of Teaselwood Design, a custom stone fireplace flanked by copper lanterns and original timber-frame beams add a rustic note. 11 of 50: Hang Abstract Wall Art by Brophy Interiors. Southern California-based designer Laura Brophy created a colorful escape in this Huntington Beach home. A navy sofa is complemented with large-scale, abstract art and a tiered pendant. 12 of 50: Highlight the View by Ahmad AbouZanat / Design by David Mitchell. New York designer Ahmad AbouZanat designed this high-end city escape with bold pops of color, midcentury modern-style furnishings, and unobstructed views of the impressive skyscrapers outside. His minimal, thoughtful design is crisp without feeling overly formal. 13 of 50: Hang Patterned Wallpaper by J Hirsch Interior Design / Photo by Ali Harper Photography. This Georgia home in the Serenbe development showcases a functional design that isn’t stale. Designer Janie Hirsch chose multiple shades of blue, funky lighting, and fun wallpaper. 14 of 50: Choose a Neutral Palette by CG&S Design-Build / Photo by Ryan Davis. When a retired couple moved to Austin, they hired CG&S Design-Build to marry their German heritage with a neutral color palette and open up the space for entertaining. The vaulted ceilings, custom cabinet fronts, and an airy white and gray color scheme tie the room together, and midcentury architectural elements add warmth. 15 of 50: Try Large-Scale Wall Art by Stock & Trade. Atlanta-based designers at Stock & Trade opted for oversized artwork, relaxed seating, and natural drapery in this formal living room. They also included throw pillows for pops of color to match the art in this lush Serenbe home. 16 of 50: Hang a Modern Pendant by Kate Marker Interiors / Photo by Stoffer Photography Interiors. Designer Kate Marker created a luxe design with a plush and neutral rug, upholstered furniture, and subtly striped drapery for a casual touch. The room is complete with a modern, angular ceiling fixture. 17 of 50: Pair Pinks and Blues by HouseMill Design / Photo by Molly Culver Photography. This Austin home features neutral furniture with accents of blush and blue, classic yet vibrant tones. A piano is situated in the corner, great for evening entertaining. 18 of 50: Curate a Gallery Wall by Mr. + Mrs. Sharp. This Georgia home includes clean, contemporary neutral furniture to complement an oversized gallery wall.Pro tip: Choose pieces of all different sizes and textures.
19 of 50 – Try a Coffee Table Ottoman. Design by Lucas Browning Design / Photo by Jessica Alexander Photography. Southern California designers Heather Lucas and Katie Browning kept things classic and neutral in this Malibu living room. To avoid making the space feel too formal, lounge-friendly furniture, large potted plants, and a circular ottoman work well. 20 of 50 – Celebrate Exposed Beams. Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer. While this living room from Marie Flanigan has the makings of a formal seating space, it retains a comfortable and easy feel thanks to the greenery and the exposed beams. Plus, twin chandeliers draw the eye up. 21 of 50 – Add Geometric Accents. CG&S Design-Build. This mainly white living room has a seating area oriented around a sculptural fireplace, neutral furnishings, and geometric accents. Simple tie-back curtains soften the space. 22 of 50 – Embrace Clean Lines. Veida Sadri Design. Baltimore designer Veida Sadri transformed a 120-year-old Georgian-style home to make it work for a modern family while maintaining the historical integrity. Clean lines, original floors, and multipurpose design make it feel contemporary. 23 of 50 – Make Plants a Focal Point. West Rose Design. Formal settings are often decorated with equally formal wall art, notes designer Jenny Williamson of West Rose Design. She suggests creating a focal point with plants instead for a dynamic modern feel. 24 of 50 – Include Plenty of Seating. Design by Morse Design / Photo by Tara Carter Photography. Andi Morse of Morse Design believes that formal spaces should also feel livable. She suggests including plenty of comfortable seating for an inviting feel. 25 of 50 – Embrace Natural Textures. Design by Morse Design / Photo by Heidi Harris Photography. Earth-toned fabrics, a studded ottoman, and a rattan basket make this formal living room from Atlanta-based designer Andi Morse feel inviting. Choose an easy-to-store circular ottoman or one with storage in a small space. 26 of 50 – Mix and Match Patterns. Studio London Co. New York apartments are small in size but don’t have to be small in style. Designer Travis London crafted this lively living room with a maximalist design aesthetic and functional side tables instead of a coffee table. A playful modern chandelier pairs nicely with brass bookshelves, large-scale art, geometric wallpaper, and a diamond-patterned area rug. 27 of 50 – Have Fun With Styling. Brexton Cole Interiors. Feel free to incorporate decor like an out-of-the-box pendant light or animal-print rug to add personality to your space. This formal yet unpretentious living room from Brexton Cole Interiors features whimsical lighting, throw pillows, framed art, and sage green walls. 28 of 50 – Choose Earth Tones. Design by Teaselwood Design / Photo by Ridgelight Studio. A babbling brook just outside the living room windows inspired this home from Teaselwood Design.Charity Buchika, an interior designer, opted for drapes adorned with acorns and oak leaves in earthy green and brown tones, creating a nature-inspired ambiance throughout the space. Emily Henderson Design showcases a budget-friendly mixed media wall where vintage postcards, matchbooks, records, letters, and Polaroids are framed and hung, achieving a mixed media effect. Studio KT presents a timeless black-and-white living room, featuring sculptural vessels, a statement brass light, and an oversized mirror. A minimal color palette effortlessly elevates the room’s style. Erin Williamson Design’s historic Northern California home embraces a simple color palette of sage, blue, and light pink, unifying the room with pink-toned drapery, a large nature painting, and a patterned rug. The Layered House offers flexible seating options in this Los Angeles living room, including stools for the owner’s dogs, catering to various gatherings and transforming a good layout into a great one. HouseMill Design’s Austin home features an open-concept layout, allowing for a formal sitting area next to the family room,仅需 a small structured sofa, two chairs, and a drink table. Gray Space Interiors’ living room is a showcase of eclectic elements, including animal-print chairs, a tiled fireplace, built-in blue cabinetry, and a curvy coffee table, reflecting the client’s unique style. StruckSured Interiors brings the outdoors in with a casual living room designed to enjoy the Pacific Northwest view, featuring a comfortable gray sectional sofa and a brown leather side chair. Meredith Owen Interiors adds color to a formal living room with shades of red, white, and blue, avoiding primary colors to prevent the patriotic palette from being too overt. Emily Henderson and Priscilla Frost Design enhance a rustic 1970s basement with wood paneling, a navy U-shaped sectional, and an abundance of throw pillows, complemented by a gallery wall filled with vintage landscapes.
Style Your Storage: Emily Henderson Design and Sara Ligorria-Tramp showcase a living room that cleverly conceals clutter while displaying decorative pieces such as vases and books on wood and steel storage units.
Hang Botanical Drapery: Casa Watkins Living introduces botanical drapery, an unconventional yet fitting choice that complements the living room’s plants and orange accents. Showcase Thrift Shop Finds: Caitlin Higgins’ design, captured by Sara Ligorria-Tramp, creatively integrates thrifted items into a formal living room, from an acrylic coffee table to a vintage tulip table, infusing personality and saving money. Combine Color and Pattern: Dani Dazey of Dazey Den creates a vibrant living room with a mix of color and pattern, featuring a pink velvet sofa, oversized modern art, and a quilted pouf in a spirited pink-and-green color scheme. Create a Modern Rustic Feel: Meredith Owen Interiors and Molly Culver present a modern rustic living room with brown leather side chairs and a tufted leather ottoman, balanced by a taxidermy piece over the fireplace that adds a statement without formality. Try an Ombre Paint Finish: Tina Ramchandani Creative’s moody living room stands out with its ombre walls, a light blue fading to rich navy, offering a sophisticated and unexpected DIY touch. Choose Colorful Upholstery: Kate Figler Interiors, photographed by Allison Elefante, brings life to a traditional living room with a colorful palette and sky-blue walls, energized by vintage armchairs upholstered in an animal-themed print. Choose Sculptural Accents: Amy Pigliacampo Interiors and David Lauer highlight a Colorado A-frame home’s living room with sculptural furniture and decor that complement the home’s architecture and mountain views. Embrace Natural Light: Amy Pigliacampo Interiors and David Lauer’s airy living room design is filled with natural light, a wall of greenery, and a midcentury modern-inspired fireplace, creating a Scandi-style space perfect for relaxation and social gatherings.Discover the best living room ideas for your home with our curated list of 50 top designs. Here are some standout features from the collection:
47 of 50: Play With Scale New York designer Alvin Wayne created an earth-toned living space that makes a grand statement. Vintage pieces such as the Jeanneret chairs, a compact leather sofa, and an Eames chair are the stars of the room. The space is enhanced by statement lighting and an oversized gold mirror, which cleverly gives the illusion of a larger area. 48 of 50: Add Custom Built-Ins Desiree Burns Interiors suggests custom built-ins as a way to add both function and style to a formal living room. These built-ins, painted in a deep forest green, contrast beautifully against white walls and provide space for books and decorative objects, creating an inviting atmosphere. 49 of 50: Choose Bold Wall Paint Studio Peake opted for a bold wall color to energize a formal living room in London. The sunny yellow paint complements the eclectic textiles and traditional furniture, making the space lively and welcoming. 50 of 50: Hang Sheer Curtains Louis Duncan-He Designs / KM Photography Interiors recommend floor-to-ceiling sheer curtains for a polished look in a formal living room. These curtains allow light and views to flow while maintaining a sophisticated feel. The space is further enhanced with wood trim wall details and pastel colors for a refreshing touch. Understanding the Formal Living Room A formal living room is designed for entertaining guests and is separate from more casual family spaces. It is decorated to impress with tasteful furniture and decor, focusing on a conversation area rather than a TV. The Difference Between a Formal Living Room and a Great Room A formal living room is typically a distinct room located at the front of the house, dedicated to entertaining guests. In contrast, a great room is an open space that connects with other areas and serves as a large, multipurpose family space, not just for hosting occasional guests.