The secret to taming a fiery red? Balance it with pops of white. A smattering of dove white wall accents with the white fireplace, chair rail, and coffee table keep the bold color in check.

Pattern Play

Trellis, ikats, florals—oh my! The trick to mixing patterns is to pick a color theme—here, reds, browns, and blues—and to use big swaths of solid color (the brown sofa, red chairs, and green ottoman) to anchor the space.

Light and Airy

You can pack a lot into your living room—even a dining set—if you keep furnishings from weighing the space down. Lucite dining chairs, an open-weave coffee table, and an unobstructed wall of windows keeps this room from feeling cramped.

White on White

You can’t go wrong with an all-white space. To prevent it from feeling like a hospital room, introduce different textures. A crocheted throw, a rough-hewn linen sofa, and a nubby rug all add depth to a monochromatic look.

Reading Nook

Carve out a quiet moment in your living room to entice a little reading time. Drag a cozy chair over to a window or next to a bookshelf and be sure to provide ample light for late-night page turning.

Updated Prep

Give tradition a twist and try a living room filled with old standby silhouettes—a Chesterfield sofa, bamboo side chairs—in super-saturated colors (ocean blue and lime green).

Game Changing

An extra-large coffee table with a feminine shape is the modern take on the traditional game table. Invite friends over for game night; the edge on the table will keep board pieces (and drinks) from sliding onto the floor.

Touch of Trend

Update your living room as you would your wardrobe—with a few new accessories each season. This neutral room is an easy canvas for a few pops of color and pattern—an aubergine throw, a zebra pillow, and a metallic side table.

Silver Accents

Cool metal touches give this room a sophisticated air. The scrolling mirror, the legs of the coffee table, even the fireplace andirons are all glossed in chic silver.

Writing on the Wall

For truly unique (and sometimes quirky) décor, try the online retailer etsy.com. You can search by theme, type, even lyrics to your favorite Men Without Hats song.

Balancing Act

Does your living room work double-duty as a front entry? Keep the two separated and well-defined by lining one wall with a welcoming wallpaper, and keeping the living room furniture appropriated to an area rug.

Flower Power

Here’s a bloomin’ brilliant idea: Keep oversized patterns in check by limiting them to well-defined spaces (here a bouquet of blue flowers covers an occasional seat and an oversized roman shade). It will keep the powerful pattern from taking over the room.

Back-to-Back

Create a dynamic seating arrangement by placing a set of sofas in the center of the room and with their backs to each other. It’s a bold move that creates two conversation corners.

Formal Arrangement

Designed for entertaining and little tête-à-têtes, this formal living room’s oval furniture arrangement keeps the focus inwards.

Plus Size Arranging

An extra-large sofa can mean plenty of room to stretch out, but it can also engulf a room. The trick is to anchor an oversized piece of furniture against a wall and use other voluminous accessories (a jumbo print or a king-sized ottoman) for balance.

Cabin Chic

A rustic retreat gets a pop with slipper chairs covered in a tribal ikat. It gives the outdoorsy cabin a feminine spin.

Playing Together

Spike the interest level in a neutral room with a few splatters of pattern. The bold designs on these throw pillows might be overwhelming in a larger scale, but in a petite form they add a casual chic vibe.

Eclectic Appeal

Two Moroccan poufs set on the floor give a wanderlust feel to this traditional living room and provide extra casual seating for guests.

Accent Wall

Swathe one wall in a cheery wallpaper to warm your space. Choose a print that picks up other colors in the room.

Office Space

Create a petite home office in your living room that’s big on style: Instead of a traditional desk chair (that would look out of place) appoint a living room chair that looks good facing the desk or the rest of the space.

Viewing Area

The eternal question: What to do with the TV? If space allows, try placing your television in a corner so the flow of the room is uninterrupted (but where you can still enjoy Downton Abbey comfortably from the sofa).

Bursts of Cheer

Maxi floral prints and super-sized stripes are whimsical touches that give this living room an affable appearance.

Warm and Inviting

Nothing says, “curl up and stay awhile” like an extra-deep, sink-into-me sofa and a plush ottoman to rest your feet.

Load on Layers

Stimulate the senses with plenty of textures, including a scratchy jute rug underfoot, a tweedy wallpaper, and a luxurious cashmere throw on the sofa.

Polished Pairs

Ah, the power of two: A pair of identical console tables flank the fireplace and two different, but similarly-colored, sofas face each other for a pulled-together look.

Natural Elements

A mix of polished and unfinished wood pieces, and a neutral shade on the wall, can make a room feel chic and not campy.

Feeling the Blues

A palette of navy blues makes this room feel instantly inviting and cozy. It’s a durable color for big pieces of furniture, like this plush sectional, since it masks everyday dirt.

Small-Space Solution

The trick to turning a small-space into an elegant living area is to use appropriately sized furniture. A sectional sofa might seem too big for a petite area but in fact it’s the perfect size and helps define the space. (Using small furniture in a tight space only exacerbates a compact feeling.)

Sea of Space

Make your living room a welcome respite for a gang of friends with ample seating and a circular coffee table that’s easy to navigate.

Easy Elegance

Keep a formal living room from getting too fussy by mixing dramatic accents like these floor to ceiling drapes with everyday classics, like a pair of neutral slipper chairs.

Ladylike Charm

Soft, muted colors and sinuous curtains infuse a living room with a little feminine grace.

Extended Seating

The right furniture layout, with a quirky accessory added here and there, can broaden a living room to accommodate large groups and big parties.

 

Mix It Up

Throw caution to the wind and mix in a bunch of different patterns for a lively look. Pick complimentary colors to guide you when shopping.

source:realsimple