Whether you call it a living room, family room or den, this space is the heart of your home. Make it pretty and functional with these cool furniture design ideas.
Refreshing upholstery with washable slipcovers is a simple and affordable way to refresh your look. Repeating a patterned fabric between adjacent rooms, helps tie the spaces together.
Couch
The right sofa will create the foundation for your living room, setting the tone for comfort and style. Whether you want to create a cozy hangout for family movie nights or a sleek grown-up retreat, the shape, size and colour of your sofa will impact your entire room design. Once you’ve settled on the ideal couch shape and size you can begin playing with layout, colour and accessories.
A large rug can act as a room divider behind your sofa, tying the space together and serving as an anchor point for your colour scheme. Use a bold pattern to make a statement, or opt for a solid colour like grey to keep things calm and classic.
If you have the floor space for it, a bench is a great option to place behind your sofa. It’s a stylish choice that offers additional seating, as well as a place for decor and storage. Place a side table or a coffee table at the end of the bench to create symmetry, and fill in the corner where the two pieces meet with an accent piece or a small chair.
If your sofa is long enough, you can even opt to place a set of chairs in the corner, creating an L-shaped arrangement that’s perfect for group conversation. Position one chair facing the sofa and the other chair opposite for a comfy cocktail party spot.
Play with the back of your sofa by decorating it with a line-up of cushions and throws, or go big and bold with a patterned style For maximalists, a patterned sofa is a fun way to make a statement and can be easily updated with new colour pops via throw pillows and art.
For a modern space, choose a sectional sofa that combines functionality with clean lines for a refined look. A sectional also provides more seating for your guests.
Sheepskin Throws
Sheepskin throws bring a cozy and stylish touch to a variety of furniture pieces. They’re especially good for bringing some warmth and comfort to bare corners of the room that can be difficult to make cozy with just regular furniture.
Sheepskins come in a wide variety of colors so you can match them to your room’s color palette. Alternatively, they can also be used to add texture and contrast to a room with lots of solid colored furniture. For example, a cream pelt throw can be draped over a light gray sofa chair accented with peacock blue pillows.
Unlike most common leather pieces, sheepskin is tanned with the fleece intact so it’s very soft and warm. This makes it ideal for wrapping up in on a cold day. It’s also a great material for rugs and throw blankets because it can withstand heavy use without losing its shape or texture.
If you have a modern metal chair that feels stark and cold, toss a sheep skin over it for some added comfort and style. You can even use a sheepskin as an accent piece on your bed. This is a great way to add warmth and coziness to your bedroom without adding extra blankets or pillows.
Another option for using a sheepskin is to drape it over a bench or other accent furniture. This is a great way to give the room some dimension and a more inviting place to sit.
Sheepskin rugs are also a great addition to the back of your chair or the end of your couch. They can be used as a decorative accent or to keep you cozy during movie night!
You can also use a sheepskin to create a cute napping area for your pet. This is a great idea for those bare corners of the room that are often neglected. Arielle from Scotch and Nonsense layered a sheepskin on top of her chairs to create the perfect place for her dogs to sleep.
Sheepskin rugs are also great for sprucing up old furniture. A sheepskin can easily transform a rattan or wicker chair into a modern and stylish conversation piece. If you have a rattan or wicker sofa, you can even wrap it in a shearling or lambskin to give it some extra warmth and style.
Throw Pillows
When you’re designing a throw pillow collection, you want to balance a variety of shapes and textures. This helps create a visually appealing and cozy design. However, you’ll also need to consider colors and fabrics when arranging your pillows. This is where things can get a little tricky and a bit overwhelming, especially when there are so many choices out there!
To help make the process of styling throw pillows simpler, start with the largest size your furniture can accommodate. From there, select a coordinating color and a few smaller sized pillows. Studio McGee suggests size increments of 2 inches to keep your collection looking cohesive. You’ll also want to avoid overstuffing your sofa, as this looks messy and takes away from the comfort of lounging on your couch.
The next step is to decide on the pattern you want. Then, choose the coordinating solid color that works best with your fabric choice. A contrasting solid color will add intrigue to your throw pillow mix and can help to break up the pattern if needed. Lastly, add in one or two additional pillows with a more intricate print to bring the look together and give your space a finished feel.
You can also change your throw pillow color to reflect the seasons. Bright plaid and gingham pillows are great for winter, while soft pinks and blues add a fresh and fun summer vibe. Finally, you can also introduce a seasonal throw pillow like a pumpkin shaped cushion to bring in a festive look for fall.
When selecting a color palette for your throw pillows, look to the other elements in your room like window treatments and the upholstered upholstery on your sofa, chair, or ottoman. If you have a patterned rug, for example, opt for neutral-colored throw pillows to balance the look and keep it from feeling too busy.
When choosing throw pillow colors and patterns, remember that odd numbers work best for modern looks. Odd numbers of larger sized pillows look more artful than an even number of smaller pillows, which can often look jumbled and messy. If you’re going with an even number of pillows, consider a more traditional look and stick to a classic pairing of two matching solid colored throw pillows or an even number of neutral textured pillows.
Stool
Stools are a versatile home furniture piece that can elevate the style of any room. They’re also a great alternative to accent chairs in small spaces because they can be tucked into corners and can double as side tables. Stools are available in a variety of shapes, too, so they can perfectly complement the other seating arrangements in your room. For example, if you have a tall chair with a low back, try adding a shorter stool to the mix for contrast.
The best way to choose a stool is by thinking about the shape that will fit in your space. There are many different styles of stools that are available, and each one has a unique design. For instance, some stools are circular, while others are more rectangular or cylindrical. The final shape of your stool will also depend on what kind of items you’re going to put near it. For example, a curved stool can add a soft touch to a sleek modern kitchen.
When it comes to stools, wood is a popular material that designers often use to create artistic furniture pieces. Some designers are even taking old wood and transforming it into new stool designs. For example, some stools feature wheels or have a skateboard look to them. Others are crafted from recycled materials like old pipes or reclaimed wood. These repurposed materials help to give the stools an eclectic feel and make them stand out in any room.
Another design element to consider is color. Stools come in a wide variety of colors, so you’re sure to find the perfect match for your space. If you have patterned fabric in your room, for example, a blue or yellow stool can provide an eye-catching pop of color. Or, if you have a more neutral color palette in your room, an accent stool with a dark wood finish can tie your entire decor together.
For a more sophisticated look, some stool designs feature nailhead accents. These accents are typically used around the seat or back of the chair and can add a touch of elegance to any room. To create a cohesive look, be sure to select a nailhead finish that matches the rest of your home’s finishes, including the lighting and plumbing fixtures.
