Try a High-Gloss Paint
Weave in Organic Textures
Inspired by Spanish and Mediterranean styles, this calming living space is defined by natural textures — from the wood beam ceiling and plaster fireplace to decorative accents, like a distressed area rug, rattan armchairs and faux greenery.
Don’t Stick to One Design Style
Hang Large Artwork Over the Sofa
Draw the eye upward by hanging large-scale art over the sofa, which works particularly well when you’ve got 10-foot (or taller) ceilings. An area rug with similar shades ties the room together.
Make It Warm and Moody
Wallpaper the Ceiling
This cozy media room, equipped with a hidden motorized movie screen, is defined by dark blue-green walls and a spruce forest wallpaper on the ceiling. The sunburst light fixture adds a dramatic final touch.
Don’t Fear Maximalism
Make Your Own Light Fixtures
If your living room is lacking a statement light fixture, but you don’t want to deal with electrical wires — here’s a solution for you. This blogger hangs wicker baskets from the ceiling, and secures wireless LED lights inside.
Bring in Touches of “Grandma Core”
“Grandma core,” a style that celebrates the charm and coziness you might find in a grandma’s home, is big on TikTok. Weave in touches of this trend, whether it’s adding fringe to your sofa or an antique tapestry on the wall.
Play With Pattern
Lean into pattern, from drapes and throw pillows to furniture, like accent chairs and ottomans. Take note from Sarah Storms of Styled by Storms and maintain a color palette so your patterns don’t clash.
Photo by: Brian Wetzel
Embrace a Floral Wallpaper
Keep It Light and Bright
Painted crisp white and filled with bright furniture, this small living room is made to feel larger. A lift-top coffee table provides some much-needed storage.
Paint a Bookshelf to Add Contrast
While this charming living room is painted light taupe, inside the bookshelves are painted navy blue to provide a pop of color and contrast. Sheffield House Design adds pillows with navy patches to tie the color palette together.
Photo by: Sonya Sellers
Embrace a Coastal Design
To achieve a relaxed, beach-like style, designer Christina Kim weaves in natural materials (think light woods and wicker) and sticks with a nature-inspired color palette (like bright whites, sandy beige and calming blues).
Photo by: Raquel Langworthy
Install Floor-to-Ceiling Shelving
Maximizing every inch of a soaring ceiling, design firm JAM builds a two-story bookshelf that doubles as an eclectic accent wall. It’s filled with a vast array of books, pottery and art, leaving some negative space to highlight stand-out pieces.
Photo by: Tory Williams
Embrace a Moody Hue
Create a warm retreat using dark shades for walls, furniture and decor. Here, Anastasia Casey of The Interior Collective goes for a monochrome moment by matching the couch to the wall, but lightens the space with a neutral area rug.
Photo by: Lindsay Brown
Mix Patterns and Colors
If you’ve got a bold personality, put it on full display. Take note from Reena Sotropa of In House Design Group and try more than one statement piece. Think a wallpapered ceiling, moody wall color, statement lighting and trendy furniture, like a green couch.
Photo by: Phil Crozier
Make the Mantel a Focal Point
Rely on Complementary Colors
Opposites on the color wheel, shades of yellow — like mustard — pair beautifully with light and dark blue tones. The power of opposing color combinations is evident in this striking space from Bethany Adams Interiors.
Photo by: Justin Jordan Photography
Bring in Warm Whites
White interiors are timeless, but there are so many shades to consider. Here, designer Jessica Nelson leans toward warm and creamy tones for a more inviting space.
Photo by: Carina Skrobecki
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, “What’s in My Cart.”
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
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