Your living room is more than just a space; it’s a canvas for self-expression and a reflection of your unique style. Decorating this vital room involves a myriad of choices, from selecting paint colors to arranging furniture and lighting. But it’s the art of accessorizing that truly breathes life into your living room, transforming it into a haven of comfort and beauty. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into 21 expert tips for styling your living room with accessories that will elevate your decor and create a space that feels both inviting and uniquely yours.
Incorporate Nature with a Tree
In the realm of interior design, the power of nature is undeniable. A living room adorned with the soothing presence of greenery not only looks refreshing but also fosters a calming ambiance. Interior designer Alvin Wayne suggests adding a tall tree as a centerpiece. This natural element brings a touch of color and vibrancy to the room, creating a feel-good effect that never goes out of style. Opting for one large potted tree simplifies maintenance and makes a bold visual statement. If you’re not blessed with a green thumb or your living room lacks ample sunlight, high-quality artificial trees are a worthy alternative. Just remember to dust or wipe the leaves regularly for an evergreen appearance.
Illuminate with Amber Glass
Incorporating warm and inviting elements can instantly lift the mood in your living room. Blogger Mandi Johnson from A Beautiful Mess demonstrates how a simple addition, such as an amber blown glass vase, can work wonders. Placed on a live-edge wood coffee table, it catches and reflects light like a miniature sun. Depending on your color preferences, you can opt for a green glass Dame Jeanne or a cobalt blue vase. These radiant pieces not only infuse color but also exude a sense of coziness.
Embrace Dried Plants and Flowers
While houseplants have been enjoying a resurgence in popularity, dried plants and flowers have also found their place in modern decor. They offer an eco-friendly and low-maintenance alternative to their living counterparts. In this sustainable living room, interior designer VelindaHellen showcases the beauty of dried flowers, particularly the trendy pampas grass. To keep them looking their best, ensure regular dusting. When their time has come, be sure to recycle them properly. This eco-conscious choice not only adds style but also reduces your carbon footprint.
Decorative Wall Baskets for Texture
Adding texture to your living room is an essential aspect of creating visual interest. Interior designer Ashley Peterson, of The Lifestyled Home, suggests hanging lightweight and inexpensive woven baskets on the wall. This simple yet effective technique infuses warmth into the space without breaking the bank. The trio of baskets coordinates harmoniously with the wood tones, throw pillows, and the vibrant presence of a fiddle-leaf fig tree. It’s a casual and chic way to introduce texture into your decor.
Timeless Coffee Table Books
Coffee table books are classic living room accessories for a reason. They offer beauty, escapism, and provide you with something to browse through while relaxing on the couch or to occupy guests awaiting their drinks. In this living room designed by AjaiGuyot, a small stack of coffee table books complements the sepia tones of the overall design. However, don’t hesitate to use coffee table books as a way to inject a burst of color into a neutral room. These books are not only a source of knowledge but also a form of artistic expression.
Enhance Ambiance with Candles
Candlelight has a timeless appeal that can instantly elevate the atmosphere of your living room. Whether you prefer scented candles in elegant glass jars, votive candles, hurricane lamp candles, LED flame pillar candles, or classic candlesticks, there’s no denying the primal allure of flickering flames. In this retro-inspired living room design by Ryann Miller from Emily Henderson Design, old-school candlesticks with taper candles create a warm and nostalgic ambiance. For an eco-friendly touch, opt for LED candles with rechargeable batteries and seek out conventional candles made with natural scents and eco-friendly ingredients.
Textural Throw Pillows for Comfort
A well-placed pile of fluffy Moroccan handira wedding blanket throw pillows, as seen in this living room designed by Jenn Pablo of Jenn Pablo Studio, can work wonders. Not only do they make your space more visually interesting, but they also add an irresistible level of comfort and coziness. When selecting throw pillows, consider introducing various fabrics, patterns, and shapes to infuse texture into the room’s design. Mixing and matching pillows is an art form that allows you to experiment with different styles and create a unique aesthetic.
Create Layers with Mirrors and Framed Art
The living room mantel is an endless blank canvas that can be styled for various occasions, seasons, or simply to suit your ever-evolving taste. If you appreciate a casually layered look, take inspiration from interior designer Kate Marker of Kate Marker Interiors. She effortlessly combines an assortment of framed art against a leaning mirror, creating a captivating focal point. Adding some greenery to this arrangement adds a refreshing touch, making your living room feel like a continuously evolving gallery.
Blanket Ladder for Cozy Vibes
Few things are as comforting as a throw blanket on a chilly evening. While a single throw can add softness and warmth to a couch or armchair, adding enough blankets for everyone in the house can sometimes look messy and cluttered. Emily Henderson of Emily Henderson Design offers a practical solution: lean a lightweight blanket ladder against the wall. This clever accessory not only stores extra folded blankets when not in use but also serves as a decorative element. During warmer months, you can leave the ladder empty or use it to display magazines, LED fairy lights, or dried flowers, adding a touch of whimsy and personality to your space.
Vintage Wall Sculpture for Retro Charm
In this living room designed by Erin Williamson of Erin Williamson Design, a striking Curtis Jere wall sculpture adds a dash of retro charm. Vintage midcentury wall sculptures, as well as more affordable reproductions, can be sourced online or from local shops specializing in midcentury design. These artistic pieces bring character and a unique aesthetic to your living room, telling a story that’s entirely your own.
Elevate with a Glass Cloche
In this living room designed by Becca Casey of Becca Interiors, a glass cloche serves a dual purpose. It houses a luxurious CireTrudon candle, keeping it free from dust and scenting the room with elegance once lit. However, a glass cloche is incredibly versatile and can elevate a wide range of items. Whether you choose to display dried flowers, figurines, a string of LED lights, Christmas ball decorations, or any other trinkets that warm your heart, a glass cloche adds an element of sophistication and focus to your decor.
Make a Statement with Wall Hangings
The wall above your sofa is prime real estate in your living room, demanding a statement piece that captures attention. Hanging a colorful or textural wall hanging over your couch is an effortless way to infuse character into your space. Whether you opt for a trendy macrame or woven wall hanging, a vintage quilt, or a colorful fabric wall hanging, as demonstrated by Alvin Wayne, this focal point adds depth and personality to your living room design. It’s a conversation starter and an artistic expression rolled into one.
Embrace the Natural Wood Aesthetic
In an increasingly digital and tech-driven world, interiors have shifted their focus towards natural materials and organic forms. These elements create a sense of calm, grounding, and a connection to nature. In this sophisticated yet down-to-earth living room designed by Carol Estes, textured walls, leather, and wood tones come together to create a soothing natural ambiance. A polished wood stump occasional table introduces a subtle nod to nature that never goes out of style. Its presence brings a touch of the outdoors inside, infusing your living room with warmth and tranquility.
Add a Burst of Color with a Throw
In a neutral room, color becomes a precious accessory. You can introduce vibrant hues in small, impactful doses. For instance, Emily Henderson of Emily Henderson Design showcases a mustard-colored throw blanket that instantly enlivens the space. These bursts of color not only infuse visual interest but also add a cheerful and lively dimension to an otherwise muted palette. It’s a testament to the power of color as an accessory in interior design.
Enhance Functionality with a Geometric Tray
In this living room designed by Kate Marker of Kate Marker Interiors, a hexagonal wood tray placed on the leather ottoman serves multiple purposes. It functions as a coffee table, providing a stable surface for drinks and decor. Furthermore, it houses small decorative objects, keeping the space organized and visually appealing. The introduction of various geometric shapes, evident in the tray, a patterned throw pillow, and a diamond-patterned rug, adds dynamism and a graphic touch to the living room design.
Woven Covered Storage Baskets for Organization
One of the coziest accessories you can introduce to your living room is a throw blanket. While one throw blanket can add softness to a couch or armchair, multiple blankets for every member of the household can quickly lead to a cluttered appearance. You can tackle this problem by incorporating woven covered storage baskets, as demonstrated by interior designer Desiree Burns of Desiree Burns Interiors. Placed beneath a console table behind the sofa, these baskets fill the empty space while providing a practical solution for storing throw blankets, toys, or any items that contribute to clutter. Their natural tones harmonize with the room’s neutral palette, ensuring a cohesive and organized living room.
Combine Decor and Entertainment with Chess
In this living room designed by Erin Williamson of Erin Williamson Design, a sculptural chess set seamlessly blends decor and leisure time activity. The set is both visually captivating and a practical source of entertainment waiting to happen. It adds an interactive element to the living room, encouraging family and friends to engage in friendly matches while also serving as a striking conversation piece.
Accessorize with a Table Necklace
Accessories in your living room can serve various functions, from functional to purely decorative. In this living room designed by Kate Marker of Kate Marker Interiors, the coffee table becomes an artful display. Books, flowers, natural elements like a wooden tray, and even a necklace made of wooden beads adorn the table’s surface. This imaginative approach to accessorizing illustrates how even the smallest details can elevate your living room’s aesthetic and add a layer of personality to the space.
Embrace the Unexpected
Sometimes, it’s the unexpected that truly defines a living room’s character. In this whimsical midcentury-inspired living room designed by Erin Williamson of Erin Williamson Design, a life-size baby giraffe sculpture stands tall in a corner, in front of glass doors. This surprising addition showcases that the best living room accessory is the one that resonates with your personality and sparks joy. Don’t hesitate to go big if your budget and taste align with an unconventional yet delightful piece of decor.
Illuminate with Neon Signage
Interior designer Alvin Wayne takes a bold step in lighting up a blank wall opposite the main living room seating area in an NYC apartment. This transformation involves black paint, a sculptural love seat with rounded corners, a collection of plants, and, most notably, a neon sign with an expansive message. Neon signage introduces a modern and captivating element to your living room, serving as a focal point and a conversation starter. If neon isn’t your style, consider vintage advertising signs or old French shop signs, which can be sourced online or acquired as unique souvenirs from your travels.
Deliver a Silent Message
Interior designer Tyler Karu of Tyler Karu Design + Interiors adds personality and a subtle message of peace to an end table vignette in this living room. A shiny gold-toned decorative object graces the space, perking it up and demonstrating that an element of surprise can make your decor shine. This example showcases that even the most understated of accessories can speak volumes and add character to your living room.
In conclusion, decorating your living room with accessories is an art that allows you to infuse your personality and style into your space. These 21 expert tips offer a diverse range of ideas, from incorporating natural elements to embracing unexpected surprises. Whether you opt for the calming presence of greenery, the warmth of amber glass, or the versatility of a glass cloche, each accessory contributes to creating a harmonious and inviting atmosphere. So, embark on your decorating journey with confidence, and watch your living room transform into a cozy haven that tells your unique story.