FEATURE: Elegant Living Rooms

Elegant Living Rooms

By Kirsten E Silven

1 Traditional with a twist, this stylish living room makes the most out of the available space, with a fanciful hanging swing bench in the bay window, an expansive sofa and eclectic mix of sumptuous materials, including a calming grey-green hue on the walls and original herringbone hardwood floor. Photo courtesy of Mel Yates.

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2 Reclaimed hardwood flooring, floor-to-ceiling windows and clever recessed lighting around the perimeter, with a sleek, modern chandelier in the center give this living room a chic, progressive vibe. The oversized Oriental rug grounds the space, which also boasts ample natural light, earth tones and just the right amount of color to add visual interest. Photo courtesy of Behnam Rugs.

3 A formerly bland ranch house is now anything but, as this open, cheerful living room attests. Modern and traditional touches blend seamlessly, with a bright, neutral color palette that showcases a variety of earth tones and a layout that encourages conversation. Photo courtesy of David Kleinberg Design Associates.

As interior design continues to evolve into ever more liberated territory, the living room is no exception, with today’s trends often spanning virtually the entire realm of possibility and holding fast to just one real cardinal rule: It has to look great! The good news is, there is truly something for everyone, from tranquil, laid back nature-inspired looks, sleek and modern, to elegant classics and virtually everything in between.

The key lies in getting everything—furniture, lighting, colors and accessories—to work well together, giving the room a sense of depth and character that only the best design can bring. To achieve this, be sure to create a plan before you begin—working with a seasoned professional whenever possible—and the more detailed the plan becomes, the better the end result will be. Start by simply curating pictures of styles, looks and pieces you really love, then branch out to make it your own by seeing how these items will play together in the real world.

“We’ve seen a push for enhanced functionality in living rooms growing in demand, including motion furniture and sectionals that offer a wide array of options,” shared Michael Wells, who owns Pieratt’s Furniture, Mattress, Appliance & Electronics in Central Kentucky. “We’ve also seen movement towards a more neutral color palette, which offers greater versatility and the option to add in pops of color.”

Wells says clients are also looking for big, deep, comfortable pieces, along with items that are well built and can serve as legacy pieces. This allows the furniture to change and evolve right along with your personal style over time, with pieces that can still work in your home after remodeling or upgrading and moving into an entirely new space. “Recent trends relating to lighting in a living room include the use of natural materials such as rattan, rope, wood and beads,” shared Robbin Thompson, who serves as a Lighting Consultant at Brecher’s Lighting in Louisville, Kentucky. “We have also noticed some clients leaning more towards wider fixtures that are reminiscent of a drum or wheel, while a variety of different sleek, simplistic designs have been trending as well.”

In addition to natural materials, white glass and LED bulbs in the 3000-kelvin color temperature are also trending, and Thompson says it’s important to look at the total square footage of the room, along with its ceiling height, in order to properly size the lighting fixtures. Often the main fixture is placed in the center of a living room, with recessed lighting added to outline the perimeter in order to evenly distribute light throughout the space.

“Be sure to consider the finishes and textures that may already be in place throughout the rest of your home, in order to ensure any new fixtures complement the overall look and feel,” Thompson added.

Finally, take the time to be truly intentional about every item you select and pare down any sense of being “too busy” in the room. After all, living rooms are typically used mainly for repose and for spending time with friends and family. Removing whatever isn’t working and streamlining the design will help to enhance the overall quality of the space, whatever your style—from the latest ontrend fashions to the most classic of looks.

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4 This elegant condo boasts floor-to-ceiling windows in its inviting living room, which brings together soft grey, blue and creamy white tones to create a soothing atmosphere that’s ideal for relaxing after a busy day. Smart seating allows for easy entertaining, while the open floor plan offers just enough separation to give a sense of place to each room. Photo courtesy of Ray Booth Design.

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5 Inspired by the glamour of Lake Como, New York City and London, curating this luxe aesthetic requires a meticulous eye for detail and willingness to push boundaries. Offering up a pleasing blend of contemporary and traditional touches, with fabulous lighting, intense pops of color and comfy seating to create a refined yet cozy feel, it’s easy to imagine curling up on this chaise lounge to enjoy the fire. Photo courtesy of Maurizio Pellizzoni.

6 Dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows allow ample natural light to flood this contemporary yet warm living room, which also boasts a whimsical LED spiral chandelier by James Allen and a streamlined neutral-toned tile fireplace to help set the mood. Photo courtesy of Anderson Design Studio.

7 A study in traditional design, this stunning space features Napoleon III crystal chandeliers, ornate plaster ceilings and gilded mirrors above marble mantels, while richly embellished curtains frame sun-drenched windows and elegant rugs cover chevron planked hardwood floors. A timeless collection of antique heirlooms completes the classic look, including mirrored obelisks and vintage Jansen stools. Photo courtesy of Timothy Corrigan.

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8 Relaxed, rustic touches create a cozy place to entertain friends and family, with limestone flooring and rough-hewn antique white oak beams adding unique architectural details that work to ground the room. Serene neutrals draw the eye outside, while steel-cased windows lend a timeless feel to the space. Photo courtesy of Melanie Pounds.

9 Layers of comforting neutral shades create a soothing color palette in this modern yet intimate space, which boasts plenty of seating and a spacious open floor plan that is perfect for entertaining. Photo courtesy of Helmie Halim.

10 High-gloss hardwood floors stained the darkest of browns work in sharp yet pleasing contrast to muted white walls, which work to soften dramatic architectural details in this historic home. The living room opens here to an expansive terrace through two sets of charming double doors, while the conversational seating arrangement and various works of art lend distinctly modern touches to the space. Photo courtesy of Doug Friedman.

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