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Leah is a writer for , where she covers interior design. She has decades of experience, writing for sites like Apartment Therapy and Glamour.
Design Ideas For A Formal Living Room
The term “formal living room” may bring back some not-so-pleasant memories from our youth. In the somewhat intimidating “adults only” rooms that mostly belonged to our parents or grandparents and their friends, you’d often find plastic-covered sofas, fragile accent pieces, white rugs, and lots and lots of upholstery. Very few of these fancy living spaces offered much comfort (or fun for that matter!) for everyone. Perhaps that’s why a recent study found that formal living rooms were one of the most used spaces in homes, with most people reporting that they spent less time in the fancy space compared to other rooms.
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. We spoke to a number of interior design experts for advice on how to shape your formal living space into a part of your home where you actually want to spend time.
One hallmark of formal living room design from past generations is coordinated furniture, points out Stitchroom’s Ella Hall. You know what it looks like – a room full of sofas, chairs and coffee tables that look like they were bought as a set. “Don’t stick to the rule that everything has to match,” she urges. “Mix styles, textures and colors to create variety.”
To modernize a traditional formal living room, you don’t have to go out and buy all new furniture. Hall suggests starting with what you have and reupholstering vintage pieces with new fabric. If you’re starting from scratch, this can also be a money-saving tactic because you can pick up great pieces that need some love for cheap.
Art can seriously change the tone of any living space. Hall suggests using your formal living room as a place to display “striking art that’s interchangeable from season to season.” Also, if your furniture is on the traditional side, art that is a little more contemporary can add a youthful touch.
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Another design element of many old-school formal living rooms is, well, awkwardness. “Our parents seemed to have uncomfortable sofas with too formal a fabric!” points out Katie Stix, IIDA, (Partner, Director of Design, LEED Green Associate) at Anderson Design Studio. Solid but elegant sofas, cushions that are anything but comfortable and hard seating chairs are just some of the things that come to mind. “We no longer have such formal spaces that make us wonder if it’s safe to sit or even walk into a room,” emphasizes Lauren O’Donnell, interior designer at Build.com.
Our parents’ formal living rooms always seemed to be carpeted from head to toe. Mixing materials, such as adding woven or leather chairs, is a great way to avoid this dated look, suggests O’Donnell.
Don’t follow the rule that everything has to match. Mix styles, textures and colors to create variety.
Formal living rooms of the past also seem to have one primary function: to entertain guests in a formal setting. However, in 2020, we are much more casual than previous generations, and functionality is essential. “The living space is an important part of the home, but today it certainly serves a different purpose as it is a more used and functional space,” O’Donnell points out. “You want a living room in your home designed for entertaining guests, lounging and even dining, that is formal yet casual enough to be inviting.”
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When designing a formal living space, it can be tempting to choose eye-catching upholstered furniture. However, O’Donnell suggests resisting the urge to order a zebra print sofa and saving the Scalamandra for the cushions instead. “I always say stick to neutral solids, versus patterns, for upholstery, then dress up your chairs and sofas with patterned cushions or use a patterned rug and textured upholstery,” she says.
The whole point of a formal living room is to gather friends and family together. It only makes sense that your furniture encourages interaction. Stix suggests incorporating seating that encourages conversation, such as two sofas facing each other or four chairs with a center table or ottoman.
Stix points out that our parents’ official living room was always in the front part of the house, completely separated from the other rooms. “If possible, place the formal living space away from the active space,” she suggests. “If the living room is next to the kitchen, where everyone seems to gather, it allows the conversation to flow and the home feels more connected.”
Uses only reliable and high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy. Do you want a living space that is equally elegant and attractive? Welcome to your new guide to formal living room ideas! Let’s explore how to create a comfortable formal living room that will stun at first glance.
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When it comes to elegant formal living room ideas, there are some things that can make or break your interior. Consider the most pressing ones below before putting together your design.
Not sure which formal living room ideas suit your style? Then first determine your style with our free interior design quiz! Designer-approved ideas for formal living
Decorating a modern formal living room requires a mix of contemporary living room trends and timeless favorites. Our designers have selected their favorites of the day, celebrating luxurious refinement at its best.
For a formal living room that exudes traditional elegance, focus on classic details that stand the test of time. Include crafted and polished living room furniture with timeless silhouettes, such as a Chesterfield sofa or wingback chairs. Also choose plush upholstery such as rich and luxurious leather, linen, silk or velvet.
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Pro tip: Accent with antique or vintage decor, such as an ornate mirror or Persian rug, to create a space that exudes a deep sense of history.
In a modern formal living room interior design, combine sleek contemporary design with opulent traditional aesthetics. Choose minimalist furniture with clean lines and combine it with rich textiles, silk or velvet and plush carpets. Complete the look with elegant, understated light fixtures and a few carefully selected pieces of art.
Expert tip: Keep a good balance – try to add a touch of sophistication without overwhelming the space.
Contemporary formal living rooms easily embrace organic and neutral themes, blending modern design with raw elements. Choose curved furniture made from natural materials and stick to a monochromatic palette. Additionally, enhance this tranquil space with organic accents such as potted plants, a tactile rug, and soft, ambient lighting.
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Pro tip: Play with texture! A variety of materials and surfaces will restore dynamic visual interest.
Ideas for formal living room decoration are developed on layers of luxurious textiles, creating a rich sensory experience. Incorporate a variety of materials such as velvet upholstery, silk cushions and heavy linen fabrics to add depth and extravagance. Be sure to add plush rugs and soft covers that exude extraordinary tactile and visual quality.
Bold pieces can be a game-changer in a formal living room design—especially if you want a conversation-starting focal point. Consider placing large and impressive contemporary wall art in the most prominent place. Or, alternatively, display an oversized sculpture that draws attention as soon as one enters the room.
Expert tip: Complement them with uniquely designed furniture, such as an avant-garde chair or an unconventional coffee table, to further emphasize the character of the room.
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Good lighting is essential. Sculptural or oversized chandeliers topped with sophisticated light fixtures let formal seating ideas shine. Use a combination of ambient, task and accent lighting to further enhance the vibrancy of the room.
Pro tip: colorful lamps, artistic floor lamps, and strategically placed spotlights can do even more, like draw attention to a room’s best features.
Embrace colorful formal living room ideas that are bursting with style and are in line with the latest trends. Simply put, try vibrant eclecticism! Combine bold colors with a curated mix of fearless styles and eras. Start with a bold background, like peacock blue or cotton candy pink, and accent it with bright shades. Then mix styles, textures and patterns and integrate art or sculptures that stand out.
No formal living room decorating choice is complete without selected art. Choose pieces that suit your taste and complement the overall theme of the room. You can also consider using innovative artwork that invites interaction, such as kinetic sculptures or digital art displays. Think three-dimensional installations that play with light and shadow, creating an ever-changing visual experience.
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Expert tip: Kinetic pieces not only act as focal points, but also bring a sense of movement and fluidity to the walls, making them really stand out.
Spruce up your formal living room with furniture ideas that are both comfortable and stylish. Think overstuffed couches, soft sofas and classic wooden tables. It also includes modular elements that can quickly transform a formal living room into