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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.
Formal Living Room Decor Ideas
The term “formal living room” may conjure up unpleasant memories from your teenage years. Usually owned by parents or grandparents and friends, you’ll find plastic-covered couches, flimsy accents, white rugs, and lots of upholstery in a rather creepy “adults only” room. Some of these beautiful living rooms offer comfort (or fun!) for everyone. Perhaps that’s why one recent study found that the formal living room is one of the most wasted spaces in the home, with most people reporting that they spend very little time in the majestic space compared to other rooms.
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. We spoke with many interior design experts to give you tips on how to design a formal living space into the area of the home where you want to spend time.
One of the signature design elements of formal living rooms from generations past was matching furniture, says Ella Hall of Stitchroom. You know the look – a whole room 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,” he advises. “Mix styles, textures and colors to create variety.”
You don’t have to go out and buy all new furniture to update a traditional formal living room. Hall suggests starting with what you have and reupholstering vintage pieces with fresh new fabrics. If you’re starting from scratch, this can also be a money-saving tactic because you can pick up large pieces that need a little love for cheap.
Art can seriously change the tone of a living space. Hall suggests using a formal living room as a place to display “art that can change from season to season.” Also, if your furniture is on the traditional side, a little contemporary art can add a youthful twist.
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Another design element of many traditional formal living rooms is discomfort. “Our parents seem to have uncomfortable couches with overly formal fabrics!” shared by Katie Stix, IIDA, (Partner, Director of Design, LEED Green Associate) at Anderson Design Studio. Hard but elegant sofas, uncomfortable cushions and stiff chairs are just a few that come to mind. “No longer are formal spaces that make us question whether it’s okay to sit or enter a room,” says Lauren O’Donnell, interior designer for Build.com.
Our parents’ formal living room always looked upholstered from head to toe. Mixing materials, such as adding some woven or leather chairs, is a great way to avoid this dated look, suggests O’Donnell.
Don’t follow the rule that everything must match. Mix and match styles, textures and colors to create variety.
Formal living rooms in the past also had a basic function: to entertain guests in a formal setting. However, in 2020 we are more relaxed than previous generations and functionality is key. “The living space is an important part of the home, but now it has a different purpose because it’s a more used and functional space,” says O’Donnell. “You want the living room in your home to be set up for entertaining guests, relaxing and even dining, something formal but casual enough to be enjoyable.”
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When designing a formal living space, it can be tempting to go with eye-catching upholstered furniture. However, O’Donnell suggests resisting the urge to order a zebra-print sofa and keeping Scalamandre for the cushions instead. “I always say stick to a mix of neutral solids with patterns for upholstery pieces and then swap out chairs and sofas for patterned cushions or use patterned and textured rugs,” she says.
The whole point of a formal living room is to bring friends and family together. It only makes sense that the furniture encourages interaction. Stix suggests combining seating that encourages conversation, such as two sofas facing each other or four chairs with a central table or ottoman.
Stix points out that our parents’ formal living room was always at the front of the house, separate from the rest of the room. “If possible, look for a formal living room in an active space,” she advises. “If the living room is close to the kitchen, where everyone gathers, conversations can flow and the house becomes more connected.”
We only use reliable sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how to keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy When you hear the words ‘formal living room’, think of an adults-only room where your parents or grandparents would hang out. Uncomfortable sofas, fragile knick-knacks and pristine white upholstery seem to be the staples of a traditional formal living room.
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The modern floor plan created the idea of a formal living room and it is a place where we want to gather and everyone is happy. Post-pandemic behavior allows us to host and entertain more often than ever. The more guests we have in our house, the more we see the appeal of a cozy living room that is separate from the everyday space.
They can be an elegant and stylish space while still being warm and welcoming. We’ve compiled eight formal living room decorating ideas to help you plan the area of your home where you want to spend time.
Cream, cream and gray colors usually work well in formal living rooms. Incorporating white tones on walls, furniture and accessories naturally creates a formal feel. For a more contemporary take, combine styles, textures and pops of color to create visual interest and warmth.
Use a neutral color palette of furniture, curtains and carpets. Then add some stunning accents with accessories. The result is a formal-feeling room that’s minimalistic but purposefully accented.
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Opting for a dark and moody space is a new take on formal living room decor. Use rich colors on the walls and decorations for an ultra spooky look. Choose a high-gloss finish to bounce light off the walls and brighten up the room. Continue with deep and dark colors in the upholstery and the fabric will create a comfortable cocoon effect. Add a bit of contrast so the space doesn’t feel flat. Lighter colors or elegant fittings bring light and make a formal living room charming.
The main purpose of a formal living room is to gather friends and family to socialize. Your furniture should encourage conversation and be comfortable enough that everyone wants to sit down and stay a while. Arrange your furniture to encourage interaction by turning two sofas together or four chairs around a coffee table or ottoman. Your formal living room fireplace is a timeless focal point that can often lead to your arrangement.
Choose classic and elegant furniture if you want your guests to immediately understand the purpose of the space. Timeless pieces such as upright sofas, wingbacks and tufted sofas are mixed with more expensive materials such as leather, creating a more luxurious, traditional look.
Furniture is very important in home design, but it is often the materials that give the space its individuality. Introducing rich and elegant fabrics such as silk or velvet adds texture to the room and adds formal appeal. Use these materials in statement curtains or accent pillows to keep the eye and tie the entire room together.
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Hanging artwork or a large mirror on the wall adds visual interest and sophistication. Art can change the tone of any space. It adds character and a sense of personality that materials and colors alone cannot achieve. Choose pieces that complement the overall style of the room and create a focal point.
Decorate the room with carefully selected accessories such as decorative vases, candlesticks or sculptures. Remember not to take up too much space and use accessories sparingly to maintain a sleek and sophisticated look. A formal living room is great for displaying your best or favorite knick-knacks. Include open shelving to display ornaments, artwork and books.
Try to find pieces that tell a story. Use items that are uniform in size, color, or arrangement to make them look neat and tidy. If your decor doesn’t reflect your style, your home will lack depth and connection.
A formal living room is one of the few areas in your home where you can install an elegant chandelier or pendant without “overdoing it.” The key to good lighting is layering everything; environment, tasks and accent lighting should be combined to create a