Relax and reconnect: How to design a living room that feels like home
While bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens serve a functional purpose, the living room offers a space where you can just be. Whether it’s winding down on the couch after a long day, catching up with family or binging the latest Netflix series, the clue’s in the name – it’s where you live. So when it comes to design, you need to think beyond style to create a warm, open space that promotes comfort and connection. Here’s how.
Layout matters: Create zones for living (not just sitting)
The first step to a heart-of-the-home living room? Layout (which is about so much more than where you put the couch or position the TV).
A good living room layout creates zones that invite different kinds of togetherness.
Imagine a cosy reading nook in one corner. A communal seating area facing the TV. And a small games area if you’ve got the space (chess, anyone?).
Each area of the room should flow into the next without feeling cramped or cut off – making it easy to move, mingle and settle in wherever the mood takes you.
If you have less space, pick smaller furniture and avoid overfilling the room – you want comfort, not an obstacle course.
An important but underrated rule? Walkways should be wide enough for two people to pass without the awkward side shuffle.
Light it right: Set the mood for every moment
Good lighting = good vibes. It’s simple mathematics.
How your room is lit sets the tone for every catch-up, movie night or quiet evening in. The best living rooms have three types of light:
- Ambient (usually your main overhead light)
- Task (for reading or board games)
- Accent (for atmosphere)
Layer them up so you can mix and match to suit your mood.
Floor lamps and table lamps are your friends – and fairy lights or candles can go a long way in making a room feel soft and inviting.
Just make sure you use warm lightbulbs. Nobody ever got cosy under fluorescents.
Prioritise comfort: Seating is king
Picture this. You find a beautiful mid-century sofa for an incredible price at a local antiques market.
It’s timeless, it’s elegant, it… feels like you’re sitting on a park bench in winter. No thanks.
The best living rooms are built around comfortable seating; the kind you can collapse onto, curl up on or spend hours mindlessly scrolling (oops, we mean… reading a good book).
Remember: this is your go-to space to relax and unwind, so don’t forego comfort for style.
Second on the priority list? Investing in quality fabrics. Hardwearing, stain-resistant materials will save you a lot of heartache (and money) in the long run, especially if you have young kids or pets.
Get textural: Soften your space with cushions, throws and rugs
Like a great outfit, a living room isn’t complete without accessories.
Cushions, throws and rugs work wonders when adding warmth and depth. Layering different materials – chunky knits, soft linen, velvet, the works – instantly makes a room feel more lived-in.
Pillows and throws aren't just for show, either. They’re your secret weapons for making a big sofa more welcoming or turning a quiet reading chair into your new favourite spot.
And don’t forget what’s underfoot. A great rug doesn’t just add comfort and warmth; it will also help anchor your furniture and make the whole room feel more ‘put together’.
Give your walls some love: Add art and photos
Bare walls can make even the cosiest room feel unfinished. Photos, prints and artwork will bring the whole room together, so don’t skip it!
Art doesn’t have to be expensive or serious to earn its place. A vintage print, framed travel photo, op-shop find, or colourful drawing courtesy of your best friend’s 5-year-old can work just as well as expensive paintings.
So mix it up. Hang a gallery wall. Group smaller prints around a mirror or shelf. Prop a big frame on a table – or against the wall if you’re renting.
If you love it, it belongs.
Tell your story: Add personal touches
The best living rooms feel personal, not perfect.
Whether you’re a strict minimalist who loves clean lines or a ‘more-is-more’ collector of treasures and trinkets, it’s your personal pieces and decorative touches that bring the room to life.
Maybe it’s a stack of dog-eared novels arranged by colour or a few well-chosen coffee table books. A clock picked up from a market on your travels, or a hand-blown glass vase.
These details are what turn a nice room into your room – and give guests a glimpse into your life.
One word of advice? Curate, don’t clutter. A few meaningful pieces will have more impact than a shelf crammed full of stuff. And it will make things much easier to clean!
Make room for rituals: Design for quality time
At the end of the day, the real heart of the home isn’t the furniture. It’s the people in it.
So when you’re setting up your living room, think about the moments you want to create.
Maybe it’s Sunday morning coffee and newspapers on the couch. Friday night board games with a bottle of wine. Sprawling out with friends or kids for a movie marathon.
Thoughtfully placed furniture can act as little invitations to gather: a low coffee table perfect for snacks, a basket of board games within easy reach or a record player with a stack of old favourites ready to spin.
The real magic happens when you stop styling and start living.
