15 Living Room Decorating Styles To Consider For A Makeover Plus 5 You Should Totally Ignore
Your living room pulls double duty—comfort zone and showpiece. Whether you’re hosting friends or flopping down for a nap, style matters.
The right look can boost function, mood, and even resale value. So, which directions dazzle and which ones drag the vibe down? Here are 15 standout living room styles that earn compliments—and 5 outdated trends better left behind.
1. Mid-Century Modern
Clean lines and organic shapes combine to create a timeless appeal that never goes out of style. The beauty of mid-century modern lies in its simplicity and functionality.
Wooden furniture with tapered legs, iconic chairs, and statement lighting fixtures are hallmarks of this beloved aesthetic. Add a sunburst clock or geometric patterns for authentic flair!
2. Scandinavian Minimalism
Bright and airy spaces define this northern European style that celebrates simplicity. White walls serve as the perfect backdrop for light wood furniture and carefully selected decor pieces.
Natural light plays a starring role, with minimal window coverings allowing sunshine to flood the room. Cozy textiles like sheepskin throws and woven pillows add warmth to the clean aesthetic.
3. Bohemian Chic
Vibrant colors dance across the room in this free-spirited style that breaks all the rules. Layered textiles, from Moroccan rugs to embroidered pillows, create a rich tapestry of patterns and textures.
Plants thrive in every corner, bringing life and energy to the space. Macramé hangings, floor cushions, and globally-inspired accessories tell stories of faraway adventures and creative expression.
4. Industrial Loft
Raw architectural elements take center stage in this urban-inspired aesthetic. Exposed brick walls, concrete floors, and visible ductwork celebrate the beauty of unfinished spaces.
Metal accents like steel-framed furniture and iron light fixtures add edge. Wood elements bring warmth to balance the cooler materials, creating a sophisticated space that honors its architectural roots.
5. Coastal Relaxed
Sunshine and sea breezes seem to float through rooms decorated in this breezy style. Light blues, sandy beiges, and crisp whites create a color palette inspired by beach landscapes.
Comfortable slip-covered sofas invite long conversations, while natural materials like rattan and jute bring textural interest. A few carefully chosen nautical elements—think driftwood or sea glass—complete the seaside vibe.
6. Classic Traditional
Symmetry and refined elegance define this timeless approach to decorating. Matching pairs of lamps, end tables, and occasional chairs create a balanced, harmonious feel that never goes out of style. Rich wood tones in substantial furniture pieces anchor the room.
Plush upholstery in subtle patterns, framed artwork, and classic architectural details like crown molding complete this enduring look.
7. Modern Farmhouse
Warmth meets simplicity in this wildly popular style that feels both current and timeless. Shiplap walls, reclaimed wood, and black metal accents create the perfect backdrop for comfortable family living.
Neutral colors dominate, with texture providing visual interest. Vintage-inspired accessories and practical furniture pieces strike the perfect balance between function and style in this welcoming aesthetic.
8. Art Deco Glam
Luxury and drama combine in this opulent style inspired by the Roaring Twenties. Bold geometric patterns, metallic finishes, and rich jewel tones create a space that feels both nostalgic and thoroughly modern.
Velvet upholstery, mirrored surfaces, and statement lighting fixtures add glamour. Curved furniture with clean lines and symmetrical arrangements capture the elegant sophistication of this distinctive decorating approach.
9. Contemporary
Sleek and sophisticated spaces emerge when embracing this of-the-moment style. Unlike mid-century modern, contemporary design reflects what’s happening right now—clean lines, neutral colors, and minimal ornamentation.
Statement art pieces often serve as focal points against streamlined furniture. Technology integration is seamless, with smart home features and hidden storage solutions creating a clutter-free environment.
10. Rustic Cabin
Crackling fires and cozy evenings define the heart of rustic cabin style. Stone fireplaces, timber beams, and wood-paneled walls create a rugged backdrop that feels connected to nature.
Leather furniture, wool blankets, and animal hide rugs add textural warmth. Antlers, vintage snowshoes, or fishing gear can serve as wall decor that tells stories of outdoor adventures.
11. Japandi (Japanese + Scandinavian)
Simplicity meets sophistication in this fusion style combining Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian coziness. Clean lines and functional pieces eliminate clutter while focusing on quality craftsmanship. Natural materials like light woods, bamboo, and paper create a serene atmosphere.
Muted earth tones dominate the color palette, with occasional black accents providing contrast in this beautifully balanced aesthetic.
12. Eclectic Mix
Personal expression takes center stage when curating an eclectic space filled with treasured finds. Seemingly mismatched furniture pieces from different eras somehow work together when unified by color, scale, or theme.
Gallery walls display diverse art collections, while global textiles add vibrant personality. Success lies in balancing the visual excitement with enough breathing room to prevent the space from feeling chaotic.
13. Transitional
Blending traditional comfort with contemporary clean lines creates perfectly balanced spaces that feel current yet approachable. Neither too stuffy nor too stark, transitional style offers the best of both worlds.
Neutral color palettes provide versatility, while textural elements add interest. Furniture typically features rounded profiles with minimal ornamentation, creating rooms that feel sophisticated yet comfortable for everyday living.
14. Minimalist Zen
Calm washes over you upon entering spaces designed with this intentionally sparse approach. Every item serves a purpose, with nothing superfluous to distract from the peaceful atmosphere. Low-profile furniture, often in platform styles, creates horizontal lines that ground the space.
15. Vintage Retro
Nostalgia comes alive through playful colors and iconic furniture pieces from the 1950s-1970s. Avocado green, burnt orange, and mustard yellow create a cheerful palette that celebrates bygone eras.
Vinyl record players, sunburst clocks, and conversation pits make statements about the past. Vintage advertisements or movie posters add authentic character to walls in these personality-filled spaces.
16. Overly Ornate Victorian
Walking into a room drowning in tassels, fringe, and heavy drapery feels immediately dated and overwhelming. Victorian-inspired spaces often suffer from too much of everything—pattern, color, and accessories.
Maintaining these fussy interiors requires constant dusting of ornate surfaces and knickknacks. Modern life demands more practical, breathable spaces that don’t feel like museums frozen in the 1800s.
17. Heavy Tuscan
Once wildly popular in the early 2000s, this Mediterranean-inspired style now feels dated with its terracotta colors and heavy wrought iron details. Dark, imposing furniture pieces create unnecessarily somber atmospheres that make spaces feel smaller.
Faux-finished walls and plenty of grape/wine motifs have become decorating clichés. Modern interpretations of Mediterranean style embrace lighter palettes and more streamlined furnishings.
18. Cluttered Maximalism
Visual chaos ensues when too many objects compete for attention without thoughtful curation. While maximalism can be artful when done with intention, cluttered spaces often result from accumulation rather than design.
Excessive tchotchkes gather dust and create visual noise that prevents relaxation. Even maximalist spaces need breathing room and organization to feel like deliberate expressions rather than storage facilities.
19. Outdated Floral Prints
Small, busy floral patterns covering everything from sofas to wallpaper create spaces that feel stuck in the 1980s-90s. Matching floral sets—where curtains, upholstery, and even lampshades feature identical patterns—appear particularly dated.
Modern floral interpretations feature larger, bolder patterns with contemporary color palettes. When updating your space, replace these fussy small prints with cleaner, more current designs.
20. Overused Shabby Chic
Mason jars, distressed everything, and an abundance of white paint characterize this style that has become a victim of its own popularity. What started as charming repurposing has devolved into mass-produced “pre-distressed” items lacking authenticity.
Extra ruffles and overly weathered finishes often look contrived rather than genuinely aged. For a fresher approach, incorporate just a few vintage pieces with character among more contemporary elements.
