featured 7333

The Curbly Abode: An Emily Henderson-Inspired Living Room

Living Room Design Ideas: Transforming Your Space with Expert Tips

We’ve previously shared our plans for the bedroom and dining room. Now, we’re excited to delve into the living room transformation, guided by the expertise of Emily Henderson. The mere thought of having Emily Henderson involved in our home design still fills us with excitement.

Living Room Styled with Brown and White Colored Things
Bouquet of flowers on a coffee table near a sofa in a living room.

Consider Emily Henderson’s own living room for inspiration! Achieving that level of awesomeness would be a dream come true.

For those who prefer a quick overview, here’s the mood board showcasing the design direction:

Different options for decorating a room are being shown.

Last year, Bruno spearheaded the living room’s gut renovation. Here’s a glimpse of the process:


An empty wooden floored room with red and white wall and a fire place.

“Why gut a perfectly nice room?” Because sometimes, you just need a fresh start!

Gut renovation of a room with plastic sheeting on the walls.

The old plaster ceiling was showing its age and needed to be replaced.

Exposed wood beams on a ceiling in a living room.

New ceilings are essential for a comfortable living space.

Living room with furniture strewn with clothing.

Move-in day chaos! Unpacking and settling in is always an adventure.

Wood fireplace with a sofa, love seat, and coffee table in a living room.

The living room shortly after moving in, still needing our personal touch.

Sofa with pillow and blanket next to coffee and end tables in a living room.

Phew! Time for more visuals!

Our living room presents a unique design challenge. The main level’s donut shape creates an open, airy feel but also complicates furniture arrangement.

With numerous windows, arranging furniture becomes a complex puzzle. Only one wall lacks windows, and that’s where the fireplace resides! Here’s a floor plan to illustrate the layout:

A floorplan of a home shows a living room, dining room, and sunroom that will remain intact, as well as a section of the home south of the dining area that will be torn down.

For the living room, we opted to continue the soft gray (Sherwin-Williams Aloof Gray SW 6197) used throughout the main floor. This color graces most of the walls, creating a cohesive look.

Initially, we considered using different colors to define each room, but this approach clashed with the open floor plan we wanted. Ultimately, we maintained consistency, and Emily promised to introduce rich colors through smaller paint projects and decor.

The paint swatch book has been invaluable during the planning process. The various shades of gray helped us select furniture. The sofa, a BluDot warehouse sale find, matches the darkest gray on our paint card (Sherwin-Williams Cast Iron SW 6202). The custom cushions for our Danish chairs are the lightest color (Sherwin-Williams Frosty White SW 6196).

Living house ideas designed by most renowned designers.

Using a paint swatch card for furniture color selection is unconventional but effective. With a neutral base, we can easily incorporate any colors we desire. This is perfect for someone like me, who constantly changes favorite colors.

A long black couch with silver legs.
Wooden deck chair with fabric, cushioned pillows.

We’re installing soft roman shades from Blinds.com (the Laura Ashley flat roman shade in Casualle Milk). They provide a clean, crisp look to the windows, adding a touch of sophistication.

Since the wall color remains consistent, we’re defining the spaces with rugs! We have beautiful rugs from Loloi Rugs. They clearly define the living and dining rooms, creating a cohesive and inviting atmosphere. Plus, they feel great underfoot.

Here’s a closer look at the rug we’re using in the living room: the Sahara line.

Native American rug with geometric designs.

Our house is over a century old, and the radiators were replaced with forced-air heating at some point. We’re fortunate that the heating registers and returns have decorative grates, adding character to the house. However, these grates complicate rug placement.

For instance, a large cold air return grate is located just inside the front door. Since we lack a defined entryway, we want a rug to collect boots and shoes. Cutting a hole in a rug isn’t ideal. So, we’re using FLOR tiles, which can be easily cut to fit around the vent.

Cardboard boxes of yellow, red and white color are lying on top of each-other.

No room is complete without ample lighting. A design instructor once recommended 8-12 lighting sources per room. We may not reach that number, but our recessed lighting is equipped with Lutron dimmer switches for precise control over the light levels.

The beautiful floor and table lamps from LampsPlus.com add the finishing touch. Here are a few of our selections:

Three skinny brown lamps.

Kichler Cantilever, Robert Abbey Jackson Aged Brass, and Sonneman Palo Satin Brass floor lamps from LampsPlus.com

Emily will reveal the completed rooms on her site, stylebyemilyhenderson.com, in a few weeks. In the meantime, here’s our working mood board again!

Different pieces of furniture are on display.

If you missed our previous posts, check them out now!

Our Dining Room Makeover with Emily Henderson

Designing Our Master Bedroom with Emily Henderson

More Living Room Design Inspiration

Creating a living room that reflects your personal style and meets your functional needs requires careful planning and consideration. Beyond the elements we’ve discussed, several other aspects can significantly impact the overall design. Let’s delve into some additional tips and ideas to help you achieve your dream living room:

Choosing the Right Layout

The layout of your living room is crucial for both aesthetics and functionality. Consider the flow of traffic, the focal point of the room (such as a fireplace or a large window), and the size and shape of your furniture. Experiment with different arrangements to find the one that maximizes space and creates a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. Open-concept living rooms often benefit from defined zones for different activities, such as a conversation area, a reading nook, or a entertainment center.

Selecting a Cohesive Color Palette

Color plays a vital role in setting the mood and ambiance of your living room. Choose a color palette that reflects your personal style and complements the existing architecture and lighting. Neutral colors like gray, beige, and white provide a versatile backdrop for adding pops of color through accessories, artwork, and textiles. Consider using a color wheel to find complementary colors that create visual harmony. Don’t be afraid to experiment with bold accents to add personality and interest to the space.

Incorporating Texture and Pattern

Texture and pattern add depth and visual interest to your living room design. Mix different textures, such as soft throws, woven rugs, and smooth surfaces, to create a tactile and inviting space. Introduce patterns through fabrics, wallpaper, or artwork to add personality and visual appeal. Be mindful of the scale and proportion of patterns, and balance them with solid colors to avoid overwhelming the room.

Maximizing Natural Light

Natural light is a valuable asset in any living room. Maximize natural light by keeping windows clean and unobstructed. Use sheer curtains or blinds to filter light without blocking it completely. Position mirrors strategically to reflect light and brighten up dark corners. If your living room lacks natural light, consider adding artificial lighting sources, such as floor lamps, table lamps, and recessed lighting, to create a warm and inviting ambiance.

Adding Personal Touches

The final touch to any living room design is adding personal touches that reflect your unique style and personality. Display cherished artwork, family photos, and personal collections to create a space that feels like home. Incorporate elements that reflect your hobbies and interests, such as books, musical instruments, or travel souvenirs. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make the space your own.

Sustainable Living Room Design

In today’s world, sustainable design is increasingly important. Consider incorporating eco-friendly materials and practices into your living room design. Choose furniture made from sustainable wood or recycled materials. Opt for low-VOC paints and finishes to improve indoor air quality. Incorporate energy-efficient lighting and appliances to reduce your environmental impact. By making conscious choices, you can create a beautiful and sustainable living room that aligns with your values.

Living Room Furniture Arrangement Tips

The arrangement of furniture in your living room significantly impacts its functionality and overall appeal. Here are some tips to optimize your furniture layout:

  • Create a Focal Point: Arrange furniture around a central focal point, such as a fireplace, a large window, or a media center.
  • Conversation Areas: Group seating to facilitate conversation and interaction. Consider the distance between seating pieces to encourage comfortable communication.
  • Traffic Flow: Ensure clear pathways for traffic flow to prevent congestion and create a sense of spaciousness.
  • Scale and Proportion: Choose furniture that is appropriately sized for the room and arrange it in a way that creates visual balance.
  • Balance: Distribute furniture evenly throughout the room to avoid overcrowding or empty spaces.

Small Living Room Design Ideas

Designing a small living room presents unique challenges, but with careful planning and creative solutions, you can create a stylish and functional space. Here are some ideas to maximize space in a small living room:

  • Multifunctional Furniture: Opt for furniture that serves multiple purposes, such as a sofa bed, a coffee table with storage, or nesting tables.
  • Vertical Storage: Utilize vertical space with shelves, bookcases, or wall-mounted cabinets to maximize storage without taking up valuable floor space.
  • Light Colors: Use light colors on walls and furniture to create a sense of spaciousness and reflect light.
  • Mirrors: Position mirrors strategically to reflect light and create the illusion of a larger room.
  • Minimalism: Embrace a minimalist approach by decluttering and focusing on essential furniture pieces.

By incorporating these ideas and tips, you can transform your living room into a stylish, comfortable, and functional space that you’ll love spending time in. Remember to personalize the design to reflect your unique style and preferences, creating a space that truly feels like home.

This post was sponsored by Sherwin-Williams. All opinions are mine alone.