From entertaining to just hanging out, a lot of our waking time at home is spent in the living room, as the name suggests. Whether you’ve found your dream home and have a limitless budget or you’re just fantasy shopping, it’s fun to check out high-end décor and design options to customize your space. Our list includes 10 essentials for creating the ultimate in luxury living rooms.
1. Showstopper Flooring
Quality flooring is a smart investment because it’s a décor choice that rarely changes. You can tailor it to fit the style of your home, whether you want understated elegance that blends in seamlessly with the rest of the room or a dazzling design element in its own right. Exotic hardwoods lend a classic touch to almost any home style. Slate and tile are particularly at home in Spanish- and Italian-style homes. If you’re going with any of these hard flooring options, consider heated floors for maximum comfort in the colder months. Luxury carpeting feels amazing underfoot and cuts down on acoustics, making it a smart choice for home theater viewing.
2. Luxury Seating
Whether you’re watching TV or chatting with friends, much of your time in the living room is spent sitting down. From statement chairs to sectional sofas, there are myriad ways to add adequate, plush seating that looks stylish. Italian leather sofas enhance rustic décor, while an antique velvet settee will look right at home in an updated Victorian.
3. Statement Tables
Tables serve dozens of functions in a living room. They are convenient places to keep drinks, books, and remotes within easy reach. They elevate plants, lamps, and tchotchkes. Some of them even serve as storage. Coffee tables and consoles can become centerpieces when they combine function with eye-catching design. Get creative with materials – tables aren’t limited to wood only. Marble-top tables have an old-world feel, while beveled glass tables are decidedly Art Deco.
4. Antiques
A well-placed antique piece in keeping with your home’s style period can be an excellent statement piece. For example, a Hepplewhite case clock evokes the Federalist style of the late 18th century. If Gothic revival is more your tempo, look for dark woods and intricate carvings. Elements like oak and copper are right at home in a Craftsman setting. If your setting leans Art Deco, look for a cocktail table with crisp lines and soft curves.
5. Art
A bold work of art can be a room’s greatest conversation piece. A huge, unframed canvas can serve as a focal point, while a gallery wall lets you show off a variety of related pieces. Art doesn’t have to be confined to the two-dimensional. Sculpture and even textiles are a great way to add character and interest to a room. If you’re a traveler, showcase souvenirs like hand-carved wood vessels or intricate masks.
6. Texture
Texture is a great antidote for a room that feels too museum-like. Think deep-pile rugs on the floors paired with an interesting window treatment choice. Tapestries and woven wall hangings add instant warmth, while plush throw pillows and cozy blankets on the couch evoke a sense of comfort. Plants are another great way to add texture. Orchids lend a Far-Eastern touch, while cacti in terra cotta pots bring desert beauty to a Southwestern-style home. Moss-laden terrariums are a versatile, low-maintenance trend in home flora, equally effective with contemporary and classic décor.
7. Automation
Laziness is the ultimate luxury. Home automation lets you control lighting, temperature, sound, and more without ever leaving the recliner. You can raise and lower blinds or open and close entertainment centers. There are lots of set-it-and-forget-it options that require even less effort, like motion-detector lighting and climate control. Many systems work with your smartphone, so you’re in control no matter where you are. Today’s options are nearly unlimited and range from the novel to the practical.
8. Lighting
Lighting options are as diverse as they are versatile, and are a great way to set the mood and enhance your living room’s style. A dimmer gives you maximum control and energy efficiency. Try a combination of lighting types at various heights and locations throughout the room, like overhead, wall sconce, and table lamps. Go for Old Hollywood glamour with a dazzling chandelier as the room’s focal point, or keep it low-key with recessed lighting and strategically-placed lamps. Exposed Edison bulbs look slick in an industrial setting, while a Sputnik chandelier is a must-have for mid-century modern.
9. Entertainment
With the availability of tremendous screens, projectors, and killer sound systems, it’s easier than ever to create your own home theater – as long as money is no object. You can even add a popcorn machine to round out the experience. If you aren’t interested in bringing the cinema into your home, there are other ways to get an upscale entertainment fix. You can turn your living room into a bibliophile’s paradise with lighted, built-in bookcases. Think wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling, complete with rolling ladder. Add a big, comfy leather chair and a lamp, and you won’t have to resurface for hours.
10. Fireplace
Nothing says “home” like a crackling fireplace. Flames draw us in and hearken to our ancient history. They add cheerful warmth in cold weather and mesmerizing ambience the rest of the year. Today’s gas log options are practically zero-maintenance. Fireplaces are available to suit any style, from a classic Dickensian hearth-and-mantel to a free-standing, glass-encased centerpiece.
2 Point Highlight
Whether you’ve found your dream home and have a limitless budget or you’re just fantasy shopping, it’s fun to check out high-end décor and design options to customize your space.
Coffee tables and consoles can become centerpieces when they combine function with eye-catching design
