When it comes to creating the perfect living room space there are a number of styling mistakes to avoid, from placing your television at the wrong angle, to choosing an uncomfortable sofa.
The living room comes second only to the bedroom when it comes to the amount of time spent lounging and relaxing, with the added bonus of being able to comfortably share the space with all of your family and friends. As such, ensuring you style and furnish it to perfection is of paramount importance.
The key to nailing your living room is to focus your thoughts on functionality. If you’re watching the television regularly as a family, you’ll want to make sure you have enough seating for every member of the household and then some, and that you’ll be able to watch in comfort from every angle for extended periods of time.
If you’re a regular reader, you may want to think about adding a desk lamp or floor lamp to ensure you’ll be able to comfortably read throughout the night. And, if you have furry friends, you’ll want to make sure your seating options will be able to stand the test of time and claws.
To help you create the perfect space, we’ve pulled together 24 of the best modern living room ideas to inspire you.
Sophisticated and sleek, the living room of this renewed 1930s Scandi style home is full of clean lines, architectural elements and luxurious finishes. The cedar cladding is offset by the white-face linear bricks, and the entire space is lit by generous almost floor-to-ceiling windows.
The living room of this Queenslander workers’ cottage acts as an extension of the outdoor zone – and vice versa. An off-the-floor coffee table and cut outs in the King Living sofa allow for uninterrupted sightlines to the garden, while the custom console provides plenty of storage.
Adorned with owner Annika’s artefacts and objects from a career in fashion, the living room of this revitalised Federation bungalow in Sydney is brimming with personality. Beyond this standpoint, the lush back garden and outdoor entertaining area opens up via bi-fold doors.
Indoor/outdoor flow, clever use of materiality, relaxed plush furniture and a timeless palette are the elements at play in this contemporary family house in Torquay. The Tasmanian oak timber-batten ceilings, a striking design feature, indulge owner Jane’s love of 1960s architecture and are an element that tie this room to other zones in the home.
cosy living room
Interior designer Melissa Bonney of The Designory sought to create the ultimate holiday home in Byron Bay and the end result is stunning. Subtle green hues are layered in this living room space to reference the Barefoot Bay Villa’s stunning natural surrounds.
mid century modern living room
This mid-century modern stone cottage in the Adelaide hills was lovingly revamped, with the exposed stone feature wall in the living room becoming a central highlight. Drawing colour cues from the stone wall, a tan leather sofa is paired with soft blue cushions for contrast.
coastal living room
Interior designer Kristy McGregor injected her own version of coastal cool in her renovated Bondi abode and the end result is stunning. Seeking to maximise the natural light that enters from the kitchen, a circular mirror acts as both a visual feature and light amplifier.
living room window nook
The living room of this coastal family home with Scandi-noir style features custom joinery including a clever window nook that’s perfect for the kids to read in. The timber joinery adds warmth to the space and a vibrant blue rug adds a dynamic contrast.
farmhouse living room
Tasked with transforming this Sydney home into an entertainer’s dream with a modern rustic aesthetic, interior designer Jillian Dinkel added her signature style to the abode. In the living room exposed brick walls and the vaulted ceiling were painted white, with the trusses painted pitch black for a dramatic touch.
hamptons-style living room
In this all-white Hamptons-style home an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living was of paramount importance. The living room opens seamlessly to an outdoor entertaining one with ceiling to floor glass sliding doors allowing ample natural light to enter the space. A clever built-in seat creates a cosy reading nook.
contemporary living room
The living room of this renovated century-old Edwardian home is crowned by a statement pendant light and striking Alesandro Ljubicic painting. The room’s decor and furnishings draw their colour cues from the artwork.
federation style living room
In the renovation of her Federation-style home, interior designer Jillian Dinkel painted the window trims throughout the home in Dulux Blue Metal. In the living room, the Samsung The Frame television takes pride of place over the original fireplace mantle.
modern coastal living room
This modern home in Booker Bay makes the most of its stunning natural views, and who can blame it? In the living room generous windows make sure you can see the water from almost every angle.
modern living room
While her Sydney apartment maybe have been on the smaller side, interior designer Sophie Bowers of Strutt Studios pulled no punches when it came to transforming her abode. In the living room a statement rug clearly zones the living zone where a plush grey sofa is paired with a black leather armchair.
cottage living room
In the renovation of this Daylesford cottage, interior designer Suzanne Cunningham sought to retain its relaxed country feel in order to create the perfect weekender. In the living room a rich mix of textures from the brown leather sofa to the billowing curtains add a soft touch.
coastal living room
Seeking to create a dramatic feature in the living room of this fibro cottage, the fireplace is painted in a dark charcoal that pops against the stark white interiors that run throughout the home. A dark rug centers the living space and adds a warm contrast to the concrete flooring.
In the second living room of this nature-inspired home in Riverview a more relaxed approach to design and furnishing was taken. A built-in leather couch is the perfect place to lounge, and a built-in sideboard provides ample storage space.
palm springs living room
Embodying Palm Springs-style, this coastal home features a rich mix of materials and textures throughout. In the living room, polished concrete floors are complemented with a grey linen sofa and tan leather armchairs, as well as a generous woven rug.
coastal living room
Relaxed coastal charm abounds in this light-filled duplex and the living room is no exception. A custom sisal rug adds tactility and a natural touch in the living room where a statement pair of artworks by Jai Vasicek perfectly complements the beach-inspired styling throughout.
modern living room
In Alisa and Lysandra’s renovated heritage home in Melbourne the dynamic duo opted for ceiling to floor steel-framed glass doors for dramatic effect and to create a seamless indoor-outdoor connection.
small living room
It may be small, but this Queensland pool house has been transformed into the ultimate holiday stay. The compact living room is subtly zoned with a tactile rug and a vivid green velvet sofa is the centre of attention.
A modular sofa in the living room of this barn-style home is the perfect gathering place for the whole family. A large Stephanie Reisch artwork creates a vibrant statement within the space.
This revamped holiday apartment in Jindabyne features a generous open-plan living, dining, and kitchen space with the fireplace being the central feature. Dark panelled cladding helps to transform this space into a cosy nook.
colourful living room
A yellow rug brings together all the style elements in this casual and inviting room while a generous mirror over the fireplace mantel helps to maximise the sense of light and spaciousness within the room.
WriterChristina Rae
