Living Room Design Architecture Ideas & Inspiration

Ever wonder what’s inside the homes of top designers and architects? They use their own places to show off their favorite styles, try new trends, and display special art and old items. Architectural Digest (AD) shows us these amazing living rooms. From fancy to modern, these designs will wow you.

Embrace Bold Patterns and Colors

“Create the illusion of a swinging hanging couch in your living room by attaching a rope from the arm to the ceiling, as Michael Ellison did in this Nantucket home. However, if you can’t or simply don’t want to go that far, you can still take inspiration from outdoor furniture pieces to create a more whimsical spaces.” Don’t be afraid to use many bold patterns in one room. “It takes confidence to let things not match,” Nick Olsen says. He’s talking about a room in this Los Angeles bungalow. The fruit wallpaper is just muted enough that it looks really special with the old-school geometric prints rug.

Showcase Your Personal Style

A pastel paint job looks nice in a room. It adds color balance without being too bold. So, it works well if you’re worried about too many bright colors. In Melissa Colgan’s living room, you can see how well lavender balances out bold books colors. If you love animals, decorate with things that show that. Like Tom Scheerer in Florida, who used straw animal heads. He found them in France and thought the family he designed for would really like them. They have two horse-loving daughters.

Living Room Design Architecture

Do you know what style you like? Start with a color palette. Then, see how your room comes together. In Fran Keenan’s bright sitting room, a mix of colors makes a beautiful traditional, eclectic design. Not every part of a house looks good, but there are ways to fix that. Get creative with how you hide or decorate those not-so-nice spots. For example, Rasheeda Gray turned a plain radiator into a cozy window seat in our 2023 Whole Home.

Make a Statement

Love animals a lot? Look for statement pieces that show this and make your living room cool. In Florida, Tom Scheerer picked straw animal heads from France for a family with horse-loving girls. Use peaceful colors, soft lights, and nice textiles. Add calming smells too, especially for people with sensory sensitivity. Even though Studio Plow didn’t make this room for those with sensory needs, it shows how comfy furniture, gentle colors, and smooth materials look good together.

Show your unique taste with art display and personalization. Put things in your living room that show what you love. It turns your living room into a special statement piece that everyone notices. This is perfect for making your home stand out in a good way.

Draw Inspiration From History

Looking back at the past can be more than just cool. You can make your living space like your favorite time. For the 2023 Whole Home, Caitlin Wilson got ideas from Downton Abbey. She used curved couches, big chairs, and large mirrors to make a modern 1920s living room in San Francisco.

Brit Epperson from Studio Plow also made a big change. She gave a traditional house a modern look with new furniture. It shows how you can mix old and new to fit your style.

Embrace Modern Aesthetics

Want a modern living room that feels cozy? Look into Scandinavian style. Brian Paquette aimed to create inviting spaces. He used warm patterns, light woods such as oak, and crisp whites. These elements pleased fans of Nordic design.

To add fun and comfort, put in a boho-like item. This could be a tasseled chandelier, for example.

Cortney Bishop made a new build look and feel welcoming. She chose natural materials and tones. Bringing in a soft light fixture added a natural yet modern energy.

Create Functional Spaces

Don’t like the color of your fireplace? You can paint it to look different. Amanda Jacob painted her red brick fireplace white. This made the woodwork look more beautiful.

Textures help make a living room feel soft and cozy. Sharon Rembaum added textured neutral items to her lounge area. It made the place feel more welcoming.

Liz Hoekzema used a special paint on her chimney. It made the room feel warm and look textured.

“We like its simple look, especially next to the fancy soapstone fireplace,” Hoekzema said.

Experiment with Textures and Materials

Skip the bright hues for a textured living room. It brings a sultry yet mysterious feel. Learn from Rupp Studio’s work if you need a color break. Its olive walls, terra-cotta velvet sofa, and eye-catching teal accents charm. Plus, a nap bench like the one here by Serena & Lily can add style to your space. It was placed by Zoë Feldman in the 2022 Whole Home. This piece helps divide the room without hiding the pretty window. They added a Sanderson fabric cushion to make it special.

Conclusion

Living rooms can look amazing in many ways. You can use bold colors or show your own style. Have fun changing your space and making it unique. With some tips and examples, anyone can make a dream living room.

Want a new look or starting fresh? These ideas and inspiration will help. Learn how to use space and light for a great living room. Each tip makes your room special and cozy.

Make your living room fit your life and style. Mix ideas to find the best for you. This way, you make a place that’s all about you. Happy times and peace are right at home.