From Modern to Minimalist: Top Living Room Design Ideas

Could your living room use a little makeover? Whether you want your living room to be ultra cozy, colourful or simply clutter-free, this is where you and your family retreat to relax and spend time together – so it should reflect your interior design style. From sleek minimalist decor to modern farmhouse masterpieces, we’ve rounded up the top living room ideas by design style to inspire your space.

Published Dec 28, 2020, Updated Jan 30, 2022

modern white living room with black furniture and patterned area rug

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Modern: Black, White and Sleek

When it comes to modern living room ideas, the colour palette (or lack thereof) is a great place to start. Modern design tends to be clean-lined, structural and sophisticated: so opting for a neutral, black-and-white palette is an easy shortcut to a modern living room. Keep the clutter to a minimum, and choose furniture with architectural details (bonus points for chairs that double as art).

eclectic living room with dark-green bulit-in shelving, patterned wallpaper and large cream couch with colourful throw pillows

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Eclectic: Pattern, Meet Print

Love vibrant colour, playful patterns and lots of whimsy? An eclectic living room vibe might be the aesthetic to aim for. Eclectic design takes inspiration from multiple design styles and layers them together for a unique look with lots of character. Play with print by putting up patterned wallpaper, and add in an area rug in a motif that complements (but doesn’t) totally match. Still not sure of your design style? This quiz can help.

minimalist living room wall with wall-mounted TV and a mixed-media wall background

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Minimalist: Clean and Clutter Free

In our uber-hectic world, it’s no wonder that minimalist decor is so popular – a clutter-free home looks clean and tidy, and it’s a great strategy for cutting-down on stress. In your living space, a minimalist living room is about more than just decluttering: it’s about design. Case in point? For an artful, minimal look that showcases the television (minimalists binge-watch their favourite shows, too!), this TV is elegantly wall-mounted over a mix of wood and marble materials for a clean look that still has visual interest. Love the less-is-more look? Give these minimalist living room ideas a look.

white modern farmhouse living room with comfy sectional, red area rug and shiplap feature wall

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Modern Farmhouse: Cozy and Sophisticated

It’s not all about the shiplap with this living room style (though, of course, a white shiplap accent wall never hurts). As Jonathan and Drew Scott showcase with the living room in this this Property Brothers: Forever Home, the secret to bringing a modern farmhouse design style to the living room is all about the seating. A big, comfy couch or sectional sofa is the star of a modern farmhouse design, while features like a fireplace and wood accents (like the modern wood mantel) elevate the look.

white living room with wood-accent furniture and green indoor plants

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Mid-Century Modern: Teak Touches

Sleek in teak? Mid-century modern design elements – like warm colour palettes (think olive green and burnt orange), inspired-by-nature curves and a mix of materials (think natural wood and kitschy plastic) – have been making a comeback due to their simple, functional and stylish appeal. In the living room, try a contemporary take on mid-century modern living room design by incorporating teak wood furniture and wood accents. Love the look? Here are a few more mid-century living room ideas for throwback sophistication.

coastal living room with blue wallpaper, wood floor and basket accents

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Coastal: Beachy Chic

With pops of beachy blue hues, woven textiles and crisp white accents, cozy, calming coastal design is a particularly popular living room style. As Cheryl Hickey, Mia Parres and the Family Home Overhaul team showed with this living room reno, coastal vibes can be chic and cozy with lots of baskets, woven textiles, soft blues and comfy furniture.

transitional living room with built-in shelves and marble fireplace

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Transitional: Balanced Sophistication

What do you get when you mix a dollop of traditional design and a splash of contemporary decor? Transitional design – which combines modern lines and materials with traditional, classic elements is a recipe for sophisticated living room design. Get the look with a bold feature wall that juxtaposes classic built-in shelving with an ultra-sleek fireplace and surround.

cozy living room with wood and navy blue walls and art-deco metallic coffee table

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Art Deco: Artful Angles

Geometric shapes, gleaming metal and layers of detail: art deco decor is the perfect design style when you want a little glamour and luxury in your living room. If you’re not feeling a full-on Gatsby-esque approach with your living room style, try incorporating furniture with metallic accents and angular lines to get a touch of art deco appeal. The metal work on this coffee table, for example, offers a modern take on the design style – especially when paired with a luxe jewel-tone colour palette. For more bold ideas, check out these stylish coffee tables.

boho living room with wood-pallet furniture and wood shelves

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Bohemian: Plant Life and Layers

Cozy, relaxed and full of charm: bohemian decor is an ideal match for the way many of us like to live in our living room. Central to boho-chic living room style? Layers of texture (think woven wall hangings), unconventional materials (here’s how to DIY your own wooden pallet chair-bed) and plenty of indoor plants are key.

cozy living room with patterned curtains and area rug, leather chairs and comfy beige couch

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Southwestern: Texture and Pattern Play

Character comes first when it comes to southwestern-inspired living room decor, as Scott McGillivray and Sarah Keenleyside highlight with this stunning Family Home Overhaul space. Influenced by the popular design in the southwestern United States (which, in turn, is influenced by Spanish and Indigenous design elements), southwestern decor features lots of vibrant pattern, touches of smooth leather and woven accents. Take a cue from Scott and Sarah and try the look by adding in patterned window treatments. Still not sure what interior design style speaks to you? It could be in the stars – here are some home decorating ideas based on your zodiac sign.