How to Style Your Living Room: Essentials for a Cozy, Modern & Well-Designed Space

Your sofa is the heart of your living room—much like a coffee machine anchors a coffee nook. It sets the tone for comfort, style, and functionality. Whether your home leans modern, cozy, minimalist, or eclectic, the right sofa instantly transforms your space.

Accent chairs do more than add seating, they bring shape, balance, and personality to your living room. A thoughtfully placed chair can anchor an empty corner, round out your sofa arrangement, or introduce texture in a room that feels a little too uniform. Whether you’re working with a spacious layout or a compact living room, the right accent chair creates flow and invites conversation.

Accent chairs are especially helpful in open-concept spaces where the sofa alone feels incomplete. Mixing materials like wood, leather, and soft upholstery adds contrast and dimension, making the room look intentionally layered rather than “matchy-matchy.” Even in small living rooms, a single well-chosen chair can make the space feel polished and welcoming.

Here are some of our most-loved living room accent chairs to elevate your seating:

A living room without a rug can feel unfinished. Rugs do more than soften the floor, they define your seating area, anchor furniture, and introduce color or pattern that ties the entire room together. Whether you prefer warm neutrals, bold motifs, or timeless textures, the right rug sets the tone and makes your space feel intentionally designed.

Even in small living rooms, a well-chosen rug makes the area feel larger by visually unifying the furniture. Look for styles that complement your sofa and accent chairs, and don’t be afraid to size up. A too-small rug is one of the most common styling mistakes and can make a room feel disconnected.

Here are some of our favorite rugs to transform your space:

A coffee table is the centerpiece of your living room, the hub for books, drinks, trays, and décor. The right table adds structure, invites conversation, and gives the room a natural gathering point. From round silhouettes that encourage flow to minimalist styles that keep things modern and light, your coffee table plays a major role in how the room feels and functions.

Even in smaller living rooms, the right coffee table can make the space feel more open by guiding movement and anchoring the seating layout. Look for shapes and finishes that complement your sofa and accent chairs, and consider how you use the space day-to-day whether you prefer decorative styling or practical surfaces.

Here are some standout coffee tables to complete your setup:

Side tables may be small, but they make a huge difference in comfort and functionality. Whether you’re setting down a drink, placing a lamp, or giving guests a spot to keep their belongings, side tables keep things within reach and elevate the room’s layout.

Using a mix of styles  like a nesting table on one side and a sculptural table on the other adds visual interest while still feeling cohesive. In smaller living rooms, choose compact or multi-use designs that tuck neatly beside a sofa or accent chair.

Here are some well-loved side table picks that blend style and practicality:

A media console is one of the most functional and visually important pieces in your living room. It anchors the TV, organizes devices and remotes, and provides a long horizontal line that helps balance the room. Without one, the space often feels unfinished.

A well-chosen console keeps wires hidden, offers useful storage, and sets the tone for your style whether modern, rustic, or mid-century inspired. For rentals, consoles with cabinets and shelves help keep the space tidy for guests.

Here are some top media console picks for a polished setup:

Lighting sets the mood in your living room. Without it, even beautiful furniture falls flat. A warm, layered lighting plan makes the space feel cozy, intentional, and inviting. Combining floor lamps, table lamps, and overhead lighting creates depth, highlights décor, and enhances the room’s overall style.

Our interior designer friends have told us that soft white bulbs (around 2700K–3000K) work best for living spaces, creating a soothing glow perfect for winding down, entertaining, or adding ambiance to a movie night.

Here are some lighting picks to help you build a beautifully warm atmosphere:

Throws instantly make your living room feel comfortable, warm, and thoughtfully styled. They’re practical for chilly nights and decorative year-round, adding soft texture and a welcoming touch to sofas and chairs.

Drape them casually over the arm of a sofa, fold them neatly into a basket, or layer them over the back of a chair to create a relaxed, curated look.

Here are some cozy throw favorites:

Throw pillows are the easiest way to refresh your living room each season. They bring in color, texture, and dimension while making sofas and chairs feel softer and more inviting. Mixing sizes, fabrics, and patterns creates a designer-style look with minimal effort.

Here are some pillow picks to elevate your space:

Trays make your living room surfaces look intentionally styled while keeping small items organized. Use them to group candles, books, remotes, or decorative objects on coffee tables, ottomans, or sideboards.

Here are some decorative tray favorites:

Coasters may be small, but they help protect your furniture and add a subtle design detail to your living room. Choose materials like marble, wood, or woven textures to complement your overall style.

Here are some stylish coaster picks:

Wall art completes your living room by adding personality, color, and visual height. Whether you prefer calming landscapes or bold modern prints, art creates a focal point and gives the room a finished, curated look. Wall art is also a deeply personal selection, but here our some of our picks if you’re looking to get inspired!

Here are some wall art styles our hosts are using to bring their space to life:

The final layer of styling comes from small accent décor including vases, sculptures, candles, and decorative objects that bring warmth, personality, and visual interest. These details make your living room feel lived-in and thoughtfully curated.

Here are examples of a few décor accents we love: