The living room should be your happy place—somewhere to curl up and chill out; a cosy spot to snuggle on the sofa, spend time with family, chat with friends and binge on the latest series. Whether you prefer a scheme that’s cool, calm, and collected or want to embrace bold colour and playful design touches, our extensive sofa and cabinetry collections offer you the scope to style your sitting room to suit you.
Whether you’re drawn to contemporary, Scandi and mid-century styles or more traditional, country cottage-inspired rooms, check out these decor tips to help you create a characterful space that reflects your taste and works for the way you like to live.
1. Seating to suit your space
Stanmore sofa | @samanthajoyhome
As the centrepiece of any living room, getting the seating right is key to finding your comfort zone. Since It’s likely to be the big-ticket item in your scheme, it’s important to consider the practicalities first. Before you get started with colour choices (even though we know that’s the fun part!), you should think about the proportions of your room and the functionality of other pieces of furniture, as these factors may influence the scale of the sofa or armchairs you choose.
2. Fall for a loveseat
Evie loveseat | @siaanwilliams
If space is tight and you only have enough room for one sofa but want to team it with something bigger than a single armchair, consider a loveseat. A match made in design heaven, this generous chair works effortlessly in smaller sitting rooms without compromising on seating options.
3. Modular and corner sofas
A favourite for families who are after flexibility, modular sofas allow you to easily change the configuration of your furniture. Each section is fully finished, so no matter how they are arranged, they always look great. Corner sofas are also ideal for making the most of awkward corners and maximising seating options.
4. Find the right fabric for you
Willoughby corner sofa | @new_mummy_jess
As well as choosing the right sofa and shape, factor in the right fabric too. It might seem obvious, but if you’ve got a young family or pets and you want to be relaxed about people putting their feet up, choose upholstery that can handle what life throws at it…literally in some cases!
5. Accent chairs
Montgomery chairs | @rachel_ducker
When matchy-matchy feels too much but all-out eclectic feels too chaotic, try mixing things up with an accent chair. Available in a range of styles and fabrics, including both plain and printed options, an accent chair is a great way to pair your sofa with a coordinating piece of furniture without making it identical.
6. Embracing pattern and print
Some homes make a riot of pattern look effortless, going bolder on the walls, floors and sofas, but many of us prefer a more balanced approach. If you’re on the fence when it comes to making a statement with your scheme, a subtle way to introduce a pop of print is through your soft furnishings and accessories. Adding a cushion here or a print there is an easy (and affordable) way to update your decor, especially if your love of leopard or your passion for polka dots changes.
7. A sitting room that reflects the seasons
Malvern sofa | @thelarchhome_10
Soft furnishings aren’t just a cost-effective way to experiment and get your fix of colour and pattern, you can also use rugs, throws and scatter cushions to sync your sitting room with the seasons. When autumn arrives, get cosy by layering on chunky blankets, tactile velvets, and cosy knits in warm, comforting shades. As the weather gets lighter and brighter outside again, reflect that inside by refreshing your room with lighter linens, cottons and cooler colours that celebrate Spring/Summer.
8. Zoning open plan areas
Iver armchair | Maine side table
While more and more of us are embracing open-plan living, kitchen-diner-living rooms can still benefit from a bit of zoning. A versatile piece of furniture can help connect the different functions of these adjoining spaces and give the area a more cohesive feel.
9. Storage footstools
Montgomery sofa | Montgomery footstool | @ackworthhousejc
The best storage pieces are the multi-taskers, which is why our clever footstools are always such a hit. Not just a place to put your feet or an extra seat for when you’re entertaining, top with a decorative tray and it doubles up as an excellent coffee table.
10. Creating continuity
Eton sofa | Durham nest of tables
When styling your living room, consider whether there are any themes in your scheme you can emphasise, such as common colours or shapes. For example, the Scandi silhouettes and mid-century design details in the Eton sofa range pair perfectly with the Durham collection.
11. Using wood to warm up neutrals
Parquet chest of drawers | @709_design
Combine different textures to create a modern and aesthetically pleasing living space. Our Parquet chest of drawers adds warmth and personality to this space, perfectly complementing the neutral wall tones and natural accessories.
12. Dramatic hues
Isabella sofa | Richmond sideboard | Richmond nest of tables
Saturated shades and deep-sea blues are having a moment, and we’re all for diving in. If you fancy dialling up the contrast in your sitting room, the cabinetry in our Richmond collection combines inky painted bases with smoked oak tops for a dramatic yet refined look.
13. Coffee tables
Newton coffee table | @livingwith_sienna
You might use it for more than just coffee, but a low slung table in your living room is the ideal spot to pop a glass of your favourite tipple and adds a cosy, intimate feel. There are many options out there, but we’re fans of designs that incorporate two levels — a generous top for styling with a chunky coffee table book, a candle, and a few artfully placed ornaments, while the lower shelf or drawers can be for the more practical items like remote controls or newspapers.
14. Table nests
Detroit nest of tables | @clean_and_cosy_home
Another functional furniture item to consider is a nest of tables. They are a versatile addition to any room, ideal at the end of a sofa as a table lamp stand or in the centre of the room as a coffee table alternative. Depending on the style of the design, the tables tuck handily underneath each other when not in use, making them a great choice for more compact living spaces.
15. House your tech
We might spend hours staring at them, but TVs and their accompanying tech aren’t the prettiest of things. Hide your digital boxes and unsightly cables with a specially designed TV unit. Available in a range of different styles, this one from our Durham collection has a sturdy yet sleek silhouette, providing a fuss-free backdrop to your viewing.
16. A nook for your favourite books
Parquet bookcase | @black_cat_terrace
A bookcase is a must-have for your living room. Use it to create a stylish backdrop for personalised vignettes of your favourite things, alongside your books.
17. Look at your lighting
Lorenzo sofa | Hamilton table lamp | Newton sideboard
Lighting is a brilliant way to add atmospheric touches to your living room. You might have downlights in your ceiling, but overhead glare can kill the mood if you’re after a cosy feel. Table and floor lamps soften and layer the light, so strategically place them to highlight certain features. Here, our Hamilton lamp mirrors the same chalky white as the complementary scatter cushions in the Lorenzo collection.
18. Nurture nature
Parquet TV unit | @keepingkielder
Styling tips wouldn’t be complete without referencing some form of greenery. Now a staple in any stylish interiors scheme, plants have the power to breathe life into even the blandest spaces. Moving beyond a simple pot, there are so many ways to introduce a touch of botany into your home —from giant monsteras to soil-free air plants that forgive even the most neglectful owners. Choosing the right foliage will enhance your sitting room and reconnect you with nature.
How do you style your living room? Share your results with us over on Instagram and tag us #OakFurnitureland #GrowYourHome. For more ideas and inspiration, explore our living room furniture online now.
