50 Formal Living Room Ideas That Aren't Stuffy (2024)

Room Design

Lauren Jones

Lauren Jones is an interiors and architecture journalist for The Spruce based in Texas. She enjoys covering the latest in residential and sustainable design.

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Published on 07/22/23

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50 Formal Living Room Ideas That Aren't Stuffy (2)

Formal living rooms are great for welcoming guests, enjoying conversation, and relaxing with family and friends. Depending on your style, square footage, and functional needs for the space, there are a handful of things to do to avoid a stuffy living room feel.

If you're looking for a spot to relax after work, put your feet up for a flick, or cozy up with a book, check out these 50 formal living room ideas below for inspiration.

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Cheer on Your Team

Designer Ashley Macuga of Collected Interiors shows team spirit in this living room. This space features a comfortable sofa, a modern light fixture, and framed jerseys.
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Pick a Fun Rug

While the white chairs and built-in bookcases may appear quite formal, this room's moody green walls and beige animal-print rug are the touches it needs to feel welcoming and not stuffy.
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Go Monochromatic

For DIYer Mr. Kate's family's Hawaii living room, she went for a cozy and colorful feeling. She painted the walls, ceilings, and trim all the same color: an ocean-inspired blue. The room also features two turquoise velvet sofas and DIYed abstract art.
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Accent With Natural Stone

This modern living room from Austin-based architects at Clayton Korte makes a statement with neutral hues and organic materiality.
"Stone feels rich in nature and is a timeless finish," says interior designer Christina Clark. "Using a natural stone selection that has a pop of color or large veining or movement can also make this very traditional finish feel more contemporary or edgy."
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Paint the Fireplace

In designer Mary Patton's Houston home, she added a bold pop of color to an otherwise formal sitting room. A turquoise fireplace is an automatic focal point and livens up the neutral palette.
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Pick Playful Patterns

Palm Beach-based designer Caitlin Kah is all about fresh, livable interiors that range from more traditional to modern. For this Jupiter Island, Florida, living room, she paired sophisticated elements like archways and a sculptural chandelier with various patterns, colors, and textures.
"It brought ease and comfort to a formal living area," she says.
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Elevate Original Details

For this living room from Charity Buchika of Teaselwood Design, she let the original architectural bones shine through with "a custom stone fireplace flanked by copper lanterns and original timber-frame beams that set the cozy, casual aesthetic," she says.
A red and blue color scheme and intriguing prints make the space lively and fun.
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Use Personal Art

New York designer Alvin Wayne transformed a 4,500-square-foot '80s home into a family-friendly space for local painter Greg Griffith. Griffith's bright pink painting hangs alongside a navy sofa and upholstered ottoman. The low-to-the-ground seating is casual and great for kids, hosting, and more.
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Add Linen Drapes

Floor-to-ceiling drapes are designer Christina Clark of Clayton Korte's pick for a living room that doesn't feel stuffy.
"Floor-to-ceiling drapes can bring height and grandeur to your space, and keeping it neutral in color and using a natural fiber (like linen) can help it feel light and airy while still contributing to the overall character of the room," she says.
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Pack a Punch With Wallpaper

This Georgia home in the Serenbe development showcases a functional design that isn't stale. Designer Janie Hirsch chose multiple shades of blue, funky lighting, and fun wallpaper.
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Let the View Speak

New York designer Ahmad AbouZanat designed this high-end city escape with bold pops of color, midcentury-style furnishings, and unobstructed views of the impressive skyscrapers outside. His minimal, thoughtful design is crisp without feeling stuffy.
See Also
70 Stunning Formal Living Room Ideas for Elegant Homes 21 Formal Living Room Design Ideas (Pictures)75 Beautiful Formal Living Room Ideas and Designs - February 2024 How to design a formal living room – designer Emma Sims Hilditch's tricks for creating smart spaces
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Juxtapose With Modern Art

Louisville interior designer Bethany Adams redecorated a historic home's small traditional seating room with airy furniture and art. A fun, cloud-like chandelier, and a modern canvas keep things light.
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Go Abstract

Southern California-based designer Laura Brophy created a colorful escape in this Huntington Beach home. A navy sofa, which can lean traditional or modern based on its construction, pairs well with large-scale, abstract art and a tiered pendant.
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Go Oversized

Atlanta-based designers at Stock & Trade opted for oversized artwork, relaxed seating, and natural drapery. They also included throw pillows for pops of color to match the art in this lush Serenbe home.
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Look to the Past

When a retired couple moved to Austin, they hired CG&S Design-Build to marry their German heritage with a neutral color palette and open up the space for entertaining. The vaulted ceilings, custom cabinet fronts, and an airy white and gray color scheme tie the room together, and midcentury architectural elements add warmth and charm.
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Modernize With a Statement Chandelier

Designer Kate Marker created a luxe design with a plush and neutral rug, upholstered furniture, and subtly striped drapery for a casual touch. The room is complete with a modern, angular ceiling fixture.
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Build an Accent Wall

The star of this cozy living room is the wood accent wall, a spot to display personal items, the TV, and for storage. A cheerful blue sofa and color-blocked rug make this space even more inviting.
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Get Entertaining

This Austin home features neutral furniture with accents of blush and blue, classic yet vibrant tones. A piano is situated in the corner, great for evening entertaining.
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Curate a Gallery Wall

This Georgia home includes clean, contemporary neutral furniture to complement an oversized gallery wall. Pro tip: Choose pieces of all different sizes and textures.
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Celebrate Exposed Beams

While this living room from Marie Flanigan has the makings of a formal seating space, it doesn't feel stuffy thanks to the greenery and the exposed beams. Plus, twin chandeliers draw the eye up.
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Go Geometric

This mainly white living room is formal without being stuffy thanks to the sculptural fireplace, neutral furnishings, and geometric accessories. Unsure where to start? A simple palette will always look good.
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Love Some Layering

What's not to love about a formallivingroomin layered, natural materials? This space from Los Angeles designer Stefani Stein is timeless yet not stuffy. Materials such as wood, linen, leather, grasscloth, and ceramic bring a certain air of curation without feeling overwhelming or hard to maintain.
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Make the Space Count

Baltimore designer Veida Sadri transformed a 120-year-old Georgian colonial home to make it work for a modern family while maintaining the historical integrity. Clean lines, original floors, and multipurpose design make it feel contemporary.
"Each room can be used in many ways, like the desks placed in the formal living room and playrooms, and the TV turning the kitchen into a pseudo-family room," she says.
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Make Plants a Focal Point

Formal settings often call for equally formal wall art, notes designer Jenny Williamson of West Rose Design.
"What about switching it up and creating a focal point with plants instead? It’s unexpected and adds some (green) color and dimension," she says.
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See Also
Before & After: Glam Formal Living Room and Dining Room Design - Decorilla Online Interior Design
Get Comfortable

Andi Morse of Morse Design believes that formal spaces should also feel livable.
"Having comfortable seating and plenty of it is a great way to make your living room more inviting," she says.
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Put Your Feet Up

Southern California designers Heather Lucas and Katie Browning kept things classic and neutral in this Malibu living room. To avoid making the space feel too formal, lounge-friendly furniture, large potted plants, and a circular ottoman work well.
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Build-in Seating

Designer Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis fell in love with this 1960s midcentury home, built by architect Jerry Cooper, and quickly turned it into her dream family home. There is a bevy of modern and vintage finds. The formal sitting room includes a chair from an estate sale, a built-in sofa, and poufs from Target.
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Look for Natural Texture

Earth-toned fabrics, a studded ottoman, and a rattan basket make this formal living room from Atlanta-based designer Andi Morse feel inviting. Small on space? Choose an easy-to-store circular ottoman or one with storage for added benefit.
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Pick Complementing Patterns

New York apartments are small in space but don't have to be small in style. Designer Travis London crafted this lively living room with a maximalist touch and functional side tables instead of a coffee table. A playful modern chandelier pairs nicely with brass bookshelves, large-scale art, geometric wallpaper, and a diamond-patterned area rug.
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Have Fun With Styling

This living room from Brexton Cole Interiors, featuring whimsical lighting, throw pills, framed art, and sage green walls, is formal yet unpretentious. Love an out-of-the-box pendant light or animal-print rug? Incorporate those accessories to add personality to your space.
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Take a Cue From Nature

A babbling brook just outside the living room windows inspired this home from Teaselwood Design.
"We found nature-inspired draperies of acorns and oak leaves in a medley of beautiful greens and browns," says designer Charity Buchika. "We kept everything casual and used multiple layers of greens, browns, and tans to anchor the room to keep a family-friendly space."
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Make Anything Art

Designer Emily Henderson pulls off gallery walls with ease. She got creative with the personalized gallery wall in this pastel living room. For this budget-friendly space, items like vintage postcards, matchbooks, records, letters, and Polaroids were framed and hung.
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Use Black and White

There's something timeless about a black-and-white living room. This one from Studio KT features sculptural vessels, a statement brass light, and an oversized mirror. A minimal palette will automatically make your space look chic without trying too hard.
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Upgrade Your Windows

This historic Northern California home stays true to its bones and features a welcoming design. A simple palette of sage, blue, and light pink brings cohesion to the room, which includes pink-toned drapery, a large nature painting, and a patterned rug.
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Make Seating Flexible

There are many seating options in this Los Angeles living room, including two stools often used by the owner's dogs. Having a range of seating to accommodate all types of gatherings turns a good living room layout into a great one.
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Keep it Simple

This Austin home from HouseMill Design features a unique, open-concept layout, leaving room for a more formal sitting area adjacent to the family room. A small, structured sofa, two chairs, and a drink table are all that's needed.
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Choose an Organic Coffee Table

This living room from Gray Space Interiors is full of fun elements. The animal-print chairs, tiled fireplace, built-in blue cabinetry, and curvy coffee table show off the client's style.
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Mimic Your Scenery

With the Pacific Northwest as the backdrop, this casual living room was designed with the view in mind. A comfortable gray sectional sofa and a brown leather side chair are great spots to watch the sun go down.
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Center Around a Rug

This sky-high living room has many exciting elements. While the base of any well-designed space starts with your style, layout, and palette, choosing the right furniture and art can be a make or break.
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Pile on the Throw Pillows

This 1970s basem*nt got a comfortable and stylish upgrade with wood paneling, a navy U-shaped sectional from Interior Define, and plenty of throw pillows. There's also a gallery wall chockfull of vintage landscapes.
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Style Your Storage

Clutter can easily make any living room feel disorganized and crowded. This space, which features wood and steel storage, offers ways to conceal your clutter while showing off your vases, books, and other decor pieces.
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Hang Patterned Drapery

Leaf-patterned drapery is an out-of-the-box addition to this living room. It is unexpected but works well with the plants and orange accents.
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Get Thrifty

Designer Caitlin Higgins thrifted a majority of pieces for her living room Her acrylic coffee table, purchased from an LA estate sale site, Salterini end table, a Rose Bowl Flea find, and vintage tulip table, a $120 purchase off Facebook Marketplace, for example. Thrifting is a great way to save money as well as infuse personality.
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Remember More is More

You can't help but smile when looking at designs by Dani Dazey of Dazey Den. Known for her love of color, she often chooses multiple bright tones for a single room. In this living room, a pink velvet sofa, oversized modern art, and a quilted pouf are part of a spirited scheme.
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Get Comfortable

Four brown leather side chairs and a tufted leather ottoman make this woodsy living room a space to unwind. While taxidermy may not be everyone's cup of tea, the piece makes a statement over the fireplace, which fits within the design theme and makes the overall room appear less formal.
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Wow With the Walls

This moody living room features simple, classic pieces, but the real eye-catcher is the ombre walls. Light blue fades to a rich navy, adding a sophisticated, unexpected flare. Wanting this look in your home? It's a simple DIY.
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Pick a Fun Side Chair

This traditional living room from Kate Figler Interiors is a formal place to welcome guests and is full of life thanks to a colorful palette and sky-blue walls. One of our favorite details? The naturescape-patterned side chairs.
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Look to Your Location

An A-frame home in Colorado got a mountain-worthy makeover. The home's white wood interiors are paired with textural wall art, a sculptural lamp, shearling chair, and rust-colored sofa. Are you looking for inspiration? Choose pieces that work well with your location and your home's architecture.
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Embrace Natural Light

This airy living room from designer Amy Pigliacampo features plenty of natural light, a wall of greenery, and a midcentury-leaning fireplace. Imagine cozying up on the sofa, inviting friends over for game night, or spending time with family in this Scandi-style home.
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Play With Scale

New York designer Alvin Wayne went big with this earth-toned living space. In this space, vintage pieces like the duo Jeanneret chairs, compact leather sofa, and Eames chair steal the show. Statement lighting and an oversized gold mirror, which makes the space feel larger, tie everything together.