Wondering how to make your living room look expensive without changing every single thing? Start with long curtains, a beautiful lamp or a piece of art you actually love.
The little details deserve some attention too, from the pillows on your sofa to the books on your coffee table.
You can keep things simple or go all out. These rooms include bold rugs, pretty wall details and plenty of neutral combinations.
Pick the ideas that work with what you already have.
Living Room Details Worth Trying
ceiling-height curtains
We’re starting off strong with these gorgeous floor-length curtains. I love how the beige panels frame both levels of black-framed windows.
The lighter curtains behind them are such a pretty extra detail.
You don’t need a double-height room to borrow this idea. Try hanging your curtain rod closer to the ceiling with panels that reach the floor.
one oversized painting
How pretty is this abstract painting? The yellow, blue and dark patches bring so much color to the beige sofa corner.
Read also: 20 Exterior Paint Color Trends and Pretty Palettes to Inspire Your Home
If your wall feels a little empty, try one large artwork instead of several tiny frames. Pick a piece you’d enjoy looking at every day.
green and gold curves
I am obsessed with this rug. The sweeping green, gold and cream shapes are so pretty with the curved sofas.
The pillows and artwork repeat those same colors. Try borrowing a couple of shades from your rug when choosing smaller details for the room.
deep brown wall panels
If you are looking for something a little moodier, this one is for you. The dark brown wall has large rectangular moldings with a framed landscape between two glowing sconces.
I especially love the dusty brown sofa against it. Keeping your seating and wall color in a similar range is a lovely option if you don’t want lots of contrasting colors.
a light above the artwork
This little hallway arrangement has a detail worth borrowing for your living room: the long gold-tone picture light above the portrait. It gives that single framed piece its own little spotlight.
Try the same idea above artwork near a side table. A small stack of books and a clock would be lovely underneath.
stacked coffee table books
Don’t want to go all out with table decorations? No problem!
Try a stack of large books with a dark candle jar nearby, like this arrangement.
I love the black-and-white covers against the pale veined tabletop. Leave some of the surface empty rather than filling every corner.
lamps at different heights
There’s so much to love in this room, but the lighting might be my favorite part. There’s a curved pendant overhead, little table lamps and glowing shelves beside the TV.
Start with a table lamp beside your seating if you currently rely on one ceiling light. You don’t have to recreate the whole room to try that detail.
quiet colors and curved shapes
If you’re looking for a room that keeps the colors simple, go with a mix like this beige sofa, pale oval table and cream rug. The rounded wall niche is such a lovely detail.
Read also: 20 Coastal Condo Decor Ideas With Pretty Blues and Beachy Details
I’d keep the decorations just as sparse. The low tray and small vase give the table enough without covering it.
a chandelier with sparkle
I am obsessed with this chandelier. Those rows of clear hanging drops look gorgeous above the simple white sectional.
The low brown coffee table keeps the room from being all sparkle. If you want a dressier ceiling light, you can still keep the rest of your furniture understated.
black accents on a pale table
How pretty is this coffee table arrangement? Not gonna lie, the rounded black vase is my favorite part!
The dark candleholder and little sculpture look lovely beside it.
Try a few black accessories over pale book stacks if you want a similar look. Keep a lit candle clear of the books and anything hanging above it.
a slim gold-tone lamp
This is a simple corner idea to build on. A tall gold-tone floor lamp sits beside the cream sofa, with a gray-green vase on the round side table.
Read also: 20 Farmhouse Decor for Apartments Ideas to Make Your Space Your Own
I love that the table legs pick up the lamp’s gold color. Repeating one finish in a couple of places is enough.
tall branches in a clear vase
Don’t want to add lots of little decorations? Look no further because this tall branch arrangement is for you.
The clear narrow-neck vase sits on a round table beside the sofa.
Choose a spot where the branches won’t get in the way of anyone walking or sitting down. They can spread out beautifully without taking over your main coffee table.
a pair of rounded chairs
How cute are these matching chairs? I love the rounded arms and the ball-shaped cushions tucked against the backs.
A little dark table sits between them with a vase and candle on top. Try a pair facing your sofa if you have room for a separate seating spot.
gold details and flowering branches
If you are looking for a more decorated corner, then this one is for you. There’s a ribbed gold-tone lamp, a tall dark vase and flowering branches in front of a large mirror.
The little looped ornament on the books is so pretty. For your own version, choose a few favorite pieces rather than feeling like you need every accessory shown.
charcoal with rust accents
This dark tufted sofa may just be one of my favorites here. I love the rust-colored pillow with the orange and dark patterned rug.
The pale wall moldings and framed picture give it a more traditional look. Try a rust accent pillow if your gray sofa could use a little color.
glowing bookshelves
The book lovers are going to love this! Rows of books share these shelves with framed pictures and little ornaments, with lighting beneath the shelves.
You can borrow the arrangement without installing a whole wall of cabinets. Mix your books with a few framed pieces, then leave a little space around the objects you want to show off.
Read also: 20 Japandi Shelf Decor Ideas With Bowls, Books and Simple Details
white seating and a black table
Don’t want patterns or lots of accessories in your room? No problem there!
This space keeps things simple with white seating, a low black coffee table and a mostly clear TV ledge.
The small dark objects on the table are enough for this look. I’d resist adding a big centerpiece here.
a red rug and sculptural table
I know the green rug above is gorgeous, but this red patterned one is another favorite. Mostly because it looks so good beneath that clear tabletop and its rounded brown supports.
The cream chair and long brown media console keep the rest fairly simple. Try a colorful rug if you like your existing neutral furniture but want something less plain.
colorful art between sconces
Who says you have to stick to beige artwork? This print has orange, blue, yellow and green shapes, with a different wall light on either side.
I love the little plants around the seating too. Bring one of your art colors into a pillow if you want to connect the wall display with your sofa.
cream pillows in different sizes
Last but definitely not least, we have this pretty cream sofa arrangement. I love the larger square pillows with the little rectangular one in front.
The fringed throw adds another detail without introducing a new color. Try mixing pillow sizes in similar shades if you want to keep your sofa looking simple.
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Isabella