10 Elegant Living Room Decorating Ideas For A High End Look
If youโre looking for ways to make your living room look high-end without the designer price tag, youโre in the right place! Today, Iโm sharing 10 elegant living room decorating ideas to give your space a luxe, polished feel.
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Whether you are starting fresh or just refreshing a few details, these design tips will help take your living room from ordinary to extraordinary.
Key Takeaways
- Layer your furniture and decor: Combining different textures, materials, and heights gives the space a designer look.
- Go for multifunctional pieces: Dual-purpose furniture keeps the space practical and uncluttered.
- Focus on impactful, oversized pieces: Statement decor items reduce the need for smaller, scattered decor, creating a clean and sophisticated look.
This post is all about elegant living room decorating ideas.
READ MORE>>> Home Design Inspiration On Inspired Design Talk
1. Curved Furniture
Curved furniture is making a strong comeback in high-end decor. Adding a curved sofa, armchair, or coffee table instantly softens a roomโs look, creating a relaxed yet sophisticated feel.
Curved pieces break up a room’s typical straight lines, adding an organic flow that feels custom and unique.
Curved Sofa
For example, if you have a square living room, a curved sofa will balance the harsh angles and add a touch of softness.
The Eicholtz high-end curved sofa would cost you almost 11k but you can get a similar look for less at West Elm for under 4K or Walmart for a fraction of the price.
1. Eichholtz Boucle Sofa // 2. West Elm Curved Sofa // 3. Walmart Curved Sectional // 4. Walmart Curved Boucle Sofa
Curved Chairs
In living rooms, with a lot of straight furniture pieces, something as simple as adding a curved chair will soften the look. You can get the curved swivel chair from Crate and Barrel for just under $1000 on sale or grab the best-selling Walmart style for under $250.
5. Boucle Swivel Chair // 6. Walmart Swivel Chair
Tip: Use curved pieces as statement furniture, letting their lines shine by keeping other decor around them simple.
2. Furniture with Mixed Materials
For a designer touch, mix different materials within your furniture. This can be a coffee table with a concrete top that resembles stone combined with burl wood legs or a sleek metal frame with soft upholstery. The contrasting textures add depth and visual interest to your living room design.
When shopping, look for unique combinations, like a velvet chair with brass accents or a glass and metal coffee table.
Mixed Material Accent Furniture
Check out this fabulous chair from the new Athena Caldarone collab with Crate and Barrel. It has an organic burl wood frame and contrasting soft velvet upholstery for a retro vibe.ย
7. Burl Wood Accent Chair // 8. Burl Wood Ottoman
A pair would cost you $1800 which is an investment but adding a pair of stylish ottomans like this Walmart burl wood and boucle ottoman for under $150 will give you a similar look for way less.
Why it works: Furniture with mixed materials will upgrade the look of your design and make it feel way more customized.
3. Multifunctional Furniture
Multifunctional furniture is a game-changer. This can be ottomans that open for storage, coffee tables that lift to become dining tables, or even standing mirrors that double as a coat rack.
The high-end version is not cheap but these Amazon styles will give you a similar look for way less.
11. Arch Rotating Mirror // 12. Rotating Floor Mirror // 13. Floor Mirror With Coat Rack
In smaller spaces, pieces with hidden storage will help keep your living room organized and clutter-free.
9. Boucle Storage Ottoman // 10. Expand Coffee Table To Dining
Expand Coffee Table To Dining
When we changed our unused dining room into a sitting we got the expand coffee table that converts into a dining table. During the holidays we can host 10 people comfortably but for everyday use, itโs just a coffee table and no one would be the wiser.
Not only do these pieces save space, but they also make the room look intentional and stylish.
4. Layered Coffee Tables at Different Heights
Layered coffee tables at different heights will give your space an elevated designer look. Choose a pair of tables, one lower and one higher, or mix shapes for an organic look. The different heights create visual interest and let you arrange your decor at different levels.
You can style the tables with candles, books, or a small plant on one side and keep the other clean for a balanced, sophisticated look.
Here are table ideas at different price points to add this look to your home
14. Nesting Coffee Table // 15. Round Nesting Coffee Table // 16. Nesting Coffee Tables Set // 17. Concrete Burl Wood Coffee Table
Why it works: Layered coffee tables add dimension and visual interest, giving your living room a custom-styled appearance.
5. Bookcase to Divide a Room or Display Decor
If you have an open-concept space or a large living area, a bookcase be a room divider while displaying decor. A stylish bookcase allows you to separate areas without blocking light and provides ample space for showcasing books, plants, and other decor items.
Itโs perfect to separate the living room from a dining area or a workspace. For an expansive feeling choose a bookcase style with an open-back design. This will allow you to style it with books, plants, and decorative objects for a layered look that can be enjoyed from either side.
Using a bookcase as a divider adds purpose, while the decor you choose adds personality and a luxurious feel.
Living Room Bookcase Styles
This is another place you can splurge or save depending on your budget. You can spend in the 1000s or a few hundred to add this look to your home.
18. Xander Bookcase // 19. Fluted Bookcase // 20. Arch Bookcase
Designer Tip: Arrange decor and books with a mix of horizontal and vertical placements for a curated, high-end display.
6. Plush Fabrics and Layers of Texture
Plush fabrics are a must to make a space feel cozy and expensive. This includes velvet upholstery, chunky throw blankets, or a plush area rug.
Layers of texture create warmth and make a space feel inviting. Adding a knit throw and fur pillows to a leather sofa will add a sense of depth and softness.
Pro Tip: Donโt be afraid to layer multiple textures! Mixing velvet, wool, and even leather can elevate the roomโs aesthetic.
7. Wallpaper Panels
Wallpaper has made a comeback in a big way. Itโs being used everywhere from the living room, to the bathroom, and even on ceilings. It can be costly and is an investment especially if youโre hiring a professional to install it.
Wallpaper panels are a great way to get the look and add character without committing to a full wall. To do this you would frame a section of wallpaper behind a sofa or a large furniture piece to create a unique focal point.
This technique is also perfect for renters because you can use peel-and-stick wallpaper which will be super easy to change or remove.
Lowe’s Peel And Stick Wallpaper
Lowes has a great selection of affordable peel-and-stick wallpaper that I saved for my storefront. You can check them out by clicking the link in the description below.
Why it works: Wallpaper panels are an affordable way to make a big impact, adding depth and a designer look to your space without a huge commitment.
8. Bar Cabinet or Bar Cart
Adding a bar cabinet or cart in your living room will upgrade the look while adding a touch of classic glamour. Itโs the perfect spot to organize and style your favorite glasses, cocktail shakers, decorative bottles, and alcohol collection.
If youโre not into alcohol it can also be used as a coffee, tea station, or decorative display shelf instead. When it comes to elegant living room decorating ideas this one will make a big impact.
Sitting Room Bar Cabinet
This is another thing we added to our sitting room. We removed the old basement bar and brought all the alcohol upstairs. Now everything is organized and easily accessible. The styling and decor add to the sitting room vibe.
A bar cart will give you a similar look which I did consider but I didn’t want to have to deal with constantly dusting it.
Pro Tip: Use a few decorative accents like a small plant or elegant coasters to give your bar area a polished look.
9. Pedestal Table to Display Decor
This is something Iโve been seeing in a lot of high-end stores. A pedestal table is perfect for showcasing a statement piece, like a sculpture, vase, or even a plant.
Itโll add height and create a focal point in any empty corner. The table itself can be simple because the decor is meant to be the star of the show. In high-end stores, a pedestal can cost 1000s or more but I did find affordable options thatโll give you a similar look for less.
22. Fluted Pedestal // 23. Marble Pedestal // 24. Hexagon Pedestal // 25. Walmart Pedestal Set // 26. Wood Pedestal // 27. Black Pedestal
Designer Tip: Place your pedestal table in an open area where it can stand out, letting the decor piece truly shine.
10. Oversized Decor
Lastly, oversized decor is a simple way to create a high-end look. Large mirrors, lamps, a big floor vase, or a single oversized piece of artwork will fill a space and make your room feel elegant.
Remember oversized pieces reduce the need for multiple smaller items, so youโre left with a clean, intentional look. Larger pieces can cost more but you only need one piece as opposed to multiple.
Another affordable way to create this look is by repeating multiple mirrors or decor for a gallery-style arrangement. Itโll make an impact while adding interest to your design.
Why it works: Oversized decor pieces add a bold focal point, reducing the need for multiple smaller items and keeping the room feeling uncluttered.
Final Thoughts
With these 10 elegant living room decorating ideas, you can create an upscale, polished look that feels expensive, even if youโre working on a budget. Try out a few of these tips to see the difference they make in your space!
This post is all about elegant living room decorating ideas.
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Last Updated on January 27, 2025 by Nicole DelaCruz