If You Love Gray & Neutrals, This Living Room Inspiration Is For You!
Are you looking for living room inspirations? You won't believe the transformation this gray living room just went through! Get ready to swoon over the before-and-after pics! While I walk you through the redesign, I'll also share my design tips and the thought process behind the choices. Trust me, you’ll want to grab some inspiration for your own home. I had so much fun virtually redesigning this space, and I can't wait to share all the details with you.
More “Before” “After” Makeovers:
1. Designer Tip: Bring The Furniture Closer
If you’re dreaming of that designer-style living room, one quick trick can make a huge difference is to pull your furniture away from the walls and bring it closer together. It might sound counterintuitive, but trust me, it’s a game-changer!
Many of us fall into the trap of pushing everything up against the walls, thinking it will make the room feel bigger. But, in reality, it often creates a cold, uninviting space. Instead, try grouping your furniture to create a cozy "zone" in the center of the room.
Think of it like setting up a comfy conversation nook. Arrange your sofa and chairs in a way that encourages relaxation and conversation, rather than just lining them up against the walls. This layout not only adds warmth and style but also makes it easier to place those gorgeous accent pieces and decor that truly bring your space to life. So go ahead, bring in those statement lamps and chic side tables, you’ll have a room that feels both stylish and inviting!
2. Designer Tip: Mix and Match Colors & Style
When it comes to shopping for furniture, it’s so easy to zero in on a sectional (that classic L-shaped couch) and call it a day. But don’t do it! Sure, sectionals have their place, but if you want a living room that feels straight out of a designer’s portfolio, think bigger. Or rather, think ‘3-2-1-1’: a 3-seater couch, a 2-seater loveseat, and two fabulous 1-seater accent chairs. Trust me, it’s a fool-proof formula for getting that chic, pulled-together look while sneaking in extra seating.
Now, here’s the secret sauce that will really elevate your design game: mix and match style & colors. Those matching furniture sets? They’re a fast track to a room that feels more outdated than on-trend. Instead, start with a dark hue for your big, comfy couch, think navy, dark grey, or deep green and then pick neutral shades of that same or a complementary hue for your loveseat. For the accent chairs, go for something light and fresh, like a simple linen in white or warm white. This way, you get a beautifully cohesive look that’s anything but boring. Plus, it’s the easiest way to nail that designer vibe without getting totally overwhelmed by a million decisions. So go on, mix it up and watch your living room come to life!
3. Designer Tip: Create A Vignette Behind A Couch
When you bring your furniture closer together, you’re not just creating a cozy seating area you’re also opening up the perfect spot to create a vignette. What’s a vignette, you ask? It’s a little display of decor that shows off your style, personality, and lifestyle. Think of it as a mini curated moment that tells your story!
Let’s say you’re a home decor enthusiast (you probably are if you’re reading this!), a vignette is your chance to shine. You can use it to show off your favorite decor books, a piece of art that you love, and any other accents that scream you. It’s not just about looking pretty, it’s about creating conversation starters that will have your guests asking, “Where did you get that?” And the best part? It pulls your whole room together without feeling cluttered.
In this living room, I took a blank wall behind the couch and transformed it with a console table. On one side, I placed a stylish table lamp, and on the other, a vase filled with stems. Above it, I hung a stunning piece of artwork that ties everything together. This simple setup creates a beautiful vignette that adds personality and warmth to this otherwise gray living room. It’s the little touches like this that make a space feel truly lived in and loved!
4. Designer Tip: Enlarge Your Space with Oversized Art
When you’re working with a small living room, it might be tempting to stick with small art pieces, thinking they’ll fit better. But here’s the thing; going big with your art can actually make your space feel more intentional and put together. It may sound counterintuitive, but a large piece of art can do wonders for your room.
In this living room, with small footprint I went with an oversized artwork for the wall. With all the furniture and decor layers happening in the room, this big piece not only filled the wall beautifully but also created a stunning focal point. The colors in the art were the perfect jumping off point for the rest of the decor, making everything feel cohesive and well thought out.
When you’re out shopping for artwork, steer clear of heavy colors and busy prints. They can overwhelm a small space. Instead, opt for something simpler and lighter. Abstract art is your best friend here; it’s versatile and has a way of blending seamlessly with whatever else you’ve got going on in the room. So go bold with that oversized piece, and watch your living room transform!
5. Designer Tip: Layer Lighting for a Cozy Ambience
You know what really sets a room apart? Lighting! Natural light is fabulous, but let’s not forget about the magic that comes from layering different types of lighting throughout your space. Sure, a room might have a ton of recessed lights, those ceiling lights that are pretty much standard in builder-grade homes, but a common mistake is stopping there and skipping the other essential forms of lighting. That’s where ambient, task, and accent lighting come in.
Ambient lighting often gets covered by recessed lights, but don’t let that be the end of your lighting story! Task lighting, like table lamps and floor lamps, is a must for creating cozy corners and functional spaces. And let’s not forget accent lighting, like picture lights and spotlights, which add that extra touch of drama and highlight your favorite decor pieces.
There’s a ton of natural light flooding into this living room during the day, which is amazing. But even with all that sunshine, I made sure to layer in a floor lamp and a table lamp. These additions create a warm, inviting atmosphere that gives the space that luxe, designer look we all love. And if you’ve already styled your room to perfection, the right lighting will only make it even more stunning!
6. Designer Tip: Anchor Your Space with a Large Rug
If you’re a home decor enthusiast, I don’t need to tell you how important a rug is as a decor element. It’s that one piece everyone’s always striving to get just right because it can bring a room to life like nothing else! A rug has this incredible ability to anchor a space, pulling everything together so your living room doesn’t feel like it’s floating in limbo. But here’s the catch, getting the right size rug is absolutely crucial.
A mistake I see way too often is people choosing a rug that’s just big enough to cover the coffee table area. It might seem like a quick fix, but it actually leaves the room feeling incomplete, with furniture that looks disconnected and a vibe that’s far from designer-worthy.
When you’re on the hunt for the perfect rug, think big and beautiful! A vintage or Persian print with accent colors that complement your furniture will tie everything together and make your living room sing. And if your living room has carpet flooring, like this one does, don’t shy away from layering a rug on top. Just make sure to go for a flatweave rug to avoid that awkward carpet-on-carpet feel. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where style meets comfort!
7. Designer Tip: Elevate the Room with Curtains
If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram, saving all those dreamy designer rooms, you might’ve noticed they all have one thing in common - curtains or drapes as window treatments. Seriously, when was the last time you saw a gorgeous, well styled room with just plain blinds? Blank windows with blinds alone feel so dated and give off major workspace vibes. Definitely not what we want in our homes, right? So, ditch the blinds and go for curtains or shades instead!
You’ll be amazed at how instantly they add that warmth and coziness every home needs. When you’re shopping for curtains, stick to a neutral or warm neutral color palette. These shades are timeless and classic, effortlessly blending with any furniture or decor. Whether your style is modern, traditional, or somewhere in between, neutral curtains are the way to go for that perfect, polished look.
Related: 7 fool-proof curtain hanging tactics for getting the designer look.
So, what do you think of this living room transformation? Designing a space can definitely feel overwhelming, especially when you’re aiming for that perfect look. But don’t worry with these few key pointers, you can totally nail it without losing your mind! Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll find that pulling the room together becomes so much easier and more enjoyable.
