Living Room, Elevated: Design Upgrades That Define a Space

There’s a particular kind of satisfaction that comes from stepping into a living room that feels beautifully finished. When every piece belongs, the lighting flatters the space and the colors and textures resonate, you’re surrounded by something that lifts your mood and reflects your taste. An elegant living room brings daily enjoyment and turns every gathering into a chance to share your home at its best.

The most polished interiors don’t happen by accident. They blend lasting style with fresh ideas, drawing on current design aesthetics without ever feeling trendy. Whether you’re updating a few key pieces or starting with a blank slate, a Gabberts designer can help you transform your living room into a space that’s refined, functional and fully your own.

Here are some of the most effective and inspiring ways to give your living room a true design upgrade.

Add a Curved Sofa for Style and Flow

Curved sofas are a striking way to soften the lines of a living room and encourage easy conversation. Their fluid shape creates a more natural flow and opens up the seating arrangement, making the room feel more inviting. Whether upholstered in luxurious velvet, performance fabric or buttery leather, a curved sofa or sectional makes a stylish centerpiece that also serves a practical purpose. In rooms with open layouts, it can also help define the living area without the need for walls or dividers.

Upgrade Your Lighting

Lighting shapes not only how a room looks but how it feels. A mix of light sources—overhead, ambient and task—adds dimension and creates different moods depending on the time of day. Replace dated fixtures with more sculptural or modern pieces, or upgrade your shades and bulbs for warmer, more flattering light. Consider dimmers and layered lighting to give you better control over the atmosphere. A Gabberts designer can help you coordinate fixtures that elevate the room without overpowering it.

Style Your Coffee Table with Purposeful Decor

An artfully styled coffee table helps tie the room together and can highlight your personal style. A few well-chosen objects—books, a candle, a bowl, a vase with fresh or dried flowers—can create a layered, intentional look that adds interest without feeling cluttered. Look for variation in height, texture and scale. A tray can help group items and keep things contained while still allowing room to set down a drink or a book.

Clear the Clutter with Stylish Storage

Decluttering doesn't mean stripping a room of its character. It means creating space for the right things to shine. Look for furniture pieces that combine beauty with hidden function, like coffee tables or end tables with drawers or consoles with built-in compartments. Closed cabinetry and ottomans with lift-top storage offer concealed options, while open shelves and decorative boxes can help keep everyday essentials at hand but out of sight. The goal is to design a room that feels restful and organized without sacrificing comfort and convenience..

Add Texture with Area Rugs and Throws

Texture creates depth and comfort, especially in living rooms with sleek surfaces or neutral palettes. A new area rug can anchor the seating area and add softness underfoot, whether you choose a traditional Persian, Oriental or European motif; a tonal wool flatweave; or something bold and modern. Layer in throws with interesting weaves, boucle or alpaca pillows or even a leather accent piece to give the room a tactile richness that invites relaxation. Using multiple textures in the same tone can add visual interest without overwhelming the eye.

Refresh with Accent Chairs

Accent chairs, ottomans and chaise lounges bring balance to the room and offer an opportunity to experiment with color, shape or pattern. A pair of sculptural chairs in a complementary fabric can create a reading nook or additional seating while elevating the entire layout. Consider wood-framed silhouettes for a tailored look or fully upholstered chairs with swivel bases for added versatility. Choose pieces that offer customization, including hundreds of fabric and leather choices for a truly bespoke look in your living space.

Introduce a Focal Point

A strong focal point helps orient the room and gives it visual presence. If your space doesn’t have a fireplace or large windows, consider adding a dramatic piece of artwork, a statement mirror or a media wall with custom shelving. This central element helps organize the furniture layout and draws the eye, making the entire room feel more grounded. Built-in bookcases or a bold wallpapered wall can also beautifully serve this role.

Elevate with Window Treatments

Window treatments are often the finishing touch that make a living room feel luxurious and complete. Floor-to-ceiling drapes add elegance and height, while Roman shades or custom valances bring softness and structure. The fabric you choose—whether sheer linen, textured cotton or silk—affects both the look and the light. Consider lining options for privacy and light control, and coordinate hardware finishes with the rest of the room for a cohesive result.

Embrace a Sophisticated Color Palette

A refined color palette helps bring clarity and calm to a space. If your living room feels disjointed, revisiting the colors—on the walls, upholstery, rugs and art—can bring new harmony. Consider warm neutrals like sand or stone, soft blue-grays or rich earth tones like clay, olive or charcoal. Accent with polished brass, dark wood or matte black finishes for contrast. Small shifts in tone can create major changes in mood and cohesion.

Upgrade Art and Accessories

Artwork and wall decor and accessories give your living room its most personal layer. Replacing your existing prints with original wall art, framed textiles or meaningful pieces collected over time adds authenticity and depth. Consider scale—larger pieces often make more impact than a gallery wall of small frames—and choose objects that reflect your style, from sculptural ceramics to handwoven baskets. Edit your collection regularly to keep the space feeling fresh and uncluttered.

Add Architectural Detail

Subtle architectural changes can elevate the entire tone of a living room. Consider crown molding, paneled walls, picture frame trim or even a coffered ceiling to add character and a sense of permanence. For a simpler update, try painting the trim in a contrasting color or adding a feature wall with grasscloth or textured plaster. These details give the room a tailored feel and help frame your furnishings with architectural polish.

Bring Nature Indoors

Florals and greenery add life and softness to even the most tailored space. From large-scale trees like fiddle leaf figs to sculptural succulents or cascading vines, greenery introduces organic form and calming energy. Use a mix of heights and planters to vary the scale. Natural materials like wood, stone and woven textures also bring the outdoors in, balancing sleek furnishings with warmth and soul. The more of nature’s elements in a room, the more balanced and integrated we feel. High quality artificial plants can give you similar visual benefits without the care requirements.

The Finishing Touch

When you upgrade your living room thoughtfully, every element works together to support a sense of comfort and elegance. Whether you’re incorporating a curved sofa, improving your lighting or introducing new textures, each change contributes to a space that feels fresh, cohesive and unmistakably yours. A Gabberts designer can help you bring it all together with a curated approach to elegant living room design that’s tailored to your home. We’ll help you select pieces that endure in both quality and style, ensuring your living room becomes a true reflection of your best living.