Curves aren’t just for sofas — they can also work in accent chairs, coffee tables, and more. In this living room designed by Celerie Kemble, the curved furniture ties the look together and elevates the overall aesthetic.
A large rug helps showcase all the other furniture pieces and accessories in a space. Plus, it makes a room feel larger and more spacious.
Furniture
Designers often use a lot of furniture and accent pieces in a room. The living room can include everything from a sofa to coffee tables and even side tables. But if you really want your living room to look classy, it’s important that all of these items fit together seamlessly.
That means paying attention to things like symmetry, balance, and even color. For example, in this traditional living room, the furniture is a bit eclectic, but the design team made sure the pieces all worked together by using a common color palette and keeping the scale and placement similar.
Another element that works well in this room is the use of curves. Although there is a straight couch, the addition of curved elements like chairs, lampshades, and mirrors add a touch of femininity to the room without overwhelming it. You can also work in curves through the use of rugs, artwork, or coffee tables.
The flooring in this living room also plays an important role in creating a sense of formality. The classic parquet pattern is sophisticated, but it doesn’t feel too stuffy because the wood panels are scaled modestly and because there is a good amount of variety in the shape of the individual boards.
You can also create a sense of class in a living room with the help of a rich rug. This one is a beautiful example because the rug’s natural hues blend with the surrounding wood elements to create an elegant feeling. In addition, the rug is woven with jute, which adds a nice, earthy texture to the space without breaking the bank.
While you can’t always do this, incorporating unique touches into your living room is a great way to make it feel more luxurious. A tufted leather sectional is paired with a mod game table and Pierre Jeanneret Z chairs to create an eclectic but cohesive space.
Aside from adding an extra layer of warmth to the space, a nice rug can also act as a visual frame for your other decor. For example, if you have a built-in shelving unit, filling it with a collection of items that are uniform in size and placement can give the shelves an expensive and curated look. You can also do this with other accent pieces, such as candleholders and lamps.
Artwork
Incorporating the right artwork is another way to make a nautical living room feel classy. Whether it’s a piece of photography, a wall hanging, or even a tapestry, adding high-end art will elevate the look and feel of your space. If you’re looking to add a more formal feel to your space, opt for pieces that feature intricate details or are adorned with gold finishes. If you’re on a budget, you can find just as gorgeous art pieces at a fraction of the price by searching for vintage or estate sale items.
Another way to make your living room feel classier is through the use of color. While many modern living rooms lean towards lighter neutral shades, dark paint colors can also create a moody and luxurious feel to a space. In this formal living room, the designer chose to use a purple shade on the walls, instantly creating an elegant vibe. The designer then incorporated the same shade on the ottoman, pillows, and coffee table to tie everything together.
While incorporating patterns isn’t usually easy when creating a classy design, this living room uses several patterns to create a cohesive design. The use of symmetry throughout the space helps establish a formal tone, while the natural materials used on the furniture and accents keep things cozy and inviting.
One of the easiest ways to upgrade a living room is by installing ornate moldings. The simple addition of moldings and trim instantly gives a space a high-end look, and it’s not too expensive to hire a professional to install them for you. When choosing the color of your trim, be sure to match it exactly to your wall paint to avoid a clashing effect.
If installing moldings isn’t an option, consider a simpler DIY project like repainting your walls. Using a subtle shade of white, gray, or even a soft pastel will instantly elevate your space. You can then add details on your walls to give them more character, like window frames, dado rails, and skirting boards.
When designing a traditional or formal living room, don’t be afraid to incorporate curves. The curved lines of the tufted sofa and chair in this living room establish a graceful tone that’s pulled through with the mirror, side tables, and rug.
Lighting
The right lighting makes a living room look classy, and that goes for both overhead fixtures and table lamps. For an extra-rich look, opt for lights with gold or bronze finishes. Alternatively, a white or cream shade with metallic trim can also elevate your living space. Opt for a chandelier with a unique shape or style for a touch of glamour. A sunburst design, for example, offers a classic yet modern look that will elevate your space.
If your living room has a more traditional vibe, try incorporating elements like tufted upholstery or floral patterns. The contrasting texture can instantly make your room feel rich and expensive. You can even go as far as adding patterned wallpaper to your living room to really make it pop.
Another great way to give your living room a luxe look is by using natural materials. Opt for a wood-grain textured rug or try something more natural, like a sisal or jute woven piece that features interesting textures. The texture can add a sense of luxury, and the material can be more cost-efficient than leather or other luxurious options.
A little bit of pattern can also make a living room look classy, and it’s important to choose the right pieces. You don’t want to overwhelm your living space with too many patterns or colors, but a few carefully chosen accents can make a huge difference. Dainty florals, ginghams, or plaids paired with modern accents and artwork can instantly upgrade your living room to a more elegant style.
While it’s tempting to pack your furniture up against the walls, floating your seating can make a big difference when it comes to making your space look more elevated and considered. If you have the space for it, set up chairs and sofas that face each other and arrange ottomans and coffee tables in between to create an almost symmetrical layout. Then, add a floor lamp or two to each side of your living room to bring in extra lighting and style.
Consider hanging a low-hanging fixture from your ceiling instead of a standard pendant or flush mount. Not only will it look unique and beautiful, but it can also make your space appear taller and more spacious. If you don’t have a lot of space for a full-sized chandelier, install LED strips above your living room mantle or within built-in shelving to add some visual interest and a pop of light.
Accessories
A few key accessories can elevate your living room to look expensive without spending a fortune. Adding small accents in luxe materials like gold, marble, or crystal is a classic design trick that instantly reads more high-end. Place these shiny objects on flat surfaces like coffee tables and mantels to draw the eye and give your living space a jewel-box feel.
Another easy way to create an elegant feel is by installing ornate moldings around your living room walls and ceilings. This is one of the most cost-effective ways to make a home look elegant, especially if you do it yourself. Even builder-grade homes can benefit from a few ornate moldings, and the right paint color will instantly give your room a designer feel.
For an added touch of elegance, use rich fabrics on your furniture and other decor accents. For example, if you have a neutral sofa, consider upgrading the fabric to something more luxurious, like linen or velvet. For rugs, use plush materials like wool, jute, or shag that will feel sumptuous underfoot and add texture to your living room. For pillows and throws, seek out a textured and luxurious fabric such as silk, mohair, or boucle that will feel soft on the skin.
A few well-placed framed prints or paintings will also instantly make your living room classier. When shopping for art, try to find a print or painting with a landscape, animal, or plant motif. If you’re decorating on a budget, shop flea markets and thrift stores to find large, beautiful, framed prints at a fraction of the cost. You can then frame them using simple frames from the craft store or find vintage art at secondhand stores for an antique look.
On flat surfaces like coffee tables, side tables, and bookcases, use great coffee table books and other decorative items to draw the eye. Look for vases, photos, and trinkets in a wide range of styles, but try to keep them within a similar style or color palette for cohesiveness.
