31 Formal Living Room Ideas That Reinvent the Architectural Design Standard

Today, we are going to share with you an extensive list of carefully curated formal living room ideas that we believe has taken the world of interior design by storm. Contrary to the popular belief that the formal designing trend has been drastically declined, these formal living rooms in no doubt have shown their undying fashionableness. We added practical tips on how to create your own formal living room as well. By the end of the list, we are confident to say that you can effortlessly design a formal living room that doesn’t feel dated at all in your à la mode abode.

Invest in a Quality Wooden Sideboard

It might be an unusual sight to witness a sideboard in a formal living room as this piece of classic furnishing is normally a resident of a dining room. However, there has been no one on the record who strictly claims that a wooden sideboard can only function as a home for eating utensils. Hence, why limit thyself with a quack notion? A wooden sideboard, juxtaposed with a streamlined arm sofa, in the formal living room can be a nice and pleasant addition.

Opt for Wood Floor

It would not be an overstatement to say that the wood floor in a formal living room was the icon of timelessness itself. Aside from its beauty that stands the test of time, its durable strength is another charm of it that we should not overlook. Although many homeowners probably have to be overwhelmed with the daunting task of replacing their stained carpet every year, the same concern shall not trouble you. Plus, it is one of the most affordable options of flooring that you can get at a great price that looks good with a varying range of interior design.

Add a Wing Chair

Who doesn’t love to sit back at a snug wing chair in a formal living room during a chilly winter day? We do, and if you have never tried it yet, you should! Not only a wing chair is loved because of its indescribable comfort, but it is also admired by many for its glamorous look. Take a look at its trendy design, which features a tall back and graceful tufting. An addition of a wing chair gives a steal-worthy look to the interiors of a formal living room.

Build a Wall Niche

A wall niche in a formal living room exhibits an unexpected surprise of a dramatic appeal. The recess in the wall acts as the enhancer of the overall space’s beauty. Besides, if you have no other place to show off that exquisite ceramic jars collection of yours, a wall niche may be an ideal nest for them.

Get Some Wall Display Shelves

You might not be fortunate enough to own a spacious formal living room, but that shouldn’t stop you from beautifying the space with your favorite trinkets. A wall display shelves is a helpful item to help you solve your lack-of-space problem. It provides the greatest spot to display your personal taste in the limelight.

Showcase a Tasteful Wall Art, Front and Center

Found a gem in your last thrift shopping that you personally think would make an exquisite focal point for your formal living room? Don’t think twice to hang that fine wall art! A personalized wall décor, like a painting, helps to tie the room together. It gives your formal living room a warm and inviting finish.

Splurge in Triple Coffee Tables

We know that two is better than one, but what about three coffee tables for your formal living room? It’s such a big “yes” for us, and we don’t see the reason why you should say “no” to it. With more coffee tables on the way, you can have more space to neatly organize your items and keep them off of the floor.

Be Bold With a Tiled Fireplace

Don’t forgo that old fireplace in your formal living room just yet! Refresh the lifeless hearth by giving it a trendy makeover. A tiled fireplace can be a pretty focal point in your living space. Choose the right pattern to avoid creating an unwanted visual clutter to the room.

Take Advantage of a Tall Ceiling

You should be grateful if your formal living room is equipped with a tall ceiling. One of the many benefits that you can sow of it is its vastness. It makes sense that many homeowners prefer to have a house with a high ceiling as they provide lots of space to get creative with. As shown in this picture, even after hanging a massive chandelier, we are positive that the family never feels cooped up while staying in.

Add a Striped Rug as a Fun-Inducing Element

A striped-rug can effortlessly transform a formal living room. If you are trying to make a change to your flooring, but you don’t have a really large budget for the project, you might consider simply adding striped-rug to the floors in your living room.

Build a Skylight (or More)

Similar to adding mirrors on the walls, skylights can make a formal living room “feel bigger” and more spacious. Plus, you can get a view of the night sky or nature during the day.

Aim for a Rustic Style

Rustic style attracts people who appreciate traditional values and are looking for high-quality furniture, including formal living room furniture. The main feature of the pleasant living room style from ancient times is the mix of quality and functionality. Mix rugged, natural, and cozy elements with warm tones to create the rustic living room of your dreams.

Choose Pale Colors

For a super tranquil living room, consider adding a pale green area rug. The rug here gives this space a soothing feel. The pink tones of the cushions and armchair add to the relaxing atmosphere, as does the choice of plush velvet upholstery.

Create an Open Layout Space

Functioning as both the formal dining and living room, it’s the ultimate entertaining space. The massive white carpet helps unify the space since it stretches from the eating zone to the living area. The brighter dining chairs and dark sofa and coffee table, on the other hand, help to distinguish them from one another.

Select a Neutral Tone

This inviting formal living space has been given an enticing glow with a combination of plywood joinery and off-white walls. The room is quite open with glazing on either side.

Incorporate a Comforting Nature’s Touch

In addition to purifying your air, indoor plants lend texture, shape, and color to a formal living room. This one may seem really obvious, though it never fails to amaze us when we walk into a house that has no plants. Not everyone is born with a green thumb, so, fortunately, there are plants to suit every kind of interior, lighting situation, and gardening ability.

Drag a Mirrored Coffee Table Inside

After your seating, the coffee table is the most important piece in your formal living room because it holds drinks, your remote, reading material, and is a place to put up your feet. Every living room needs one, and if you have a nubby fabric on your couch or more rustic elements, a mirrored coffee table will contrast that rough texture.

Blow In a Mediterranean Feel

A perfectly designed Mediterranean and formal living room must have the important detail that this place must have, and it is the fireplace. And also, the use of antiques or vintage accents is beneficial in achieving the said design. But above all, to greatly have a perfect look you should go with a marbleized table added with more chairs or lounge chairs and ottoman to give a polishing look.

Wow the Visitors With an Exquisite Display of Marble Wall

Marble tiles are an excellent choice for formal living room walls. Nothing compares to the look of natural marble tiles. Marble comes in a variety of colors, designs, and finishes options and offers a very regal look. While faux marble replicates the look of natural marble to some extent, it cannot compare or compete with the original.

Perch Up on a Leather Ottoman

Have you ever realized that the cushion you rest your feet on in your formal living room has so many purposes? The ottoman can be used as storage, extra seating, and a coffee table. From small ones to oversized ones, ottomans are the hidden gem that may be missing from your space. Don’t overlook this handy piece of furniture for space-saving, or just making a statement in the middle of the room.

Get Inspired by the Captivating Industrial Style

The beauty of having an industrial formal living room is the ability to mix and match contemporary designs with older inspired decorative elements. For instance, you can hang modern appliances like flat-screen colored TV in your brick living room wall. You can also choose to display your modern TV set on an open shelf made of wrought iron and wood. Pendant lights that use filament lighting with Edison style bulbs featuring rustic metals can also help to give a rustic vibe to your modern industrial living room.

Bury Your Feet Deep on the Fluffy Rug

If your formal living room has hard bare floors, having an area rug to break them up helps to provide a little comfort to you underfoot. Whether a lavish and thick pile to bounce on as you walk over it, or a fluffy rug with a shorter pile, having that bit of texture helps to introduce a little comfort to your floor space.

Use Some Floor Lamps

From picturesque reading lamps to vintage pharmacy lamps, floor lamps provide a variety of practical benefits. If relaxing and unwinding in your formal living room over a hot cup of coffee and an intriguing book is the best part of your day, opt for a gorgeous floor reading lamp to complement your décor.

Highlight a Family Photo Gallery

The photo gallery provides a source of inexpensive wall art for your formal living room. You alone can decide how much you want to spend to have photos custom framed, but many budget-friendly alternatives allow you to frame photos with archival quality. Update décor with a mix of photos and art for a casually modern look.

Use a Console Table

The console table comes with an attractive finish and artisanal design, which adds to its aesthetics. Opt-in for straightforward tips when you are decorating your console table. Sometimes, less is more, and it will enhance the formal living room décor. Add a painting on the wall and include geometric décor designs to the console table’s beauty. You can style the table depending on your interest and arrive at the correct style statement.

Add Some Colorful Pillows

You might not realize it, but decorative pillows are the most important formal living room accessory you can own. Pillows are the easiest, fastest, and cheapest way to transform your home décor. You can add pops of color, texture, and luxury on a small budget.

Strategically Place a Built-In Bookcase

There are many advantages to bookcases in a formal living room. It provides a sense of organization for, well, books of all shapes and sizes but also can provide space for other items like picture frames, decorations, or memorabilia you wish to show off to visitors. Built-in bookcases, especially wooden bookcases, can offer both the perfect focal point to any room or provide storage space you may not have had before.

Accentuate the Arched Windows

Arched windows, although mostly associated with Roman architectural designs, can add a timeless look to your formal living room. Its vintage appeal can help you open up a room and create a more dynamic living space.

Construct an Eye-Catching Accent Wall

An accent wall is a great way to break up space, especially in a formal living room with high ceilings. This dark-toned accent wall is an excellent idea if your living room lacks a standard fireplace or mantle. Not only does it help frame the sofa, but it creates a focal point in the room and adds a lot of visual interest.

Buy an Accent Chair

A large formal living room with an empty corner could benefit from the visual focus of an accent chair. It immensely helps if you’re hoping to add style to your home, create a reading corner, or simply have extra seating for guests.

Revive the Traditional Design

An upholstered sofa sets the tone in this traditional yet formal living room. Matching sets of end tables, table lamps, and accent chairs create a symmetrical arrangement that feels both elegant and effortless. The large brick hearth over the sofa unifies the room’s color scheme.