Our Ultimate Living Room Design Do's and Don'ts

While there are no hard and fast rules to designing any space, there are some guiding principles that everyone should follow to maximize storage, style and personality in their homes. Check out our ultimate design do's and don'ts to make your living room one you'll never want to leave.

In classic Fixer to Fabulous style, Jenny and Dave Marrs gave the living room of their Welcome Inn historic charm with soft furnishings and creamy paneling. They embraced the space's natural light by dressing the windows with long, neutral drapes. A white ceiling and light wood floors help reflect the light.

Bright and bold colors, like the sunny yellow in designer Dani Dazey's living room, can create a total wow moment — when well planned. Start by picking the main color in your space, then choose two or three complementary colors to layer in. The accent colors will help tie the whole room together.

Whether it's old-school paneling—like Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson used in this updated midcentury modern house — fabulous peel-and-stick wallpaper or cool geometric molding, wall treatments can be an easy way to give your living room a quick refresh. Pro tip: Highlight the shape of an angular ceiling by bringing the paneling, wallpaper or molding all the way up.

Perfect symmetry à la a Wes Anderson film brings harmony and effortless style. Mirrored sofas invite conversation and don't feel too formal in navy velvet. Twin console tables with matching mirrors have historic flair.

If you're in need of design inspiration, try looking out your window. The homeowners of a shipping container tucked in the Georgia mountains decided to take full advantage of their forest surroundings with large picture windows and a color palette inspired by nature. Mossy greens, clay reds and golden yellows are a nod to fall foliage and make the living room flow with its locale.

For her clients who were in need of a living room that could handle more than just movie nights, Jasmine Roth installed a double desk along one of the empty walls. Drawers in between can hold crafts, homework supplies and work-from-home necessities, while extra long open shelves above are a spot to display art and decor.

Four arm chairs instead of a sofa can be a great setup for relaxing happy hours, fun game nights or cozy mornings with a cup of coffee. Center them around a circular coffee table to avoid bumping any corners when standing up.

In a neutral living room, texture is everything. It adds personality and coziness. A simple way to incorporate it is with throw pillows and blankets, but you can also layer it in with wooden accents (like the arms of the chairs and mantel in this living room), a stone fireplace surround or three-dimensional artwork.

There's nothing worse than a newly refreshed living room with a TV simply stuck on the wall. Be thoughtful in where you place it, like in this living room that has a special nook for it to hang. Surrounding cubbies painted the same color make the TV feel like a purposeful display and cabinets underneath hide cable boxes and wires.

Having multiple details to admire can be great for a space but sometimes overwhleming for the eye. In this dome-shaped house, Alison Victoria kept its funky feel with the spiral staircase, retro jukebox and two-story neon palm tree light, but she grounded the competing elements with an extra-tall turquoise tile fireplace that attracts the eye first.

Who says your living room has to be all one style? Mixing and matching pieces of furniture from different time periods can create a perfectly lived-in, eclectic space. Decorate with your favorite books, art and vintage finds to achieve a room that tells a story.

Purple might not be the go-to color for a living room accent, but in this bacherlorette pad, it's a fresh nod to the homeowner's love of color. The deep teal sofa and bright yellow radiator pair nicely with the softness of the purple and are balanced out by a glossy black lamp and sleek side table.

The living room in this tiny house feels spacious thanks to a smart use of furniture. Instead of wasting a vital corner, the homeowners opted for an L-shape sofa that tucks perfectly into the nook and a cozy armchair that slides under the staircase.