These 5 Living Room Essentials Are In Every Well-Designed Home

I’d argue that the living room is probably the coziest room in your house (okay, tied with the bedroom.) Living rooms do a lot of heavy lifting, after all. This is where you gather with family and friends at the end of the day, where you lounge and put your feet up with morning coffee, and pass popcorn during movie night. Creating a space that feels relaxed and inviting can really set the tone for intentional living, whether you want to converse, hang out or take an afternoon snooze. The start of a new season is also the perfect time to check in with your living room essentials. 

Taking the time to do a living room edit now will set the scene for an easy, breezy summer. An edit is exactly what it sounds like—curating your space so that it only contains furniture and decor you truly love. Think of it as a thoughtful reset rather than a full overhaul. To get you started, here is a curated list of living room essentials that will instantly elevate your space.

Sofas

A beautiful sofa is the foundation of a well-styled living room. You want a sofa that’s built to last and cozy enough to sink into without being completely swallowed. Choosing a sofa with clean lines, a neutral palette, and high-quality upholstery is a classic choice that can work for whatever design preferences you may have. A neutral sofa also gives you room to layer in color and texture through pillows and throws.

Whether you prefer tailored and structured or cozy and cloud-like, these sofas offer comfort without compromising on style. I personally have the Lido sofa from Albany Park and love it so much. It’s sturdy, beautiful and has held up excellently over time.

Pro tip: When purchasing a new sofa, be sure to measure your space (and know your new sofa’s measurements too!) so you can be confident it’ll fit in both your living room and through your front door.

Accent Chairs

An accent chair is a great way to add a bit of personality to your living room. Not only does it offer more seating for guests, it’s a great opportunity to introduce a new material—like boucle, rattan, or velvet—that can echo or contrast the rest of your space. I personally love mixing textures. You can contrast a soft linen sofa with a rugged leather accent chair, or mix a woven textured chair with a fabric couch. The rattan swivel chairs in Camille’s living room are a perfect example of how accent chairs can bring in more texture, can balance the space and add depth to your layout. Plus, who doesn’t love curling up in an oversized chair?

Coffee and Side Tables

A coffee table can be so much more than a place to set drinks—it’s a fantastic piece to reflect your personal style. Just like accent chairs, the variety of materials living room tables come in (stone, wood, rattan) can add even more texture to your space. They each have a specific feeling to them as well. Wood and woven tables will feel warm, while glass or stone ones will feel elevated. A living room just doesn’t feel complete without one, so it’s definitely on the list of living room essentials. 

Be sure your coffee table flows with the seating in your living room and use the shape to your advantage. A round coffee table will soften the edges of a sofa with harsh angles, for example. Consider the height of your coffee table as well—aim for it to be slightly lower than your couch cushions.

Decor

The best spaces feel lived in and layered—and that’s where decor comes in. Thoughtfully-chosen decor can tell a story, and personal touches turn your house into a home. Framed photos of loved ones, coffee table books that reflect your interests and fragrance that makes you and your guests feel at ease are the living room essentials that make your home feel like you. Notice if your walls feel bare, or perhaps there are a few empty surfaces. Your living room edit doesn’t have to be about taking items away —your edit can include adding new elements like decor too.

Lighting

The final layer, and one of the most underrated design elements in my opinion, is lighting. The right lighting can be transformative for a space, and can define the energy and atmosphere of your living room. You can, of course, rely on natural light if you have it. A sun-drenched living room would be bright and energizing—a perfect vibe for the space. But once the sun goes down, or perhaps your living room doesn’t get much light, you’ll need lamps. Layered lighting is definitely the way to go. Having a mix of ambient lighting, task lighting (like a reading lamp by your accent chair) and mood lighting like candles will create the coziest evening atmosphere.

Your living room doesn’t need a full reno to feel refreshed—just a few intentional updates can create a space that feels warm and welcoming. Whether you’re shopping for one standout item or slowly collecting meaningful pieces over time, let this list inspire your next chapter of everyday living.