Decorating your living room in a way that looks elegant and expensive doesn’t have to cost a fortune. One of the easiest and most effective ways to make any living room look high-end is through strategic use of color. The right color scheme can transform the entire feel of the space and make it look far more expensive than it really is. Here are some of the best color combinations to use in your living room if you want it to look like a million bucks.
Use Neutral Tones as a Base
A foolproof way to make a living room look expensive is to stick with neutral wall colors that act as a blank canvas. This allows you to layer on accents in richer tones without the space feeling too busy or overwhelming. Some of the most popular neutral wall colors for expensive-looking living rooms include:
– White: Crisp, clean white always reads as elegant and can make a room feel larger. Different shades like antique white can also work.
– Light gray: From pale grays to greige (a mix of gray and beige), gray tones look refined on walls.
– Tan: From camel to biscuit, tan hues keep things neutral without being boring.
– Beige: A warm beige or oatmeal color scheme is inviting and sophisticated.
| White | Crisp and clean white reads as elegant and expansive. |
| Light Gray | Pale grays to greige look refined and sophisticated. |
| Tan | Camel to biscuit tan hues are warm and neutral. |
| Beige | A warm beige or oatmeal palette looks cozy yet upscale. |
Stick with matte finishes on the walls as high-gloss can look cheap. Neutral walls also allow you to easily refresh your look seasonally with new accent colors.
Accent with Deep, Rich Tones
Once you have your neutral backdrop, the key is to accent with jewel-toned colors that create a luxe vibe. Deep, saturated hues like emerald green and sapphire blue instantly up the elegance factor. Some accent colors to make a living room look expensive include:
– Navy blue: From a dark peacock blue to classic navy, this color reads as polished. Use it in upholstery or throw pillows.
– Forest green: Deep greens like hunter and emerald green say refined and timeless. Use it in a statement chair or drapes.
– Rich purple: From eggplant to plum, purple looks plush and romantic. Use it in velvet furnishings or artwork.
– Deep red: Crimson and oxblood reds bring drama. Use them sparingly in lamps, rugs or small decor.
| Navy Blue | A dark peacock to classic navy reads as polished and upscale. |
| Forest Green | Deep greens like hunter and emerald appear elegant and timeless. |
| Rich Purple | Eggplant, plum and jewel tones look plush and romantic. |
| Deep Red | Crimson and oxblood reds create drama when used sparingly. |
These rich accent colors can easily be layered into soft furnishings like pillows, blankets and window treatments. Just keep accents minimal so the room still feels soothing.
Add Metallic Touches for Glamour
For serious luxury, incorporate metallic accents which instantly dress up a space. Polished metals, gleaming brass and glittering gold accents make a living room look like a million bucks without a full redesign. Ideas for glamorous metallic touches include:
– Gold frames: Frame artwork or mirrors in glitzy gold frames for an instant boost of glamour.
– Metallic accessories: Accessorize with gold, silver or mercury glass trays, vases, boxes and bowls.
– Gold light fixtures: Update plain ceiling lights with small gold chandeliers or sconces.
– Brass furniture: Incorporate brass touches in tables, lamps or other furniture pieces.
| Gold Frames | Framing artwork and mirrors in gold frames instantly glams up any space. |
| Metallic Accessories | Mercury glass, silver and gold accents add glamour to shelves and tables. |
| Gold Lighting | Small gold chandeliers and sconces take plain fixtures upscale. |
| Brass Furniture | Brass furniture like tables and lamps adds a luxurious touch. |
A little metallic goes a long way. Use it sparingly throughout the living room so it catches and reflects light beautifully.
Incorporate Natural Wood Tones
While color has a huge impact, natural wood tones can also create an expensive look by warming up a space. Incorporate wood touches throughout the living room in:
– Flooring: Hardwood with a rich stain or bleached white oak floors look custom.
– Furniture: Walnut, teak and mahogany wood furniture adds organic texture.
– Shelving: Built-in wood shelving with intricate detailing appears high-end.
– Accessories: Wood bowls, trays, boxes and other accents add warmth.
| Rich Hardwood Floors | Bleached or stained oak hardwood flooring looks custom and elegant. |
| Walnut Furniture | Walnut, teak and mahogany wood furniture adds warmth and texture. |
| Built-In Shelving | Detailed built-ins and cabinetry in wood looks elevated and expensive. |
| Wood Accessories | Accent with wood trays, bowls, boxes and other warm touches. |
The combination of wood’s texture and color richness adds the perfect dose of natural luxury. Just stick to one or two wood tones so it doesn’t compete with other colors.
Add Layers of Lighting
Proper lighting can make any living room look like a designer space. The key is layering multiple sources of light on dimmers to create ambiance. Lighting ideas for an expensive look include:
– Statement chandelier: A dramatic chandelier makes a bold style statement while providing soft general lighting.
– Sconces: Mounted wall sconces create pools of light and visual interest. Use them flanking a fireplace.
– Table lamps: Stylish table lamps let you highlight specific spaces like reading nooks.
– Downlighting: Recessed can lighting casts an attractive glow for task lighting needs.
| Statement Chandelier | A bold central chandelier makes a dramatic style statement. |
| Sconces | Wall sconces flanking a fireplace add visual interest. |
| Table Lamps | Stylish lamps highlight reading nooks and seating areas. |
| Downlighting | Recessed cans provide attractive task lighting as needed. |
Put all lighting on dimmers so you can create the perfect ambiance for any occasion, from a dinner party to movie night.
Display Artwork Prominently
You can instantly upgrade any living room by displaying large-scale artwork and photography. Some tips for featuring art elegantly include:
– Big canvases: Oversized artwork makes a dramatic statement and anchors the room.
– Gallery wall: Cluster framed prints and photos in a stylish gallery wall display.
– Medium art: Even placing medium-sized paintings helps create a polished look.
– Sculptural pieces: Incorporate sculptural objets d’art as artistic focal points.
| Big Canvases | Display large-scale paintings or prints to make a bold style statement. |
| Gallery Walls | clustering framed prints and photos creates an elegant gallery wall. |
| Medium Art | Hanging medium-sized paintings adds instant polish. |
| Sculptural Pieces | Unique objets d’art become artistic focal points. |
Place artwork strategically in places where it will draw the eye, such as behind the sofa or next to the fireplace. this makes the space feel curated.
Upgrade Window Treatments
An easy way to make a living room look expensive is to ditch basic blinds for upgraded window treatments. Elevated options like:
– Floor-length drapes: Long, flowing drapes frame windows and add height to the room.
– Rich fabrics: Choose luxe materials like silk, velvet or embroidered cotton.
– Textured shades: Layer roller shades or bamboo shades under drapes to control light.
– Curtain hardware: Install decorative rods, finials and rings for flair.
| Floor-Length Drapes | Long, flowing drapes add height and elegance to windows. |
| Luxury Fabrics | Materials like silk, velvet and embroidered cotton appear rich. |
| Textured Shades | Layer shades under drapes to control light and add depth. |
| Curtain Hardware | Finials, rods and rings add stylish flair. |
Floor-length drapes in a colorful accent fabric paired with neutral shades create an elegant window treatment. Hang drapes as close to ceiling as possible to maximize the sense of height.
Incorporate Greenery and Flowers
Adding tasteful greenery and fresh florals instantly livens up a living room. A few ways to incorporate plants and flowers include:
– Flower arrangement: A large vase of fresh blooms becomes an instant focal point.
– Potted palms: Tall potted palms or fiddle leaf figs make great corner plants.
– Trailing plants: Let ivy or pothos trail down a bookcase or console.
– Succulents: Mix succulents and air plants for eclectic tabletop décor.
| Flower Arrangement | A large vase of blooms makes a bold style statement. |
| Potted Palms | Large potted plants like palms work in corners. |
| Trailing Plants | Let trailing ivy or pothos grow on shelves for a living accent. |
| Succulents | Use succulents and air plants to decorate tabletops. |
Greenery literally helps any space come alive. Flower placement near entryways and conversation areas makes the biggest impact.
Style Your Coffee Tables
Coffee tables are natural style stages, so take the time to decorate them in an elegant way. Some tips for styling expensive-looking coffee tables include:
– Style in threes: Place three decorative items like vases or trays for visual interest.
– Add big books: Large books and coffee table books about art or design say cultured.
– Incorporate trays: A lacquered wood or hammered metal tray instantly glams up a table.
– Use luxurious accents: Add small objets d’art, decorative boxes and bowls.
| Style in Threes | Placing items in groups of three creates an artful vignette. |
| Coffee Table Books | Big, stylish books about art and design say cultured. |
| Decorative Trays | A glam tray in lacquered wood or hammered metal adds polish. |
| Luxurious Accents | Objets d’art, boxes and bowls create a still life. |
Avoid clutter and regularly refresh your vignettes to keep your coffee table looking curated. Use it to display some of your prettiest accessories and objects.
Choose the Right Rug
An area rug ties the whole room together and is key to a polished, expensive look. Ideal rug features include:
– Oversize it: Choose a rug much bigger than your furniture grouping so it defines the space.
– Natural fiber: Wool, cotton, jute and sisal rugs add organic texture.
– Patterned: Graphic patterns and ornate oriental styles look luxe.
– High pile: Plush, thick pile rugs feel amazing underfoot.
| Oversized | A rug much bigger than your furniture defines the sitting area. |
| Natural Fiber | Wool, cotton, jute and sisal add organic texture. |
| Patterned | Graphic prints or ornate oriental rugs look luxe. |
| High Pile | A plush, thick pile feels sensational underfoot. |
Be sure your rug is large enough for front legs of all furniture to sit atop it. this visually expands the space.
Add Architectural Interest
To take your living room to the next level of elegance, incorporate unique architectural elements like:
– Crown molding: Adding crown molding where the walls meet the ceiling finishes a room beautifully.
– Chair rail: A chair rail halfway up walls adds dimension with horizontal interest.
– Columns: Structural columns create shape in open floor plans.
– Tray ceiling: Tray ceilings with decorative borders make rooms feel more expansive.
| Crown Molding | Crown molding where walls meet ceilings finishes a room elegantly. |
| Chair Rail | A chair rail halfway up walls adds horizontal visual interest. |
| Columns | Structural columns add shape in open floor plans. |
| Tray Ceiling | A tray ceiling with decorative borders makes rooms feel bigger. |
Even using trim to frame out windows, doors and other architectural features can upgrade a space. Bold molding and medallions take it over the top.
Choose Statement Furniture
Investing in statement furniture is a fast way to make any living room look expensive and elevate the design. Look for pieces like:
– Tufted sofa: A tufted sofa with brass nailheads oozes old-world glamour.
– Leather armchairs: Buttery soft leather chairs or a sectional make a luxurious statement.
– Wingback chairs: Wingback chairs with ornate shapes and details look like heirlooms.
– Cabinets: Ornate china cabinets, buffets and curio cabinets add architectural detail.
| Tufted Sofa | A tufted sofa with brass nailheads drips with old-world glamour. |
| Leather Chairs | Leather armchairs and sectionals say timeless luxury. |
| Wingback Chairs | Wingback shapes with ornate details look like heirlooms. |
| Cabinets | China cabinets, buffets and curio cabinets elevate the room. |
These substantial furniture pieces become the room’s anchors and inspire the overall design. Their luxe shapes and fabrics instantly say expensive style.
Add Mirrors to Expand the Space
Hanging mirror panels or large statement mirrors visually doubles the size of any living room. Strategic mirror placement ideas include:
– Behind sofa: A mirror behind the sofa bounces light around and makes the room feel larger.
– Across from windows: Mirrors reflect and amplify incoming natural light beautifully.
– Near artwork: Place mirrors next to prominent artworks to expand their impression.
– On accent walls: Use mirrors to create a focal point mirrored accent wall.
| Behind Sofa | A mirror doubles the light and apparent size of the space. |
| Across Windows | Mirrors reflect and amplify gorgeous natural light. |
| Near Artwork | Mirrors next to art expand its visual impression. |
| Accent Wall | A mirrored accent wall creates major style |