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When it comes to living room layouts, the open-floor concept has its friends and its foes. I’m going to just go hide in another room so I don’t have to moderate that passionate debate.
Instead, I did decide ask a whole bunch of real estate agents which living room layout is falling out of fashion. Regardless of whether you’re Team Open-Floor or you like your living spaces to come with more definition, there was one common underlying theme in real estate agents’ responses — and it’s tech-driven.
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The living room layout that’s on its way out… is any one in which the TV dominates how the space is arranged. Helping fuel this trend is the advent of TVs that don’t look at TVs at all. (Think: Samsung’s Frame TV that can inconspicuously double as a digital art gallery and is framed like a work of art or can be placed on a studio stand.)
“We are seeing homeowners get really creative with how they make televisions seamlessly a part of the living room without it being a primary focal point,” says Emily Waldmann, an Austin, Texas-based real estate agent with Douglas Elliman. “Whether it’s a Samsung Frame TV as a part of a gallery wall, or a creative sliding cover for the TV when it’s not in use, this is definitely something our clients are talking about.”
Perhaps even more interesting is what’s replacing the TV-centric living room. Waldmann says she’s seeing the revival of the sunken living room — the kind that creates a distinct living space that’s more about facilitating conversation and socializing than TV watching.
“It’s partially driven by the trend of restoring and remodeling mid-century homes and a return to hosting and connecting with people in your home as a focal point in a post-Covid era,” Waldmann says. “This style is being done in a new, modern way. We love to see it.”
With less of a focus on television-watching, there’s more flexibility with how seating is arranged, says Scott Nachatilo, property manager and owner at OKC Home Realty Services in Oklahoma City. Options like smaller sofas and different styles of seating (egg chairs! Low-slung rattan chairs! Scalloped armchairs wrapped in velvet and floor poufs!) are joining the more traditional armchairs and recliners we associate with settling in to watch Netflix.
Brady Bridges, broker and owner of Reside Real Estate in Fort Worth, Texas, is also seeing the trend away from TVs being the central focal point in a living room. The increasing popularity of streaming services, he points out, means people can watch their favorite shows or a movie from just about anywhere.
“Instead, people are now aiming for incorporating a more social and interactive living space,” Bridges says. “The conversation pit style of seating arrangement has become a popular alternative to TV-centric layouts. This involves arranging the furniture in a circular or semi-circular style, with an ottoman or low table in the center.”
Sarah is a staff writer at Apartment Therapy. She completed her MA in journalism at the University of Missouri and has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Belmont University. Past writing and editing stops include HGTV Magazine, Nashville Arts Magazine, and several outlets local to her hometown, Columbia, Missouri.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Not every home project has to be a giant undertaking. Yes, knocking out walls or constructing a wall-spanning set of built-ins makes a noticeable impact, but so can smaller changes. A simple facelift has the ability to transform a space, rendering it almost unrecognizable — especially if you focus on infusing the area with tons of personality.
If your space could use this kind of elevation, get inspired by the living room designer Valerie Darden created in this Virginia row house. The founder of Brexton Cole Interiors has a unique design style that’s a sophisticated blend of traditional and modern — something immediately evident when you see her space.
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When Valerie purchased this home, she says, “the walls were a very bland beige and there was no color inside.” But there was plenty of potential in the home’s high ceilings and vintage touches like detailed wall mouldings and fireplaces in the adjoining living spaces.
As her inspiration, Valerie leaned into the artsy vibe of the city surrounding her. “Richmond is a city full of art and adventure,” she says. “I wanted to breathe new air into the house to fit the artsy and colorful aesthetic of Richmond.”
The process, which took about two months, was design-focused. The most costly — and extensive — work included the Greek mural wallpaper Valerie and her husband installed along the entryway and hallway. They also painted the walls a nice, bright white (Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace) to help the rest of the decor pop.
Once the walls were complete, Valerie purchased some bright velvet chairs and an orange sofa to bring in some pops of color. Next, she used vintage furniture — all purchased on Facebook Marketplace to save money — from the time period of the home. As for the art, it came from a combination of sources. “We searched for ‘fun’ and eclectic art for the walls,” says Valerie. “We found art everywhere from Home Goods to local antique stores.”
The result is a space that expertly blends new and old in a bold, colorful way. “I love everything about the after,” says Valerie. “I love mixing new design in with the old, and this home was perfect for that journey.”
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Picking a living room paint color can be a challenge — there are so many options and only one room! If you’re anything like me, you grab about 25 paint samples and bring them home to tape up on the wall and see which you like (if any at all). But according to real estate pros, there’s a perfect color for living rooms. I asked 15 of them what they’d choose, and here’s what they had to say.
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“A warm white like Benjamin Moore’s White Dove is a nice neutral that will give some warmth to your space and make it feel more cozy and inviting.” —Julia Longchamps, owner of Julia Longchamps Design
“[My] go-to paint color is Benjamin Moore’s Decorator’s White, a blend of a classic white and a touch of cool gray creating an airy living space.” —Haley Cutter of Cutter Luxe Living
“Personally, my go-to is Sherwin Williams White Sand. The living space in a home should be airy, serene, and light, and White Sand is as neutral as it gets… and isn’t too white of a shade. It has just enough of a hue to create a pristine yet warm feel — which makes a space inviting.” —Phenicia Mitchell, agent at The Corcoran Group in New York City
“Sherwin Williams Repose Gray [is] a perfect balance between warm and cool tones, making it a versatile choice for any living room. It also offers a calm and soothing atmosphere, which is ideal for creating a comfortable and inviting space for family and guests. Additionally, it pairs well with a variety of furniture and decor styles, making it a great option for those looking to change their living room decor in the future.” —Muhammad Waqar, founder and CEO of Build Pakistan
“Agreeable Gray by Sherwin Williams. Neutral colors tend to be more attractive to potential buyers and help to create a blank canvas for buyers to visualize the space with their own furniture and decor. Plus, neutral colors are timeless and can fit any style.” —George Beatty, founder of Problem Property Pals
“Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray is THE interior paint color used by Opendoor. It has been used in thousands of homes in the U.S. It’s an iconic greige color that has massive appeal. The tone is warm and inviting, perfect for a large gathering spot such as a living room, and it also pairs well with many pieces of furniture. —Yasmine El Sanyoura, home designer at Opendoor
“Taupes are hot right now. They lend themselves to both cool and warm color palettes, which is appealing to a lot of buyers. …We’re still seeing gray tones, but because they were used on almost every flip and every new build in the last seven years, I think taupes are a refreshing option.” —Abigail Keyes, listings manager for Orchard in Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston
“I always recommend my clients go for a classic and timeless color, such as beige. This color will never lose its cool, no matter what trends are in the current market.” —Josh Wilson, cofounder of That Florida Life
“A neutral wall color allows you to experiment with colors more easily within your decorations — it’s more of a blank canvas for the end buyer (or yourself). It’s also a lot easier to change your color schemes if you need some new inspiration and want to make a change.” —Tresa Todd, founder of Women’s Real Estate Investors Network
“Our favorite paint color for any living room, and most gathering spaces, is a crisp but warm neutral. This keeps the ambiance light and bright while allowing the accents of the design (lighting, art, and rugs) to set the tone for the visual interest of the space.” —Alex McBride, senior manager of home quality standards and design at Vacasa
“Neutral colors are calming and appeal to a wide range of tastes, which is helpful when trying to appeal to a variety of potential buyers. Neutral colors also make a room look larger, brighter, and more inviting, which will help to make a great first impression.” —Jasen Edwards, chair of the Agent Advice editorial board
“I chose teal, and have been happy with it for several years. It seems to stand the test of time. This bluish green is perfect for Florida’s greenery and waters. Even as I have updated my decorating the teal walls remain, they just work. Teal represents renewal — perfect for our challenging and hectic world. It is also a good color for stress relief!” —Diana De Paola Nardy, agent at The Corcoran Group in Palm Beach, Florida
“Farrow and Ball’s Borrowed Light, No 235, is one of my favorites for a living room when I want something other than a shade of white. It’s subtle and understated and slightly unexpected — a pale blue that reminds me of the stunning light and sky in the Hamptons. It’s fabulous for a ceiling color too!” —Whitney Lee, agent at The Corcoran Group in Southampton, New York
“A great living room paint color is Farrow & Ball’s Paean Black. This rich, dark color creates a dramatic and sophisticated atmosphere, making it perfect for formal living rooms or spaces where people entertain. It also works well with a variety of decor styles, from traditional to modern.” —Zara O’Hare, interior design consultant at Land of Rugs
“With today’s fashion trends bleeding into the interior design space, people are much more open to exploring bold colors and fun patterns in their homes than ever before. The most popular hues include deep reds, burgundy, rose, deep navy, and greens. Many are also extending their paint colors onto the ceiling and incorporating matching wallpaper to create a monochromatic look.” —Alexis Caldera, founder of DMT Design
January is always an awkward time for home decor. The holidays are over, and your home feels so empty without all the festive decorations. Well, there’s an easy solution – fill those empty gaps with winter themed decor. Don’t worry, it’s super simple to make the transition. Here are ten of our favorite ideas.
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1. Combine greenery that you already have with pinecones, antlers, etc. to create a cozy forest sort of vibe. Learn how Kim did it here. [Photo: Savvy Southern Style]
2. Paint pinecones white and attach them to jars to create beautiful, wintery candle holders. Find out more here. [Photo: Nelly Vintage Home]
3. Take those fairy lights off the tree and stick them in a log and greenery filled wooden crate to make a faux fireplace. How cozy! Here are the details. [Photo: Blue Roof Cabin]
4. Erase your Christmas-themed saying on the chalkboard with a winter-themed one, such as “Baby it’s cold outside.” Found here. [Photo: A Thoughtul Place]
5. Make faux fur pillow covers for your holiday-themed pillows (then you can take them off next December to reveal the holiday pillow again). Here’s the tutorial. [Photo: Transient Expression]
6. Replace mantel decor with simple white or pale green bouquets with bare twig accents. Find lots of additional ideas here. [Photo: At The Picket Fence]
7. Adorn your front porch or stoop with pale colored decorations filled with pinecones and burlap. See more photos here. [Photo: Thistlewood Farms]
8. Grab some pinecones from your backyard and turn them into a snowflake shaped wreath. Check it out here. [Photo: Southern Living]
9. Spray paint an existing holiday wreath white to give it more of a winter sort of feel. Get the tutorial to make it from scratch here. [Photo: Thistlewood Farms]
10. Focus on warm whites in general… it may be as easy as swapping a red ribbon with a white one on your wreath. [Photo: This Is Glamorous]
