Our Favourite Living Room Decor Ideas to Create a Calming Home

A modern living room with a wooden coffee table holding books and a mug, beside a sofa with patterned cushions and a matching wooden sideboard in the background.

Your living room is more than just a place to sit—it's where you unwind after a long day, catch up with loved ones, and carve out precious moments for yourself. It's the true heart of your home, and it deserves to feel welcoming, comfortable, and completely you.

The good news? Refreshing your living space doesn't have to mean a complete overhaul or breaking the bank. Sometimes, the smallest changes—a new cushion here, a thoughtfully placed lamp there—can transform how a room feels entirely. Whether you're looking to embrace the latest trends or simply want to breathe new life into your lounge, we're here to help.

At JD Williams, we understand that your home should work as hard as you do, which is why we've curated collections of stylish, affordable homeware and furniture to suit every taste and budget. In this article, we'll share our favourite living room décor ideas to inspire your next refresh and help you create a space that feels both beautiful and brilliantly liveable. Let's get started.

Living Room Décor Trends for a Fresh New Look

If you're wondering what's on-trend right now, you'll be pleased to know that the current mood is all about warmth, comfort, and understated elegance. Think cosy minimalism—spaces that feel calm and clutter-free but still full of personality. Warm neutrals like soft taupe, creamy beige, and gentle terracotta are having a moment, creating that effortlessly soothing backdrop we all crave.


Layering textures is another key trend that's easy to achieve. Mix chunky knit throws with velvet cushions, pair linen curtains with a jute rug, or introduce a bouclé accent chair. These layers add depth and interest without overwhelming the space, striking that perfect balance between comfort and style.


When it comes to accessories, less is definitely more—but what you do display should feel curated and intentional. A beautiful ceramic vase, a sculptural candle holder, or a carefully chosen piece of wall art can elevate your entire room. The beauty of this approach? It feels elevated but remains very achievable.


Explore JD Williams' homeware collections to discover pieces that bring these trends to life in your own living room, from contemporary furniture to those finishing touches that make all the difference.

How to Decorate a Living Room With Simple, Affordable Touches

You don't need to redecorate from scratch to give your living room a whole new lease of life. Sometimes, the quickest route to a refresh is swapping out a few key accessories—and the results can be remarkable.

A stylish living room with a sofa, armchair, coffee table and fireplace, decorated with plants, candles and colourful cushions.

Start with cushions and throws. Updating these soft furnishings is one of the easiest and most impactful changes you can make. Choose colours and textures that complement your existing sofa or armchair, and don't be afraid to mix patterns for added interest. Discover some beautiful options in our cushions and throws collection.


Lighting makes an enormous difference too. A stylish table lamp or floor lamp can transform the ambience of your room, creating a warm, inviting glow that overhead lighting simply can't match. Browse
our indoor lighting range for designs that suit every style.


Then there’s the finishing touches: candles that add both fragrance and atmosphere, vases that bring life to a side table, and ornaments that tell your story. These small updates require minimal effort but deliver maximum impact—perfect for busy lives that still deserve a beautiful home.


Find everything you need in our decorative accessories, candles and holders, vases, and ornaments collections.

A living room scene with warm lighting, showing a dog sitting on a sofa.

Lounge Décor Ideas to Create a Relaxing, Comfortable Space

Your living room should be a sanctuary—a place where you can truly switch off and recharge. Creating that restful atmosphere is easier than you might think, and it all starts with considering how you use the space.


Think about creating distinct seating zones. A comfortable armchair positioned near a window with a side table and reading lamp creates the perfect spot for quiet mornings with a cup of tea and a good book. Or arrange your seating to encourage conversation, with chairs angled towards each other and a coffee table within easy reach. The key is making your space work for
your lifestyle.


Soft, layered lighting is essential for relaxation. Instead of relying solely on overhead lights, introduce table lamps and floor lamps that can be dimmed or adjusted to create a cosy, calming glow in the evening.


When it comes to colour palettes, soothing tones work wonders. Soft grey, warm beige, a muted blue, or a gentle green for example, can promote a sense of calm without feeling cold or clinical. You can always add pops of colour through accessories if you want a bit more energy in the space.


Explore our collections to find pieces that help you create your perfect retreat: armchairs, coffee tables, and table lamps that combine style with genuine comfort.

How to Decorate Living Room Walls & Large Wall Spaces

Bare walls can make even the loveliest living room feel unfinished, but deciding what to put on them doesn't have to be daunting. Whether you're working with a large blank canvas or trying to tie together smaller wall spaces, there are plenty of stylish solutions.

A cosy living room with a sofa, soft lighting, a wood‑burning stove, and candles, decorated with warm-toned cushions, throws, and a coffee table.

Gallery walls remain popular for good reason—they're personal, creative, and endlessly adaptable. Mix framed prints with family photographs, combine different frame sizes and finishes, and don't worry too much about perfect symmetry. The slightly organic feel is part of the charm. Start by laying everything out on the floor first, then work your way up the wall, keeping the centre point at roughly eye level.


For larger wall spaces, consider going bold with a single oversized piece of art or a statement mirror. Mirrors are particularly clever in living rooms because they reflect light and can make your space feel bigger and brighter—a lovely bonus in cosier rooms or those without abundant natural light.


Floating shelves offer another practical and decorative solution, giving you space to display treasured objects, books, or plants while adding architectural interest to plain walls.


Whatever direction you choose, you'll find plenty of inspiration in our wall art, clocks, mirrors, and shelving collections.

A modern living room with a tall wooden bookcase decorated with plants, books, and small ornaments beside a sofa with a chunky knitted cushion.

Living Room Shelf & Bookshelf Decorating Ideas

Bookshelves are brilliant for storage, but they're also an opportunity to showcase your personality and style. The trick is striking that balance between practical and pretty—creating displays that feel curated without looking cluttered.

A good shelf styling formula includes a mix of elements: stack some books horizontally and others vertically, intersperse them with decorative objects, add a small plant or two for freshness, and include one or two personal items that mean something to you—perhaps a framed photo or a souvenir from a memorable trip.

Height variation is your friend here. Place taller items at one end and graduate down to smaller pieces, or create visual interest by varying heights within each section of the shelf. Don't be afraid of a little breathing room either—empty space prevents things from looking too busy and allows each item to shine.

Group similar items in odd numbers (three candlesticks rather than two, for instance) as this tends to be more visually pleasing. And remember, you can always rotate items seasonally to keep things feeling fresh.

Shop our living room shelving units, along with decorative accessories, candles and holders, vases, and ornaments to help you create those perfectly styled displays.

A modern living room featuring a light wood sideboard decorated with candles, books, a bowl, and a tall vase.

Sideboard Styling Tips for Your Living Room

A sideboard is such a versatile piece of furniture—it offers valuable storage while providing the perfect surface for creating a beautiful display. But how do you style it so it looks intentional rather than like a dumping ground for bits and bobs?

Start by considering height variation. Mix taller items like table lamps or large vases with medium-height pieces such as photo frames or candles, and smaller decorative objects. This creates visual interest and draws the eye across the entire display.

You can play with symmetry or embrace a more relaxed, asymmetrical approach—both work beautifully depending on your taste and the style of your room. Symmetry feels more formal and classic (think matching lamps on either end with a central statement piece), while asymmetry feels more contemporary and casual.

Don't forget practical elements. A decorative tray is wonderful for organising everyday items like remote controls, while still looking stylish. Display a statement mirror above the sideboard to amplify light and create a focal point. Add candles for atmosphere, and perhaps a small vase with fresh or faux flowers to bring life to the arrangement.

The key is not to overcrowd the surface—leave some breathing room so each piece can be appreciated.

Discover our cabinets and sideboards, plus all the finishing touches you need: decorative accessories, candles and holders, mirrors, and table lamps.

Start Sprucing Up Your Living Room

Refreshing your living room should feel exciting and empowering, not overwhelming. Whether you're embracing the latest trends, working with what you have, or starting from scratch, remember that decorating is personal—there's no right or wrong here, only what feels good to you.


The beauty of small changes is that they add up. A new throw here, a thoughtfully placed mirror there, a fresh arrangement on your sideboard—before you know it, your living room will feel completely transformed. And the best part? You've created a space that truly reflects who you are and how you live.


At JD Williams, we're here to make decorating easier, more affordable, and genuinely enjoyable. Our collections are designed with real homes and real lives in mind—stylish pieces that work hard, look beautiful, and fit comfortably into your budget.


Ready to get started? Explore our full homeware collection and lounge furniture range to discover everything you need for your living room refresh. Your perfect space is waiting—let's make it happen together.