Having an expensive living room and an expensive-looking living room are two different things. With strategic choices and thoughtful design, you can elevate your living space to reflect opulence and elegance, without spending a lot of money.

Your living room serves as a place of both comfort and function. It is the room where you will host guests and should reflect your values and taste. If you are looking for a room that offers guests glam and luxury, there are plenty of luxe living room ideas that will show off your style.

Ideas To Make Your Living Room Look Elegant

Creating an expensive living room is all about blending elegance and sophistication with function and form. There are subtle details and thoughtful design ideas you can implement that make a world of difference. Using light, carefully selecting furniture, being mindful of colour choices will all contribute to the overall feel of the room.

Lighting

One of the most impactful ways to make your living room look expensive is through strategic lighting. When choosing your light fittings, opt for statement chandeliers or pendant lights that not only illuminate the space but also serve as focal points for the room.

Consider using different heights to create depth and texture. For example, you could use floor lamps, table lamps and wall sconces to create a sense of warmth.

A top tip for a luxe living room is to choose lighting fixtures with metallic finishes or crystal embellishments to add a sense of luxury to your room. You can also play around with the colour of the lighting fixtures, to add to the uniqueness of the piece.

Gallery wall

Create a gallery wall with carefully chosen artwork and framed pieces. Not only does this add a personal touch to your expensive living room, but it also gives the illusion of a curated art collection fit for a palatial home.

Choose frames that match the overall colour scheme and design of your room. Don't be afraid to mix and match mediums, similar to how an art gallery will sometimes display watercolours, acrylic and sculptures in one space.

Mirrors

Mirrors are an age-old trick to make a space look larger and more luxurious. However, where you place your mirrors is key to getting the most out of them.

If your luxe living room has a fireplace, a mirror above the mantel can help extend the fireplace, adding to the feeling of elegance. Or, you could hang a mirror on the wall opposite your fireplace to help reflect the sense of warmth of the fire in winter.

If you are thinking of using a gallery wall in your living room, why not include a mirror in it? This can complement the art collection and make the wall feel bigger.

Avoid placing mirrors directly opposite windows as this can create a glare that can cheapen the look of the room.

Artwork

Using artwork is a great way to both reflect your style and make a room feel expensive. You can choose to invest in one or two high-end pieces to really add a feeling of glamour, or you can opt for more cost-effective art displayed elegantly.

Whichever you choose, look for pieces that draw your eye while adding colour and texture to your space. Choose pieces that complement or contrast well with the room’s overall colour palette.

Pay careful attention to the frames you choose, as these can quite quickly bring the elegance of a space down if you go for something too simple or too gaudy. There is no right or wrong answer for what style to go for. The trick is finding a balance to suit your style and not overwhelm the space. You could opt for natural wood, metal or an ornate frame. Other classic options include gold, silver or dark mahogany.

One of the most important aspects of using art to make your living room feel expensive, is how you hang it. Consider entrusting this to a professional picture hanging service who will be able to advise on the best height and location of your pieces. A well-curated display, professionally executed, will elevate your room’s sophistication.

Natural light

Maximising natural light can create an airy and cosmopolitan atmosphere in your room. In order to capitalise on natural light, choose light curtains that allow sunlight to filter through while still maintaining privacy. Heavy drapes can make a room feel dark and cramped so, depending on the size of your space, be careful about using them.

Strategically placing mirrors near windows can also help amplify the effects of natural light, creating a more inviting ambiance.

The location and flow of your furniture can help maximise the flow of natural light in your room. Avoid putting heavy furniture in front of windows, blocking out light. Rather, opt for a plush window bench with rich fabrics like velvet or leather for a lavish feel. Use carefully placed cushions in coordinating colours to help elevate the space. A small console table with tasteful decorative items can also help create a focal point in front of your windows, accentuating your natural light. A set of accent chairs can help frame your windows and create a luxe feel.

Colours

When looking for luxe living room ideas, the colour palette you choose for paint and decor is crucial to making your room feel expensive.

Depending on your taste and style, you can opt for neutral tones such as whites, creams or greys which help create a timeless and sophisticated backdrop for your decor and art pieces. This way, you can introduce pops of colour through cushions, throws or accent chairs, all of which can be very well-priced.

Or, you can opt for a more bold colour for your base. But, this can be risky if your living room is on the small side. If this is the case, you could consider instead using an accent wall with your bold colour to help create a focal point in your room.

Other ways you can use colour include metallic accents, such as gold or silver, which can add a luxurious element without overpowering the space.

Furniture selection and arrangement

You don’t have to break the bank to have expensive-looking furniture. Timeless designs accented by your decor and overall layout will help make your furniture glamorous.

Consider your placement carefully. Don’t block entryways or windows with large pieces. Play around with symmetry to create a balanced and polished look. Try out a statement furniture piece such as a bold sofa or designer-looking coffee table.

Remember to always take into account the layout of your furniture in relation to your decor. For this reason, artwork shouldn’t be placed too high or too low on a wall.

Hunt for bargains. You can often find some special pieces at thrift stores or charity shops.

Plants and greenery

Carefully selected plants in good condition are great, inexpensive additions to your luxe living room. Large, lush plants in stylish pots can add a touch of colour to your space.

Fresh flowers in an elegant vase is another way you can add an inexpensive but delicate detail to your living room.

Accessorising and styling

The small details in your living room can help take it from mid-range to extravagant. This means what you include but also what you should leave out. Items like candles, ornate trays and sculptures can add sophistication to a space. But too much clutter can make a room look cheap.

Rather, carefully curate your accessories to reflect the overall feel of luxury. When choosing what to include, consider the existing textures and colours in the room and work around that. For example, if the items in your gallery wall are framed in metallic frames, you can pick up on that accent with metallic candle holders.

Creating a glamorous living room

Making your living room look elegant and luxurious can be done tastefully and within budget. By focusing on lighting, colour, decor and furniture you can transform the space into the living room of a high-end townhome. Remember to keep a balance between the size of your room and the way you decorate it. This will help keep the space feeling open and welcoming, while allowing you to show off your opulent taste.

Get expert advice

For help in hanging your artwork to create a luxe living room, contact Seido Art Services operating in London and surrounding areas. The team will use their expert knowledge to advise on the best way to elevate your living room space with your art.

How To Make Your Living Room Look Expensive?