Plus, why low-slung seating will introduce a new level of lounging.
There are plenty of ways to transform your living room without starting from scratch – just take a look at these popular design trends for 2025. The focus this year is a layered look full of texture and character, with natural materials, versatile furniture and colourful accents. We’re transforming these family rooms into warm, grounded, and homely spaces by prioritising comfort and choosing furniture that works double duty.
Planning on giving your living room a facelift? From low-slung seating to earthy brown tones, here are 11 trending living room design ideas to inspire your next decorating project.
1. Layered lighting
We’re upping the cosy factor for 2025. Gone are the days of turning on the big light, as we now yearn for lighting that makes alcoves and corners glow. The result is layered lighting (combining task, accent and ambient lighting) to bring dimension and warmth to living spaces. This shift to multiple light sources creates harmony and a desired ambience.
‘Over the past few years, we have moved away from turning on “the big light” as the options for table lamps, wall lamps and floor lamps continue to grow. As we move into 2025, layering lighting will become more popular, especially in living rooms,’ declares Lena Gierasinska, head of product and displays at Barker and Stonehouse.
2. Curved furniture
The move away from harsh, angular lines continue. From sofas to coffee tables, we’re embracing graceful curves and rounded forms to create a softer, more inviting living space – exactly what you want in a room made for lounging. Tapping into these organic shapes instantly feels more cosy and intimate and helps to turn a modern living room into a sanctuary of comfort.
3. Gorgeous greens
Deep, saturated tones like forest green, midnight blue, and aubergine will dominate in 2025. A tranquil nod to nature, the colour green brings a refreshing sense of calm and optimism to any space, making it the ideal shade to introduce into your living room.
4. A moment for the side table
Highly underrated, the accent table is reclaiming its spot as an essential piece of furniture (on Habitat.co.uk, searches for ‘side table’ have increased by 45 per cent). These small tables are versatile in every sense, offering a multitude of functions, from a spot to place a drink; display a lamp, vase or ornaments; or rest a laptop.
Side tables are easy to move around and work brilliantly for smaller spaces. Tap into the growing trend for bold and imaginative furniture by choosing a colourful, unusually-shaped design to add personality to a room.
5. Low-slung seating
Low-slung seating (that sits low to the floor) will dominate living rooms in 2025, reflecting a shift towards spaces that prioritise laidback style and relaxed comfort. It’s ideal for zoning open-plan spaces, creating a sense of flow, and creating an effortless, relaxed elegance in the home.
As it’s grounded in height, it taps into a calming, serene atmosphere – the perfect mood for a living room. And as these sofas typically offer wider, more generous sink-in seating, it’s ideal for hours-on-end lounging. This trend extends to armchairs and accent chairs too.
The classic Ligne Roset Togo sofa defines low-profile seating (shop a good selection of sizes and colours at Heal’s), or try the plush velvet Manhattan sofa at Dusk or the Nygard two-seater sofa.
6. Natural materials & organic textures
Driven by the desire to create a haven-like experience and bring a touch of the outdoors into the home, natural materials will continue to trend in 2025, evoking a sense of grounding, serenity and comfort. From handcrafted rugs and pouffes made from jute and wool, to oak chairs, rattan and bamboo lampshades, these natural materials will add warmth and a tactile finish to living room spaces.
7. Eclectic spaces
Lived-in, curated and personal, 2025 is all about personality-filled spaces. In the living room, combine playfulism (uplifting and unexpected colour combinations, eclectic textures and anti-structural shapes) with a pinch of maximalism – it’s the perfect canvas for personal expression. Embrace vibrant hues, mix and match bold patterns with tactile textures, and add character with upholstered pieces. The result is an eclectic look that creates depth and visual interest.
8. Curate old and new
For timeless charm, combine vintage with modern pieces for a living room display that tells a story. Tapping into the intentional clutter trend, this decorating idea is all about having an appreciation of the character and history that objects bring to interiors. Bring the trend to life on shelves, a sideboard, or in a glass-fronted cabinet.
9. Dark woods
Dark wooden furniture is back in vogue. Whether a coffee table or sideboard, the focus for 2025 is on distinctive grains and textural details such as ribbing and exposed joinery, all of which help to create a warm, tactile and versatile living space. ‘Walnut and mango wood offer a sophisticated quality that complements both luxe and mid-century aesthetics,’ says Andrew Tanner, head of design at Habitat.
For added impact, Georgia Metcalfe, founder and creative director of French Bedroom, suggests pairing these deep, dark tones with brass: ‘The rich and warm tones of dark wood create a welcoming and cocooning atmosphere, ideal for the living room. When paired with clean lines and brass hardware, dark pieces create the perfect backdrop for showcasing exceptional accessories and embody a sense of timeless elegance.’
10. Media walls for storage
With new builds and contemporary houses lacking traditional chimney breasts, media walls and media units have become popular design features. But it’s more than just combining an inset fireplace with a TV and entertainment system. Today’s fully customisable built-in designs are storage essentials – multi-functional, space-saving, all-in-one storage solutions.
‘Designed to meet your specific needs, media walls can be designed to incorporate more than just entertainment. For example, hidden cabinets, drawers or shelving can provide additional living room storage, helping to keep it tidy, organised and clutter-free,’ says Joanna Humphreys, fire and stove specialist at Direct Fireplaces.
11. Earthy browns
Topping numerous colour forecasts for 2025, brown is enjoying its moment in the spotlight. This new neutral can work surprisingly well in a living room, and its earthy tones are reminiscent of the outdoors, meaning it has a nurturing influence when used within the home.
‘Once dismissed as fusty and old-fashioned, the popularity of brown interiors continues to rise thanks to its universal appeal – it works within both traditional and contemporary settings and complements most colourways,’ explains Lena Gierasinska at Barker and Stonehouse.
Shelley Cochrane, accessories buyer at Furniture Village, says brown tones are perfect for an updated take on the minimalist look: ‘Layering various shades of brown from sweet caramels to deep, rustic oak makes the overall look feel cohesive and instantly relaxing.’
