Living Room Ideas & Inspiration

Explore inspiring living room ideas that will drastically make your home more efficient & appealing.

Living Rooms

Your Guide to the Coastal Grandmother Aesthetic

Want to nail the latest design trend taking TikTok and Instagram by storm? We’re breaking down how you can achieve Coastal Grandmother chic in your home—no matter where you live.

By Andie Huber

The 5 Best Artificial Christmas Trees (2022 Review)

Artificial Christmas trees get you into the holiday spirit. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best artificial Christmas trees on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you and your home. The products included in this article are available at local home centers and online retailers like Amazon.

Home Decorating Tips For the DIYer in You

Here are 11 home decor ideas from the pros that don’t break the bank.

How to Choose the Right Area Rug Size

Area rugs set the precedent for both the zone and tone within a space, meaning, these mats define design boundaries and aesthetic. When deciding on rug sizes, there are two options to consider: either a rug large enough to contain all the furniture on it or a rug that furniture is partially on. Read on to learn more about choosing a rug size for each room.

The 5 Best Curtain Rods (2022 Review)

When shopping for curtain rods, it’s important to consider your style and budget as well as the product’s quality and durability. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best curtain rods on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you and your home. The products included in this article are available at various home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.

How to Build a Display Coffee Table

From our Hammer It Out series: Show off your collectibles with an acrylic-topped case that does double duty as a living room table

Ideas for Creating a Cozy Reading Nook

Everybody loves a built-in nook for curling up with (or without) a good book. Here are 8 ideas that will inspire you to create your own cozy nook.

18 Ways to Turn Unused Space Into the Rooms You Need

Why add on when you can add under or over? Give your home bonus rooms without drastically changing its footprint.

Before & After: Inside a 1925 Craftsman Remodel

A minimalist approach to renovating a 1925 house maximizes the available light, allowing original features, including Craftsman-style millwork, to shine.

Best Home Decor Gifts (2022)

Home decor items make a great gift for almost anyone on your shopping list this holiday season. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best home decor gifts on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for your loved one. The products included in this article are available at various home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.

Low-Cost Design Ideas for Any Home

Great design doesn’t have to bust the budget. The proof: these cash-conscious ideas from designers’ own homes.

Designer Q&A: Home Design Elements Worth Splurging On

Not sure where to put your money when it comes to your home’s finishes and furnishings? Design pro and Clare founder Nicole Gibbons has some answers.

Simple Home Staging Tips for Any Homeowner

Prepare your place to attract the most prospective buyers—and land the best purchase price. Read our guide for professional tips on how to DIY your home’s staging.

15 Simple Ways to Create an Open Floor Plan

Optimal furniture placement and the creative use of design elements can help create a more open concept. Read this guide for ideas on how to make your home feel more "open."

23 Creative Room Divider Ideas

Bring more flexibility and functionality home with these cool, creative ways to separate spaces.

Pony Walls: What Are They and How to Build Them

A pony wall is nothing more than a short wall, and the term is often used interchangeably with "knee wall" or "cripple wall." Read this guide to learn what pony walls are and how to build one yourself.

Graceful Rejuvenation for a Water-Damaged Living Room

An interior nearly untouched since 1944 is our top living area pick—and recipient of a $1,000 Delta prize—in our 2016 Reader Remodel Contest

Built-In Book Storage for $197

A blank wall is transformed with secondhand bookshelves

Inspiring Home Spruce-Ups on a Shoestring Budget

Resourceful TOH readers show how they stretched their home-improvement dollars with sweat equity in these six standout projects

Editors' Picks: Our Favorite Colorful Living Rooms

Don't be shy about turning up the color volume in your home's common areas. Take inspiration from these well hued rooms

How to Trim Out a Plain Table

This bedside perch now boasts one-of-a-kind style, thanks to strips of decorative molding

How to Build a Hairpin-Leg Coffee Table

Blending rustic wood with industrial metal, this coffee table has a high-end look—but costs less than $70 to make.

How to Build a Custom Entertainment Center

Get your media center organized with a custom-built storage unit

How to Choose an Oriental Rug

Rug expert Steve Boodakian walks you through the world of Oriental carpets