Moving into a new place and not sure what to bring or buy for your living room? Read on to discover the ultimate living room essentials list that will help you to curate your dream living room!
Our living room is the heart of our home. My husband and I love to entertain, so it’s no surprise that we’ve given a lot of thought to how our living room looks.
Firstly, I want to emphasize that you DON’T need expensive things to make your living room comfortable and welcoming for guests.
Secondly, a living room should not only look beautiful, but it should be functional too. After all, it is an area that brings people together. Therefore, it needs to be useful for every member in the house in addition to your guests.
Besides that, a living room is often the first spot in the house that people see upon entering. It’s important to have a presentable living room because that’s the space people will form their first impressions of.
However, designing a living room has its challenges.
Most living rooms have different sizes and dimensions, so there’s no one-size-fits-all plan for a living room.
Despite that, some living room essentials should be incorporated into most living rooms. From furniture to lighting to electronics to decorative items, I have prepared the ultimate living room essentials list to help you to curate your dream living room!
The best part? I’ve included general living room hacks and additional tips on how you can style your living room on any budget.
Ready? Read on to discover the ultimate living room essentials list together!
Related to Living Room Essentials List: Six Easy Steps To An Affordable Living Room Refresh
Living Room Essentials List – Summary
- Sofa
- Coffee table
- TV console
- Accent chairs
- Side/end tables
- Lighting
- Ambient/accent lighting
- TV
- Sound system
- Curtains/blinds
- Area rug
- Throw pillows
- Throw/blanket
- Coffee table books
- Candles
- Wall decor
- Decorative items
Living Room Essentials List – Furniture
Sofa
A sofa is essential in any living room.
It is usually the largest piece of furniture and the main feature in the living room. That’s why it is important to choose the sofa you want before choosing other pieces of furniture.
Thankfully, there is a wide variety of sofa types, styles, and sizes to choose from today. From love seats to sectionals to armchairs and chaise lounges, you’ll have no issues finding one that’s suitable for your home.
When choosing the best sofa for your space, there are a few factors to take into consideration
The first thing to take note of is the size of your living room. A sectional sofa is perfect if you have a large living room. However, a loveseat may be more suitable if you have a smaller living room.
The next thing to consider is sofa upholstery. The material, color, and texture of your sofa will influence the interior style of the room.
For instance, a moody living room may call for a navy velvet sofa. On the other hand, a cream linen sectional will blend well in a neutral home.
Pro tip: Do you have kids or pets? Opt for microfiber upholstery or a sofa with washable covers so you don’t have to worry about accidents!
Coffee table
Once you have a sofa, you can begin your search for a coffee table.
A coffee table serves many purposes. It is a practical necessity because it offers a space for you and your family/guests to hold refreshments. Additionally, it is a vessel for you to display your other decorative pieces.
Oftentimes, coffee tables help to ground the entire living room area. That’s why your living room can feel incomplete without a coffee table!
Just like sofas, there are many different types of coffee tables. Common coffee table materials include wood, metal, glass, rattan, and marble.
They are also available in these popular shapes: rectangle, oval, and circle.
Furthermore, some coffee tables can even be used as extra seating or to hold additional storage in the living room.
Whichever coffee table you choose, make sure to select one that fits the size of your living room and fulfills all of your needs.
Pro tip: Not sure how to style your coffee table? Coffee table books make for great conversation starters. Learn how to style coffee table books like a pro!
TV console
Does your living room have a TV? If you answered yes to that question, then you need a TV console!
A TV console, otherwise known as a media stand, is a piece of furniture that holds your TV, sound system, game consoles, and other electronics.
Although many people hang their televisions on the wall these days, a TV console is still useful because it corrals all of your electronics together.
If you have a lot of electronics, I suggest purchasing a TV console with lots of storage. Otherwise, a minimalist TV console like ours will do.
A TV console can hold more than just electronics – you can also style your decorative items on it too!
Pro tip: Want a stylish living room? Then, don’t get a matching sofa, coffee table, and TV console set! Matching furniture sets make a space look flat and boring because everything looks the same!
Accent chairs
An accent chair is not compulsory, but it can help to elevate your living room style and provide extra seating.
Additional seating is always a good idea especially if you have a large family or if you like to host people in your home.
While sofas generally look similar to each other, accent chairs have their distinct styles. They add depth to a living room because they usually come in a different material, color, and texture from the sofa.
Well-liked accent chairs include armchairs, wingback chairs, Papasan chairs, recliners, and more. Depending on your overall interior style, you can find accent chairs in different styles like traditional, rustic, industrial, and modern.
Side/end tables
If you have a large living room, consider adding a few side/end tables.
Side tables provide an additional surface apart from the coffee table. They are suitable to hold table lamps and other decorative items like candles, trays, and books.
They can also improve the living room’s aesthetic. For example, placing two side tables on either side of the sofa add symmetry to the room. This gives a traditional and formal touch to the living room.
Pro tip: It’s important to choose a side/end table with the right height for your living room! They should be of the same height as the sofa or slightly below the sofa’s arm. The right height is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it also makes it easier to reach for items on the table while seated.
Living Room Essentials List – Lighting
Lighting
Lighting is essential in every room of the house including the living room. Although your living room may be filled with natural light during the day, you will need some type of lighting come evening.
If your living room has a high ceiling, consider investing in an overhead chandelier.
Like furniture, chandeliers come in different styles. One thing’s for sure – a chandelier will make a grand statement in your living room.
On the other hand, a flush mount works well in a living room with low ceilings.
You can also opt for other types of indoor lighting in a living room. For instance, LED down lighting, track lighting, and pendant lights.
Pro tip: Lighting can make or break a room. Use this guide to choose the right lightbulbs for your living room.
Ambient/accent lighting
There’s overhead lighting and then there’s ambient/accent lighting.
Ambient lighting comes from different sources such as floor lamps, table lamps, and wall sconces. They may not brighten up a room as overhead lighting does, but they help to set the mood.
Because of that, ambient lighting can make a living room feel cozy and inviting.
Furthermore, table lamps and floor lamps also provide task lighting if you are reading or working in the living room.
Table lamps are best placed on side/end tables, whereas a floor lamp looks great by the sofa.
Living Room Essentials List – Electronics
TV
Now, I know this is controversial. Not everyone wants to have a TV in their living room.
The choice of having a TV in the living room is entirely up to you.
Since we live in an apartment, we have no other room to place our TV in but the living room. Thankfully, my husband and I love curling up on the couch and watching a good movie!
If you are shopping for a new TV, get one that doubles up as art like Samsung’s Frame TV. Trust me, your friends won’t even know it’s a TV if you don’t switch it on!
Sound system
If you have a TV in your living room, it’s a wise idea to invest in a sound system.
Not only is the sound much better, but it also makes the experience of watching movies, playing games, and singing karaoke funner!
Pro tip: Gone are the days when the only option available is a bulky sound system! Get a sleek soundbar or something portable like the Sonos One. We promise you won’t regret it!
Living Room Essentials List – Decorative Items
Curtains/blinds
Does your living room have a lot of windows? If it does, curtains/blinds are essential to your living room decor.
Curtains or blinds can moderate the amount of natural light pouring into the room. Plus, it helps to protect your privacy when drawn.
Both curtains or blinds add an extra textural element to the living room. This helps to create a comfortable and homey atmosphere.
Pro tip: Can’t choose between blinds vs curtains? Read this comparison to help you to decide.
Area Rug
Area rugs are a great way to add warmth to a room while providing another decorative element to a living room.
There are many reasons why rugs are practical in a living room:
- Help to keep feet warm during cold weather
- Protect wood or marble flooring from scratches
- Help to keep furniture in place
- Decrease the risk of injuries from slipping
- Cover flooring imperfections
- Absorb sounds
Besides that, area rugs anchor a space. In addition to brightening a room, they make a space look cohesive by combining the different elements of a room.
Pro tip: Are large area rugs out of your budget? Try layering rugs instead!
Throw pillows
To make your living room more comfortable, consider adding a bunch of throw pillows on your sofa or accent chair.
They are inexpensive and come in many different colors, patterns, and textures, which makes them excellent decorative pieces.
You can also purchase the covers separately and swap them out during different seasons and occasions throughout the year.
For long-lasting throw pillows, I recommend purchasing feather or down-filled throw pillows.
Pro tip: Want a throw pillow that always looks full and fluffy? Use a cover that’s one size smaller to achieve the same look.
Throw/blanket
Besides throw pillows, a throw or blanket is essential in a living room.
Whether you’re watching TV or reading, a throw/blanket is useful to have around in case you get cold in the living room.
Drape it over the sofa or hide it in a rattan bin next to your side table for easy access.
Coffee table books
Coffee table books are the perfect decorative pieces in a living room. They are stylish, beautiful, and interesting.
Furthermore, they give an insight into your personality and interests. Your guests will have a wonderful time browsing and using them as conversation topics!
Pro tip: Not sure which coffee table books to purchase? Here’s a round-up of my favorite coffee table books.
Candles
A scent is so important when it comes to setting the mood.
That’s why candles are one of my living room essentials. Not only do they make the room smell lovely, but the scent usually keeps me relaxed.
These days, candles come in various sizes, designs, and scents. Besides smelling good, they can also pass off as decorative items for the coffee table or side/end table.
Wall decor
One of the ways to add depth and character to a living room is by using wall decor.
There are many different types of wall decor – artwork, shelves, gallery walls, and more.
Whichever you choose, I hope you find one that shows off your personality and brings meaning to you and your family.
Decorative items
Lastly, there are other smaller decorative items you can bring into your living room to enhance the space.
My favorite decorative living room essentials are:
- Indoor plants/flowers/foliage
- Ceramic vases
- Bins/boxes (for extra storage!)
- Picture frames
Do you have everything from the living room essentials list?
There, you have it – my living room essentials list!
You may not have the budget to buy everything at once and that’s completely OK. My advice? Purchase the important bits first like your sofa, coffee table, and lighting.
Over time, you will be able to accumulate everything you need for your dream living room.
Until then, I hope this list has helped you to create a comfortable, functional, and beautiful living room for you, your family, and your friends.