In some ways, no room reflects a house’s residents more than the living room. After all, it’s the main stage for all of life’s comings and goings—birthday parties, Friday movie nights, game tournaments, and more. And this year, all trends point to one truth: Living rooms are finally getting the design attention they deserve.
From thoughtful additions—like a specialty game table for your weekly mahjong games—and bold colors to life-proof fabrics, 2025 living room design trends turn a spotlight to functionality, comfort, and, of course, aesthetics. Below, we’re rounding up 8 gorgeous living room design trends to inspire your space this year, all straight from the pros.
Game Stations
Read McKendree for Henry and Co. Design
If you’ve noticed an uptick in gameplay over the past year, you’re not alone. More people than ever are looking for ways to decompress and socialize without screens, and that competitive spirit is making its way into our home decor, too.
“Most of my clients want a cozy corner to enjoy games and puzzles in once-forgotten corners of their spaces,” says designer Stephanie Woodmansee for Henry & Co Design. “With entertaining at home being a focus for so many, having a dedicated spot for fun is a great addition. In a recent New Jersey project, we created a game table with pull-out cup holders—I’m now mahjong obsessed thanks to her!”
Snug Rooms
Judith Marilyn for Oho Interiors
Sprawling spaces can be dramatic, but they’re hard to make feel intimate and cozy, which is goal number one for any living room. This year, designers are anticipating a return to more snug spaces, with cozy seating plans that facilitate comfort and closeness.
“There will always be a place for a modern home with 12-foot ceilings and wide, expansive use of space, but as build costs have increased dramatically, we are seeing our clients embrace a very modest use of space, which includes keeping ceiling heights and room sizes much more moderate in favor of impactful and appropriately scaled architectural details,” says designer Melissa Oholendt of Oho Interiors.
“As designers, this allows us to dedicate design dollars in a way that can be both functional and beautiful, like custom cabinetry with bespoke detailing or beautiful furnishings that don’t have to be overly scaled to fit a large, expansive space,” she adds.
“Destination” Furniture
Scott Amundson for Heather Peterson Design
When outfitting a living room, a couch and lounge chairs are a no-brainers—but what about other additions, like a daybed or desk? According to designer Heather Peterson of Heather Peterson Design, those off-beat pieces have earned their place, too.
“We love the idea of ‘destination furniture’ in a living room and I think we’ll see a lot of it this year,” she says. “Additions like a daybed smack in the middle of the room or a desk behind a couch encourage analog activities and allow groups or families to be in the same room but doing different things.”
Lighting from Different Eras
Stacy Zarin Goldberg for Storie Collective
Light fixtures are the jewelry of a room and in 2025, dressing to the nines is all about mixing pieces from different eras. “A standout design trend for the coming year is all about seamlessly blending vintage and modern lighting by balancing nostalgia with contemporary appeal, allowing for a unique interplay of texture, color, and light,” says designer Sara Swabb of Storie Collective.
“A vintage Murano glass lamp or plug-in sconce paired with a minimalist pendant creates drama and timelessness,” she explains. “Using complementary finishes, shapes, and colors is the key to achieving harmony between old and new; they enhance one another without competing, resulting in layered, bespoke lighting schemes that feel effortlessly curated.”
Life-Friendly Furniture
John Cole for Anthony Wilder Design Build
Living rooms are the heart of the home and with all that gathering comes a high risk of stains, spills, and accidents. The solution? Furniture you don’t have to fret over.
“Our team is seeing a lot of clients who are requesting clean palettes with durable family-friendly furniture that is forgiving,” says designer Sydney Levy of Anthony Wilder Design/Build. “Our younger clients don’t use coasters, so they frequently ask for coffee tables that won’t show rings or vintage items that can embrace the wear and tear of their family.”
Statement Living Rooms
David Cannon Photography for State and Season Home Design and Supply
If your living room isn’t the jewel of your home, 2025 could be the year that it comes into its own—especially if your designer has anything to say about it. “More than anything, people are spending more on their living rooms,” says designer Lucy Small of State and Season Home Design and Supply.
“We know kitchens and bathrooms are costly areas of the home, but living rooms were always just a place to park where kids could feel free spilling chips or dogs could make themselves comfortable on the couch,” she adds. “The kids and dogs haven’t changed, but even my clients who have families with pets and young children want a more decorative, thought-out space that is true to their personalities.”
Vintage-Inspired Fabrics
Marta Xochilt Perez for Christine Markatos Design
Any good designer will tell you that a timeless and thoughtful home is all about finding a mix between the new and old, an ethos that extends to selections big and small. “In 2025, we’re all about mixing upholstery profiles with vintage-inspired fabrics to create a fresh yet enduring look,” says designer Christine Markatos.
“I love to keep the upholstery shapes simple and add a one-of-a-kind vintage finish with lots of character and patina,” she suggests. “The result is a comfortable, found look with a unique point of view.”
All-Over Color
Stacy Zarin Goldberg for Storie Collective
Going bold with color in a main room can be scary, but gutsy choices are back in a big way for 2025, especially where saturated pigments are concerned. “Saturated tones can feel both grounding and expressive,” explains Swabb.
“One of the most compelling trends we see for the coming year is drenching a space in a single color or tones of the same color,” she adds. “Using a singular color has the power to evoke different moods depending on the chosen shade. This design approach emphasizes color as the main character, creating a memorable atmosphere that feels intentional, luxurious, and cozy.”
