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Shop & Tell features thoughtfully curated home finds from House Beautiful editors. Every week, we'll take you inside our carts and dish on what we're buying—and why you should be reaching for your wallet too.
After furnishing a room, small finishing touches are essential. Take the living room, for instance: once you've secured a sofa, purchased a coffee table, and added a TV media console and an accent chair, your room is nearly complete. With the bigger items in place, you can focus on the decorative elements that truly pull everything together. Need help figuring out what to add? We've asked several designers for their must-have decor for the living room to give you insight into how the pros approach it.
A recurring theme in their responses was lighting—whether it's a petite lamp on a bookshelf or a larger cordless lamp for reading, good lighting is crucial. Vases, plants, and trays for items like remotes also came highly recommended. Regardless of the functional piece, all the items chosen by designers are aesthetically pleasing. It's important to have decor that reflects your design taste, but if you're unsure of your style, we break down various decor styles here. Without further ado, shop the designers' favorite non-negotiable decor for your living room.
“A decorative box is a must-have in any living room because it simultaneously offers elevated style and a chic storing solution for your everyday items. We gravitate toward Jonathan Adler’s Op Art Lacquer Box especially because its classic black and white coloring makes it immediately versatile while bold graphics add a layer of texture and interest to the room.”
—Steven Graffam, Cofounder of Stivale Graffam Home
“Along with design, scent is incredibly important for defining the mood of your living room. Our signature candle, Midnight Amber, features notes of amber, vetiver, and sandalwood, which together radiate a warm aroma that complements one's interior spaces and makes guests feel immediately welcome. It's made with non-GMO crops (primarily soy and coconut), so you can feel good about burning it around the people you love most, too.”
—Steven Graffam, Cofounder of Stivale Graffam Home
“Whenever we’re designing a living room, The Odin Tray by Arteriors is often one of our first additions. It features bold angles, beautiful craftsmanship, and a touch of modernism, making it a great choice for anyone looking to create a striking visual impact with their space.”
—John Stivale, Cofounder of Stivale Graffam Home
“How you light a room will make or break it. I believe a few well-placed table lamps are the key to making a living room feel cozy and inviting after the sun goes down. Cordless, rechargeable table lamps are my new obsession. They have evolved so much in recent years in style, material, and light quality. Not having to worry about hiding or tripping over a cord is just icing on the cake! My go-to favorites are The Hackney and Nevis from Visual Comfort.”
—Amy Sklar, founder of Amy Sklar Design
“Every sofa deserves a cozy throw for those perfect snuggle moments, but keeping it stylish can be a challenge. Enter the blanket basket—a living room essential that blends functionality with charm. It’s the key to curating that cozy, inviting vibe without the clutter, adding a touch of warmth and order to your space.”
—Rebecca Ward, founder of Rebecca Ward Design
“Sculptural table lamps not only serve as a beautiful accent piece but also enhance the lighting in a living room. Having various light sources is a great way to add both ambiance and coziness, while the lamp's materials and shape introduce character and contrast to the overall design.”
—Ana Antoni, Cofounder of Inside Perfect
“Vases play a crucial role in creating a focal point in styling, especially when they feature vibrant colors and unique textures that contrast with their surroundings. We particularly favor locally sourced or vintage vases, valuing their one-of-a-kind qualities. These pieces offer authenticity and character, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful techniques behind their creation.”
—Andrea Velasco, Cofounder of Inside Perfect
“Have large-scale art on at least one wall. An oversized piece of artwork just adds so much to a living space, adding a beautiful focal point above a sofa or mantel and tying together the room's elements.”
—Melissa Welker, founder of Melissa Lacy Design
“Original art is a must! It doesn’t have to be daunting or cost-prohibitive. We’ve found art scouring flea markets, popping into booths at Round Top, and window shopping in vintage shops. Sure, high-end art can be a great investment, but something unique and beautiful is all you need to enhance your space.”
Annie Downing, founder of Annie Downing Interiors
“I believe decorative lighting is a must to help pull a living room space together. Keep in mind that this is different from functional, overall lighting; decorative lighting can act as a piece of art or be a conversation starter. I am in love with this Gemma Table lamp. She is petite, perfect, and customizable. Gemma looks amazing atop a stack of books or nestled on a beautiful table or chest. She's a stunner in person!”
—Miranda Cullen, principal designer and owner of Inside Stories
“Having a nice plant or tree is something that should always be a standard living room essential. Though this room is used to lounge and watch TV most of the time, sometimes it's just nice to have a living thing other than yourself in the room. It helps to give off an organic energy and/or become an interesting shape that changes, making it a unique piece of artwork.”
—Linda Hayslett, founder of LH.Designs
“Though the main table in most living rooms is the coffee table, it's important to have other surfaces to place things on when hanging out in the room. Side tables next to a long sofa or accent chairs make it easier when a lot of people are in the space and prevents clutter on the coffee table.”
—Linda Hayslett, founder of LH.Designs
“I love a vintage game board to finish off a coffee table and these new designer upgrades from Anthropologie are a lovely finishing touch that speaks to the entire family. Whether it’s chess, tic-tac-toe, backgammon, or one of your favorite board games, I love these beautifully designed games to make the coffee table not just a place for resting books or your beverage. It’s valuable real estate, why not use it?”
–Nureed Saeed, founder of Nu Interiors
“The decor item people should absolutely have in their living room is a compact cordless table lamp. These lamps offer a sophisticated, layered aesthetic and enhance the overall ambiance. The new trend in high-end cordless and rechargeable lamps makes this an instant upgrade that is both simple and stylish. Without the need for plugs, these contribute to a sleek, uncluttered appearance.”
—Ivan Pineiro, principal designer at Pimell Interiors
“Every living room needs a throw blanket. Not only does a blanket add instant color and texture to your sofa, but it’s perfect for those times your significant other insists on cranking the A/C down to 68 during the season finale of your favorite TV show. We love the nubby texture and the many color options available in this throw.”
—Janelle Patton, lead designer at Lark Interiors
“A unique side table should be found in every living room. Fun shapes and a perfect perch for your coffee or a remote. Pick your favorite wood and layer in a piece that is special and timeless.”
— Kristen Peña, founder of K Interiors
“While the major furniture pieces in a living room design are incredibly important, it’s the smaller decorative elements that add the perfect finishing touch to a space. We always make sure to incorporate a gorgeous vase in our clients’ living rooms, like the Double Stretch Vase from uber-talented ceramicist Morgan Peck. It’s fun and cool and complements almost any design style.”
–Molly Torres Portnof, founder of DATE Interiors
“Creating warmth, softness, and texture through window curtains is a must-have decor item for a living room. These curtains are a great cost-friendly alternative to custom curtains without compromising the custom look.”
—Heather Vercellino, founder and principal designer of Verce Design
“Scent is an often-neglected sense in interior design. That is why we always, ALWAYS include a candle in a living room—so even when the kids leave their soccer cleats on the rug, the room still smells great. This scent from 1889 Wax Lighting is our current favorite.”
—Janelle Patton, lead designer at Lark Interiors
“Trays add layers and provide a purpose. Whether your coffee table is wood or a fabric ottoman, these give remotes a home, keep candles or fresh florals from damaging tabletop, etc.”
—Sarah Hargrave, founder of The Collective Dallas
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