Modern Decorating Ideas for Living Rooms

The best modern decorating ideas for a living room preserve a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere while adding sophisticated lines and a sharp style. You don't want to make the style so modern and artistic that the room becomes a museum instead of a living space. It takes a balanced selection of traditional comfort and modern style to achieve a stylish and warm living room. Does this Spark an idea?

Crisp Living Room

White couches may be a gamble for some families, but they provide a crisp modern style if you're able to keep them clean. White walls and dark wood floors provide the base for sharp living room design. An angular white linen couch and a matching love seat and armchair provide modern seating with a sharp silhouette. Square, sleek, black end tables with simple shelves provide a bold contrast, and a black-trimmed, glass-topped coffee table with rectangular black legs helps keep the style sophisticated.

A tall, thin, rectangular, black marble fireplace decorates the middle of a living room for an interesting architectural accent. A black, flat-screen television drops from the ceiling above the fireplace for entertainment. Round glass vases filled with assorted decorative glass beads highlight the fireplace mantel to provide a hint of color. White linen curtains keep the overall style fresh, and a black-dotted white rug adds a touch of whimsy.

Dramatic Living Room

Combine contrasting colors and bold lines to create a modern living room with a dramatic flair. Off-white walls and black carpet provide the fundamental elements of the room. A square, black-striped, blood red Ultrasuede couch with angular but comfortable cushions and matching armchairs provide modern seating for the dramatic style. A glass-cube coffee table and matching end tables form clean accent pieces. Glass-cube hanging lights with black bases complement the angular tables.

A black flat-screen television hangs on the wall in front of the seating for entertainment, and black panels below it open to reveal a stereo system and DVD/CD storage shelves. Three glass shelves along an open wall provide a display area for artistic pieces, such as a carved black marble box, a rectangular glass vase with roses, a hand-painted bowl with a geometric pattern and framed pictures.

Funky Living Room

Mix modern style with a touch of funky color for a living room that's both fashionable and fun. Eggshell white walls and a dark purple carpet provide the basic elements of the room. An oval, royal purple velvet couch and matching round chairs offer cozy seating. Silky slate and black square pillows accent the couch and chairs to provide interesting visual contrast.

A round stainless steel coffee table with a twisted pedestal stand and matching end tables add a hint of shine to the room. A rectangular stainless steel entertainment center with black electronics provides entertainment and complements the living room tables. A twisted steel chandelier with round purple globes hangs from the ceiling for an artistic accent.