6 Tips For A Casually Polished Living Room
Having a casually polished living room is easier than you might think with these simple tips!
Oftentimes, clients say “I just want it to look more pulled together.” I have six ways for you to accomplish just that. I’m not saying my living room always looks spiffed up…but it just feels better when it is!
This is an updated 2023 decorating tips post with new examples.
6 Tips For A Casually Polished Living Room
1. Lighting
Have three lighting sources in a room for balance, including table lamps, sconces, or floor lamps and not just recessed lighting.
2. Rug Size
Your area rug should be large enough so that at least the first two legs of the furniture are on it (or all the legs).
It’s fine to layer area rugs, too.
3. Art
Hang art at the right height. Please refer to this post on How to Hang Art Properly.
4. Throw Pillows
Toss throw pillows out when they become worn out…your sofa will actually look better without them.
When you buy new ones, get plump inserts like these Synthetic Down Inserts from Amazon (size up 2″ for extra plumpness).
5. Edit
Eliminate clutter with periodic editing and using trays, baskets, or just by making neat stacks of books.
You may also like Tips For Five Minute Coffee Table Styling.
6. Something Fresh
Have something fresh in the room like plants, fruit, and flowers.
And those are 6 Tips For A Casually Polished Living Room!
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Lovely but too crowded for my taste, especially the top photo. no way.
Love your tips! And Tommy Pickett’s comment! 😉
I need to up my throw pillow game in a big way. These are such great inspiring ideas. Thanks Mary Ann!
As always, wonderful tips for keeping things fresh and stylish. You make everything look so beautiful! Thanks for giving us great inspiration.
I am so happy for you in your new home in the South!
Do you have a favorite brand or source for rug pads that will keep
kitchen runners from scooting across the room each day?
Thank you for all your advice. xo
For my Ruggable rugs, I buy the premium mat and for small rugs the rubber perforated ones. For large rugs, I buy thicker mats. I should do a blog post on this!
Love these timeless tips! Can be used with any style! To me, lighting is so key. Love your tips!
Great tips Mary Ann! Have a wonderful week.
Thanks, Elizabeth!
Hi Mary Ann,
Thanks for the Interiors Linen recommendation. Just ordered 2 inserts from them.
Bon week-end!
I like to move s***t around too. Howard’s comment made me laugh!
I’m knowingly breaking the area rug rule in my living room. The rug has most of the fun detail in the border so setting my furniture on it would hide that. Instead, I have the same amount of wood floor showing around all sides of the rug, then furniture placement. So far, I haven’t been busted by the rug police!
Great tips thank you Mary Ann. We badly need a new sofa so l will look at lovely Serena and Lily. l have tall people in my family, so l am looking for a three seater they can stretch out on, any suggestions please ? Love the house tour, enjoy 🙂
That was one of our favorite weekend trips! great seafood! Hope the weather holds for you all.
Love all your tips … and I’m ready to follow them in our library (living room). I like that Pottery Barn coffee table … maybe it will work. Your son is a smart guy! xo
Thank you for pillow insert source. Do you have a favorite among their choices? An opinion on their down alternative? Regardless, many thanks!
Mary Ann! Comment from Tommy…priceless!! Remember when he posted as Martha Stewart? (keep up the good work)
Great post! You are so great at breaking down and simplifying tips for the homeowner! Your clients are lucky to have you!
Such nice photos and ideas! I didn’t know that was how to style a rug and I had wondered. Thanks.
Thanks, Linda!
You are the best designer I have ever hired!
Mary Ann,
Great tips, as usual. I am always mindful of editing because I can find myself adding things and then one day waking up and saying it’s too cluttered in here. Haha
Karen
I’m in Newport Beach on Balboa Island and today is the first nice day in a week here. The sky is completely blue and it is gorgeous. But we’ll be heading home in a few days and I’ve heard it still bad there. Love all your ideas for a casually polished living room. I need to do some updating.