Living Room Reveal

When it came to decorating my living room, I knew I wanted it to feel warm, inviting, and timeless. This is the heart of my little abode, the space where I like to unwind at the end of the day, watch TV, play music, and gather with my people.

Before choosing individual pieces, I focused on how I wanted the room to feel. My interior design style leans transitional, slightly on the modern side, and I always try to create a balance between traditional details and cleaner lines.

In this space, that meant incorporating gold accents, marble finishes, natural textures, and soft earth tones. You’ll notice subtle European touches throughout, from the artwork to the sculptural décor, but everything still feels livable and practical for everyday life.

One of the main pieces in a living room is the sofa. I got one in a soft greige tone, which makes it incredibly versatile and easy to build around. I got the Kestrel from Ashley Homestore.  It’s always good to start with a neutral base and layering in warmth and color through accessories. The pillows are a mix of cream, sage green, soft blues, and a rich cognac brown. The pillows are from Homsense.

The cognac adds depth and contrast, while the sage green ties into the natural elements used throughout my apartment. I finished the look with a cream cotton blanket from Linen Chest, which softens the space and adds that cozy texture every living room needs. I added various blue colors throughout, with the lamp shades, plants vases, and curtains.

In the center of the room sits a round marble coffee table with a gold frame. I love the combination of marble and gold because it instantly elevates a space while still feeling classic. I got it from Homesense also.

The round shape was also intentional. It softens the room and creates better flow around the seating area, especially in an apartment layout. On top, I kept the styling simple with a tray and fresh florals to keep the look clean and cohesive.

To ground the space, I used the same faux sisal-style rug from IKEA that I have throughout other areas of my home. I really believe in repeating materials from room to room to create consistency. The natural texture of the rug adds warmth and prevents the room from feeling too polished or formal.

One of the biggest additions to this space was the white fireplace. Since this is an apartment and there was no built-in fireplace, I wanted to add something that would create architectural interest in a renter-friendly way.

The fireplace became a focal point and makes the room feel more cozy. It’s the Marseille electric fireplace from Canadian Tire. Above it, I mounted the TV for practicality, but I wanted to ensure it still felt styled.

Because the room doesn’t have a ceiling light, lighting was something I had to think through carefully. I added wall sconces on either side of the TV to create symmetry and warmth. Their cone-like shape keeps them clean and slightly modern, while the gold accents tie into the coffee table and other metallic touches throughout the space. These plug-in sconces are from Home Depot.

Layered lighting makes a huge difference, especially in the evenings.

Usually, people try to put the same thing on both sides of a fireplace for the sake of symmetry. For me, I didn’t have room to do that because I wanted to keep my piano. So I compromised. On one side of the fireplace I put a piano and then a wall art with a gold frame over it. On the other, I put a bookshelf for all my books.

To give the symmetry I made sure that the art was matching the height of the bookshelf, so that your eye is drawn up on both sides.

The artwork brings in that European influence I’m always drawn to and adds personality to the room. I love incorporating pieces that feel meaningful rather than purely decorative.

On the right side, the black bookshelf (the Billy from IKEA) is styled with books and curated décor pieces; including a Roman-style bust.

Mixing books with sculptural objects keeps the shelves feeling intentional rather than cluttered. I also added a basket on the lower shelf for hidden storage, which is always helpful in apartment living.

Beside the bookshelf sits an accent chair positioned opposite the sofa to create a conversational layout. It balances the room and makes the seating arrangement feel more complete. I found this in Homsense.

For the windows, I chose light blue blackout curtains from Costco paired with white liner curtains. I used the same curtain concept in other areas of my home to maintain consistency. The blue adds depth without overwhelming the space, and the layering makes the room feel finished and polished.

This living room came together over time. I added pieces thoughtfully and made sure each element contributed to the overall vision. My goal was to create a space that feels cohesive, warm, and timeless, with a balance of modern structure and classic influence.

It’s a room that feels inviting during the day and especially cozy in the evening; exactly what I hoped it would become. ||