Top 5 Living Room Design Tips from Porche & Co.
Top 5 Living Room Design Tips from the
Porche & Co. Interior Design Team
A well-designed living room is about more than choosing pretty furniture. It’s about creating a space that feels balanced, intentional, and reflective of the people who live there. From the color palette to the finishing touches, the right design choices can make all the difference.
At Porche & Co., we love spaces that feel warm, timeless, and thoughtfully layered. Our living room is a great example of how a few key design principles can come together to create a room that feels elevated without sacrificing everyday functionality.
Whether you’re refreshing your current living room or starting from scratch, here are five of our favorite decorating tips to help you create a space you’ll love for years to come.
1. Layer Neutral Colors to Create Depth
A warm, layered palette that feels timeless, never flat.
Neutral doesn't have to mean boring! One of our favorite ways to create a timeless living room is by building a palette around warm whites, creams, tans, and natural wood tones, then adding deeper shades for contrast.
In our living room, the light walls, cream upholstery, and natural wood tones create a soft foundation, while the dark accent chairs and charcoal built-ins add depth and definition. Muted green pillows bring in just enough color without overwhelming the space.
OUR TIP: Start with two or three foundational neutrals, then introduce a few darker accents and subtle colors to keep the room from feeling one-dimensional. Think warm white, oatmeal, natural oak, charcoal, and muted olive.
2. Mix Textures for a Collected, Designer Look
The secret to making neutrals feel rich, inviting, and intentional.
When working with a neutral color palette, texture is what keeps a room from feeling flat. Mixing materials adds visual interest and creates the layered, collected look that makes a space feel professionally designed.
In our living room, we paired textured upholstery with woven baskets, natural wood, ceramic accessories, and a variety of fabrics. Each material brings a different element to the room while still complementing the overall palette.
OUR TIP: Mix materials with contrasting finishes. Pair soft fabrics with rougher textures, smooth ceramics with woven accents, and natural wood with more refined details. You don't need more color to make a room interesting; sometimes you just need more texture.
3. Style Built-Ins With Balance
Thoughtful layers and breathing room make all the difference.
Built-ins are an opportunity to add character and personality to a living room, but the key is finding the right balance between decorative and functional. The goal isn't to fill every shelf; it's to create groupings that feel intentional and allow each piece to stand out.
We love mixing stacked books, framed artwork, sculptural pottery, greenery, and natural woven baskets. Varying the height, shape, and scale of these pieces creates visual interest, while leaving some open space keeps the shelves from feeling cluttered.
OUR TIP: Start with your larger statement pieces, then layer in smaller accessories. Vary your arrangements from shelf to shelf, and don't be afraid to leave empty space. A well-styled shelf feels collected over time, not perfectly matched.
Have you seen our viral ikea bookshelf hack? check it out!
4. Layer Pillows With Color and Pattern
A simple way to bring contrast, character, and personality to your sofa.
Throw pillows are one of the easiest ways to introduce color, pattern, and texture into a living room. They can completely change the look of a sofa without requiring a major investment or a full room refresh.
For a cohesive look, choose pillows that share a similar color palette but vary in pattern and texture. In our living room, soft neutrals, muted greens, and darker striped patterns work together to add contrast while keeping the overall look relaxed and timeless.
OUR TIP: Start with two or three complementary patterns, then balance them with a solid or textured pillow. Vary the scale of the patterns, too. Pairing a larger check with a smaller stripe or subtle print creates interest without competing for attention.
5. Style Your Coffee Table With Intention
The finishing details that make a living room feel complete.
Coffee tables are often one of the first things you notice when you walk into a living room, making them the perfect place to add a few thoughtful finishing touches.
We love using a tray to anchor a coffee table arrangement. It creates a defined space for decorative objects and makes it easy to move everything when you need the table for everyday use.
For our coffee table, a sculptural tray, stacked design books, a decorative object, and candlelight create a simple arrangement with a mix of heights, shapes, and textures. The combination feels finished without taking over the entire surface.
Our tip: Start with a tray or a stack of books, then add one sculptural object and a small accent, such as a candle or a small vase. Vary the heights and shapes, and leave some open surface area so your coffee table remains functional.
Read more about how we recommend you style your coffee table.
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER
A thoughtfully designed living room doesn't require filling every corner with furniture or accessories. Often, it's the balance between color, texture, scale, and simplicity that makes a space feel complete.
Start with a cohesive color palette, layer in a variety of materials, give your shelves room to breathe, mix pillows with intention, and finish with a few well-chosen accessories.
At Porche & Co., we believe the best spaces are the ones that feel beautiful, functional, and personal to the people who call them home.
Ready to create a space that feels like you? Explore our e-design services to learn how we can help bring your vision to life.
Need help designing your home? This is what we do.
Your home should be a reflection of your lifestyle — stylish, comfortable, and full of intentional details that make every day feel elevated. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refreshing a few key spaces, these modern must-haves are the perfect foundation for creating a home you truly love. If you’re feeling inspired but not sure where to start, that’s where Porche & Co. comes in. With our Online Interior Design packages, we’ll create a customized plan that fits your style, budget, and space — all without you ever leaving home. Let’s turn your ideas into a space you’ll be proud to show off. Explore our e-design services here and let’s make your modern farmhouse dreams a reality.
At Porche & Co, we specialize in helping you design a home that works beautifully and feels like you. Through our virtual design services, we can guide you in choosing layouts, furniture, colors, and materials—even before your move-in date. Whether you need help with just one room or the entire house, we’re here to make your move a stylish, seamless experience.
👉 See our design services HERE.
If you need even more hand holding in designing the spaces within your home, we are HERE for you! Be sure to checkout our online interior design services. We have brought our renowned Modern Classic Porche & Co. design aesthetic into thousands of homes throughout the country through our virtual design services. Below are a few recent rooms we have designed. We would love to design yours today! Explore our online Design Studio here.
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