After the kitchen, the living room is probably the next main hub in our homes. Whether you are looking for cosy living room ideas or to really create a statement living room design, getting this room right is really important, as it’s where we spend a lot of time with family and friends. No matter how large or small, how modest or grand and whether you refer to your living room as your sitting room, drawing room or lounge, it really doesn’t matter! What is making the space work for you? So make use of our talented uFurnish.com Home Awards entrants’ incredible creations to inspire your makeover, whatever your budget.
Explore the Entrants' Rooms
It was clear from this year’s category entries that our living rooms come in all shapes, sizes and colour schemes. Across the board, whether a period or modern home, one thing was very clear – great thought had been given to how the space was to be used and what existing features could be incorporated or adapted.
The winner in this category, Candice Guy (@cloud_nine_interiors), has taken a modern, rather box-like room, though with wonderful outside views and transformed it into a wonderful calming space. The colour palette, whilst neutral, has wonderful textured depth from both the paint effects and upholstery fabrics used throughout. The outside decking is cleverly incorporated into the room when the bifold doors are opened, whilst mirrors have been used to create a feeling of space but also cohesion via the reflection of the different items and textures within the room. Black is used as an accent colour with the added benefit that the television doesn’t look out of place at all! Lighting is a mixture of overhead, lamps and candlelight via wall fittings, providing a different dimension when lit.
By contrast one of our finalists, Frederique Pope (@interiorswithattitude), has taken a much more colourful approach with this period property with strong colours for the furniture and the detailing on the period fire surround. The ceiling is painted gold to echo the theme running through the whole house and the vintage pink Murano glass chandelier was an eBay find. The Crittall-style mirror and door and light and depth to this cosy room and the artwork and accessories complete a wonderfully quirky look.
Another finalist, Helen Sellwood (@baliol.house), has used a riot of colour and pattern and proves that more really can be more with wonderful clusters of decorative plates or artwork on the pink panelled walls to create focus areas. The recessed shelving is painted in mid blue with both books and decorative accessories filling the space, whilst the two sofas, accent chair and ottoman are all different strong colours that work really well with the patterned rug.
Jo Hughes (@cloud_nine_interiors), a further finalist, took a similar colourful approach, albeit with a palette of black, golds, yellows and pinks to create this strong, confident look. The boldly patterned wallpaper on the chimney breast and leopard print theme work brilliantly with the softer coloured walls and gold sofa, whilst the black and white artwork, cushions and lamp tie the overall design together very well. Many of the items in this room were cleverly upcycled, proving that you don’t always need a huge budget to make a big impact.
Lastly, Anouska Lancaster (@noushka_design) has made fantastic use of this home’s period features, such as the fireplace, panelling and cornices, whilst modernising the traditional look with strong colours and a mixture of patterns. From the floral patterned wallpaper married with more modern artwork to the variety of patterns on the sofas and ottoman, they have been designed to work together. Combined with the parquet flooring and a mixture of traditional and modern accessories, this room just works!
Styles seen across Entrants' Rooms
Whilst many of the entrants’ designs were in keeping with the age of the property, it was clear that individual personalities shone through in both the decorative style and intended use of the room. Many made use of fireplaces and wood burners as their focus point, perhaps with an eye on both cosiness and conversation, whilst others quietly incorporated a television to add a different use dimension to the room. Although the category winner used a neutral palette, colour and pattern were a key theme, as was the use of artwork and accessories to catch the eye and perhaps prompt discussion.
What we love at uFurnish.com
Whether a neutral or bold colour scheme, we loved the thought and passion that had clearly gone into creating these living rooms, some making use of outside views and space via window seats and others going for more of a warm and snug feel. Several entrants clearly wanted their décor to be thought-provoking, often adding a touch of humour – oh, to be a fly on the wall for some of the ensuing conversations! For a room that is often for more “public” use in our homes, we got the sense that people really wanted to inject their personality into it, which is great!
How to apply these styles to your home
Our living rooms usually need to be multipurpose, having an “everyday” use as well as a “guest” one. Whatever proportion your family vs friends usage might be, every room needs a focal point. If your home is a period property, a fireplace (working or not) is often a good place to start and can provide inspiration for your overall décor. That said, we saw plenty of examples of modernised period living rooms, so don’t feel constrained! TV or not TV? That is the question. Some are lucky enough to have sufficient space for a separate TV room, however, for most of us, there will be a compromise. TV stands can provide a stylish solution, but it’s better to begin with your overall colour and décor scheme before investing in one. Sofas can also be high ticket items to purchase, but whatever your budget, think about these key aspects:
1. Seating requirements
- How much everyday seating do you need? Everyone in the family needs to be comfortable.
- How much guest seating are you likely to need? “Occasional” seating can be more creative, such as an ottoman that doubles as additional seating.
- Does your living room need to double as a guest room? Sofa beds can be a good option.
2. Furniture
- How many do you need to seat?
- Do you need a sofa bed?
- What cabinet spacing might you need?
3. Lighting
- Does your hallway have natural light?
- Do you need both ceiling lighting and table lamps?
4. Mirrors & artwork
- Mirrors can add light and the feeling of space to any room.
- Wall art can be a great way to tie different floors of your home together as well as complement your colour scheme.
Once you have a good idea of the layout and items you need in your living room, think about the style and colour scheme. The age and design of your property will largely dictate the former, but, as many of our entrants did this year, you might feel emboldened to go for a stronger colour palette or more patterns than you might otherwise. Consider whether you might opt for a less traditional patterned ceiling and plain walls or if you can incorporate existing panelling, plasterwork or original flooring into your design. Think about how your space will flow into other rooms, as you can absolutely have contrasting colour schemes, but they need to be complementary! Lastly, accessories such as light fittings, mirrors, wall art, vases and plants can be the finishing touches that bring your new look together, so take a look at how uFurnish.com can help you discover the items and styles you need, whatever your budget.
The spaces featured in the uFurnish.com Home Awards 2025 celebrate creativity, individuality and the many ways people shape their homes to reflect who they are. Each entrant offers inspiration that can be adapted to any style or budget, showing how thoughtful choices and clever details can transform everyday rooms. We hope these ideas inspire you to reimagine your own space and create a home you love spending time in.
For more home inspiration, follow uFurnish.com on Instagram and Pinterest. To search and compare furniture and home furnishings from over 100+ furniture retailers in the market, simply click here.
