2013 Contemporary Living Room Decorating Ideas from BHG

Sleek, streamlined, and uncluttered, contemporary living room designs allow eyes and foot traffic to move freely through casual, comfortable furniture arrangements. Explore this contemporary living room ideas from BHG to find inspiration for fashioning pared down digs rendered in relaxing neutrals that put the spotlight on chromatic accessories and abstract artwork. See contemporary living rooms where steely gray walls highlight white leather sectionals and sandy shades quietly mix it up with pale ocean blues and sea green furnishings. Discover living room decor items that supply a contemporary kick, such as geometric-pattern textiles, sculptural metal lighting fixtures, sunburst mirrors, glass tables and shelves, and natural furniture finishes. Learn how repeating large blocks of one solid color, as sofas, rugs, focal walls, drapery panels, painted shelves, or lacquered cabinets, energizes contemporary living rooms without muting the volume of the room's modern vibes. Browse through our photos of living rooms to check out vintage cool spaces furnished with colorful midcentury chairs, steel-framed sofas, kidney shape coffee tables, and retro area rugs. See more conventional contemporary spaces where monochromatic schemes, spare furniture arrangements, and touchable textures combine to maximize the impact of this less is more decorating style.

Picking a favorite hue is one way to color a room. Another way.

Consider its sun exposure. Since North facing rooms enjoy limited sunlight, use reds and yellows to warm things up. Contemporary fabrics in vibrant hues not only energize this living room, they wake up classic furniture.

Light gray walls and charcoal upholstery make a chic neutral backdrop for vibrant pillows, colorful books, and shapely pottery in this urban living room.

Disguised beneath the trendy decor of this upscale living room are kid-friendly tricks that make the room look great and live easy. Durable micro suede and faux leather fabrics don't sacrifice luxury. An upholstered ottoman offers a kid-safe alternative to coffee table corners, and a stylish side table drum.

The overtly graphic lines of modern chairs and tables, paired with deep shades of vibrant colors, make a striking, fun statement in this family room.

This small sitting area, located in a master bedroom, offers a restful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of everyday family life. A cozy love seat and cushy chair provide the perfect spot to relax with a good book. Patterned throw pillows and bold color accent pieces add a youthful energy to the space.

While a contemporary, less is more approach befits this living room's owners, a quirky Victorian chair nods to the home's roots and adds a playful touch.

Keeping true to the symmetric nature of 1930s Cape Cod Colonial architecture, contemporary design elements were arranged by pairs and in orderly fashion for an updated approach to the home's living room.

An eclectic blend of materials steel, linen, cowhide, and wood creates a contemporary but comfortable aesthetic that makes this family room very livable.

Mixing cheery with serious colors creates a sophisticated, playful vibe.

The living room's serious side resides within the cool gray walls, sofa, and area rug and the navy club chairs.

All the furniture circulates around a striking yellow ottoman, creating an intimate conversation area.

Bold pattern accent pillows bring all of the room's colors together, while chrome accessories add subtle sparkle.

A creative paint treatment emphasizes the height of this living room. The dramatic gold wall paint doesn’t extend from floor to ceiling, but instead begins just above the floor trim and ends just below the ceiling line. The unique treatment adds visual interest to the living room, which requires less adornment with wall art and decorative elements.