The Secret Staples of a Timeless Living Room
These key pieces will ensure your living room keeps its classic, grown-up good looks, no matter what's in fashion
Cheryl F
4 December 2014
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing for the UK's top interiors titles. I love shopping for quirky accessories, have a passion for rummaging through vintage stores and I'm ever-hopeful of finding that elusive perfect paint shade.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing... More
They’re the simple pieces that stand the test of time. Never in or out of fashion, this bunch is classically chic, tasteful and look eternally good (so you won’t be forking out to replace them in two years’ time). Forget passing interiors fads and fly-by-night trends, here are the oldies but goodies every living room needs.
View our gallery of beautiful living rooms
View our gallery of beautiful living rooms
Plump for plantation shutters
These elegant white window dressings have become the perfect solution for metropolitan homeowners who don’t want net curtains, but aren’t keen on passers-by snooping, either. Here, their crisp, clean lines add to the room’s bright, breezy feel. The other plus, of course, is undeniable exterior kerb appeal.
Find shutter, blind and curtain retailers
These elegant white window dressings have become the perfect solution for metropolitan homeowners who don’t want net curtains, but aren’t keen on passers-by snooping, either. Here, their crisp, clean lines add to the room’s bright, breezy feel. The other plus, of course, is undeniable exterior kerb appeal.
Find shutter, blind and curtain retailers
Add a Moroccan pouffe
It’s that age-old problem: where to prop your feet when you’re relaxing on the sofa. The obvious solution: a Moroccan leather pouffe. Simple and compact, these versatile little seats work surprisingly well in a variety of settings, not just souk-style. Here, a pair of brown leather pouffes add extra impact next to a plain corner sofa, and complement the sophisticated scheme brilliantly.
Put your feet up on a stylish pouffe
It’s that age-old problem: where to prop your feet when you’re relaxing on the sofa. The obvious solution: a Moroccan leather pouffe. Simple and compact, these versatile little seats work surprisingly well in a variety of settings, not just souk-style. Here, a pair of brown leather pouffes add extra impact next to a plain corner sofa, and complement the sophisticated scheme brilliantly.
Put your feet up on a stylish pouffe
Weave in a tripod floor lamp
The architectural lines of the tripod floor lamp have become a living room staple in recent years, and look set to stick around. As well as adding atmospheric pools of light, these cool pieces make a statement in their own right. Place one at either end of a sofa, as here, for extra oomph. If you don’t fancy neutral lampshades, swap for colourful ones to energise your scheme.
Read more: 8 Living Room Layouts That Work
The architectural lines of the tripod floor lamp have become a living room staple in recent years, and look set to stick around. As well as adding atmospheric pools of light, these cool pieces make a statement in their own right. Place one at either end of a sofa, as here, for extra oomph. If you don’t fancy neutral lampshades, swap for colourful ones to energise your scheme.
Read more: 8 Living Room Layouts That Work
Sink into a chesterfield sofa
These are an ongoing favourite in fashionable pubs and boutique hotels, and no wonder. Button-backed chesterfield sofas are truly timeless, and look as good in a modern warehouse apartment as in a grand country abode. Offering clean lines as well as comfort, the classic version comes in tan leather, but for a sumptuous update, I love these raspberry-pink and pewter velvet numbers.
These are an ongoing favourite in fashionable pubs and boutique hotels, and no wonder. Button-backed chesterfield sofas are truly timeless, and look as good in a modern warehouse apartment as in a grand country abode. Offering clean lines as well as comfort, the classic version comes in tan leather, but for a sumptuous update, I love these raspberry-pink and pewter velvet numbers.
Hunt down a retro sideboard
It might not feel as key a purchase as a coffee table or sofa, but a stylish vintage sideboard transforms the look of a living room (and keeps clutter at bay, too). Here, a mid-century number adds quirky retro attitude, and provides a handy surface to show off precious ornaments and pictures. For a timeless look, stick to warm timbers, such as teak or rosewood.
Find your perfect sideboard
It might not feel as key a purchase as a coffee table or sofa, but a stylish vintage sideboard transforms the look of a living room (and keeps clutter at bay, too). Here, a mid-century number adds quirky retro attitude, and provides a handy surface to show off precious ornaments and pictures. For a timeless look, stick to warm timbers, such as teak or rosewood.
Find your perfect sideboard
Make space for a leather club armchair
Fancy the private members’ club look? Then opt for a classic, deep-seated leather armchair like this one; the more battered the better. Buy second-hand for extra lived-in character, or source a vintage-look number about town (feather-filled cushions give added slouch factor). Pretty up with a floral cushion then sit back and relax with a cuppa (or small port).
Fancy the private members’ club look? Then opt for a classic, deep-seated leather armchair like this one; the more battered the better. Buy second-hand for extra lived-in character, or source a vintage-look number about town (feather-filled cushions give added slouch factor). Pretty up with a floral cushion then sit back and relax with a cuppa (or small port).
Consider a decorative over-mantel mirror
It’s the oldest interiors trick in the book – a striking over-mantel mirror gives even super-snug living rooms a sense of space and light. However, don’t just plump for any old mirror. For old-school elegance, go for a shabby-chic French-style number with an ornate white plaster or gilt-painted wooden frame. If you can afford to, source an original vintage mirror, complete with authentically aged silvering. If not, reproductions work similar magic for less cash.
It’s the oldest interiors trick in the book – a striking over-mantel mirror gives even super-snug living rooms a sense of space and light. However, don’t just plump for any old mirror. For old-school elegance, go for a shabby-chic French-style number with an ornate white plaster or gilt-painted wooden frame. If you can afford to, source an original vintage mirror, complete with authentically aged silvering. If not, reproductions work similar magic for less cash.
Create a picture cluster
Ok, you’ve already seen a thousand feature walls of multiple frames and artworks. But there’s a reason why this trend has stuck – it works. A cluster of pictures turns an ordinary living room into a home. It’s an easy way to reflect your personality, as seen in this quirky abode, and whether you line up or misalign frames, mix or match, somehow it always hangs together.
Read more: 10 Artful Gallery Ideas That’ll Wake Up Your Walls
Ok, you’ve already seen a thousand feature walls of multiple frames and artworks. But there’s a reason why this trend has stuck – it works. A cluster of pictures turns an ordinary living room into a home. It’s an easy way to reflect your personality, as seen in this quirky abode, and whether you line up or misalign frames, mix or match, somehow it always hangs together.
Read more: 10 Artful Gallery Ideas That’ll Wake Up Your Walls
Hang a crystal chandelier
It might be all about low-slung pendants and marquee lights right now, but a crystal chandelier never dates. More than a mere light, it adds instant sparkle, glamour and just a smidgen of grandeur to any space. Even a budget model – as opposed to an original French rewired antique – gives that extra je ne sais quoi. Don’t automatically choose bronze, though – this jewel-like version perks up a plain ceiling, and echoes other colours in the room.
It might be all about low-slung pendants and marquee lights right now, but a crystal chandelier never dates. More than a mere light, it adds instant sparkle, glamour and just a smidgen of grandeur to any space. Even a budget model – as opposed to an original French rewired antique – gives that extra je ne sais quoi. Don’t automatically choose bronze, though – this jewel-like version perks up a plain ceiling, and echoes other colours in the room.
Throw down a Persian rug
Their intricate patterns and warm colours give any space a homely feel, as well as a touch of exoticism. Plus these traditional rugs work equally well laid over wooden floorboards, stone or carpet. Period properties are their natural habitat, but they can also cosy up a modern space. For a tapestry effect, mix up several smaller rugs, as seen here. The most skilfully handwoven rugs can be pricey, but purse-friendly designs are not hard to find.
Shop a wide selection of rugs
TELL US
Do you have any timeless pieces? How do they fit in with your scheme? Share your thoughts and photos in the comments.
Their intricate patterns and warm colours give any space a homely feel, as well as a touch of exoticism. Plus these traditional rugs work equally well laid over wooden floorboards, stone or carpet. Period properties are their natural habitat, but they can also cosy up a modern space. For a tapestry effect, mix up several smaller rugs, as seen here. The most skilfully handwoven rugs can be pricey, but purse-friendly designs are not hard to find.
Shop a wide selection of rugs
TELL US
Do you have any timeless pieces? How do they fit in with your scheme? Share your thoughts and photos in the comments.
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My continual problem with bookcases is that many are designed as focal points to hold collections, and not truly designed for books. The shelves are too tall and too deep for actual books...I just keep searching.
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If you love it ..it will fit in..our home is full of antiques from family..my love of Wood, glass and iron ….ihave glass balls from all over the world as curtains in the kitchen…and so lucky to live on a lake..