Adding Color to a White Living Room with Furnishings

This empty white living room needed furniture suggestions and a layout to help kickstart this homeowner’s furnishing journey.

I received a question in my Instagram DMs during my July Q&A about how to furnish this space. In that moment, when I felt really rushed to get a large number of those questions answered, this one just seemed too big to answer then. The space was virtually empty and could go a hundred different directions.

These kind of questions are open ended and I need to find out more info and give more consideration to the overall solution than what a typical Q&A can deliver. (BTW, you might want to follow me on Instagram if you aren’t, so you can ask a question in October, when I do another Q&A.)

This homeowner reached out again recently and I decided to offer some advice and design direction now in a blogpost, since I’m in a more relaxed state. :-)

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White Living Room Needing Furniture And Layout

When she first reached out to me, she sent me these rooms that were totally empty. It was hard to get a sense of scale here and of any kind of style, other than the white kitchen there.

Empty white living room needing furniture and a layout. carlaaston.com

Since then, they’ve moved in and have a few pieces of furniture they had before in place for now. At least this way I can see what they had, style-wise. She was prepared to buy all new, but if there was anything to reuse, that would be a good idea.

Living room needing new furnishings. carlaaston.com

View to the kitchen from living room | carlaaston.com

White living room needing furnishings and design plan | carlaaston.com

I like the layout of the furniture with the tv on that big wall. It is a big room, and if the two sofas fit there, then I can see how much space they have.

I would not keep those leather sofas in here, they’re too dark and heavy in this light space. The arm and feet are dated and I think going with a new fabric covered sectional in this same layout would work great.

I do like the blue chair, however, and would reuse that and then key the whole color scheme off this piece of furniture.

The color scheme can be keyed off this existing chair, that could be reused in the living room. carlaaston.com

Obviously, we need a tv cabinet that would fit the big wall better. I would recommend a tall, wood piece to bring some warmth in to this space. I like this 3 part modern entertainment center from Ballard Design.

It is 11’ long, so it will fill up the wall space and add some much needed warmth. They can get a bigger tv too, there’s plenty of room to size it up here.

I like the transitional look, it seems like they are leaning that direction with their kitchen, so I’m going to recommend they go that way for the furniture too. I think a really trad look in furniture would feel out of place in here, although mixing a few antiques in is always good if you want.

Next is the sectional, I’d do something simple and transitional here too. While I’m tempted to add some color with the upholstery here, I feel like there are other places I can add in color. I’d probably do a color on the sofa if there wasn’t the blue chair we were reusing, but I don’t really want both pieces in color.

Besides, neutral large upholstery pieces are pretty timeless and style-wise have staying power. Here’s a style I’d recommend.

Here’s where I’d add some color, in the rug. I like this one as it ties in the blue and brings a terracotta color in too. That makes a lovely color scheme as I’ve used before. I’ll share some posts at the end of this one that use this popular color.

I’d even add a second rug as a runner, either in the kitchen or along the traffic flow area beside the seating group.

Pillows will add some color and pattern to that sectional. I love these, both blue and terracotta with a graphic pattern mixed together. (Click on the images for sources.)

This space really needs some contrast since everything is white. I love adding touches of black to add detail. This floor lamp in the corner works well and then I’d add a chandelier that would work with the lanterns over the island.

This wood topped iron round coffee table from Sarreid will look great here. It brings in some detail with the base and adds the warmth of wood.

This wall decor came to mind, from Global Views. I love the color combo here for this space and these can be spread out over the entertainment center and up the wall for an organic feel. They would really make the space feel finished.

I’d add some accessories in terracotta and blue colors and then do some caramel leather counterstools to bring some of that color and warmth over to the kitchen.

It looks like she is looking at white long subway tile for the backsplash. Here’s where I’d add in some color too.

I like the blues here, maybe in a glass tile or a glazed ceramic. I think she needs something to break up all the white.

Lastly, I’d add drapery panels and some woven wood shades for a warmth at the windows. I’d mount the shades up by the rod. That will bring some of that wood color over to the window, and then a drapery in a solid blue or something with a pattern would be so nice.

Black iron rods to go with the black iron in the lighting will finish off the look and make the space feel all tied together.

(Roman shades in a pretty fabric in these colors would look great in the breakfast room too. :-)

Sketch and Moodboard of White Living Room Needing Furnishings

Here’s my quick sketch showing the tv wall. That entertainment center is so well suited for this long wall. I love the idea of the organic glass wall decor too.

I added a beam down the center of the space, I know construction is over, but a fake beam wouldn’t be too hard to add. I feel like this space is just screaming for a little more architectural interest and a beam in the same wood tone as the floor would really do a lot.

TV wall in living room with furnishings | carlaaston.com

Moodboard for a white living room needing some color | carlaaston.com

Need more posts on adding color with furnishings? I’ve got a sampling to peruse right here.