Sparkle Up Your Formal Living Room With Glitzy Accents

Formal living rooms often get a bad rap for being stuffy and outdated. But with the right glamorous touches, these heritage spaces can feel fresh, elegant and surprisingly livable. By playing up the room's formal roots while injecting color, texture and personality, you can create a family friendly space for relaxing and entertaining.

From eye-catching metallic accents to cozy everyday furniture, these ideas will have you falling back in love with your fancy sitting room.

What Makes a Room "Formal"?

First, let's clarify what exactly makes a living room "formal". These spaces typically have architectural details that nod to their dignified history. Soaring ceilings, symmetrical layouts, curved architectural details and oversized windows set the stage. You often see them called sitting rooms, drawing rooms, parlors or lounges.

Their decor also skews more elegant. Brocade upholstery, oil paintings in gilded frames and carved wood furnishings fit right in. Neutral color schemes keep the focus on ornate moldings and architectural features. And rooms feel more hushed and museum-like than lived-in.

Origins and History

European aristocrats originally used formal living areas to receive guests and entertain. Women would retire here after dinner while men smoked cigars and oversaw the household. These spaces flaunted family stature with elaborate decor.

Typical Architectural Features

• Soaring ceilings with crown moldings
• Arched doorways and windows
• Symmetrical layouts
• Carved fireplace mantels
• Built-in bookshelves

Traditional Decorating Style

Formal living rooms tend to decorate quite traditionally with these characteristics:

• Neutral color scheme
• Dark wood furnishings
• Elaborate oil paintings
• Glass chandeliers
• Fortmal arranged furniture
• Luxurious fabrics like brocade and velvet

Why Lean Into the Formality

It's tempting to try disguising outdated formal living rooms. But these spaces offer wonderful chances to highlight heritage details while still keeping your family in mind. Here are compelling reasons to celebrate their formality.

Celebrate Architectural Heritage

Your home's original architects likely designed the formal living area with precision and care. Intricate crown moldings, soaring windows and carved marble mantels all add visual richness. Leaning into this fine architectural heritage does your home justice.

Provides an Elegant & Intimate Setting

For all their grandeur, formal living rooms feel wonderfully intimate and elegant. Their typical smaller scale and architectural detailing lend an embracing feel. When decorated thoughtfully, they become ideal for deeper conversations, connecting with loved ones or quiet relaxation.

Perfect Spot for Entertaining & Holidays

Formal living rooms easily adapt for holiday celebrations and hosting guests. Those statement-making architectural elements instantly impress. The refined setting lends itself perfectly to celebrations like Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas morning or cocktail parties.

Freshening Up a Formal Living Room

Breathe new life into a stale formal lounge with these refreshing ideas. By adding glamour, color, artwork and greenery you can shift their mood from somber to stunning.

Incorporate Glamorous Furnishings & Accents

Nothing updates a space faster than metallic, glass and velvety accents. Swap out dark wooden tables for brass and glass versions. Add slim crystal candlesticks and trays for catchy sparkle. Chair upholstery in emerald velvet or navy satin modernizes instantly.

• Brass side tables
• Velvet sofa pillows
• Mirrored coffee table
• Crystal candleholders

Choose a Deep, Jewel Tone Color Scheme

Rich, mood-lifting paint colors breathe life into tired formal spaces. Deep jewel-inspired hues like sapphire blue, ruby red and emerald green speak to their luxe legacy. Contrast vibrant walls with soft metallic accents and neutral upholstery.

• Sapphire blue walls
• Ruby accent chairs
• Emerald velvet sofa

Mix Captivating Textures & Patterns

In formal spaces, go bold blending patterns and textures. Layer a floral needlepoint rug over classic herringbone hardwoods for an eclectic play on tradition. Combine matte and glossy accents like ceramic vases and mercury glass candlesticks.

• Shearling throws
• Velvet sofa
• Rattan coffee table
• Floral and paisley pillows

Display Impactful Fine Art

Large scale artwork instantly modernizes formal living rooms. Abstract oil paintings, avant-garde photography prints and even bold graffiti-style canvases contrast beautifully with traditional trims.

• Oversized modern painting
• Sleek sculptural light fixture
• Set of edgy black and white photographs

Add Gorgeous Floral Arrangements

Fresh cut flowers add liveliness to even the stuffiest lounge. All-white blooms popped against dark walls make quite the statement. For longevity, look for high quality faux floral arrangements.

• Elegant white orchid plant
• Faux peony wreath above fireplace
• Fresh eucalyptus garland on coffee table

Making It Feel Like "Home"

The best formal living rooms balance refinement with relaxed touches. This allows family and guests to truly live in the space rather than tiptoeing around. Add coziness while retaining elegance.

Blend Formality with Casual Touches

Keep architectural details standing tall while incorporating family-friendly accents. Chenille throw pillows add irresistible softness to a velvet sofa. Natural woven baskets provide casual contrast to marble end tables.

• Chenille throw blankets
• Rattan magazine baskets
• A pair of well-loved leather armchairs

Design for Everyday Living

Carefully consider how your family entertains and relaxes while designing a formal living room. Include resilient fabrics and convenient storage for real life use.

• Kid and pet friendly upholstery
• Ottomans with built-in storage
• Durable natural fiber rugs
• Family game cabinet
• Tech charging station

Personalize with Family Photos

Photo displays add a needed dose of personality to even the most ornate spaces. Group silver and wood frames over the sofa, gallery style. Embracelived-in charm with candid photos mixed alongside more formal portraits.

• Gallery wall collage
• Travel souvenir vignette
• Picture ledge with candid snapshots

Tips for Formal Living Rooms On a Budget

Breathe new life into ornate living rooms without blowing your budget. Focus on a few impactful foundation pieces paired with easy DIY projects and thrifted scores.

• Invest in a statement sofa or dining table
• Refresh frames with metallic spray paint
• Reupholster a chair in bold velvet or leather
• Sew elegant curtain panels from budget-friendly textiles
• Display your grandmother's antique vases and artwork
• Mix high-end cushions and throws with budget basics

It's tempting to overlook outdated formal living rooms. But by embracing their refined architectural details while adding glamour and personality, you can revive beauty and elegance.

Carefully incorporate metallic accents, floral arrangements, fine art and cozy textiles. Choose an enticing jewel-tone color scheme. Mix captivating high-end and budget pieces to create a glamorous, livable space your whole family enjoys.