Do you love Restoration Hardware living room designs but aren’t sure how to make them work? Too often living rooms become one of two things – either a dumping ground for misfit furnishings or half-baked design ideas that never quite hit the form and function mark. These spaces are essential for family life and should offer as many options as possible. This sounds like a job for professionals.
Through the discerning design lens of Restoration Hardware – a brand well known for its one-stop-shop approach to a beautiful, well-designed living room ideas – we asked top designers to dish their dos for a successful living room space. Let’s get started!
Restoration Hardware offers some great living room design ideas
The Restoration Hardware living room is distinctive in design. But, they are also designed to be complemented by smart, elegant, and relaxed spaces. They are suitable for any purpose, from formal living spaces to family rooms, and can easily be adapted to your home’s style. We spoke with designers who love Restoration Hardware in their living rooms.
1. Invest in quality, comfort
(Image credit: Anne Hepfer)
“Restoration Hardware living room pieces instantly communicate comfort, quality to me,” shares a Toronto-based interior designer. Anne Hepfer(opens new tab). “I love their Belgian sheets and rustic-modern feel, especially when they are used in houses that are situated in the natural world.
Citing the brand’s quality and convenience, Hepfer confirms that ‘RH has it all – we source lighting, hardware, furnishings and accessories at one location and know that we’re delivering timeless, well-made pieces.’
Restoration Hardware is a beacon of cohesion and promotes a sense a belonging. Hepfer adds, ‘I love designing living rooms because they’re one of the most used spaces in a home, not to mention where the family congregates and makes memories.’
2. Create an experiential space
(Image credit: Aspen & Ivy)
Design firm in Ontario, Senior designer Aspen & Ivy(opens new tab)Ria DaCosta said that she enjoys the freedom of designing a living space.
‘Unlike dining rooms or bedrooms which both require specific types of furnishings like tables and beds,’ she says, ‘living rooms, on the other hand, can look vastly different from one project to the next – from furniture styles to layout configuration and everything in between.’
Hepfer agrees with these bold sentiments and says, “My goal is make a space experiential through concept and feeling.” Who doesn’t love an experiential space that the whole family can enjoy?
3. Follow the floorplan
(Image credit to Katie Davis/Photos courtesy Melissa Fitzgerald West
Let function guide you when designing a thoughtful living space layout. Form will follow.
Houston-based designer explains, “A living room in a house is a space that requires equal parts comfort as well as beauty.” Katie Davis(opens new tab). “I enjoy being able to play around with upholstery and patterns, and create unique pieces that are both comfortable and beautiful.
New York-based interior designer Cara Woodhouse(opens new tab) calls for spatial considerations when she’s plotting out a space. She says, “Make sure you have multiple areas to move around even though it’s only one room.” Your guests and family will need multiple ways to move around the space.
4. Sofa or sectional?
(Image credit to Katie Davis/Photos courtesy Melissa Fitzgerald West
What are your options for living-room sofa designs? ‘For me this decision comes down to two factors: What are the functional requirements of the space, and what is the client’s preference?’ DaCosta answers that sofas are more conversational than sectionals, and can be used for lounging and relaxing, and is thus more casual.
Hepfer firmly states, ‘For a comfortable, casual room, sectional living room ideas are the answer – think movie nights with the kids and pets, or morning coffee with a crossword. Sofas can be elegant and polished.
Davis states, “I like the living room to have a variety of sofas to spark conversation.”
5. Design with wellness in mind
(Image credit: Viola interior design)
New York-based designer goes above aesthetics Laurence Carr(opens new tab)It is important to take into consideration all aspects of the living space, including curtains.
She believes that designing with wellness in her mind is a key component to every decision she makes. ‘Whenever I can, I use natural light and draw attention towards the windows. They let in the sunlight and create a living space that is biophilic by blurring between the indoors.
6. Your living room should be flexible
(Image credit to Laure Nelli Interiors).
Laetitia Laurent, principal designer of South Florida-based business Laure Nell Interiors(opens new tab)This article discusses neutral living room ideas and their versatility.
‘A living room needs to be versatile and engaging – always leading its guests on a beautiful design journey,’ she muses.
Laurent often consults Restoration Hardware living room inspirations for ideas, saying, “I love the way these pieces feel grounded.” They are neutral but not boring, making them the perfect base for many design styles.
An aesthetic that’s particularly appealing to this Parisian native, ‘depending on what other elements you pair the room with, you can take it from a modern Californian relaxed vibe all the way to a Parisian gilded glam vibe.’
The key is to allow growth as well as reinvention.
7. Make it a focal point
(Image credit: Aspen & Ivy)
DaCosta says that the most important thing to consider when selecting a rug is its size. ‘People often select rugs that are too small, so the trick is to ensure that all of the furniture pieces in the space are entirely or at least halfway on the rug – this helps to ground the room and keeps everything well proportioned.’
But when it comes to layering living room rug ideas she’s not a proponent, ‘I rarely layer rugs and prefer to keep it simple with just one, but do make sure however that you have a good thick rug pad both for comfort and to preserve the longevity of your rug.’
Davis shares DaCosta’s keep-it-simple mantra, but adds, ‘Layering in interior design is nice if you have a large space that needs a base, or if you’ve sourced an antique rug that’s on the smaller side.
Hepfer says, “Using a variety rug material and sizes will help the space feel blended and warm.”
8. Make the coffee table the focal point
(Image credit: Alecia Neo)
These coffee table decor options will enhance the design of your Restoration Hardware living area.
Laurent suggests that coffee table books be a priority. ‘They give the space personality and you learn a lot about who lives there – I love coordinating them with the color palette of the room, blending content and form.’
Houston-based designer Nina Magon(opens new tab)This coffee table styling idea was repeated by the second author. She explains that their versatility and variety makes them a great addition to any space. They can be very simple and still look great, she says. They also make great conversation starters and showcase the homeowner’s interests.
9. Your living room should be functional and comfortable.
(Image credit: Murphy Maude Interiors/Lisa Hubbard)
Laurent has a unique perspective about the durability of a living space. Laurent says, ‘I envision hosting a party that informs performance fabrics to resist spills and a beautiful table to place your drink down. ‘Following that idea of a motion picture, I’ll imagine the homeowners’ lounging as a family so the fabric needs to feel soft and inviting.’
10. Mix materials to create interest
(Image credit: Fiona Barratt Projects)
Woodhouse states that material mixing can be a key element. ‘It’s all about layering and one way to do that is by mixing different materials and textures in a space – for example, you can do a cotton twill sofa with velvet pillows and it creates a mix of contrasting textures that I love.’
Davis notes, ‘We like integrating upholstered items with woven pieces, with antiques – mixing textures and materials adds soul to a space.’
What style is Restoration Hardware’s living room?
A Restoration Hardware living space is warm and comfortable, but still retains an elegant air. Laetitia Laurent (principal designer at South Florida-based firm Laure Nell Interiors) explains that ‘the need for rest and the pandemic have brought a desire to experience a variety of tactile experiences. In your living room, you’re going to crave a crisp linen for its clean effect but it’s also nice to pair it with a nubby boucle or a soft chenille for that loungy, cozy vibe.’
What is the best Restoration Hardware furniture to use in living rooms?
Ria DaCosta, senior design at Aspen & Ivy Ontario, shares her love for a Restoration Hardware living space classic: the French Contemporary Coffee Table(opens new tab). Its simple design makes it a good fit for many design styles. I also love the variety of finishes that give it a unique look. I’m also a sucker for a functional coffee table so the fact that it has a bottom shelf is a huge win!’
