Designing the Living Room: Choosing Furniture That Lasts

The living room is where life unfolds. It’s where you gather with friends, unwind after long days and create everyday rituals that shape the feeling of home. Designing this space isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about investing in furniture that can keep up with real life while maintaining its beauty over time.

Here’s how to thoughtfully choose pieces that anchor your space and truly last.

1. Start with the Sofa: Your Anchor Piece

Every well-designed living room begins with a strong foundation and that foundation is your sofa.

As the largest and most frequently used piece in the room, the sofa sets the tone for layout, colour palette, and overall comfort. When selecting your anchor piece, consider:

Size & Scale

Measure your space carefully. A sofa should feel generous without overwhelming the room. Allow breathing space around it for flow and movement.

Comfort & Cushioning

Look for supportive seat construction and high-resilience foam that maintains shape over time. A well-made sofa should feel just as comfortable years from now as it does on day one.

Upholstery Durability

Choose fabrics suited to your lifestyle. Performance fabrics, tightly woven textiles, and durable blends resist wear and are easier to maintain, especially in homes that are busy and well-loved.

A timeless silhouette in a versatile tone ensures your sofa won’t date quickly, allowing you to refresh the space through styling rather than replacing key pieces.

2. Build Depth with Complementary Textures

Once your anchor piece is in place, layering becomes essential.

A long-lasting living room feels warm and dimensional, not flat. Combine materials intentionally:

Soft upholstery with solid timber

Woven rugs against structured forms

Stone or marble surfaces paired with plush seating

Striking cushions against tailored silhouettes

Texture creates visual interest without relying on trends. When you focus on material contrast instead of trends, your space feels curated and enduring.

3. Choose a Cohesive, Flexible Colour Palette

Longevity in design often comes down to colour.

Start with a neutral or earthy base for your larger pieces, think warm taupes, soft greys, olive tones, or muted browns. These shades age gracefully and adapt as your style evolves.

From there, introduce accent colours through smaller, interchangeable elements like cushions, throws, and decor. This allows you to refresh the room seasonally without replacing major furniture investments.

A balanced palette ensures your living room remains relevant for years, not just seasons.

4. Prioritise Craftsmanship and Structure

A space that’s truly lived in demands more than surface beauty, it requires quality beneath the upholstery.

Look for:
Solid frames

Durable joinery techniques

High-quality upholstery stitching

Robust suspension systems

These structural elements allow furniture to withstand daily use, from movie nights to entertaining guests.

Investing in well-crafted pieces means fewer replacements and a home that grows more comfortable over time.

5. Design for Real Life

Enduring design supports how you actually live.

Consider modular seating if flexibility matters. Opt for durable fabrics in family homes. Choose coffee tables with finishes that can handle everyday use.

A beautiful living room shouldn’t feel precious or untouchable. The best spaces invite use – they soften with time and carry stories within them.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Nikki Requiero

Social Media & Copywriter

Nikki works across Social Media & Copywriting, translating the RJ Living brand across Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok. In addition to this, she engages with our community on social and provides insight via the RJ Living Journal.