Everyone has seen them. The most attractive UK homes blend function and aesthetic when designing their living rooms. We’ve seen the return of vinyls, now tucked into built-in bookshelf corners and a resurgence in earthy tones and natural materials. It’s edgy, yet lived in. What?
Think style choices, layout tweaks, and a few cherished items to add a statement. Here’s how to add some edge to your living room.
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Add a statement focal point
The edginess that’s trending right now is not maximalist or overwhelming. In fact, it’s hyper-focused: design-savvy home-owners are adding statement focal points.
This includes a hot rotation of media walls, fireplace, and display items such as retro-inspired turntables. These personality-driven choices have a shared quality; each conveys a sense of personality and shapes the way that inhabitants and visitors alike use that room. Does your living room revolve around music? Or cozy nights with movies on Netflix? Find the standout item for you.
Mix textures and finishes
Living room trends have been on quite the textural journey. There is a long list of interior design trends in 2025, many of which incorporate fabrics, like drapery, or natural materials, like wood.
Mixing these textures and finishes with solid surfaces adds visual depth. For instance, instead of a glass coffee table against a plain white wall, add a restored oak table. Toying with textures shifts room dynamics entirely. Gone are the days of simply debating shiny versus matte surfaces.
Play with layout for impact
Get that sofa off the wall. Seriously. Creating an inviting flow throughout your living room often involves a creative layout approach. Embrace the concept of “zoning.” For instance, moving a sofa to create a clear walkway to another room, or adding a bookshelf and a low-lying window seat to create a reading cranny.
Labelling entire rooms as a single zone is a mistake that needs to be avoided. Nobody uses an entire space for the exact same tasks; enhance the aesthetic and functional impact by dividing it up. The final flow will thank you for it.
Layer personal touches
Walking into your living room should feel like home. Without injecting personality into this space, there’s a risk of empty-shell syndrome where a room fills a purpose and doesn’t invoke emotion.
Naturally, personal touches are entirely subjective. That said, if you’d like guidance on how to dig deep, learn how memories are formed, and start with the basic items. Do you have an affinity for artwork? Or a certain place, people, or situations that could be communicated through art? Perhaps you have green fingers and love nature?
An edgy living room is both aesthetic and practical. Most importantly, though, it suits you. Make sure you take opinions into account and get settled on what you’d like before you begin the work.
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