25 Colonial Living Room Inspirations That Will Make Your Home Stand Out
Welcome to our latest interior design collection from the colonial design style showcase which features 25 Colonial Living Room Inspirations That Will Make Your Home Stand Out.
Traditional Colonial Architecture
The living room is the most popular place to incorporate this iconic design.
You can see the traditional colonial architecture in the white trim, the wainscoting, and the fireplace.
The design is elevated with a stunning chandelier and a fireplace with a classic mantel.
Rich Wood Finishes
If you’re going for a colonial style, you’ll want to incorporate a lot of wood into your design.
This is a great way to do it, without it looking like you’ve gone overboard.
The walls are painted a beautiful shade of green, which is the perfect backdrop for the wood finishes.
The fireplace, built-in bookshelves, and the floor are all made of rich wood that adds a lot of warmth to the space.
Classic Colonial Furniture
Classic furniture is a must in a colonial living room. If you want to go all out, then look for pieces that are true antiques.
However, you can also find new furniture that is designed to look like it’s from the colonial period.
The most important piece of furniture in the living room is the sofa. Look for a classic design with rolled arms and turned legs.
You can find colonial sofas in a variety of colors, but white and cream are the most popular.
Complete the look with a pair of matching armchairs. You can also add a few other seating options, such as a bench or a wingback chair.
Antique Decor Pieces
One of the best ways to make your colonial living room stand out is by adding in some antique decor pieces.
This could be anything from a vintage mirror to a beautiful antique rug.
The antique decor pieces you choose to add to your colonial living room will depend on your personal style.
If you love a more traditional look, then you might want to add in some antique furniture, like a vintage sofa or a beautiful antique coffee table.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more modern look, then you could add in some antique decor pieces, like a vintage mirror or a beautiful antique rug.
Warm Color Palette
The warm color palette of this living room is a great example of how to bring the traditional colonial look into a modern home.
The room features a neutral color palette with pops of terra cotta.
The terra cotta accents are a great way to add a warm, earthy tone to the room without going overboard.
This color is repeated in the throw pillows, the rug, and the vase on the mantel.
The cream-colored walls and furniture make the room feel light and airy, while the dark wood floors and accents add contrast.
Brass and Copper Accents
Brass and copper are the perfect accents to warm up a colonial living room color scheme.
Here, the designers at Veneer Designs used a copper light fixture to add warmth to the space.
The metal is also repeated in the coffee table, bar cart, and the picture frames, creating a cohesive feel in the room.
Oriental Rugs
It’s no secret that Oriental rugs are a staple in colonial living rooms. They add an elegant touch and can be the inspiration for the rest of the room’s color palette.
This living room features a large Oriental rug with a red, blue, and cream color palette.
The rug’s colors are carried throughout the room in the throw pillows, artwork, and even the flowers on the coffee table.
Colonial Fireplace Design
A fireplace is a must‐have feature in any colonial living room. It acts as the focal point of the room and is often the first thing guests notice when they walk in.
This colonial living room by New England Design Elements features a traditional wood burning fireplace.
The fireplace is flanked by a pair of built‐in bookshelves, adding symmetry and balance to the space.
A large mirror above the mantel reflects the natural light from the windows, making the room feel bright and open.
Crown Molding
Crown molding is a feature that’s often found in Colonial homes. It’s a simple way to add elegance and visual interest to your living room.
You can keep it simple with a single piece of molding or add more elaborate layers to create a custom look.
Crown molding can be painted to match the walls or used to create contrast in the room.
Wingback Chairs
A wingback chair is a classic piece that adds a touch of elegance to any room. This living room pairs two wingback chairs with a leather sofa and a large area rug.
The room has a traditional feel with the symmetrical layout and classic furniture choices.
The large window lets in plenty of natural light, and the white walls and ceiling make the room feel open and airy.
The exposed wood beams add a touch of character to the space and complement the traditional style.
Historical Artwork
The artwork in this colonial living room is the first thing that catches the eye.
The large painting over the fireplace is a traditional piece with a modern color palette. The gold frame gives it an elegant look.
The painting over the sofa is a vintage map of the area that the home is located in. This is a great way to add a personal touch to your living room.
You could also use a map of a place that is special to you, like where you got married or where you went on your honeymoon.
Colonial Style Lighting Fixtures
Lighting fixtures are not only a necessity in a living room, but they are also an excellent way to add some colonial style to your space.
Chandeliers are a classic lighting fixture in a colonial living room, and there are so many different styles to choose from.
This colonial living room features an elegant, tiered chandelier that adds a touch of luxury to the space.
If you prefer a more understated look, you could opt for a simple, three-light chandelier instead.
Sconces are another popular lighting fixture in a colonial living room.
You can place them on either side of a fireplace, a piece of art, or a mirror. This helps to create a balanced look in the space.
Wooden Beams
Wooden beams are a great way to add a little bit of style to the ceiling of a colonial living room.
They can be left natural, stained, or painted to match the rest of the room.
You can also choose how much or how little of the ceiling you want to cover with the beams.
Pro tip: You can also use faux wooden beams to get this look for less!
Vintage Maps and Globes
If you are a history buff, you will love this colonial living room by Jessica Helgerson Interior Design.
The vintage map of the United States on the wall and the globe on the coffee table add a worldly and historical touch to the room.
If you are looking to add vintage accents to your living room, you can find vintage maps and globes at antique stores and online retailers.
The room features a mix of traditional and contemporary furniture and decor.
The dark wood coffee table and side tables add a classic touch to the room, while the modern sofa and accent chair keep the room feeling fresh.
Colonial Revival Interiors
Colonial Revival architecture became popular in the late 1800s. The style emerged as a response to the industrial revolution and the rise of factories.
Colonial Revival homes are not always replicas of the original structure, but they are inspired by the architectural elements of the colonial era.
This living room by Chris Little & Joe Little is a perfect example of the Colonial Revival style.
The home is a new build, but the design is inspired by the architectural details of the colonial era.
Neutral Upholstery
If you want to create a living room that feels fresh and airy, you can’t go wrong with neutral upholstery.
This living room by Decorist designer Hannah Crowell showcases a white sofa and a pair of white arm chairs.
The neutral upholstery allows the blue and white color scheme to really pop.
The blue and white throw pillows and the large area rug are the perfect finishing touches in this living room.
Colonial Era Textiles
Colonial era textiles are a great way to add a touch of history to a living room. You can find a variety of textiles, like quilts, that are made with a colonial design.
Or, you could opt for a more modern textile, like a throw pillow or a rug, that is made with a colonial design.
These textiles are a great way to add a pop of color and pattern to a living room.
Spindle Chairs
Spindle chairs are a classic piece of furniture that you will see in many colonial-style homes.
There are many different styles of spindle chairs, so you can find one that fits your design perfectly.
The spindle chair in this living room is a modern take on the classic design. It has a sleek, black frame, and plush, white cushions.
The chair is a great way to add a touch of colonial style to the room without overwhelming the space.
Colonial Window Treatments
Window treatments are a great way to add a pop of color to your colonial living room. Curtains with tassels or fringe are a classic colonial design.
You can also use shutters to add a pop of color to your windows.
Shutters are a great way to add a bit of privacy to your living room while still letting in natural light.
Library or Study Nook
If you have a larger living room with an awkward corner, you can turn it into a library or study nook.
This is a great way to break up a large room and create a cozy space.
Built-in bookshelves are a great addition to any living room, but especially a colonial-style room.
You can use the bookshelves to display a mix of books, photos, and decor.
Colonial Inspired Wallpaper
If you are not ready to fully commit to the colonial style, you can try a colonial-inspired wallpaper.
This is a great way to add a touch of the colonial style without having to worry about how it will blend with the rest of your decor.
We love this leafy green wallpaper that adds a pop of color to the room.
The traditional print adds a colonial feel to the space without being too overwhelming.
Quaint Tea Table
A tea table is a classic piece of furniture in any colonial home. The table is usually small and round with delicate legs.
The table is where you would serve tea and small snacks.
This quaint table is a beautiful example of the colonial style. The delicate legs and round top are the perfect accents to the room.
The table is small enough to not take up too much space, but it’s large enough to serve as a functional piece.
Traditional Patterns like Toile
Toile is a classic pattern that is often used in Colonial-style designs.
It is a single color, typically blue, and features a repeating pattern of pastoral scenes. You can find toile on everything from wallpaper to throw pillows.
This living room features a bold, blue toile wallpaper with a matching sofa and chair. The floral arrangements and ginger jar add a touch of color to the space.
Symmetrical Layouts
One of the most defining characteristics of colonial architecture is its symmetrical design. This is also true for a lot of colonial interior design and decor.
In this living room, the furniture is arranged in a very symmetrical layout.
The two sofas face each other and are flanked on either side by matching end tables and lamps.
The wall decor is also hung in a symmetrical pattern, which helps to create a sense of balance in the room.
Collectibles from the Era
If you are a history buff, then you will love the idea of incorporating collectibles from the era into your living room.
This could be anything from furniture to decor pieces to even art.
In this colonial living room, the homeowners have a collection of antique mirrors on the wall.
They also have a beautiful antique sideboard and a pair of wingback chairs that look like they could be from the era.
Conclusion
The ideas and tips we have shared with you on how to decorate a colonial living room will help you get started on your project.
We also shared some of the best examples of colonial living rooms that we could find online. We hope that these examples are helpful to you in your search for inspiration to create a colonial living room that you will love.
We would love to hear your thoughts on the tips and ideas that we have shared with you. Also, we would like to see the colonial living room that you have created.
Please feel free to reach out to us to share your thoughts and photos.
We hope that your colonial living room project goes well and that you end up with a space that you love.
