Is it just me, or is the greige, ultra-modern, neutral aesthetic just soooo…..boring and passé? I don’t want my entire apartment to look like a Skims showroom. The entire vibe just feels so 2010s. In the post pandemic era, it feels like everyone is ready for FUN, whimsical interior design choices again. Out with the boring neutrals, and in with the bold colors and funky living room furniture. There’s just something about a burst of color or an interesting shape that injects a shot of much needed dopamine into the brain (#dopaminedecor is a real thing, I learned on TikTok).
Take a look at the incredible, colorful Brooklyn living room of Maitry Mody from @honeyidressedthepug below. It is the perfect example of how funky, colorful furniture pieces can make a living space come alive.
If you’re ready to embrace the fun, maximalist aesthetic, keep reading! In this blog post, I share 12 funky living room furniture pieces that will help your living room pop with personality and stand out.
1. Squiggly Mirror
Mirrors are not just for checking your reflection or making a space look larger—they can also be incredible statement pieces. A squiggly mirror adds a playful, artistic touch to any living room. With its wavy, irregular shape, it breaks the monotony of traditional decor and brings an element of fun and creativity. Hang it above your couch or in your entryway to create an eye-catching focal point.
2. Glass Mushroom Lamp
These glass mushroom lamps have been trending on Pinterest and Instagram – for good reason! They add a funky retro vibe to any room, and will add some great soft mood lighting to your living room.
3. Something Shaped like Food
Adding a touch of whimsy to your decor, furniture pieces shaped like food items can be a fun conversation starter. Consider a cheese shaped side table, or a hotdog shaped rug. These quirky items are sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face and add a playful element to your living room.
4. Floating Stand Bookshelf
A bookshelf doesn’t have to be just a boring plain storage unit. I love these tall, slim floating stand bookshelves for adding an architectural, dramatic element to living rooms. An interesting bookshelf can become a central feature of the room, showcasing not only your books but also your personality. Fill it with your favorite reads, decorative objects, and personal mementos to make it truly your own.
5. Jewel Toned, “Organically” Shaped Accent Chair
There’s nothing like a cute accent chair that says “I put thought and love into my home”. Maybe it’s because most modern, generic hotels and furnished apartments just throw in a basic, vanilla sofa and call it a day. Your accent chair is like the stamp that says this is MY space, and reflects my unique taste.
I think a jewel-toned chair with an “organic” shape – think fluid lines and bulbous shapes that are usually only found in nature – can be visually interesting and perfectly complementary to a funky, maximalist living room. You can even choose unexpected textures like velvet, satin or boucle.
6. Coffee Table Featuring Curves
Straight lines and right angles can be predictable. A coffee table with curves, whether it’s a round table, an oval design, or something more abstract, can add softness and intrigue to your living room. These tables can be both functional and striking, making them perfect for a standout piece. Pair it with some colorful coffee table books, or some unique sculptural decorative accents, to complete the look.
7. Colorful Media Console
No funky living room is complete without a media console to display your entertainment device of choice, whether that’s a vintage record player or a modern flat screen TV. Choose a colorful, curvy shaped one to provide the perfect structure to display your personal collection of knick-knacks, whether it be collections of books, vinyl records, or even vases.
8. Textured Colorful Rug
A colorful rug with an interesting texture or pattern can make your entire space feel more homey and comfortable. Look for rugs with bold patterns and interesting textures that are both comfortable and vibrant. Also, look forrugs that feature colors that are present in the rest of your space. For example, look at how the royal blue in the checkered area in the picture below features prominently in the artwork, pillows, and furniture in the living room. This can tie the entire space together and harmonize otherwise clashing colors.
9. Acrylic, Transparent Side Table
Acrylic furniture is sleek and modern, and a transparent side table can give your living room a retro, mod vibe. These tables can blend into any decor style, providing functionality and style without overwhelming the space. Place one next to your sofa or armchair to hold a lamp, books, or decorative items.
10. Something shaped like the Human Figure (or a body part)
Incorporating furniture or decor shaped like the human figure or body parts can add a surreal and artistic touch to your living room. Consider items like a chair shaped like a hand you can sit on, bookends shaped like human hands, or a sculptural stool that mimics a human sculpture by one of those Renaissance era European artists.
The bright orange color makes it look modern and cool.
Credit: Urban Outfitters
11. Maximalist Wall Art
A gallery wall of art does so much to liven up a space and add visual intrigue. Also, the beauty of gallery walls is that there are absolutely no rules. You can literally choose a random assortment of artwork that tickles your fancy and they will somehow mesh together into a beautiful mosaic that reflects the uniqueness of your personal taste. Gallery walls can also be interesting conversation starters for your guests, so go ahead and choose pieces that reflect your personal history, hobbies and passions.
12. Colorful Sofa
I believe no funky living room is complete without a bright colored sofa. Sofas are the centerpiece of any living room, and a colorful one can draw attention and set the tone for your entire space. Choose a bold, unexpected hue like emerald green, royal blue or hot pink. You can further accessorize it with colorful throw blankets and textured pillows, or just leave it unadorned as a standout piece all on its own. As for sofa shapes, I would go for simple, elegant clean lines since the color is rather loud already.
I hope these tips have sparked some inspiration for you to create the eclectic, funky, maximalist living room of your dreams. The beauty of this interior design style is that there are no rules: different living rooms all recreating this style can look totally unique from one another. So go ahead, mix and match, and experiment. Whatever you come up with, will definitely be the perfect inspirational backdrop for both your solitary creative pursuits, and interesting conversations with party guests.
