Martha Stewart's Living Room Redecoration Might Inspire Your Own

Over the last several decades, Martha Stewart has developed a reputation as a go-to source for all things homemaking. Thanks to her extensive collection of published cookbooks, myriad of hosting roles, and multiple lines of homewares in several popular retailers, she's become one of the biggest names in her industry. It's clear that she knows a thing or two about what it takes to make a space feel like home, but when she shared her living room remodel in an Instagram post, opinions were mixed on the final look. As with any personal design decision, there will inevitably be critics, but Stewart defended her remodel. She writes, "We were pleased that the pieces actually fit the room and were proportionate to the large size of the space. [This] was not a "decorator's" professional installation. It was an attempt to change quickly and efficiently, making a house a home," (per Instagram). Those who were a fan of the classic design, however, expressed their support, and many noted that they'd like to create a similar look in their homes.

While Stewart's style has seen obvious changes throughout the years, she's always leaned towards a combination of classic design and rustic décor, and her new living room is no exception. While it's unlikely that most readers will be renovating a living room quite as grand as hers, you can still use similar furniture and decor pieces in your space. Whether you're looking for ways to arrange your dream living room so it's perfect for entertaining guests or you're stumped on how to make your home décor feel cohesive, Stewart's space can provide inspiration.

Much of Martha Stewart's work focuses on hosting parties and entertaining guests, so it's no surprise that her living room is designed to comfortably accommodate a crowd. In her Instagram post, she revealed several different areas filled to the brim with cozy couches, functional tables, and vintage-style chairs. If, like Stewart, you're looking to make the most out of a large space, this can be a fantastic approach. Rather than arranging your furniture around one central point, break it up into several contained areas with a smaller focal point in each. Many people design their living rooms by placing all of the furniture so it's angled towards the television, but in an entertaining space, the goal should be to encourage conversation and mingling. These smaller seating areas arranged around coffee tables are perfect for that.

Even if you're not looking to frequently host, there's another helpful tip that can be found in Stewart's living room: don't be afraid to fill the space. If you're trying to create a more minimalist-inspired home, this obviously won't apply, but a room filled with furniture will feel much cozier and way more comfortable than one with large gaps between pieces. Just make sure you keep everything fairly cohesive — too many mixed styles or colors may start to feel like you're walking through a showroom. She uses beige pieces with black, ornate accents and rustic items like tables and benches that are made out of tree logs. Focus on adding these elements to get a similar look.

Décor is often what brings the personality and style into a space, but it can be challenging to arrange it in a way that feels natural. If you're looking for inspiration, the gallery wall Martha Stewart shared on Instagram is a perfect example of how to pull this off. She arranged 11 framed prints around her fireplace — all lithographs from Carroll Tyson — to create a standout display that brings plenty of interest to the room without overwhelming it. These prints are all from the same line so they're obviously perfect to pair together, but you can accomplish a similar look yourself as long as you keep your framing consistent and choose art with similar colors and motifs. If you want a similar look to Stewart's space, check out PrintShopByTheLake's Audubon Prints Birds of Maine on Etsy.

Another way that Stewart keeps everything flowing is by sticking with a consistent palette throughout the space. The room already has wood accents throughout, but she built on those warm brown tones with light yellow walls and couches, black furniture pieces, cream-colored artwork, and splashes of gold. Even if you decide down the line to bring in more vibrant colors, a cohesive scheme of neutrals will give you a solid base that's timeless and allows everything else to shine. Furthermore, keep in mind that Stewart explains on Instagram that the space is not yet complete. She writes, "Of course there will be color, plants, mirrors, a new rug or two and other art and objects." Don't forget to also include these elements to make the space feel more lively.