Skip to main content

Here’s why you should consider Moroccan living room furniture

Moroccan inspired living room
Travelpixs/Shutterstock

Have you ever dreamed of having a living room that perfectly married style and comfort? One that showcases a worldly aesthetic and plays with color, pattern, and texture? Moroccan living room design offers an exotic and inspiring look that is both pleasing to the eye and welcoming to guests. It harmonizes form and function by incorporating furniture pieces that invite relaxation and awaken the senses. Here, we explore how to bring this look into your space to create a living room you and your guests may never want to leave.

What is Moroccan design?

Inspired by the African country, Moroccan design embraces a global vibe that features rich, bold hues and interesting textures. Think patterned rugs, comfortable sitting areas layered with pillows in many colors and shapes, and accessories that bring added warmth. Its pieces and fabrics are often very forgiving and work well in high-traffic spaces. This style simultaneously makes a design feel like it is inspired by a far-off place yet is so welcoming anyone would feel at home in it.

Build the foundation

Moroccan living room furniture starts with a comfortable foundation of low-profile seats. At the heart of the design are pieces that invite family and friends to come together and congregate. Traditionally these may be built-in banquettes lined with large cushions and are typically surrounded by a coffee table or a series of small tables. Often they feature colorful, patterned fabric. If you love the look of the Moroccan banquettes, but built-ins are not possible in your space, find a low-profile sectional sofa for a similar look. This will echo the feel, and its lower design will encourage guests to sit back and relax.

Create layers

One of the keystones of this aesthetic is layering. Patterned rugs are a touchstone in Moroccan design. Diamond or zig-zag patterns are some of the most popular variations. This is seen in the Beni Ourain rugs, which have garnered so much popularity in the last few years they have dominated Pinterest boards and Instagram feeds alike. An authentic one will cost you, but these days you can find reasonably priced versions that will give you the look without breaking the bank. Another floor covering that works well in a Moroccan living room is a richly patterned rug with bold colors. Use the rugs to designate the seating area and add a layer of comfort to the room.

Moroccan design is also known for having added seating that provides flexibility. Leather poufs or large floor cushions placed opposite the main seating invite conversation, and carved wooden chairs or stools add interest to the space. Look for tables that are fashioned out of rich woods and feature intricate detailing.

Close up of pillows and pouf
Lifestyle Travel Photo/Shutterstock

Add accents

Window coverings are often full-length curtains in gauzy fabrics that give the room another layer of softness and are usually white with textured detail, richly colored, or include repeat patterns.

To bring your Moroccan living room together, add in accents to complete the design—layer on pillows with different textures and patterns and woven throws. For example, you can drape Morrocan wedding blankets on seating areas, chairs, and tables. While color may typically be a big factor in this look, it should also incorporate hand-crafted elements such as woven baskets, wooden bowls, or warm metal accents. Lanterns are also a popular addition to this design and can be placed on tables or hung in groupings to offer a warm, soft glow in the evenings. If you want to add more dimension, mirrors in interesting shapes or framed with detailed metal or wood will reflect light in the space.

A Moroccan-inspired living room will give you a space that showcases unique pieces and welcomes guests to come together. It embraces furniture that encourages lounging and communal conversation.

Editors' Recommendations

Darcey Gohring
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Darcey Gohring is a freelance writer based just outside New York City. She served as the managing editor of New Jersey…
Velvet is a luxe material – here’s how to style a gorgeous couch
Glam up your space by using these tips to style your luxe velvet sofa
Light blue velvet couch with blankets

It’s hard not to love the luxe and elegant aesthetic of a classic velvet sofa. For maximalists, vintage lovers, whimsigoth interior fans, and those who favor a glamorous design, velvet couches are a fantastic way to heighten the elegance of your home.

However, velvet couches come with their own unique challenges. Aside from knowing how to properly clean the furniture, a velvet sofa needs to be styled appropriately to best exude its opulent aura. So, here are some of our best tips for styling this gorgeous couch.
Make your velvet sofa a statement
The best thing you can do for your velvet couch is let it have the spotlight. Velvet sofas make a statement in any space, and when you lean into that; they can become a stunning feature in your home. To make your velvet sofa a statement, center it in the room rather than push it up against the wall.

Read more
Everything you need to know about the whimsical fairycore style
What is fairycore? Here's what to know about this magical Pinterest trend
White bedroom with hanging vines and other plants

Fairycore has become a trendy design style for young girls and teens looking to create a whimsical and magical aesthetic in their bedrooms. Though, this style goes far beyond the bedroom and has proven to be a popular dorm and apartment aesthetic for young people. Thanks to the fantasy hype often seen on TikTok and Pinterest, fairycore has emerged as a unique and whimsical design style that many adore for its fairy-tale-esque aesthetic.

Today, we’ll discuss exactly what fairycore is and how it has gained so much popularity with the younger crowd. And, of course, we’re offering our tips on how to best use fairycore in your design. So, if you want to explore a magical and fantastical design style, then this could be just what you need.
What is fairycore?
Fairycore is a blend of soft pastel and earthy tones, plants, crystals, vintage trinkets, flowy decor, and anything that inspires a "fairy-like" aesthetic. The goal of this style is to emulate classic fairy tropes and fairy-tale scenery, particularly forest scenes and anything that reminds the viewer of fairies. As a result, you’ll often see features like decorative moss, crocheted animals, mushrooms, butterflies, flowers and vines, furniture with a whimsical feel, and sheer fabrics in a fairycore design.

Read more
Don’t over-theme your beach home. Here’s what to do instead
Prevent your coastal decor from going overboard by balancing nautical and sophisticated design
Beach-themed vacation home decor

Decorating a beach home so it doesn’t look over-themed and kitschy can be challenging. While it’s easy to gravitate toward the oversized conch shells and the nautical life buoy decor, doing so can make your home look "theme" and lack sophistication. However, it’s fairly simple to create a chic look without making a beach home look like a tacky seaside tourist trap. After all, we’ve all been to one of those pirate-themed fish restaurants with the netting on the ceiling. The last thing you want is for your home to look like it’s gone overboard!

So today, we’re giving you some ideas on how to find a balance between your nautical sea decor and a sophisticated and modern look.
Less is more
The main issue many homeowners face when styling a beach home is adding too much to the coastal design. From shells to furniture, it’s easy to get carried away and add an excessive amount of decor. However, too many decor items quickly make the design feel overwhelming, cluttered, and super cliché.

Read more