Marilyn Monroe Living Room Ideas

Seating

• A red, deep-seated sofa with high arms is the main focal point for a Marilyn Monroe living room. Mexican-style furniture dominated the actress's taste in home decor, which you can incorporate with small wooden, cushion-covered stools. A leather-covered coffee table similar to Monroe's shares double duty as a comfortable place to sit. Obtain a Bocca-style sofa, inspired by Monroe and in the shape of a large red pout, for a more obvious Marilyn Monroe living room piece.

Statues

• Select a few statues to complement the decor in the living room. According to Marilyn Monroe Pages, she had an affinity for sculptures, and was particularly fond of Rodin. Pick up replica of Rodin's "The Kiss," a statue of a man and woman sharing a passionate kiss. Display the statue on a glass-covered end table or the fireplace mantel. Include a bust of ancient Egypt's Nefertiti like Monroe had on display in her New York Waldorf apartment.

Wall Art

• An eclectic collection is just the way to create art decoration in a Marilyn Monroe living room. Hang paintings on the walls over the sofa or above the fireplace. Use frames that coordinate with the mix of Mexican and modern style of furniture that was prominent in Monroe's home in California. Give a nod to Monroe's passion for framed art with a few replicas of a couple of her favorite painters, Picasso and Goya.

Odds and Ends

• Once you complete the layout of furniture and select the fine artwork for the walls and tables, you need to include a few pieces of the legend herself. You can find portraits of Marilyn Monroe in most collectible shops that you can place in frames to match the living room. Place magazines on the coffee and end tables, including such pieces as a vintage Life Magazine with Marilyn on the cover. Have books by Arthur Miller and Joe DiMaggio memorabilia positioned in the living room.