What’s the most important room in your home?
Kitchens and bathrooms may sell houses, but there’s no denying the living room’s all-star status. This is where you unwind after a long day or entertain your guests. It’s also the location of movie marathons and game nights.
Who wouldn’t love a stunning space to enjoy every day?
If you dream of a beautiful living room, read on. You’re just seven tips away from creating your dream living room.
Think Like a Designer
After the kitchen, the living room is one of the most utilized spaces in the home. So it should not only look great, but it should perform well too. When planning your perfect living room, remember to think of style and function.
1. Decide on a Purpose
First things first: how will you use this space?
Larger homes have room for a separate media lounge and play area. In that case, the living room might be an elegant and kid-free space. This is your chance to go for luxurious furnishing or light-colored fabric.
Will your living room house a television and children’s toys? Multi-purpose spaces require storage and durable furniture.
2. What’s Your Style?
It’s important to define your style before picking out furniture and paint.
If you’re not sure where to begin, your home’s architecture has tons of clues. The interior design should flow with the exterior. For example, ornate wooden chairs would look out of place in a modern home.
To brush up on interior design lingo, Pinterest and magazines offer a helpful visual. Try searching terms like:
- Contemporary
- Mid-Century Modern
- Coastal
- French Country
- Modern Farmhouse
3. Choose a Focal Point
Every room has a spot that commands attention and your living room is no different. Your focal point will influence your furniture layout and how you enjoy the space.
Do you have a prominent fireplace or a large window with scenic views? Create a seating area and encourage people to gather around it.
Maybe you want to show off some stunning artwork. Hang smaller pieces on an opposite wall to provide balance.
Whatever your focal point, be sure to draw attention to it.
4. Furniture: Lay It Out Like a Pro
Whether you purchase a new Minotti Andersen sofa or use a well-loved piece, furniture should fit with the room’s overall scale. Sure, a large couch is comfortable. But it can also crowd your space.
Don’t forget to make room for accent pieces. You’ll need side tables for drinks and a coffee table to put your feet on.
It may be tempting to push your furniture to the edge of the room. But interior designers have a better idea. Pulling the couch off the wall creates breathing space. Contrary to popular belief, it can make your room feel bigger.
Create a conversation space by grouping the couch and side chairs together. About forty-eight to a hundred inches should do the trick. This is close enough for people to hear each other without raising their voices.
Have a large room? You’ve got enough space for multiple seating zones.
Rugs can help define these spaces. People often make the mistake of purchasing ones that are too small. Your rug should be large enough for all of your furniture to sit on it.
5. Color Your World
The paint section can be overwhelming. But picking the right color is easier than you think.
Do you have a favorite shirt or piece of art? Bring it to the home improvement store and get a perfect match mixed. You might use this color on your walls. But if it’s too bold for your taste, it can be a great jumping-off point.
Paint companies often take the guesswork out of building a color scheme. Try to find a sample close to your inspiration color. The paint chip will show you contrasting and complimentary colors. These are great options for your walls or your accents.
Remember that store lighting differs from the natural light shining through your windows. Before committing to a color, bring home samples and try them on your walls. Leave them up for a week and watch how the color changes throughout the day.
6. Let There Be Light
Speaking of light, have you upgraded your lighting from the basic builder fixtures? What are you waiting for? New lighting won’t just brighten up your space. Like jewelry, the right pieces will add a touch of elegance and sophistication.
Each room should have a variety of lights. Aim to layer in these types:
- Ambient lighting: pot lights, flush mounts, ceiling tracks
- Task lighting: floor lamps, swing arm table lamps
- Accent lighting: wall sconces, bookshelf lamps, candles
7. Don’t Forget the Finishing Touches
When decorating the living room, minor details can go a long way to creating major wow factor.
Have you ever noticed how crown molding and trim can elevate a room? There are many styles to choose from and they don’t take long to install.
Similarly, don’t overlook your finishes. Create consistency by choosing the same metal for all your hardware and repeating wood tones.
Love to accessorize? Here’s an opportunity to go bold! Designers recommend buying neutral furniture. But accessories are an inexpensive way to incorporate the latest trends. Bring in pops of color with pillows and throw blankets. They can easily be changed when the mood strikes.
You can also show your personality through art and knickknacks. Hang prints at eye level, and group items by theme. This will make the difference between a curated collection instead of a cluttered space.
Creating Your Dream Living Room Is Easy
With some careful planning and effort, you can design a beautiful living room by yourself. We hope these tips have inspired you to start decorating.
Hoping to put your new design-savvy to good use? After you’ve completed your dream living room, why not work on the rest of your house? Our site is full of great ideas. Be sure to look around!