5 Ways to Create the Perfect Living Room

To many, the living room seems like the easiest area of the home to decorate. But instead of considering all the layered design elements that should be carefully vetted, it’s easy to get off course and find that you’ve ended up with a haphazard mess. Here are a few items you should thoroughly examine when deciding on your living room’s interior design so that you can avoid any missteps or design blunders.

Sumptuous Seating

This is one area where you don’t want to cut corners on cost or indulge in an impulse buy. A sofa is by far the most-used piece of furniture you’ll have in your home (next to your own bed) and likely where all company will spend time, so you’ll want something that is appealing, comfortable, and durable. It’s also likely the central piece and anchor of your room, so it’s important to purchase a sofa at the right scale. Take into consideration how your sofa will fit in with the other elements of the room before deciding on the right size. A sofa that is too large will make it impossible to decorate the rest of the room effectively, so sometimes you may need to pass until you find the proper fit.

Furthermore, appearance and comfort should be a balancing act, with no one element being disproportionately more evident than the other. An unsightly but comfortable piece won’t remain in your home in the long run, and a beautiful but uncomfortable piece will get no use. Look for something in the middle, that is perhaps more timeless and pared down to meet all needs.

Refined Color Palette

Color will affect how those in your living room feel almost immediately, which is why you should choose your color palette carefully. A warm color will have a different effect than a cool color. Homeowners also love to stick with a white wall for a minimal look, but it’s not always necessary.

Instead, define your style and go from there. While we encourage you to choose colors you love, don’t let your favorite colors run rampant in your living room. When we give into simply choosing what we like, we don’t consider how it will fit in with other elements of the room. Instead, choose a main color, and a handful of complementary colors to fill out the rest of the space, instead of a mismatched palette.

Adequate Lighting

Lighting is important, as a dimly lit room doesn’t have the same appeal as one with brilliant light. While not all rooms are created equal and many can’t have ample amounts of natural light, it’s important to supplement with lamps and light fixtures to make up for a lack of it. Bright light will allow your room to be seen at its full potential. Without proper lighting, colors may look off, or lackluster, and the spaces as a whole will appear more dreary. Layer your lighting around the room, from hanging pendant lamps, to wall sconces, to table lamps, to floor lamps, and see what fits best within your space. For a living room without floor space to spare, you might want to consider a hanging light or a wall sconce. Determine where light is needed in your own space.

Properly Sized Rug

Many homeowners think their rug is a good size for their space, but they’re unknowingly choosing rugs that are far too small for what they’re working with. Don’t be afraid to go bigger with your rugs, as the ideal look for a space is to have a foot-long gap between the rug and wall along the perimeter of the room. Instead, many rooms have almost fully visible flooring, but with a small section (usually a seating area) taken up by a rug. While a smaller rug works just fine in an entryway or bedroom, you’ll want a significantly larger one for your living room. A rug makes a room appear far more comforting, while hard floor can be cold and uninviting, which is why our designers highly suggest the first method.

Perfect the Arrangement

The way your furniture is placed throughout the room can absolutely change the way it is perceived, used, and the amount of space you have available. For example, conversation will be much more easily facilitated when seating is arranged towards each other instead of on the same angle. It’s also important to ensure there is enough space between pieces of furniture so that it does not become difficult or frustrating to navigate around the room. Designate clear pathways, and arrange your furniture in a more clustered formation instead of spread out throughout the space.

Useful Reference Links

Create the Perfect Living Room
7 Steps To The Perfect Living Room
How to design the perfect living room
10 Living Room Design Tips
5 Ways to Create a Cozy Living Room
How to Create the Perfect Living Room Layout

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