The living room is, without a doubt, one of the most important rooms in your house. After all, your living room is your entertainment center, a meeting area for family movie nights, and a gathering spot for guests. It’s natural to be nervous before decorating such a large room. Not to worry: we’ve put up a step-by-step guide on how to style a living room like it belongs in a magazine.
Make a list of your measurements.
There is one thing you must do before you jot down all of your living room design ideas: measure. If you don’t measure every nook and cranny, your entire living room design, including window treatments, furniture, and carpets, may be incorrect or won’t fit in the space.
Walls with windows, doors, or insets should be treated with special caution because they will limit the room’s layout. When you go shopping, bring this sketch with you. It will help you prevent having an accident or purchasing incorrectly sized furniture.
Nobody wants to slant their new leather sofa into their new perfect living room.
Create a layout in your mind.
To plan out the layout of your living room, you don’t need to be an interior designer or an architect. If you take the time to draw out a floor plan for your room, you can have a clearer idea of what furniture you’ll need.
It might assist you in determining whether your new bar cabinet or huge sectional sofa will fit in your space. At the same time, it may assist you in recognizing that that extra cabinet will not fit.
Consider your floor plan or layout as a beginning point for imagining how your living space will seem. After that, make a list of the key items you’ll need in the space and rank them in order of importance.
Decide on a look.
The most challenging element of decorating your living space is deciding on a color scheme. The way you wish to live, on the other hand, will determine where and how you acquire furnishings. Consider your desired look: modern, contemporary, relaxed, formal, warm, farmhouse, or inviting. Choosing a style might help you figure out what you require.
Think about the following issues:
- What am I going to do in my living room?
- How many people are going to be spending regular time there?
- Will I be throwing parties?
While these may appear to be unrelated questions, they may help you choose the type of furniture you’ll require.
If you plan on spending a lot of time in the living room watching TV, a comfortable sectional couch may be more important than accent chairs. A loveseat paired with accent chairs and ottomans, on the other hand, may offer you with additional alternatives in establishing a comfortable seating area that promotes conversation if you want to host parties.
First, locate the sofa.
The first thing that springs to mind while looking for living room ideas is generally a sofa. It makes sense; the couch is typically the largest piece of furniture in your living room, and its placement will determine how the rest of the furniture is arranged.
Select a sofa that will act as the room’s main point. Keep the practicality of your living room in mind. A sectional is a better choice than a loveseat if you anticipate spending a lot of time here watching TV.
Furthermore, lifestyle variables such as dogs and children will increase the importance of the sofa’s material.
When choosing an accent piece, a large sofa, or experimenting with different seating options, make sure you don’t over-saturate the area. While you want your seating area to be comfortable, you also want to make sure you have enough space to walk around without tripping over the edges of the sofa or coffee table.
Choose an Area Rug
Buying area rugs might be tough if you don’t know what you need. For your living room, you should pick a rug that is large enough to fit all of your furniture. Between the carpet’s borders and the room’s walls, leave at least 10 to 20 inches of bare floor. Keep in mind that if your area rugs are too small, they can make your living space look disjointed.
Nowadays, you can even layer several area rugs to provide depth and texture. If you’re looking for an experimental atmosphere, consider mixing and combining different forms and textures to create a complicated design that will make the living area appear more grounded.
Obtain Appropriate Lighting
To make your living area look finished, you’ll need three types of lighting: ambient, task, and accent. Use a mix of ceiling chandeliers, table and floor lamps for accent lighting, and wall sconces for ambient lighting around the main sofa to accomplish this look. Because lighting may be tricky, make sure you have a basic idea of how you want your living room to look before you go out and buy lights.
You have a lot of alternatives when it comes to lighting. Depending on the style of your living area, you may play around with the objects you add.
For example, on one side, you might use a statement lamp that complements your side table, while on the other, you could use a floor lamp that provides different illumination. You’re not only selecting the ideal lighting for each region of your living room, but you’re also including other elements to make the space more fascinating.
Choose a color palette.
When it comes to living room ideas, choose the right paint color is crucial. Choose a color scheme that goes well with your furniture, your home’s overall style, and the aesthetic you wish to accomplish in this room.
Remember that lighting will play an important role in choosing the right paint colors, therefore combine steps four and five.
Remember that you may mix and match different décor designs and colors. In your living area, don’t be afraid to mix and match colors, patterns, and styles. To avoid the space being too overwhelming, make sure there is a cohesive theme, whether it’s a color, a style, or a subject matter.
Add Wall Art and Decorations
No living room design ideas would be complete without wall art and accessories. Don’t go mad thinking you have to fill every square inch of the room. Because it provides a place for your eyes to rest, empty space is crucial in creating soothing settings. Cushions, taper candles, blankets, and mirrors, as well as wall art, will help to tie the space together and complete the look.
It might be tough to find artwork that fits in with your surroundings. Keep the overall theme in mind while selecting wall art. When it comes to wall decorations, remember that they are often extremely personal choices that reflect your personality. Other components can be carefully positioned, such as a huge floor mirror against a small wall to make the area look larger.
