Photo by Dayvison de Oliveira Silva from Pexels
Creating a well-designed living room area that mixes curated elegance and lived-in charm, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a design rookie, can be a struggle. But with a bit of thinking and a few tips, there’s no reason you can’t change your living room into an inviting paradise.
1. Know your space.
The space itself is a fantastic place to begin. Make a floor plan for your new canvas by measuring and sketching it out. Make a mental note of where windows and doors are and fireplaces and other features that will influence furniture placement.
2. Make a list of your needs.
After you’ve figured out your dimensions, consider what you’ll need from your area. For example, if you’re the person who makes people laugh, make your room conversation-friendly by including plenty of seating that can be moved about and gathered together. Do you prefer movies and popcorn? Look for a spacious, comfortable 3-seater sofa and think about where you want to put your TV.
If you have children or dogs, think about the endurance of the new components you buy and prepare ahead for any toy storage you might need.
3. Discover Your Style
Do you believe sleek, modern furniture makes you feel calm or cold? Is a stuffed bookshelf messy or lived-in? When you’re drawn to a variety of styles, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Appreciate the various aesthetics, but it would be impossible to put them all in one room. Consider your lifestyle as well as the aesthetics that will function best in your space.
An old Hollywood glamour or Scandinavian minimalism design may appear great in a magazine, but that doesn’t imply they’re the perfect styles for you. If you’re still having problems, try looking at the images or spaces you frequently check. It’s a good idea to consider what you find timeless—what do you go back to time and time again? What kinds of places make you feel the way you want to feel in your own home?
4. Make a color palette.
While many distinct aesthetics favor specific color palettes, it’s still vital to consider which colors work best in your home. Examining trends you’ve already noticed in your area can be beneficial. For example, do you like a more moody, rich palette, or do you prefer neutral tones? Is there a particular accent color that you frequently use in your home?
Suppose you have a favorite piece of old furniture or a rug that you want to incorporate. In that case, you can use it as the foundation for the color scheme and let it guide the rest of the area. Keep in mind the other materials in the room, as they will impact the overall color palette. Keep your wood tones consistent and colder styles like greys, blues, and greens to offer a little visual contrast to warmer interiors for a more coherent aesthetic.
5. Establish a budget.
It may seem obvious, but knowing how much money you want to spend ahead of time will save you time and money in the long run. This is because budgets are all about priorities when it comes to design. Setting a reasonable budget necessitates understanding what components you are prepared to spend money on, what you require right now, and what you may add later.
Rugs and lights can be just as expensive as larger pieces, so conduct some research at your favorite stores to get an idea of how many decors in your style will cost. If you want to include custom millwork, furniture, or upholstery, seek quotations ahead of time, so you know where you’ll need to cut costs. Finally, leave some room in your budget if you fall in love with anything special or unique along the road. You never know where your next design idea will come from.
6. Prioritize large items.
You’re ready to start shopping once you’ve completed all of your homework. Begin with the focal pieces that will serve as the space’s anchor. When it comes to living room furniture, a good sofa is a fantastic place to start. Always go for timeless lines and a neutral cloth or leather so that your style fits in the room no matter what.
A magnificent old rug, an ancestral chair you want to show off, or even a wall of bookcases displaying your collections might all be focal points. No matter what you want to center your area upon, starting with the larger pieces will help you focus on the design as you go.
7. Fill in the missing pieces.
It’s time to fine-tune your design now that your key points are in place. Filling in the gaps, like fitting the final pieces of a puzzle together, can be pleasant, but it can also be intimidating. These are the elements that are frequently neglected but can elevate your home. The lighting, according to designers, is the most significant component.
Lighting is often an afterthought when visitors stroll into your living area. It is, nonetheless, undoubtedly the most crucial part of the design. The correct kind and amount of lighting and color, temperature, and intensity significantly impact a space’s mood, usability, and appearance.
Instead of using downlights, a few designer tricks include focusing on uplighting your ceiling to generate an excellent equal illumination. To achieve that warm glow, set your LED lighting to a warmer color temperature. Don’t hesitate to go beyond the traditional table and floor lamps for attractive accent lights, such as well-placed wall sconces or tastefully hung pendant lights.
8. Add a personal touch to your finishing touches.
Finally, your home should reflect your individuality. When you add those unique touches, even a clean, minimalist home may feel warm and inviting. Bring in some candles, a stack of favorite books, or a couple of art pieces to hang on the wall or rest against a piece of furniture. Explore the world and keep an eye out for unique objects that reflect your hobbies.
If you’re a big fan of antiques, you can scavenge through vintage or antique shops whenever you like. The more chaotic a store is, the better since that’s when you’ll locate those hidden treasures. When in doubt, add extra plants, which will always lend warmth and a lived-in vibe to a place. Accessories are an excellent way to transform a well-designed space into a personal space.
Always remember that anyone can turn their living room into a mindful retreat, regardless of their space, money, or style.