Avoid creating an impractical space by starting with an overall plan for each room rather than jumping right to finding individual accessories, pillows and paintings to furnish it. Doing this will prevent a disorganized look which doesn’t reflect your lifestyle and family needs.
Create an elegant living room design by using similar colors and textures throughout. In this example, purple throw pillows, framed artwork and even a fringed rug work well to bring harmony and consistency.
Color
Whether you are designing a modern farmhouse or a romantic, feminine space, understanding colour theory can help you land on your ideal colour palette. If you are using the wheel to figure out what colours work together, stick to these colours.
Take your lifestyle and your family’s needs into consideration when choosing a palette. If you like to entertain, seating practical for large groups could be worthwhile; on the other hand, huddling on the sofa for film sessions could be the goal.
If the design rule or principle doesn’t ring a chord within you, ignore it and do what feels like you – designing an aesthetic living room should be all about creating a space for people who want to feel comfortable, which for some may be bold – eclectic.
Lighting
Living rooms serve as the hub of any home and need to provide both relaxation and socialization opportunities. Installing multiple types of lighting will enable everyone in your family to utilize this space for its intended purposes.
If your family enjoys watching movies together on movie nights, a large sectional is an ideal focal point. To promote conversation and provide ample seating capacity for everyone involved, create a circle seating arrangement instead.
Before beginning decorating, designer Mark Lavender advises identifying how you want to use the space. Doing this will guide your decisions and produce an end product that meets your lifestyle – such as considering light levels for TV viewing: dimmable light settings are better suited than bright, daylight-like ones as they won’t cause eye strain; additionally consider mixing flood and spot lighting elements together for optimal illumination of decorative elements.
Furniture
An ideal living room requires furniture that is both comfortable and appropriate for its intended uses. Arranging the main pieces so they create an eye-catching focal point will draw visitors into the space.
Consider each piece’s size, style, and function when determining how it can enhance a focal point area. Traditional design guidelines often specify required spacing recommendations to achieve optimal arrangement results.
As part of your living space design process, other practical considerations should include assessing its accessibility and flexibility. Is any furniture underutilized or blocking flow in the room? If this is the case, consider downsizing or moving these pieces out of their current positions.
Accessories
Accessories play an essential role in creating an inviting atmosphere in any space, drawing attention and providing rhythm for a balanced look and feel. Utilizing accessories that repeat colors, shapes and textures throughout a room helps tie everything together and makes it appear intentional.
If you opt for a bold-colored sofa, use floor runners and artwork featuring prominent pops of that color across other aspects of the room to unify its look. Even small items can serve as decorative accessories; book stacks featuring complementary cover colors or catchall trays can help corral books and trinkets in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
Designing an inviting living space that’s truly your own begins by selecting design elements that reflect your personal style and lifestyle. By carefully selecting furniture and accessories to reflect these ideals, your dream home can become reality – all that remains now is enjoying it!
