Whether you’re starting from scratch or working with existing furniture, the following design tips will help you create the captivating and elegant living room or den you envision. If you’re not sure what look you want to achieve or just need some inspiration, check out magazines, watch home design shows on TV, visit new home showrooms, or hire an interior designer. When assembling all the pieces and layers of a room, the fundamental concerns to consider are style, scale, hierarchy, color, and detail.
Style – Generally speaking, style is usually described in terms of modern, contemporary, transitional, traditional, or eclectic. However, more descriptive definitions include choosing a theme such as Traditional Georgian, 1960s Modern Retro, Contemporary Coastal, etc. Maintaining a consistent style in a room can make a strong statement about that particular style. On the other hand, mixing styles can add interesting complexity to a room. Decide on a style and theme early in the design process so you have a strong direction.
Scale: Whether the furniture is big and chunky or small and small, the whole set should appear proportioned, balanced and harmonious. Big, bulky furniture usually should have bold accents and accessories. If a room is small, very large furniture can make the room seem smaller. However, a few larger pieces are better than many smaller pieces. Conversely, small pieces of furniture can get lost in a large room, especially one with high ceilings.
One design solution for spaces with high ceilings is to use long curtains. This helps define the scale of the room and can create a dramatic impression. If the ceilings are low, stick with lower height furniture to avoid making the ceiling appear lower. To make a room look bigger, use mirrors. They give the illusion of more space.
If you’re buying new furniture, it’s a good idea to draw a floor plan to scale and add the furniture to the plan. This helps not only to understand the scale, but also to know if the space will work correctly. Is there enough space to move, sit and walk?
Hierarchy: Establishing a hierarchy provides organization and focus to a room. When it comes to a living room, the placement of the sofa and chairs is of paramount importance. Identify the focal point of the room. This could be a beautiful exterior view, a feature wall with a group of pictures, or a fireplace. Use the largest pieces of furniture to reinforce the focal point. Then continue with other smaller pieces.
Use area rugs to identify and organize spaces. Rugs are good for visually bringing together the sofa and chairs. If your living room and dining room are in the same room, a rug placed in the living room will help to separate the two spaces. Also, a separate screen is another good option.
Colors: Of course, color has a dramatic impact on the character of a room. Identify an inspiring piece, such as a rug, fabric, or picture, to determine your color palette. If your theme is coastal, you may want to incorporate shades of blue or neutrals. If your theme is traditional, strong reds, blues, or greens may be best suited. Pale creams and beige walls will give the impression of more space. Warm colors, like reds and yellows, can make a space seem smaller. Pale colors tend to be more relaxing, while strong colors are more uplifting.
When choosing a color from a swatch, choose at least one shade lighter than you think you want. When the color is placed on the wall, it will appear more intense than when it was on the swatch.
For rooms where you spend a lot of time, it’s usually best to keep the colors neutral. Limit the use of strong colors to small areas. Stronger colors work best for rooms or areas like a bathroom, hallway stairwell, or bedroom that are used for a limited time.
Details: A really good design concept can be ruined by clumsy execution. Therefore, take the time to ensure that the furniture is in good repair and that the accessories go well with the overall theme. There are times when the worn and weathered look is desirable. But if it is worn, it must be repaired, reconditioned or replaced. Accessories may be in a different style than furniture, but they should be matched in terms of scale and color.
The table lamp is an important accessory because it is both sculptural and functional. Lighting alone can change the entire mood of a room. Make sure the size, color, and shape are appropriate for the location. In general, drum tones look more modern and tapered ones look more traditional. In a traditional setting, changing the style of a lamp from traditional to modern or contemporary is one way to give a room a more updated look.
Interior designers often recommend the use of incandescent bulbs because the light emitted is considered more conducive to creating an attractive environment. However, if you are looking to reduce energy consumption, the compact fluorescent light bulb is an affordable alternative to consider. Lighting quality has improved over the years and some people prefer them.
Position images at eye level to prevent the ceiling from appearing lower. In addition, lower hanging images help to visually unify the images with the furniture located below, if any. Limit the use of family photos in the living room. It is better to place family photos, trophies, diplomas in a bedroom, study or office. If you are using multiple images to create a focal point, group them as if there were an imaginary frame around them. Don’t spread them.
Hopefully this short article has given you some ideas for designing your living room. A well-designed room has an almost magical quality and can be inspiring. Most importantly, make sure the room reflects your style and personality.
