One of the most important rooms in your house is the living room. It’s where you host parties, unwind after a long day, and spend time with your family. So, your living room must be both comfortable and stylish. But how do you design a living room that reflects your personal style while also being functional? Follow these six steps, and you’ll be on your way to the perfect living room in no time.
1. Define the Purpose of Your Living Room
Before you start shopping for furniture or picking out paint colors, you need to take a step back and define the purpose of your living room. This will help you determine what kind of furniture and décor you need. For example, if you entertain guests frequently, you’ll need enough seating for everyone and possibly a coffee table or side table for drinks.
If you have young children, you might want to consider investing in furniture with rounded edges or slipcovers that can be easily removed and washed. And if you work from home, you’ll need a space for your home office.
2. Choose a Color Scheme
Once you know what kind of look and feel you’re going for, it’s time to choose a color scheme. Do you want something bright and cheery? Or calm and serene? Maybe something bold and dramatic? Whatever mood you’re trying to set, there’s a color scheme that will help you achieve it.
You can also use colors to make your living room feel bigger or cozier. Light, neutral colors can make a small space feel open and airy, while dark colors can add drama and cozy up a large room. When in doubt, stick to a classic neutral color palette and add pops of color with décor items like throw pillows or blankets.
3. Select Your Furniture Pieces
Now it’s time to start shopping for furniture! Remember to keep the purpose of your living room in mind as you select pieces that reflect your personal style. If you entertain guests often, ensure enough seating for everyone. And if you have young children, look for durable and easy-to-clean furniture.
Visit the furniture store to try out pieces before you buy, and make sure they’re comfortable and stylish. And measure the dimensions of your living room to ensure the furniture fits without overcrowding the space. Once you’ve selected all your pieces, it’s time to arrange them in a way that makes sense for the space and promotes conversation.
4. Hang Some Artwork
No room is complete without artwork! Whether it’s paintings, photographs, or even just some framed prints from your favorite store, artwork can really help bring a room together and make it feel like home. Plus, it’s a great way to add some personal flair to your space.
You can hang artwork above your sofa or above any empty wall space. Or, try leaning art against the wall for a more casual look. Just make sure to hang them at eye level and group them in odd numbers for a visually pleasing display.
5. Add Some Greenery
Plants are beautiful and have some great health benefits (like purifying the air), so they’re definitely worth adding to any room in your home—including the living room. Choose plants that fit with your personal style and aren’t too difficult to care for.
Try placing a tall plant in the corner of the room or grouping several smaller plants on a shelf or coffee table. And if you don’t have a green thumb, plenty of realistic-looking fake plants out there require no maintenance.
6. Layer Your Lighting
Lighting is key when it comes to creating the perfect atmosphere in any room—and that includes the living room! You’ll want to layer different types of lighting (overhead, task, accent) to ensure that the space is well-lit no matter what time of day or activity you’re doing in the space.
When choosing lighting fixtures, consider both form and function. Look for pieces that match the style of your room and provide enough light for any tasks, like reading or playing board games. And don’t forget about natural light! Keep window treatments sheer to let in as much sunlight as possible during the day.
Designing the perfect living room doesn’t have to be difficult! Just follow these six steps—define the purpose of your living room, choose a color scheme, select your furniture pieces, hang some artwork, add some greenery, and layer your lighting —and you’ll be on your way to creating a space that reflects your personal style and is both comfortable and functional.
