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If you had to choose the heart of your home, chances are that your living room would come to mind. Most homeowners use their living room as a shared space to relax after a long day, take a midday nap, watch a movie with their family, or entertain houseguests. Research has found living rooms are one of the most used places in homes, next to bedrooms. Since the living room receives the most traffic, it’s important to take extra care when designing and decorating the space.
Your living needs to reflect your style and personality, but it should also be functional and adequately utilize space. Neglecting the planning process when decorating your living room can lead to an uncomfortable and uninviting cluttered space.
Living room design ideas to follow
Here are a few clever living room design ideas to help create a welcoming environment.
Create a plan
Although a mini makeover sounds fun, attempting to revamp your living room without a proper plan can be challenging. You might end up with an uncoordinated color scheme, bulky furniture, and limited storage space. The key to designing a functional and stylish room is prioritizing the planning process.
The first step in planning requires you to determine the room’s purpose. Is it only space for your family to get together and relax? Or do you plan to host frequent get-togethers in the room? Do you want to offer your couch to guests who want to sleep over when you don’t have enough space in your spare bedroom? When you define the room’s purpose, you can choose several elements accordingly, such as the sofa, coffee table, and rug.
Measure the space
If you don’t have an accurate idea of how much space you have, you may purchase items that are too large or too small for the space. Purchasing large items can make the space look small and cramped, while small items can make the space look empty and poorly designed.
For example, the size of the rug you place in the center of your living room plays a critical role in its design. The space can look awkward if you choose a rug that fits your coffee table correctly.
Measure the entire room and sketch your living room layout on paper. Sketching a practical configuration on paper can help you make informed decisions when designing the space in real life. Try various layouts of your furniture, rugs, lamps, doorways, and shelving to determine which layout works best. It’s important to consider the proximity to wall outlets when finalizing the design to ensure that the space is functional.
Choose modular furniture
The couch you place in your living room is likely the most prominent piece that can either make or break the design. When you choose modular furniture, you can combine style and functionality to create a modern space while utilizing every corner of your home.
Modular furniture offers numerous possibilities for comfort, style, and safety because the pieces of furniture can be used in so many unique ways. A modular couch from a reputable company can help you create a beautiful and comfortable living room.
You can change the couch into dozens of different seating configurations to accommodate any size room or group. You don’t have to compromise style when prioritizing comfort and functionality, as modular couches are typically available in a few different colors, allowing you to pick one that fits your room’s overall theme.
Use color theory
The color of different living room elements also contributes to the room’s overall vibe. This includes wall paint, furniture color, and decorative pieces. Learning about color theory and implementing your knowledge can help you pick a scheme that fits your plan.
In interior design, color theory is the science and art of using color. It digs deep into how humans perceive color and the visual effects of how colors match, mix, or contrast with one another. Take your time to learn about color theory and consult a color wheel before making any decisions.
The knowledge you gain can help you make informed decisions about the color palette that looks and feels best in your living room. Keep in mind that some colors affect mood, so it’s important to choose subtle colors that don’t negatively influence mood.
Make the space functional
Being strategic about the elements in your living room can help you utilize the space more effectively. When selecting furniture, consider opting for some elements that pull double duty, such as an ottoman that offers storage space.
Other ways to make your living room functional are by using appropriate sizes of furniture and decor for an efficient layout. The room can look messy if you have too many chairs or decorative pieces in your space. You can reduce clutter by incorporating different storage spaces in your living room. Install wall shelves, stack up baskets, and add hooks where appropriate. This can help you utilize idle space and use it strategically.
Final words
The best part about designing your living room is that you can do whatever you please! The color theme, furniture choice, and decor are all in your hands. But it’s important not to get carried away and emphasize the planning process. Once you’ve nailed down the strategies to create a stylish and functional space, you can open your home to your friends and family while making new memories!
