Our living rooms and other connected areas can help make or break the atmosphere of our entire home. For one, it’s the space where the entire family gathers to talk and build memories together. For another, it’s also where homeowners entertain guests and visitors. It can set the pace for the rest of the house, which is why it’s crucial that homeowners are happy with their living rooms first and foremost. If you’re feeling a bit of a slump while trying to think of designs for your living rooms and common spaces, here are some best practices and tips you need to remember.
Consider your family’s needs and lifestyles
Here are some things to consider when thinking of a design and layout for your living room:
- Does your family have small kids and pets? Thenmake sure to choose fabrics and materials that are friendly to them and make them feel comfortable. While there are no 100 percent “life-proof” materials and fabrics, some options are better in extending your furniture pieces’ life.
- Dark fabrics are better at hiding stains, whileCryptonis one of the best fabrics for growing families. Full-grain leather is also known for its ability to withstand a lot of wear and tear. Cats also dislike scratching fabrics like velvet. These are the types of details you need to gain an insight into if you want to choose materials and fabrics that are best for your family’s needs and lifestyles.
Make sure the temperature is comfortable all-year-round
Since you and your family will likely spend a lot of time in the living room, whether for movie nights or spending hours talking or playing board games, ensure thatit’s always ready for all kinds of temperatures.
Get in touch with reliable HVAC maintenance professionals to help you understand the cooling and heating systems that are best for your state. You can also understand how to maintain them so that you can prolong their use. A fireplace can also be a lovely addition to your living room. It can be a great focal point upon which your furniture is centered towards.
Less furniture does not necessarily make the room look bigger
When trying to think of ways to design your living room, one of the most tempting “principles” to follow is usingfewer pieces of furniture so that the room looks bigger. But this is a principle that’s not necessarily rooted in reality. In fact, when you opt for less furniture, the room feels incomplete and gives off amausoleum feel.
The key is not fewer pieces of furniture but ensuring that the pieces you choose are to scale.Perfectly-sized furniture pieces can help show off the living room’s true dimensions and makes the space feel complete.
Don’t skimp on seating, but make sure the room is walkable
It’s not an either/or proposition; you can have enough seats for everybody while ensuring that the space is still walkable. The key is touse layers by mixing and matching couches and ottoman chairs. You can also incorporate more movable pieces like stools and benches to add more seating when needed but still move them around if you want the room to flow nicely.
Layer your lighting
One of the best things you can do for your living room is using more than one source of light, especially if the room is bigger. Layering your lighting is all about investing in various floor and table lamps and breaking them apart in different areas. You can add table lamps on side tables and a floor lamp in an L-shape configuration. Just make sure the sources of light are not too close to each other.
Mix and match different shapes, colors, and textures
If you want a living room that has more character, don’t just go for similar shapes and textures for everything. If the couch is more plush and round, go for a rectangular coffee table. If your walls and other materials are already neutral, consider adding a dash of color using more vibrant throws and blankets. Mixing and matching different styles will help bring balance and character to your living room.
Compromise
Expect that you will have to make some compromises.Not every interior design principle will fit into your living room, and you might have to make decisions based on your specific space and context. Don’t be afraid to break an established interior design principle to achieve a better result. You get to decide how to make your home beautiful. Good luck!
Leave a Reply