No matter if you’ve recently purchased a new home and are starting the decorating process from scratch or if you are bored with how your living room currently looks and are considering some remodeling, you might not be sure where to start. In that case, understanding and mastering the basics of interior design is of the essence. Keep reading for some useful tips when it comes to decorating your living room.
Develop a layout before you start purchasing
One mistake that many people make when decorating their living room is purchasing furniture pieces before coming up with a plan. Many things can go wrong if you don’t figure out a layout first. For instance, you could get items that are too big or too small for your space. Then, you could also neglect the purpose of the space and buy furniture that will not serve the room. So, start by deciding on how you will use your living room. Will you and your family mainly be relaxing? Do you plan on hosting many guests and need to seat everyone? Once you take your lifestyle into account, your design will slowly start taking shape.
Decide on a colour scheme
Another aspect of planning includes choosing the right colour scheme for your living room. Luckily, there are many ways to approach this task. For example, you can simply go for your favourite colour and develop a scheme around it using colour theory. On the other hand, you can meet with a colour consultant and get their opinion on which hues would best suit your space. Finally, looking online and in magazines can provide you with some inspiration. Remember to take samples of the paints and fabrics to see how they would look in the room.
Invest in multipurpose furniture pieces
While this trick works for most spaces, investing in multipurpose furniture pieces is especially good for small living rooms. With that in mind, consider purchasing items that can have several uses. For example, a sectional that is composed of a few versatile items can come in very handy when you’re hosting a get-together with many people. Then, getting an ottoman that can also be used as storage is a great way to boost the chicness of your living area while also keeping function in mind. What is more, some ottomans can turn into beds so you can even have someone stay over.
Create a focal point
Seeing as how every living room needs a focal point, you have to decide what you will put into the spotlight. Fortunately, you have many options to choose from. For example, your centrepiece can be a fireplace if you have one. Moreover, even if your home doesn’t have a fireplace, you can add a faux one that will create the same effect. Then, you can shift the attention from the wall to the centre of the room. For instance, a wooden coffee table in the middle of your seating area will provide you with a warm and homey ambience. You can also make a stylish ottoman your focal point or create a statement wall with unique wallpaper.
Add texture and dimension
You surely want your living room to feel warm and welcoming. To achieve that, you should add some texture and dimension. For starters, you can place a few area rugs around the room to define zones and make your feet comfy. Getting one large rug and layering smaller ones over it is another option. Then, you can start incorporating throw pillows and soft blankets that will make the sofa even cozier. Finally, you should learn how to pick the perfect curtains for your home and complete the balance of various textures.
Don’t overlook lighting
Although lighting might not sound like a big part of décor, it can actually make a huge difference. Therefore, besides picking the fixtures that go well together with your overall style, you want to install lights in such a way that they accentuate your home’s architecture and design. First of all, you need overhead lighting that you can introduce through pendants and chandeliers. These will make a statement on their own but you should layer them with some ambient lights such as floor and table lamps for the optimal effect.
Display art pieces that reflect your personality
Finally, your living room needs to reflect your personality. There are many ways you can reveal who you are, from displaying your favourite books to putting out your travel memorabilia. However, you can also do this by showing off art that makes you feel happy and inspired. Whether you made or bought these pieces is not important; your connection to the art will still show. You can have photo reproductions framed and hanged on a feature wall or layer paintings of various sizes by leaning them on the wall – the options are truly numerous.
There are many ways you can decorate your living room, but these are some basics you should master before you decide to give this area a big makeover.
Photo by Isaac Martin on Unsplash
Jasmine Anderson is a Sydney based lifestyle blogger and a toddler mom. She loves to spend quality time with her family, go thrifting, and spend just a little bit too much time on the internet.
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