DESIGN NOTES
The living room is probably considered the most comfortable room in the house, and where most of the family goes to relax and have fun. Whether you want to watch TV, read a book, play a game, or just put your feet up, the living room is where it all happens. It is usually the largest room in the house and meant to be comfortable while still presenting a somewhat formal vibe to guests. Your design choices are essential in this space, as they can be one of the first impressions your guests receive when visiting your home. Additionally, since many houses adopt the open-concept plan, the living room can extend into several other areas. In this blog post, we share some design tips and tricks to help you create the perfect living room that reflects your unique style.
Living Room Furniture
These will be the largest pieces in the room, influencing the layout and traffic flow of the entire space. Furniture does more than provide function and a place to sit, it can create focal points and a comfortable spot to have a conversation. It’s important to give careful thought to constructing a plan for furniture placement. Here are a few helpful tips:
- Focal point: Every room needs a focal point, for some it comes in the form of a window, but it can be intentional. Consider what you want guests to notice first: an entertainment center, a couch, or built-in storage. Once you choose your focal point, the rest of the furniture can be built around it.
- Conversation zones: Living rooms are often synonymous with warm conversations, and their layout can either impede or enhance the flow of conversation. Furniture placement can make it easier for people to converse, and size can also play a factor, especially in large rooms. It’s ideal to create a couple of intimate areas, such as chairs facing each other. Nothing hinders a conversation more than a neck cramp, so make it comfortable.
- Traffic flow: this is an important element if not the most important when creating your living room layout. No one enjoys constantly bumping into the couch or coffee table. Remember to arrange pathways and keep furniture at least a couple of feet apart.
- Tables: More often than not, we go to the living room with a beverage, so a table is essential for this purpose. Coffee and side tables should be a similar height to the couch or chairs.
A well-planned space goes a long way in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in your living room.
Color Scheme
Color is not only a fun element but can also influence the mood of the space. When planning your living room makeover, it’s beneficial to have a color scheme that reflects your style and complements the furniture you select. One caution when preparing to choose a color is that it’s better to pick your furniture pieces first, then the paint. It is easier to match the paint to your furniture than it is to match the furniture to the paint.
Accent Pieces
This tends to be the fun part of the design, accent pieces are the perfect chance to showcase what you love and highlight the things that make you smile. You can go in many different directions and be as creative as you like. Some ways to add color and visual interest to your living room include:
- Rugs: they can help define a space, add depth, as well as color and texture. Size is important to consider here, as choosing one that is too big or too small can significantly impact the overall look of the room. Avoid laying a wall-to-wall carpet; leave room between the edge of the rug and the wall.
- Pillows, whether on couches or chairs, add a splash of color and texture to the furniture. They are the perfect accent piece, especially if you want to add some with patterns or texture.
- Decor: There are numerous ways to incorporate items you enjoy, such as specialty books, family heirlooms, and even awards. The living room is where you often invite guests to gather so why shouldn’t you have a few things displayed that you are proud of?
Accent pieces are a wonderful way to bring together the things you love and share them with family and friends. That is the beauty of personalized design: it is meant to represent your home, to tell your unique story. Find a few more ideas in this blog.
Living Room Walls
Sometimes the walls are overlooked, but they can be transformed into a gallery or focal point. There are multiple ways to maximize their potential, including:
- Artwork, from elegant landscapes to whimsical abstracts, speaks a language all its own and delights many. It adds color to a room and can bring out the selected color palette in a way nothing else can. You can choose large pieces or incorporate several.
- Photos: family and special places we’ve visited are things we love to remember so why not use your wall as an opportunity to show everyone? There are many different ways to hang them; browse Pinterest or interior design blogs for inspiration.
- Accent wall: This is a unique way to add visual interest to the room without sacrificing valuable space. Adding a painted wall or one with wood accents can make a stunning impact in the living room.
- Reclaimed wood: There are numerous uses for reclaimed wood that extend beyond a kitchen island. A fireplace mantle or entire wall is just a few examples of what can be done with a bit of imagination.
Don’t be afraid to utilize your wall space, to have fun and incorporate it into the design of your living room, you might be amazed at the results.
Living Room Lighting
Lighting is an essential part of the design as you want enough to do whatever you need in the living room, but a balance so it can be dimmed if you want to relax with a book or with friends simply. Factor in the natural light from windows and the direction it will come from; it might also be beneficial to note whether you will receive morning or evening light. Ensure you have sufficient coverage through window treatments. Lamps are another good way to control the amount of light in the living room. Having a few table lamps allows you to adjust the light level as needed, depending on the event taking place at the time. Light can significantly impact the mood and atmosphere of a space, so it’s essential to have a plan.
Let us help you design your living room
With more than 20 vendors available to us we have everything you need to transform your living room into a functional yet comfortable space. Whether you need artwork, accent pieces, home decor, or furniture, we have you covered. Take a moment to browse our vendor websites, then visit our showroom. We look forward to helping you achieve the space you deserve.
Greenbrook DesignMany of our clients come to us from an hour or more away, often from the greater Charlotte metro area. A common question we hear is, “Why make the drive to Shelby when there are design centers closer to home?” It’s a fair question—and one we completely understand. That’s why we’d like to share a few key reasons why we believe the experience, service, and value you’ll find at Greenbrook Design make the trip well worth it.
Walker WoodworkingThere are many elements that help assemble the perfect design for your space, such as color, texture, and pattern, but one, in particular, plays a key role in making a statement: the focal point. Without a focal point, a room can feel busy or even boring, as it lacks something that immediately draws the eye. This is one of the reasons it is essential to include a focal point in the design; however, given its critical role, sufficient thought should be given to placing it in the optimal location. How do you design the perfect focal point that stands out without overpowering everything else? How do you best use focal points in a room or design with it in mind? Let’s explore the answers to getting the most out of your focal point.
Greenbrook DesignThe sofa is often one of the first things we notice when entering the living room since it tends to be the largest object in the room. We love to stretch out to watch TV or curl up under a blanket to read a book. Sometimes it also ends up being the quick solution to an additional place to sleep when in a bind. Designers have verified that this is a key piece of furniture for the living room, making it a sizable investment when the time comes for it to be replaced. As it is so important to the design, it stands to reason that there should be some things considered before making your next purchase. What things, exactly, should you look for before finalizing your choice, and what makes a sofa perfect for your home? Read on to find out some helpful tips that can assist you in picking your next sofa.
Home is the place where everyone can fully relax and be themselves. It is the center for all of our main activities, but sometimes we need a space that caters to our specific needs, especially when it comes to husbands and wives. This is why his and her spaces were invented: to give each an area to call their own, tailored to function just for them. From bathrooms to bedrooms and even the home office, having something that functions for your unique lifestyle routine can make a big difference in how you accomplish your day-to-day tasks with minimal stress and maximum success. When designing for these spaces, what should you include? What areas matter most, and how do you create the perfect his and her space within the same square footage? Let’s answer those questions for multiple areas within your home.
Walker WoodworkingPersonal Expression Through Design. There is no denying the truth found in the statement, your home is your castle, and who doesn’t want a custom castle? Now, more than ever, there are items available to help you completely personalize your spaces to reflect your unique personality. There is freedom to break the traditional design rules of the past and express yourself in so many ways by combining what you love into something new. Every area of your home should tell guests your story; it should speak to them of the things that matter most to you. By selecting colors, textures, patterns, shapes, and art that accurately reflect your individual tastes, you can achieve that goal. Don’t be afraid to step outside of the box and share what matters to you. At its core, that is what design is about: using a combination of varying elements to tell your story to the world.
Greenbrook Design
Walker Woodworking