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 DesignThe world of interior design has run the full gamut of trends, from minimal to over-the-top and back again. Your home is meant to be your happy place, and a good design can affect the atmosphere. There are multiple styles to choose from, including modern, traditional, farmhouse, and transitional. Each possesses characteristics that make them unique in their own way, but sometimes what is offered is not enough, which is where the term mixology comes in, and no, we are not referring to the mixing of cocktails. There is a beauty when mixing and matching design styles, cabinets, and furnishings to create a space that perfectly reflects you. For a long time, designers were taught that things needed to remain within a certain realm of style in order for them to look good, but over the past few years, those boundaries have been broken down to make way for homeowners to express themselves in their own way. Out of this, there have been some new terms used to describe the shift in styles, such as grand millennial. If you like a few elements from multiple styles, then mixology may be your new best friend.
Walker Woodworking Is Biophilia Design For You? We love the looks nature inspires, which is why we have multiple products available for you to browse inside our showroom. From unique artwork to furniture pieces, we invite you to visit us and spend time browsing our 5,000 square foot showroom located in charming Uptown Shelby and find the inspiration you’ve been looking for to create the perfect environment in your home.
The world of design draws on multiple elements to create the perfect space for homeowners, a place that represents them and their particular style. Color plays a vital role in the design process, and its effects go beyond just adding a splash to the room. Color can affect our mood, communicate a message, lessen eye strain, and even play a part in remembering certain events. It also has the ability to influence the size of a room with certain colors, causing the area to feel larger, while other shades create a more intimate feel. Color selection can be a fun and rewarding process, plus it provides you with a great way to tell your story. More homeowners are discovering the beauty of contrasting colors, and this choice is gaining popularity in the design world. From two-toned kitchens to opposites in cabinets and tile, contrasting colors can spice up your design and make a stunning statement. Let’s explore more about what contrasting colors are and how they can help you tell your story.
Greenbrook Design While cabinet hardware is essential for functionality, it’s also a key element in the overall look and feel of your space. When selecting hardware, there’s more to consider than just appearance. How do you want your cabinets to open? Do you prefer knobs, pulls, or a combination of both? Should you go with cup pulls for a traditional touch or sleek bar pulls for a modern edge?
These decisions may seem small, but they can have a significant impact on both the usability and aesthetic of your cabinetry. Hardware serves as the finishing touch—bringing together the design while also making everyday tasks more comfortable and intuitive.
Walker Woodworking You are ready to begin your renovation, but you are unsure whether you want to go with custom or semi-custom cabinets. While custom cabinets will provide you with the exact fit you need for your space, they are at the higher end of the price range. Semi-custom cabinets tend to be a more budget-friendly alternative while still giving you the style and function needed for your space. Many homeowners are discovering the benefits of choosing semi-custom cabinets and are learning that they can still get the look they want while staying within their budget. Let’s talk more about what semi-custom cabinets are, the benefits they bring to your project, and some of the options we offer here at Greenbrook Design.
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