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.
Walker Woodworking When space is limited, it is valuable and greater thought is invested in creating a design that maximizes square footage to provide a functional space for the homeowner. Both manufacturers and designers alike are continuously thinking of new ways to give their clients the things they need, but using less space. One such item is the Murphy bed, yes, the one used in multiple comedy routines, but it has evolved into a stylish piece, yet remains as functional as ever. It is also comparable in price point to a traditional bed. Could the Murphy bed be the solution to your limited space problem? Let’s unpack exactly what it is and how it can help give you additional room in your home.
Walker Woodworking What to do when you don’t have the luxury of square footage? How can you create storage when there is not a lot of room, to begin with? Can you make small spaces work for you? These are good questions that we have helped our clients answer numerous times. While it may present more challenges than a larger home, it is possible to have the necessary storage for you to keep everything you need on hand. Small is not bad; in fact, it comes with multiple benefits, and a good design can help you maximize the space you do have to build a home that is exactly right for you. Let’s talk about some creative storage solutions for small spaces.
Walker Woodworking We always say details matter, and that goes beyond a project. Your home is filled with details that tell your guests who you are and what matters to you. Artwork, pottery pieces, and furniture are just a few things that give homeowners a chance to show off their style. Another area is hosting, and tablescapes have become a beautiful, fun way to share your own unique design choices with family and friends. Whether it is for a small gathering to enjoy time with those you love or to celebrate a special occasion, there are many ways to create the perfect look. By combining different colors, patterns, or materials, you can create a tablescape that will dazzle your guests, whether you prefer an elaborate or simple design.
Greenbrook Design Window treatments have made an interesting journey through the years in interior design. From floor to ceiling and mere window length, they have travelled the full circle of style. Today, window treatments can come in a variety of forms and options, plus they do more than just block out the sun; they can finish the look of a room and add the necessary touch that brings out the homeowner’s personality. Windows are our connection to nature and are an essential part of the home, which means they deserve proper consideration and care. They are also an area of the room that naturally draws the eye of the homeowner and guest alike. Most of the time, however, windows tend to be overlooked.
Greenbrook Design There’s nothing quite like the warm weather and smell of blooming flowers that come with springtime. While you may have grown used to cozying up indoors during the colder months, now you can start spending more time tending to your garden, playing with your kids in the yard, and kicking back on the patio while enjoying the sun.
But in order to fully enjoy your time outside (and potentially save yourself from having to pay for expensive home repairs in the future), you will need to perform some basic home maintenance. To help you get started, here are some key areas to tackle this spring, brought to you by Greenbrook Design.
Greenbrook Design
Walker Woodworking