In the age of COVID-19, we’re all spending a lot more time at home. Large gatherings are becoming small gatherings, and our living rooms are seeing a lot more use. So, it pays to spruce up our living space, particularly our living rooms. Check out some of our top picks to make your living room feel more livable below!
1. Let in the Light
A few layers of light can make any room shine. Whether you get your light from natural sources, like a skylight or large windows, or recessed lighting, such as a chandelier or overhead placement, or a wall-mounted light source like a sconce, a few different layers of light are essential for a living room and can also perform a variety of decorative functions. It’s important to vary your light sources. Don’t make it all-natural, and don’t make it all artificial. Mix and match for the best aesthetic and ambiance for your living room space.
2. Keep Seat Height Consistent
You shouldn’t have a variety of seating options at different heights. A high-backed chair next to a low sofa doesn’t look good. Vary the seating (see Tip #3), of course, but also be sure to keep height and scale somewhat consistent to avoid a jarring, off-putting aesthetic.
3. Mix It Up
What we said about height aside, your chairs and sofas don’t need to match each other (and really, they shouldn’t, unless you want your living room to look like a brand catalog). Mix and match styles, from L-shaped sofas to futons to traditional sofas, and incorporate a variety of chairs to create a unique space that you want to call home.
4. Go Green
A holistic approach to design can go a long way. Incorporate healthy, natural materials to craft a healing space. Eco-friendly furnishings, organic textiles, and raw fibers are excellent ways to make any space feel a bit more natural. Add a few plants, and even try some biophilic designs, perhaps hanging succulents, a living wall planter, or something else!
5. Conversation Circle
This furniture-arranging trick has worked for hundreds of years. Basically, arrange your chairs and sofa around a central point, a table, for example. That said, you can try a few variations, too! Instead of a traditional sofa-and-chair layout, try a series of upholstered swivel chairs, or opposing couches, to create a casual, laid-back conversation circle.
6. Use Natural Wood
Natural wood is an excellent choice to make a spacious, open living area inviting and cozy. Natural wood isn’t just decorative or functional, it can balance out a living space by increasing texture and warmth. The organic element elicits the allure of nature and harkens back to a more cozy, visceral time, even in the most contemporary of homes. Ceiling beams, plank walls, and raw oak floors are excellent large-scale ways to incorporate natural wood, but handmade wood tables and chairs work well too!.
7. Bring Out the Books
Bookshelves aren’t just an excellent wall space decoration, they’re a great place to… well, store your favorite books. Artwork and family photos also fit right in on a bookshelf. These additions all give a more personal, individualized ambiance to a living space, making it feel “lived in.” What’s more, they give guests something to look at while you prepare to make your grand entrance!
8. Rugs, Rugs, Rugs!
While most designers would say that any rug should take up around two-thirds of floor space and all the legs of the furniture should sit atop the rug, we wouldn’t hold ourselves to that standard. Try different things. Shag carpet, cool designs, whatever you like! Layering rugs is also a great idea, creating multiple spaces and a more intimate atmosphere. A good rug is a perfect accent piece, too. In many cases, “It really ties the room together” (The Big Lebowski, anyone?).
9. Cater to the Occupants
In other words, read the room! Regardless of the size or layout of your living space, you want to craft a living room design that caters to the people living there. Keep in mind who will be using the room and how they’ll be using it. If you have three kids, keep that in mind. If you’re single, live alone, and only want your living room to be a showpiece, keep that in mind. That said, in general, durable and comfortable fabrics and disaster-proof finishes are integral to making a living room both long-lasting and welcoming.
It’s quite hard for guests (or yourself) to feel comfortable if they’re worried about ruining furniture or breaking things. Don’t make it a child’s playroom, of course, but keep things simple and durable. It will go a long way towards making your space more welcoming. That way, when guests come over, they can put their feet up and relax.
10. Add Awesome Art
Art is always good. Incorporate your favorite paintings, sculptures, or tapestries to give a room a unique vibe that’s all your own. There’s no right way to add art to a room, but just remember to cater it to your own personal space, keeping your intent in mind at all times. Art is also a great conversation piece!
