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Apart from the kitchen, your living room is likely the most used room in your home. When it comes to designing a great space, you must think about form and function.
It may seem simple to put together a living room, but there are some big (and small) updates that could either make or break the room when it comes to design and function.
To create a beautifully balanced and functional living room, check out our tips and tricks below to know what to avoid and what to include!
Tips & Tricks for Living Room Design
Tip #1: Begin with a plan!
This seems pretty obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people fall in love with one item and just go with it without a plan for everything else.
It’s important to begin with a full floor plan (or at least a good rough draft) to determine your spacing for walking, the size furniture you can add, and where other accents and decor like artwork may go.
Important elements to include in your plan are:
- A color palette, which will help you determine where the color will go and the type of fabrics and materials.
- The size of the furniture you should use. This is important as you want to ensure enough walkthrough space.
- Any special pieces - if you know you love a specific piece of furniture or artwork that you want showcased, put it in the plan and work with it.
Tip #2: Make it realistic.
What we really mean by this is make it functional! While you could design the most beautiful living room, if it’s not functional or you are worried about using it, that’s a no-no.
There are so many more furniture and decor options now that can withstand wear and tear, so as you design, look for durable materials so you can actually use your in your living room every day without worry.
At Watson’s, we carry high-quality, durable furniture with versatile fabric options to fit any decor and lifestyle.
Tip #3: Think vertically.
As you make a floorplan, don’t forget your vertical space. While typically used for hanging artwork, if you need extra storage or have ample room, consider adding open shelving to your walls.
If you can’t find a spot on the floorplan, consider the walls for shelving and bookcases!
Tip #4: Furniture that doesn’t fit.
When designing a living room, it’s not only the sofa or sectional that you need to consider the size of, but also any accent tables, ottomans, benches, or other pieces of furniture. You want your furniture to fit together, so a small coffee table for a large sectional will look odd.
Understanding your furniture ratios and the sizes that complement each other is important in design. Watson’s carries a variety of shapes and styles of accent tables and furniture to fit your room perfectly.
Tip #5: Monotone
While monotone is certainly a trend, it typically makes a room feel flat. To add texture and interest to your living room, it’s important to mix and match complementary textiles, colors, and materials. This is why having a color palette to work with is so important.
The accents are where you’ll find your personality, so take advantage of the easy additions like pillows, decor, artwork, and even your area rug to add these touches.
Additional Design Tips for Your Living Room
Make sure to consider these additional tips when designing your living room space.
Lighting: Poor lighting can make a room look small. Updating lighting is an inexpensive way to enhance your living room, especially if you don’t have much natural light.
Rug Size: A common mistake is selecting the wrong size area rug for your room. Bigger is better and will tie the room together if placed correctly under furniture.
Furniture Height: If you are mixing furniture pieces, especially modern with antique, consider the height of the furniture as modern furniture is not as tall as heirloom pieces typically.
Seating Placement: Consider where people will be facing when planning your seating arrangements. Is that the view you would want? Is it easy to converse with others in the room while sitting? Make sure you’re giving yourself and guests the perfect views.
Move Furniture Away from Walls: Consider moving your sofa, sectional, and chairs away from the wall and into the room more. This not only opens it up and makes the room feel larger, but it also creates more intimacy.
When you’re ready to update or redesign your living room space, make sure to stop into Watson’s to shop the largest selection of indoor furniture and accessories. You’re sure to find everything you need to make your room your own in both form and function. Our experts can answer all your questions on size, placement, fabrics, and more to ensure a space that will last and be loved for a long time.
