Kan Dail
The living room holds special significance in your home, as we see more foot traffic than any other space. Given its diverse functions, your living room’s design and decor must meet the criteria of functionality, style, and durability.
Whether you’re unwinding on the sofa set to enjoy your favourite shows, hosting game nights with friends, or gathering with family during the holiday season, this space is a hub of various activities.
While design trends may come and go, the key is to create a living room that revolves around your comfort, personal preferences, and lifestyle requirements. This ensures that your space remains timeless and doesn’t become outdated.
However, every living room presents unique layout and decorating challenges. Perhaps you want to make the most of the incredible space to accommodate your big ideas or highlight some incredible windows with a view. It can be stressful trying to balance all the practical and aesthetic considerations for your living room redesign.
That’s why we’ve rounded up some gorgeous yet liveable living room inspiration examples. From cosy and inviting to large, glamorous, rustic, and everything in between, there’s a living room idea you can easily envision yourself thriving in
Choosing the Right Accent Pillows
Accent pillows add a pop of colour and texture and enhance the comfort of sofas or lounge chairs. They also allow you to layer patterns and fabrics to create a collected, curated look.
Consider the size and shape: When choosing accent pillows, opt for an odd number, such as 3 or 5, as this arrangement tends to be the most visually appealing on a couch. Mix square and rectangular pillows to create a dynamic arrangement on your sofa or armchair. Moreover, diversifying textures and fabrics, as well as incorporating materials like wool, velvet, and linen, introduces depth and dimension.
Consider your colour scheme: In terms of colour, complement the existing palette in the space. While it’s essential to complement the surroundings, don’t shy away from adding a touch of contrast. For example, if your furniture features muted, neutral earth tones, vibrant throw pillows in emerald green, mustard yellow, or coral orange will make those neutrals sing.
Cosy Up with Throws
An easy way to accessorise your living room is to incorporate throws and blankets. During the colder months, they become functional accessories to curl up with. And even in warmer weather, draped neatly over the sofa or a comfy chair, they make your seating options extra inviting.
Material matters: When selecting throws, opt for natural fibres like cotton, wool, linen, or cashmere. Choose a throw in a plush chenille or faux fur for ultimate cosiness during movie nights. For lighter coverage, select a knit or crocheted throw. Like pillows, a throw allows you to weave an accent colour into your existing palette.
Layering: Don’t hesitate to try out different combinations of layering multiple throws over the back of your couch. You may also consider placing a folded throw at the foot of your sofa or sectional to add a touch of elegance and sophistication. Your guests are sure to notice and appreciate the added warmth and comfort that these layered throws bring to your living room.
Colour and textures: Consider using throws with patterns or textures that add visual interest to your space. The more diverse the textures and colours, the more welcoming your living space will become.
Enhancing Your Walls with Art
An often overlooked way to pull a living room together is to adorn the walls with artwork, prints, tapestries or hangings. Not only does art add colour and visual interest, but it also helps establish a theme for the room.
Reflect your style: When choosing artwork for your walls, consider the ambience you desire for your living room. Do you envision a boho-chic atmosphere, a black-and-white modern minimalism, or a cosy cottage feel? Your wall decorations should resonate with and elevate the chosen aesthetic of the space.
Symmetry and balance: For bohemian spaces, woven wall hangings, macramé plant holders, and vintage prints make excellent additions. Modern designs shine with graphic black-and-white photography and abstract metal or canvas pieces. And cosy cottages benefit from floral prints, braided rag rugs, and painted wood signs.
Mix and Match: No matter your style, mix medium-sized statement pieces with tiny accents like mini prints. Grouping art in odd numbers effectively draws the eye around the room. Just keep it at eye level or slightly above for ideal visibility.
Adding Comfort with Area Rugs
Like throws and pillows, area rugs bring softness underfoot and warmth to a room. Area rugs define spaces within an open-concept living room. Placing your coffee table and seating arrangement on top of an area rug creates a sense of cohesion and unity in the furniture arrangement.
Texture and material: When selecting an area rug, natural fibres like wool and cotton wear well in high-traffic areas like living rooms. Hand-knotted wool rugs bring durability and style. For laid-back abodes, woven jute feels beachy, while braided rugs give off a homespun vibe. Ensure your chosen rug is sufficiently large, allowing all front furniture legs to rest on it, not just the back legs. This arrangement helps anchor the layout effectively.
Colour and Pattern: Opt for a muted rug if your space already packs lots of visual punch. Choose a brightly-hued or heavily patterned rug if your living room needs a lift. Complement the colours found in artwork, pillows and other accents so everything flows nicely.
Size and proportion: Carefully measure your living room to find a rug with appropriate dimensions for the space. An undersized rug may make furnishings feel disconnected, while an oversized one tends to dominate.
Wrapping Up
When it comes to adding personal touches to your living room, feel free to express your creativity through accent pieces and cherished collectables. Your living space should evoke joy and reflect your essence in its most comfortable and relaxed state.
Follow the tips above for effortlessly layering pillows, throws, wall art and area rugs to take your living room from simple to stunning. Soon, you’ll have a peaceful sanctuary to decompress and recharge – your perfect haven.