Interior design isn’t something that comes naturally to most of us. We may know what we like, but we still need a little help to get our living rooms or bedrooms or kitchens just right – stylish, comfortable, and functional. With that in mind, here are six living room décor ideas from a top interior designer to get you started.
1. Don’t skimp on your sofa
Your sofa is the most important piece of furniture in your living room and should probably be the first piece that you buy. Be sure to choose a high-quality sofa that will stand the test of time and suit your purposes well. When choosing a couch, there are a number of factors to consider, including your budget, your lifestyle, the color and fabric, and how comfortable the piece is. For example, if you have children and pets, then you’ll likely want to steer clear of fabric like white mohair. If your tastes run trendier and more modern, then you can safely rule out old-fashioned or classic styles. There are so many styles, colors, and fabrics available in sofas that you should be able to find a great piece around which to build your living room design to create a functional space that reflects your personal style and preferences well.
2. Accent with tables
Most people have coffee tables and end tables in their living rooms, although some prefer the barer look of no tables. This is usually a mistake. While tables do take up space, the benefits they add to your interior design are well worth it. First and foremost, tables give you a place to put things to keep them off the floor and off the sofa – things like remote controls, food and drinks, candles, books, your phone, and much more. Coffee tables and end tables also give your living room a complete or polished look – often, when you can’t quite figure out what a space is “missing,” the answer is a coffee table. These tables also provide a place for other attractive design elements, such as flowers, holiday decorations, and lamps.
3. Choose your lighting wisely
Home décor includes so many elements that it can be tricky to incorporate them all for a truly cohesive look – but one that you definitely don’t want to overlook is your lighting. Nothing is more frustrating than a room that’s never bright enough or one that casts annoying glares in all the wrong places. Start by determining what you want your lighting to do for you. Do you need a bright light near a specific chair? Do you need to light the entire space well for entertaining? Do you want to make optimal use of minimal natural light? Good interior design involves using all the elements at your disposal to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing space, and lighting is one of the best tools that you have. From chandeliers to pendant lights to sconces to recessed lighting, there are plenty of options for you to choose from to put together the kind of space that you need.
4. Let rugs define the room
Rugs are a beautiful and effective way to claim the territory in your living room. Rugs are soft, warm, and comfortable under your feet, they can reduce noise as compared to hard flooring options, and they give your space a grounded feel when properly placed. Be sure to keep your rug larger than the seating area to make the space appear bigger, and avoid bisecting major paths of circulation. There will be many other elements coming into play, so make sure that the color, texture, and pattern of your rug works well with the overall scheme. Also, think about whether you want a low or high pile. Low-pile rugs tend to be sturdier and easier to vacuum, while high-pile rugs are softer and more luxurious. In general, a low-pile rug is a better choice for a room that gets a lot of foot traffic.
5. Make the most of textures
One of the best living room décor ideas out there is to use texture – layer it, display it, embrace it. Texture has both physical and visual benefits and can tie a room together in surprising ways. There are many ways to incorporate texture in your interior design. One way to do so is by choosing textures for your surfaces, such as your flooring. Another way is through the use of furniture, especially your sofa but also including other pieces such as chairs and ottomans. This is a great place to introduce some contrast – for example, a boldly colored crushed velvet sofa against smooth grey walls. Area rugs present yet another opportunity to add a layer of texture, as do accent pieces, such as throw pillows, blankets, plants, and artwork. These finishing touches can make a huge difference in the completed look of your space.
6. Choose items with purpose
The last thing you want in your living room is clutter. While your design can and should have layers, it should also include only elements chosen with purpose. Take your time with the process and select each item thoughtfully so that everything in your space has a place and a function. Really consider what you want to express with your interior design and how you want it to make you and your guests feel. Everything that you look at in your living room should bring you a sense of happiness. The space should also be multifunctional and, ideally, low maintenance. When you choose each piece of furniture for your living room carefully and with purpose, you can create an area that is comfortable, useful, attractive, and neat – all the things that you want in your home.
Start with these six tips and work from there – you’ll soon be putting together a beautiful, stylish, and comfortable living room that you and your family and guests will enjoy for many years to come.