Learn to create a living room that’s cozy, inviting, and inspirational!
Creating a living room seems like a challenging task, but it’s not! A well-designed living room should be a fine blend of function and style. From a couch that matches the chosen interior style to storage that offers functionality and decor, the possibilities for crafting a living room space are endless.
A living room is one of the most essential areas of any home and takes up a majority of the interior budget. Living rooms are distinctive in terms of size, shape, and style too. So, you need to consider all these differences into consideration and design a living room that matches the structure of your home and blends well with your lifestyle!
Consider these below-mentioned design aspects to craft your dream living room:
Consider the Layout
Before you start designing and decorating your living room, consider the layout of the same. So, if the living room directly opens to the kitchen, then it can be called an open layout. Alternatively, if the kitchen is designed as a closed area from the living area, then the same can be termed a closed layout.
1) Open Layout Living Room
Bring in the design and decor harmony in an open layout living room!
An open plan layout home includes larger, combined spaces i.e.living cum kitchen, or living cum dining room. This type of layout makes an ideal choice, especially in compact homes which allows you to enjoy and appreciate the space to the fullest.
The same should include easy-to-maintain surfaces and should be chosen in dark colors. Also, ensure that no windows are blocked for ventilation purposes.
2) Closed Layout Living Room
Space planning is crucial to design a closed-layout living space!
A closed-layout home generally features a traditional floor plan and is divided into separate rooms enclosed with walls and doors. The same will mostly include a living room, kitchen, and bedrooms.
Since a closed layout will make the space feel cramped, the living room should be designed in such a way that after adding furniture and decor objects there should be enough space to maneuver!
Think of the Functionality
Since the living room is one of the most important areas of any home, you need to understand the real functionality of the same.
1) Informal Living Room
The informal living room can be a perfect space to lounge and relax.
For most, the living area is a space to spend time with family and lounge and relax. In such scenarios, an informal living setup will make an ideal choice wherein comfortable seating, a TV unit, recliners, and accent cushions are must-have objects.
2) Formal Living Room
A formal living room is mostly reserved for hosting guests or visitors.
Alternatively, a formal living room is specifically reserved for hosting guests only. This type of setup is mostly seen in spacious homes, villas, etc. Here, the seating is mostly an L-shaped couch that can accommodate more people, and a coffee table, and side tables for functional purposes.
Also, a living room can serve both formal and informal purposes as well. In such a setup, it is essential to blend design elements from these above-mentioned settings.
3) Living Cum Dining Area
A designed dining area can be carved into an open-plan layout!
Most city or modern apartments are nowadays designed with an open-plan layout. This setup typically features a combined living and dining space and most homeowners prefer to segregate these two areas to provide them a separate identity.
For a large living area, a structural design like steps or arches will add a distinctive outlook in the designated space. Also a partition or divider can make an easy design solution to divide the space visually. In a compact living cum dining area, some easy decor options like area rugs will help divide these two areas with pretty colors and patterns!
Click here to find more ideas to divide the living and dining space effectively.
4) Form an Impressive Ceiling
A trendy ceiling design can add intended interest to the living room!
When doing interiors of your home or space, never ignore the fifth wall - the ceiling! Form a ceiling design based on the type of living room, whether formal or informal. For a formal-style living room, go for a gypsum false ceiling or a trendy pop design. For an informal living room, wood rafters, and a peripheral-style ceiling would make an apt choice to form the required ambiance.
Also, for a compact living room or one with low ceilings, it is apt to skip the false ceiling design. Allow the basic ceiling to create an expanded dimension to the living room.
5) Flooring
Marble flooring can add a classic touch to the living space!
For a formal living room, marble or granite flooring would be the traditional choice. However, if you don’t want to invest in natural stone flooring, try marble-look-alike onyx tiles. For statement flooring, pick Moroccan tiles in vibrant colors and patterns.
The flooring adds an attractive base upon which all the other design or decor elements are added i.e.furniture. For a formal living area, go for natural stone options like marble, and granite flooring. For budget-friendly choice, onyx tiles, and plank vinyl flooring will help add a trendy look.
For warmth and a rustic touch, wooden flooring makes an apt choice!
For an informal living space, hardwood, colored laminate flooring can achieve that attractive yet sophisticated vibe. If you want statement flooring, then opt for colored tiles that are available in various patterns and styles i.e.Moroccan, Portuguese, Vintage, Geometric, etc.
Add Essential Furniture
1) Seating
A comfy couch is a must-add in the living room!
For the living room seating, a sofa or couch is the obvious choice. For additional seating; options like a daybed, accent chairs, ottomans, bench, or poufs can be considered. These additional seating choices allow for adding a pop of colors via upholstery, cushions, throws, etc.
2) Tables
Living room seating gets complete when you add an interesting coffee table, side tables, and end tables. These surfaces are perfect for holding essentials like coffee mugs, and newspapers and make for a perfect base to display decor objects too.
Also, if the living and dining areas are combined then a size and style-appropriate dining table is a must. For example, in a modern but compact living room space, a glass and metal round dining table could make a lovely choice!
3) Display and Storage
A TV wall can be made attractive with a storage unit!
A display unit or TV unit is the most common requirement for living rooms. Apart from placing the TV, you can add other gadgets, decor objects, books, and more on this designated surface.
A room partition with shelves can make a perfect surface to store books and objects!
Other storage furniture options include a console, crockery unit, bar unit, bookshelves, side tables, and even coffee tables with storage options.
Impress With Color Combinations
By picking neutrals as a base, accent hues can be introduced via furnishings and accents!
Color is an essential design element that defines the vibe of the space. Pairing one hue with another allows for forming complementary or contrasting effects. For living rooms, you can select from either warm or cool colors. Pick from tones or shades of warm colors like red, orange, and yellow. These hues help add the intended coziness and brightness to chosen rooms. Similarly, cool colors such as blues, greens, and violets provide a calming and soothing vibe.
Also, neutrals or pastels can add the perfect base for a living room. Paints, furniture, or decor objects in whites, grays, toupes, or shades of brown form a livable, laid-back atmosphere. These trendy hues can be further elevated with bright pop-up colors as accent colors.
Create an Accent Wall
Decorative panels make a trendy choice for creating an accent wall!
Walls are like empty canvases. How you treat it with design or decor objects, depicts a lot about your style and preferences. An accent wall is one fine way of adding drama and interest in your living room. You can create an accent wall at the seating or TV wall to your living room.
Pick a bold hue or texture paint for defining an accent wall. Attractive wallpapers are an easy way to turn an old wall into an attractive focus wall. For a luxury accent wall, veneer or laminate panels make a thoughtful choice!
Impress With Furnishings and Accessories
A cohesive look in the living room is achievable with furnishings and accessories!
No cliché, but it is the home furnishings and accessories that help complete the room decor. Living room seating can be elevated with attractive upholstery, accent cushions, throws, and more. Other essential soft furnishings can include curtains and an area rug.
Pick the decor accents that define your style and preferences. From wall art, tabletop accents, sculptures, and curio to indoor plants; a living room should feel inviting and decor-filled. You can also choose decor accents based on the chosen interior theme for your living room. For instance, a modern living room can include limited yet one-of-a-kind decor objects only.
The Vastu Aspect
Beautiful crystals make a thoughtful choice for bringing in good vibes!
Vastu is the science of structures that help balance the right energy in your home. Vastu principles when blended with architecture work well for your living and working atmosphere. It boosts energy, health, wealth, and prosperity.
You don’t necessarily have to design the living room as per vastu compliance, especially for rental spaces where structural changes are not allowed. With simple decor hacks, you can bring peace and harmony to your home as guarded by vastu principles.
For instance, a bright natural light from the windows is great for bringing positive energy. Avoid stuffing corners with unwanted things. Instead, keep some areas or corners in your living room open and sorted. Attractive indoor plants nestled in planters are a perfect choice to spruce up the living room. Also, alluring crystals make a thoughtful choice for bringing in good vibes and adding to the decor!
FAQs
1. What is the purpose of a living room?
A living room is one of the most prominent areas of your home which is utilized for relaxing, working, watching TV and entertaining friends. A living room can also be called a drawing room, sitting room, lounge, or parlor.
2. How to make a living room cozy and inviting?
The chosen colors, textures, patterns, and prints make the living room cozy and inviting. Also, the soft furnishings and decor accessories help complete the living room decor. For example, a textured throw added to the accent chair can make a cozy spot in the living room.
3. What are some common interior styles for living room design?
A living room designed with a chosen interior style provides it with a distinct identity. Modern, contemporary, traditional, bohemian, and industrial are some of the common and popular interior styles preferred by homeowners for designing their living rooms.
4. How to give a boho look to the living room?
A boho-style living room can feature a globally-inspired look with comfortable seating (floor seating), layered prints, patterns, and textures (via soft furnishings), attractive lights (lanterns, string lights, decor objects (mandala art, rattan decor), and loads of indoor plants!
