They say that kitchens are the heart of the home, but I think a living room is my favourite space. A place to relax and unwind, share wine with friends or get absorbed into the latest box set. The living room should be a cosy, inviting space that reflects your style but creating a beautiful living room isn’t always easy. Whether you’re starting from scratch or need a few ideas to freshen up an existing design and make the space more you, here are six design secrets for making your living room look amazing.
Choose Quality Furniture
The furniture in your living room sets the tone for the entire space, so it’s worth taking your time to choose pieces that you’ll love for years. While bargain prices may seem tempting, quality furniture always pays off in the long run as it looks better and lasts longer. Choose timeless designs that not only make your living room look amazing but will stay fashionable and attractive no matter whether trends may come and go. Make sure too that it is something that you find comfortable – sometimes spaces can be more style than substance!
Add Throws
Whether it’s to keep cosy during our never-ending winters, or to keep furniture fresh if you have a house full of pets, a throw can help to brighten up the look of any area and give it an inviting feel. It’s also easy to switch and inexpensive to switch out your throws when you want a new look. This way, you can freshen up your living area every couple of months by adding a new pattern or colour but without a huge and expensive overhaul. You can even mix and match a few throws to create an eclectic look. Decorating your home with a throw is a great way to create a cosy atmosphere that will make your living room feel inviting even on the darkest days.
Add Area Rugs
Adding area rugs or machine washable rugs is another great idea to transform your living room. We opted for a wooden floor as carpet felt too overwhelming with a cat and dog to try and keep clean. At the same time, an area rug just helps to soften the area and provide a little bit of added warmth over an expanse of wood floor. There are so many colours, designs and styles to choose from that you should be able to find the perfect piece to complement your decor. These days, there is even a wide range of machine washable rugs available which is a great solution if you do have a busy household with pets and children.
Use Candles
Light up your living room with candles. By adding some calming scents like lavender, chamomile and other floral-based fragrances, you can create a cosy and inviting ambience. It may not be the best light for reading (don’t forget your occasional lamps), but when used in combination with some warm lighting candles offer the right amount of relaxed sophistication. Despite the luxury element of some brands, candles don’t need to cost too much either so are another great budget choice for changing up the look and feel of your living room.
Incorporate Metallics
From light switches to sockets and handles – and even furniture if you’re feeling really bold – don’t underestimate the impact of metallics. They can add an edgy industrial look which offers a modem contrast to more cosy traditional spaces and it’s surprising just how many design elements can be incorporated in one space. We have a metallic framed coffee table which links in with our cast iron wood burner and handles on the alcove cupboards. It may sound harsh but doesn’t detract at all from the overall comfortable feel of your living room.
Hang Artwork
Unless using wallpaper, walls can look very bare without any decor. Artwork such as paintings, custom posters and photographs can really bring a room together and showcase your personality and personal style. Be sure to hang the artwork at eye level, so no-one is having to look too high or too low to appreciate it and it isn’t getting in the way of anything else. Additionally, if you have a statement piece of art, hang it near the focal point in your room. It will draw attention and make sure that your artwork is seen.
Creating a stunning living room requires attention to detail and thoughtfulness in design. But with the right furniture, decor pieces and artwork, you can easily transform your space into something truly special. Don’t be afraid to try out new ideas or step outside of your comfort zone. Even small changes like adding some candles or area rugs can add enough flair to make your home unique. With these six tips for making your living room look amazing at hand. It’s time to start designing the perfect space that you will enjoy for years to come.
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