Get interior decorating and styling advice for creating the ultimate living room space. Tips on layout, size and scale so you can decorate your home confidently. These basic elements and principles of design often get overlooked, so learn the...
Living rooms are the epicentre of many homes across the world, they are the place where all the ‘things’ seem to happen, all the joys and all the tears (happy sad)
Having such a big status within the society of the house. A living room needs to not only look awesome but also be super comfy. Unfortunately such a highly used space can also be very difficult to decorate, and there are some key decorating tips I’d like to share so you get it right the first time.
Avoid Common Mistakes with Furniture Placement & Scale
The first big one that really stops the flow of a living room is the floor plan layout, and is crucial as the inevitable blank canvas of the space. Stuff this up and the rest could be a complete disaster, even if it looks pretty.
The size (aka scale) of every piece you bring into a space really does matter. Scale & size are actually two separate elements of the design, others include things like line, shape, texture...more about this in another post.
Living Room Styling & Furniture Placement by The Whole Room
Using Size & Scale Correctly
Have you ever seen a huge space with only two small pieces in it or a really small space with loads of large furniture pieces crammed in ? Either way it lets off an eerie sense ‘I’m an uncomfortable space’, and that’s the furthest thing we want you to create in the essential hub of your home.
Size & scale relates not only to correctly size pieces for the space but also the wrong amount of pieces within the space. Be mindful of this when selecting your big ticket items. Cramming a side table next to a sofa when it means you have to side step left to avoid running into said sofa is not ok.
In many small apartments I have ditched the coffee table and utilised different height side tables, some that can also be utilised as additional seating. That way I could create more space for human movement within the space.
An example of good furniture layout By The Whole Room
How to Pick Or Create A Focal Point
Once you get the correct sized pieces and the right amount of them, then you conquer the layout.
Pick a focal point in the room, it could be a tv or a fireplace, or even a spectacular view. Arrange the seating around this focal point for the most comfortable viewing of said focal point.
Don’t have one ? Create it with an amazing artwork, something that is big enough to draw the eye straight to it when you enter the room. I have the Samsung Frame TV which doubles as an artwork when off, admittedly as I rent also I am unable to hang it. However you get the idea, it still stays the focal point of the room
The focal point in this living room is the artwork placed on wallpaper, which definitely draws the eye in by Aleena from The Whole Room
The Power Of Height & Principle of Balance
Tall house plants and floor lamps are perfect to add in some height + fill the corners of the room up. Same with floor lamps, place one in the corner to create a balance, bring cohesiveness to the room + also add in some accent lighting which will help with the mood of the room.
Something like below, a large tv, offset with a plant to the right, creating balance. Balance is one of the principles of design, and can help draw the eye to the focal point.
Start Your Colour Palette With Your Focal Point
Texture, tone + pattern are your friends here. Start the scheme with a large focal point canvas or rug, pull the colours, shape, + pattern from either. Make sure your decorative pieces also compliment the room, less is more, don’t make it cluttered so your focal point can shine in all of its glory.
Steal The Look Below
& Achieve Your Dream Living Space
If All Else Fails
..get the help of a professional, they are trained in the design elements and principles of design and know how to get things just right. I offer full & part project virtual interior decorating services, as well as a quick fix option for a low $39
Learn More About my online Interior Decoration Services
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