Home design has changed with time and circumstances. When I started to work in interiors, the living room was that room just for special occasions or to host guests. It was a formal, rigid, and forgotten space—clearly a boring destination.
Today we spend more time at home than ever before, and home design priorities have drastically changed. The living room has transformed into a practical, valuable, and joyful space. It is now more flexible, comfortable, and a space to play and enjoy diverse activities.
Here is my proposal for an easy, worry and mistake-free system, to create that perfect living room:
1.- FOCUS ON YOUR NEEDS:
• How are you going to use such a room? What activities will develop in such a space? B
Besides socializing, perhaps this area can have additional functions, like reading, playing, music, etc.
2.- DETERMINE YOUR STYLE:
• Are you aiming for modern, transitional, classical, rustic, country, or any other style? Such selection needs to reflect your lifestyle, character, and taste.
• To help you clear the path and avoid being lost, create a mood board, composed of magazine cuttings and pictures from Pinterest and other websites. This exercise will determine what you like and where you are going.
• Do not commit solely to one peculiar look, but establishing a general scheme is essential. It will keep you focused.
3.- KEEP IN MIND FOCAL POINTS AND RESTRICTIONS:
• Such as a fireplace, the location of windows, incoming natural light, columns, or built ins. Please don’t ignore them.
• The ideal setup is creating an imaginary circle around the central piece, such as the coffee table and placement of the rest of the furniture, providing free space to enter the setup. Don’t block it or place furniture with the back facing the entrance. It is unwelcoming.
• The final executed room needs to relate to adjacent spaces for a mature design solution of the entire home.
4.- TAKE MEASUREMENTS:
• The correct scale of furniture is critical for a room to look proportioned. Start determining the ideal size of the larger pieces, such as sofas, area rugs, and coffee tables, and build from there.
• With masking tape, mark the footprint, location, and size of preselected items on the floor. This exercise will allow you to check proportions, circulation, and additional pieces such as side chairs, tables, and others to complete the room.
5.- LIGHTING IS A KEY PLAYER:
• Need to determine multiple sources of lighting. My suggestion is to have as many options as you can. From recess light and ceiling fixtures to table and floor lamps. Each one provides a different mood, and you need to play with them to create different ambiances as per the usage of the room.
• Don’t forget to provide dimmers for lighting control. You will create beautiful ambiances and moods within the same space.
6.- DON’T FORGET THE WALLS:
• Don’t leave them empty or untreated. These surfaces are the backdrop of the room. Options can be selecting a wall color, or choosing a texture, wallpaper, murals, etc., this way achieving the right frame for the room.
• Select art pieces of your liking and determine if you will select larger pieces or create a gallery of multiple components.
• Mirrors are magic. They bring light, make spaces larger, and are an excellent opportunity to create a focal point of interest.
7.- CREATE LAYERS:
• Well-selected window treatments, decorative pillows, and decorative accessories to create that character and visual interest you aim for.
Final recommendations:
• Take your time, don’t rush. It is better to spread the project in time, to avoid costly mistakes.
• If uncertain about your selections, build up slowly and determine the following pieces once
you have the basic furniture set up.
• Avoid purchasing sets. My suggestion is that each element contributes visual value and
interest
• Don’t be afraid of mixing different elements and styles. They provide character
• Make sure the room reflects you and your lifestyle. Make it unique.
• Incorporating natural plants are always a great way to provide that eco-friendly and happy
element to any room.
Do share with us your comments and suggestions on what else comes to mind, to make that living room your dream space.
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