Whether you’re moving into a new home or want to revamp your current interior design, the living room is one of the most important rooms to get right. Ideally, your living room should be a place where you can unwind and relax after a long day, spending the evenings watching your favourite shows or enjoying a nice book. Not only that, but the living room is also where you’ll entertain friends and family, and it should show off your personality. If you want some tips on how to set up the perfect living room, we’ve got some suggestions below.
Choosing the Layout
The layout of any room is the most important factor to consider as it will have the biggest impact on how the room looks and how you can use it. You want your layout to look open and inviting while also being practical and functional. You should organise your living room layout according to the room’s main feature. For most people, that’s relaxing and enjoying TV.
Your TV should be positioned in a place where it’s easy to see, and allows it to be plugged into the socket safely. Don’t forget you’ll need to connect any additional devices such as games consoles and satellite receivers using an HDMI cable. While you can wall mount your TV, the best way to organise cables and ensure your TV is positioned correctly is to use a free-standing unit.
Make sure the rest of your living room layout is designed in a way that makes it easy to see the TV. Your sofa should be positioned on the opposite wall, facing the screen. That way, everyone can see the picture clearly without straining their eyes or necks to watch. You can choose other furniture such as coffee tables, lamps and bookcases based on the layout, ensuring they’re not obstructing the view.
Colour Palette
The colour palette of your living room, or any room for that matter, will affect the mood and overall feel of the space. Generally, light, bright colours help to make rooms feel larger and more welcoming. On the other hand, dark colours can be more imposing and provide more of a characteristic look. The colour you choose should suit your own ideas of how you want your living room to look.
Ultimately, colour is a matter of personal preferences. However, some colours will work better in certain spaces than others. In addition, some colours go well together, while others will clash. Always think about how the colours and designs of any existing furniture will coordinate with the colours you choose.
Don’t be afraid to experiment either. Traditionally, ceilings have been left blank white. Despite this, many homeowners are now using colour on ceilings, as well as patterns and feature walls to help provide character and definition.
Lighting
Your lighting choices will have a major impact on the feel of a room. The right lighting can instantly turn a room from feeling cold and sterile to being warm and cosy. Ideally, your lighting should be multi-purpose, allowing you to use the room effectively in different lighting conditions. This means a combination of the main light as well as lamps to add mood.
When deciding your lighting placement, you should also think about how you can control the lighting and how easy it is to change it. This means using dimmable switches, and controls that make it easy to switch on and turn off lights even when sat down. Modern homes often use smart lighting which can be controlled by your voice alone, making it much easier to change the brightness and even colour.