No matter how spacious a living room is, it can quickly feel cluttered and cramped. Living room makeovers can be a lot of work, but they’re worth the effort to create a space that suits your needs and style. The good news is that there are some easy ways to spruce up your space without having to do too much work. Check out these six tips for making your living room look more open and inviting.
Start with What Matters Most: Your Family
The layout should suit their needs first and foremost. For example, if you have young kids who love to play outside in the backyard, then maybe your living room doesn’t need as much seating as other rooms in your house. If everyone’s favorite activity is watching movies together on Netflix all day long, then you’ll probably want more seating than average! So sit down and take inventory of how people use this space- it’ll help you figure out what pieces you need to focus on.
Measure
You’ll want to make sure that whatever furniture or accessories you bring in will fit comfortably in the space. This is especially important if you’re rearranging things or bringing in new items. It’s frustrating to get everything all set up and then realize something doesn’t quite fit.
Measure everything beforehand to make sure it will comfortably fit in your space- there’s nothing worse than getting all the way home with a new coffee table only to find out that the dimensions don’t work.
Focus on Functionality
While it’s important to have a living room that looks great, it’s also crucial that it functions well. Make sure the space is setup in a way that works for you. If you like to spread out and work on projects while you’re relaxing on the sofa, make sure there’s a surface nearby that can accommodate your needs. If you love to entertain, make sure there’s enough space for people to move around and socialize.
When creating a functional living room, one should think about how to best utilize the space. For example, if you have people who often come over, you will want a larger sofa to accommodate them all. You may also want a coffee table in this area because it is where most guests will congregate. Another idea is to place your TV in this area so that everyone can see what is going on without having to strain their necks.
If you need a reading nook, then make sure there is enough space for this, and make sure there are plenty of cozy chairs or love seats to suit your needs. To keep the living room organized and functional, make sure you have storage options such as bookshelves and cabinets to help you stay organized.
Create a Focal Point
The focal point should draw your eye and make the room feel complete. A focal point could be a big piece of furniture like a newly cleaned upholstered furniture piece or an entertainment center, or it could be something as simple as a beautiful mirror.
Another way to create a focal point for your living room is to hang a big piece of artwork. A large painting can draw attention to something in particular in the room, whether the fireplace or the television. Another way to make this point is by placing your TV in an area that doesn’t take up too much space and is easy to access. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that draws your eye and makes the room feel complete.
Have Fun with Lighting
You can create a cozy atmosphere by dimming the lights, but make sure there’s enough light to see without straining your eyes. Task lamps are great for adding extra light to specific areas like couches and coffee tables, while overhead lighting is suitable for general spaces like entryways and kitchens.
To brighten up your living room while you’re entertaining guests, use overhead lighting to brighten up the entire area. This is typically the brightest type of lighting and will help everyone see each other clearly throughout conversations.
Add Some Color
A pop of color can really brighten up a room and make it feel more welcoming. If you’re worried about matching and making things cohesive, go with a color family (like blues or oranges) and use different shades of the color as your accents.
A great way to add color without making the room look too busy is by having fun with wall decor. Wall art can come in sizes ranging from small square prints to huge canvases, and when grouped, they make quite a statement. Place one colorful piece over your sofa or behind your entertainment center to create some interest in this area.
The living room is the heart of your home and a space where you spend most of your time. Make sure it’s functional, designed with purpose, and offers plenty of functionality for all who visit or live there.
