Decor

How to Decorate a Living Room

Published
January 03, 2024

Reviewed by
Suze Dowling

How to Decorate a Living Room

At Open Spaces, designing and simplifying your living space is our passion. We specialize in homeware and organizational tools, believing that your home goods should bring joy. We aim to create the sense of a well-considered and thoughtfully curated home 

We are here to help you transform your living room into a space that reflects your personal style and enhances your daily routines, bringing a sense of calm to your everyday life. Let’s discuss everything you need to know about decorating the perfect living room.

What Makes the Perfect Living Room for You?

The living room often serves as a sanctuary for relaxation and quality time with loved ones. It’s where cherished memories are made and shared, making its design and ambiance essential to creating a welcoming, comforting atmosphere. 

It's important to consider both functionality and aesthetics when decorating your living room. This space should be a reflection of your personal style and cater to your specific needs. 

Exploring various interior design trends and styles can help you create a space that resonates with you. Whether you prefer a modern and minimalist look or a boho-inspired atmosphere, our range of homeware and organizational tools can help you achieve your desired living room décor.

Our belief in having less, paired with purposeful design, allows your living space to feel open and uncluttered. By embracing a minimalistic approach, you can enjoy more breathing room and create an environment that promotes tranquility and relaxation. 

Planning the Living Room Design

Creating the perfect living room design starts with careful planning and consideration. Before diving into living room decorating ideas, it's important to understand what you need out of a living space and your goals for that room. Try to take some time to evaluate your needs and envision how you want your living room to function and feel.

Then, assess the available space and determine a functional layout that accommodates your daily activities and desired seating arrangements. Consider how traffic will flow through the room and how furniture placement can optimize movement and comfort. It’s good to designate a focal point, such as a striking gallery wall, a piece of art, or a beautifully curated bookshelf, as it sets the tone for the room.

As you plan your living room design, remember to choose a color palette that aligns with your desired ambiance. Whether you prefer neutral and calming hues or vibrant pops of color, the color scheme will play a significant role in creating the overall look and feel of the space. Open Spaces believes that a well-chosen color palette can transform your living room into an energetic gathering place.

By carefully planning your living room design, you can set the stage for a space that reflects your style and functions seamlessly in your everyday life.

What Is the Best Furniture Selection and Placement?

Furniture selection and placement play a role in creating a well-designed and functional living room.

Seating

Start by considering the seating arrangement, which is the backbone of any living room. A comfortable sectional or a combination of accent chairs can provide the perfect spot for relaxation and conversation. Opt for versatile pieces of furniture that can accommodate different seating needs and adapt to various occasions.

Built-In Furniture

Built-in furniture and bookshelves offer storage solutions and an opportunity to display cherished personal items, creating a unique focal point. These versatile additions can transform a living room into a multi-functional space that showcases your style and personality.

Table Accent

A coffee table and side tables are essential for practicality and style. These pieces provide a surface for drinks and snacks and serve as a platform for decorative elements. You can place an eye-catching centerpiece or stack your favorite design books to add personality.

By carefully selecting and placing furniture in your living room, you can create a cohesive, visually pleasing space that combines comfort and style effortlessly. 

What Décor and Textures Can You Add?

Transforming your living room look from ordinary to extraordinary involves more than just furniture selection. Décor and textures in your makeover add depth, visual interest, and personalized touch to your space.

Soft Furniture Additions

Soft furnishings like throw pillows and area rugs are fantastic ways to introduce color, texture, and coziness to your living space. Experiment with different patterns and materials to create a visual contrast and add depth to your seating area. Remember to consider the longevity and durability of materials, ensuring they match your lifestyle and are built to last.

Adding a Visual Touch

Wall art, including gallery and accent walls, allows you to showcase your personality and artistic taste. Including a statement piece, such as a captivating painting or a collection of framed photographs, can make your living room truly unique. Accent walls painted with bold hues or adorned with textured wallpaper can also make for a striking focal point.

A Hint of Greenery

Incorporating greenery into your living room adds a touch of nature and helps your space feel serene. Adding indoor plants also helps purify the air and enhance well-being. From large floor plants to small potted succulents, there are options for every size and style of living room.

Lighting is Key

Another essential aspect of living room décor is harnessing natural light and utilizing window treatments. Opting for sheer curtains or blinds lets ample light filter through, creating an inviting and bright atmosphere. These treatments also provide privacy and offer an opportunity to introduce colors and patterns that complement the overall design.

How Can You Maximize Small Spaces?

Do you live in a small house and find yourself rearranging furniture every few months? Is it as if rearranging the pieces will magically expand your living room walls? 

Designing a living room in a small space can be challenging, but with the right approach, even the coziest rooms can feel open and inviting. Open Spaces understands the importance of efficient design solutions for small living rooms and provides a range of homeware and organizational tools specifically crafted for small spaces.

When dealing with limited square footage, the key to maximizing space is to choose furniture proportionate to the room. Opt for sleek armchairs or a compact sectional sofa that won't overwhelm the area. These versatile pieces offer both comfort and style without sacrificing valuable floor space.

A neutral color palette paired with light fixtures can create an illusion of a more spacious environment. We suggest using white walls or light paint colors as a backdrop to make the room feel airy and open. Strategically placed light fixtures, such as table lamps, floor lamps, or sconces, illuminate various corners while adding a touch of elegance.

Utilizing wall space is important in small living rooms. We recommend incorporating shelves and wall décor to store and display objects while keeping the area clutter-free. Floating shelves provide storage without taking up precious floor space, while wall art and mirrors create the illusion of depth and visually expand the room.

Multifunctional furniture is a small space dweller's best friend. Consider a coffee table with hidden compartments for extra storage or an ottoman that doubles as seating and a hidden storage unit. These pieces optimize functionality and help keep your living room organized.

What Are Some Design Styles and Themes?

Designing your living room is an opportunity to express your personal taste and style. Open Spaces understands that there are various design styles and themes to explore, letting you create a space that truly reflects your personality.

Minimalist

A minimalist design style may be perfect for those who appreciate a clean and uncluttered aesthetic. Opt for furniture with sleek lines, neutral color palettes, and minimal décor. Adding natural textures like rattan or woven pieces introduces warmth and visual interest.

Boho

The Boho design style might be your ideal choice if you're drawn to a more eclectic and relaxed atmosphere. This vibe embraces bold patterns, vibrant colors, and textiles. Incorporating layers of rugs, throw blankets, and cushions creates a cozy and inviting space. 

Open Spaces offers a selection of Boho-inspired décor and accents that can elevate your living room's bohemian vibes.

Luxe

For a touch of elegance, consider a luxe design style. Incorporate rich fabrics such as velvet, satin, or silk, and choose statement furniture pieces with ornate details or metallic finishes. Incorporating luxurious materials and finishes through accessories like cushions, throws, and decorative accents will help you achieve a sophisticated aesthetic.

Regardless of your design style, we encourage you to mix and match elements to create a customized, unique space that resonates with your preferences. Don't be afraid to experiment and combine different styles to curate a living room that showcases your individuality.

Final Touches and Maintenance

Creating the perfect living room doesn't stop at design and home décor. Proper maintenance and organization play a significant role in keeping your space functional and visually appealing.

Investing in stylish storage solutions will help you keep your living room clutter-free. Open Spaces' collection includes functional baskets, bins, and trays that help you stay organized while adding visual interest to your space. Maintaining a clean and organized living room reduces stress and lets you fully enjoy your surroundings.

Regular cleaning and maintenance are essential for the longevity of your furniture and décor. Open Spaces recommends following the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning specific materials, such as upholstery or wood. Routine dusting, vacuuming, and spot cleaning will help keep your living room looking fresh and inviting.

Sometimes a fresh perspective is all we need to keep life feeling exciting and renewed. As your lifestyle and preferences evolve, updating and rearranging your living room is great. By trying out different furniture arrangements or new décor pieces, you can be sure your living room feels inviting to you and your family.

The Takeaway

As you look to create a beautifully designed and functional living room, Open Spaces is dedicated to providing you with the tools, inspiration, and design tips needed to simplify and enhance your living space.

Our products are meticulously designed to be functional and aesthetic. We believe in the power of simplicity in design that can stand the test of time. With a philosophy centered around the idea that time is precious and life is short, we wholeheartedly believe that our stuff shouldn't hinder us from living a happy and present life. 

Our goal is to help you organize and simplify your home so you can be more mindful of your everyday habits and routines, ultimately bringing you a sense of tranquility and well-being.

Shop our collection to elevate your living space today.

Sources:

5 Ideas to Make Small Rooms Look Bigger & Brighter | Benjamin Moore

How to Use Scale and Proportion for Better Interior Design | Master Class

Household Traffic Patterns, Space Planning & Traffic Flow | Dunpar Homes

Got a Room With Opposite Focal Points? Here’s How to Arrange It | Michael Helwig Interiors

Our Latest Posts

Shop our Best Sellers

The Entryway Rack in Black. The Entryway Rack in Black.
Best Seller
$184
3 Colors
Underbed Storage - Set of 2 Underbed Storage - Set of 2
New Color!
$148
2 Colors
Medium Storage Bins Set of 2 Medium Storage Bins Set of 2
Best Seller
starting at $54
2 Colors
Medium Baskets - Set of 2 Medium Baskets - Set of 2
$72
5 Colors
Nesting Trays (3pc.) Nesting Trays (3pc.)
Best Seller
$48
5 Colors