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Decorate With Intention: Love Your Living Room
If your living room isn't getting enough use, it may be time to address the cause. Here, some common dilemmas and solutions
Houzz Contributor. You can also find me on Lolalina (http://www.lolalina.com/), my blog devoted to all of the things that make a house a home - decorating from the heart, living with intention, and savoring life's simple pleasures.
Houzz Contributor. You can also find me on Lolalina (http://www.lolalina.com/),... More »
Do you love your living room? When you are ready to unwind, curl up with a good book, watch TV or hang out with friends, is your living room a place that brings comfort, entertainment and a sense of harmony? For many of us, our living rooms fall short in at least one area. Here's some troubleshooting for common issues.
First, consider these common living room design dilemmas:
First, consider these common living room design dilemmas:
- Lacks focus
- Awkward flow
- Too small
- Just doesn't feel pulled together
- Poor lighting
- Boring
- Too formal or too casual
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Dilemma: Lacks focus
Solution: Supersize your accessories.
Bitty little candles, vases and knickknacks lose impact when spread throughout the room. Instead, choose large-scale mirrors and art, and chunky vases and objets d'art. If your room has a fireplace (working or not), it is a natural focal point, so be sure to place a few accessories there (a group of three works well) and a mirror above to reflect light.
A note on fireplaces: If you have a working fireplace, keep a neat stack of wood nearby and it will feel all the more cozy, even when a fire isn't lit. If you have a nonworking fireplace, try filling it to the brim with cut wood, books (pages facing out, not spines) or a cluster of hurricane lanterns.
Solution: Supersize your accessories.
Bitty little candles, vases and knickknacks lose impact when spread throughout the room. Instead, choose large-scale mirrors and art, and chunky vases and objets d'art. If your room has a fireplace (working or not), it is a natural focal point, so be sure to place a few accessories there (a group of three works well) and a mirror above to reflect light.
A note on fireplaces: If you have a working fireplace, keep a neat stack of wood nearby and it will feel all the more cozy, even when a fire isn't lit. If you have a nonworking fireplace, try filling it to the brim with cut wood, books (pages facing out, not spines) or a cluster of hurricane lanterns.
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| Dilemma: Awkward flow Solution: Rethink your furniture arrangement. If it feels awkward to move through your living room, it may be time to roll up your sleeves and move that furniture. If you want to save yourself some unnecessary heavy lifting, draw the new layout on paper first or use a free online tool (search "free floor plan"). When you are ready to get moving, here are some things to keep in mind: • Seating should be positioned close enough that conversations are easy, but with enough room to easily get into and out of the seating area. • Pull your furniture away from the walls to create a more dynamic arrangement. If you have the room, placing a long narrow table behind your couch can help avoid that "floating" feeling. • Notice the path from the door to each seat in the room. Is it a straight shot, or do your need to swerve around furniture? Aim to have a gently flowing path to each seat. |
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| Dilemma: Feeling the crunch in a small space Solution: It's all a matter of scale. It may seem counterintuitive, but if you have a very small room it can actually seem larger when filled up with big, comfortable furniture. The key is to seek out pieces that fill the space without overwhelming it. An L-shape couch works particularly well in tiny rooms, and a straight-backed armchair feels substantial without taking up too much floor space. On the other hand, avoid needless space wasters, such as overstuffed chairs, rolled-arm sofas and gigantic coffee tables. |
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Dilemma: Just doesn't feel pulled together
Solution: Use symmetry to add polish.
Adding a few symmetrical elements is a classic decorator fix. Pairs of matching lamps, vases or stools, or two sofas facing each other work well. Just be aware that too much symmetry can feel stiff, so set that last chair a bit askew or create an asymmetrical arrangement on your mantel to loosen things up.
Solution: Use symmetry to add polish.
Adding a few symmetrical elements is a classic decorator fix. Pairs of matching lamps, vases or stools, or two sofas facing each other work well. Just be aware that too much symmetry can feel stiff, so set that last chair a bit askew or create an asymmetrical arrangement on your mantel to loosen things up.
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| Dilemma: Poor or unflattering lighting Solution: Add more light sources but lower the wattage. You would be amazed at the difference proper lighting can make. Strive to have at least three light sources in the room, and frankly, more is better. Overhead fixtures can be great, with the caveat that they're on a dimmer switch and supplemented with table or floor lamps. Here are a few more things to keep in mind when lighting your living room. • Sconces are a great option when table and floor space is tight. Swing-arm lights work well as task lighting over reading chairs. • Fill dark corners with small pools of light. Lighting the corners of your room will make it feel bigger. • Use lower-wattage bulbs but more lamps to create a warm, glowing effect. |
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Dilemma: Bland and boring
Solution: Spice things up with rich details.
A room without books and interesting fabrics can feel bland. If your living room is full of new furniture and accessories, it might be time to mark your calender and hit a few local flea markets and antiques fairs. Quirky objects are great conversation starters, and having interesting books and artwork around makes life more pleasurable. Wallpaper or a textured wallcovering like grass cloth can also add a sense of history and depth.
A note on mirrors: I think most decorators would agree that a room is not complete without a mirror. Some mirrors are meant to be looked in, it's true, but sometimes the best place for a mirror is where it can't be seen into directly. Over the mantel or a high bookcase may not be great for checking out your outfit, but it will reflect light and views and add a wonderful sense of depth to the room. Don't always choose a rectangular mirror — circle mirrors are a classic choice, and a pair of square mirrors hung side by side is very chic.
Solution: Spice things up with rich details.
A room without books and interesting fabrics can feel bland. If your living room is full of new furniture and accessories, it might be time to mark your calender and hit a few local flea markets and antiques fairs. Quirky objects are great conversation starters, and having interesting books and artwork around makes life more pleasurable. Wallpaper or a textured wallcovering like grass cloth can also add a sense of history and depth.
A note on mirrors: I think most decorators would agree that a room is not complete without a mirror. Some mirrors are meant to be looked in, it's true, but sometimes the best place for a mirror is where it can't be seen into directly. Over the mantel or a high bookcase may not be great for checking out your outfit, but it will reflect light and views and add a wonderful sense of depth to the room. Don't always choose a rectangular mirror — circle mirrors are a classic choice, and a pair of square mirrors hung side by side is very chic.
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Dilemma: Too formal
Solution: Tailor the room to your real life.
Older homes especially are apt to have a "formal" living room in addition to the more laid-back den or TV room, and guess which one gets used more often? While the draw of screen time is great, you can entice family and friends into the living room by introducing a more relaxed vibe. Here are a few ways to do just that.
• The tendency in formal rooms is to place furniture farther apart, which can feel stiff and uncomfortable. Instead, pull your chairs close to the sofa and table for a more intimate feel.
• If you enjoy taking tea and snacks into the living room, or you like to play cards, why not use a taller table? You can find some great ones in vintage shops, and there is something a little bit different about having a tall coffee table that feels warm and friendly.
• Fill a basket with board games and cards, stock up on soft blankets to curl up in and good books to read, and this room could become the new favorite rainy-day hangout spot.
• Check the comfort level. Are the chairs worth sitting in? Are the fabrics so precious that people are afraid to sit? Consider swapping out a few items to bring the formality down a notch.
Solution: Tailor the room to your real life.
Older homes especially are apt to have a "formal" living room in addition to the more laid-back den or TV room, and guess which one gets used more often? While the draw of screen time is great, you can entice family and friends into the living room by introducing a more relaxed vibe. Here are a few ways to do just that.
• The tendency in formal rooms is to place furniture farther apart, which can feel stiff and uncomfortable. Instead, pull your chairs close to the sofa and table for a more intimate feel.
• If you enjoy taking tea and snacks into the living room, or you like to play cards, why not use a taller table? You can find some great ones in vintage shops, and there is something a little bit different about having a tall coffee table that feels warm and friendly.
• Fill a basket with board games and cards, stock up on soft blankets to curl up in and good books to read, and this room could become the new favorite rainy-day hangout spot.
• Check the comfort level. Are the chairs worth sitting in? Are the fabrics so precious that people are afraid to sit? Consider swapping out a few items to bring the formality down a notch.
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Dilemma: Too casual
Solution: Refine the color palette and add crisp storage solutions.
If you avoid bringing company into your living room because it's become a cave for watching TV and nothing more, it's time to give your room a lift. Here are a few ideas.
• Keep your color palette tight. Two main colors (one "safe" hue like pale blue and one punchy shade like raspberry, to be used in smaller doses) and one neutral (white always works) are plenty.
• If your upholstery is seriously sagging, consider having it redone or buy a new piece. If the fabric itself is fine but the seat sags, look into having your cushions restuffed (much cheaper than reupholstering).
• Add art and fun details. A neat tea tray, a fresh throw and a sweet little vase for flowers can do wonders.
• Hide away the media mess — DVDs, gaming equipment and the like — in crisp, matching boxes or bins.
More:
The Family Home: Living Rooms You Can Live In
Could Your Living Room Be Better Without a Sofa?
Solution: Refine the color palette and add crisp storage solutions.
If you avoid bringing company into your living room because it's become a cave for watching TV and nothing more, it's time to give your room a lift. Here are a few ideas.
• Keep your color palette tight. Two main colors (one "safe" hue like pale blue and one punchy shade like raspberry, to be used in smaller doses) and one neutral (white always works) are plenty.
• If your upholstery is seriously sagging, consider having it redone or buy a new piece. If the fabric itself is fine but the seat sags, look into having your cushions restuffed (much cheaper than reupholstering).
• Add art and fun details. A neat tea tray, a fresh throw and a sweet little vase for flowers can do wonders.
• Hide away the media mess — DVDs, gaming equipment and the like — in crisp, matching boxes or bins.
More:
The Family Home: Living Rooms You Can Live In
Could Your Living Room Be Better Without a Sofa?
Ideabook published on May 2, 2012.
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I think theses are the colors in my den. The wall is BM Alpaca and the sofa looks this color. I was afraid they would not go together - that maybe the wall had yellow and the sofa had pink undertones. I am still having trouble "seeing" undertones. I hope my colors don't clash as we just had the walls painted. What color should mt curtains be (I'd like a monocromatic look) and don't know if the should match the wall, the sofa and be lighter or darker than each. HELP!!!!!!!! I'll try to post a photo, but for the room here, what color curtains would be best? Thanks!