Today’s consumers place a lot of
emphasis on personal style when it comes to decorating their living rooms, but
it’s important not to sacrifice practical concerns like comfort. The plus side
is that the two certainly aren’t mutually exclusive. Read on to find seven tips
for how to take a functional, but not very inviting, living room and turn it
into an oasis of comfort and relaxation.
Think Outside the Box
There’s no need to purchase
expensive furniture. In fact, most of the time, furniture designed to look chic
and fancy isn’t really all that comfortable to sit on, and worrying about every
potential stain or scuff definitely isn’t conducive to relaxation. Instead of
following the trends of yesteryear and filling the living room with expensive,
intimidating antiques, purchase some comfortable but affordable furniture.
There’s no better way to go in a
small or awkwardly shaped living room than a bean bag chair. They’re available
in all kinds of sizes, colors, and even different styles and they represent
the pinnacle of affordable comfort. Those who aren’t sure what kind of bean bag
chair will work best in their spaces can get help at sumolounge.com.
Invite Some Nature In
Whether the living room is large
or small, opening up those blinds and letting in plenty of natural light is a
great way to brighten it up and create a cozy space for relaxing on a lazy day.
Natural lighting isn’t the only way to let a little nature in to do its good
work, though. Try incorporating easy-to-maintain houseplants, calming natural
color schemes, or interesting textures like woven fabrics or natural-fiber
carpets.
One of the great things about
embracing a natural aesthetic is that it will complement most living room
styles. Plus, adding a few houseplants will cleanse the air and letting in more
natural light can help to improve mood and overall well-being while
simultaneously decreasing monthly energy bills.
Avoid Straight Lines
Boxy furniture and rugs that
feature linear designs are much less inviting than curves. Curved furniture
makes people feel more protected and fosters an atmosphere of inclusivity,
making it easier to make invited guests feel right at home. Don’t be afraid to
go one step further and incorporate round tables, mirrors, or photos or to get
even more creative with loose, curvy shapes.
It’s fine to combine some
straight lines with curves to create a transitional style that balances comfort
against contemporary design. Those who want to go this route should avoid
excessive ornamentation and intimidatingly large furnishings. The transitional
style is better suited to a more minimalist aesthetic that prioritizes clean
lines and simple designs, not ornamentation and clutter.
Embrace Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the art and
science of combining essential oils to produce the perfect scent. Since a
home’s residents don’t just experience their surroundings based on sight alone,
creating a calming scent scape is essential to fostering a general atmosphere
of comfort and relaxation.
There are a few ways to use
aromatherapy in the home, including scented candles, incense, and essential oil
diffusers. The latter of these options is the best way to go for residents who
prefer subtle, discreet scents instead of overwhelming scent experiences.
Choosing the right essential oils
is arguably even more important than choosing the right aromatherapy method.
For relaxation, choose oils like lavender, cedarwood, cinnamon, or Ylang Ylang.
Perfect Imperfection
A perfectly coordinated living
room may look nice, but does it really feel like part of the home? Anyone who
has ever walked into a formal den knows that the answer is no. Embrace the
perfectly imperfect by incorporating art, furniture, or accessories that are
more eclectic in nature or even completely mismatched.
Deciding to embrace the imperfect
is the best way to show off unique items and create a space that truly reflects
the residents’ unique personalities. Plus, a less perfectly curated living room
will make guests more likely to feel welcome and relaxed instead of feeling
like they’re visiting a museum.
The Right Seating Arrangements
It’s important for those who have
large families or frequently entertain guests to provide adequate seating for
everyone. Don’t worry so much about choosing the perfect furniture. It’s more
about making sure that everyone in the room has a comfortable place to kick up
his or her heels.
When placing furniture, make sure
to keep the room’s primary uses in mind. Those who love to play board games may
want to add a card table between two comfy couches so everyone can get involved.
Video gamers or movie aficionados should orient their furniture toward the
television, although it’s never wise to make the TV the only focal point of the
room. As with choosing furnishings, avoid straight lines whenever possible, and
make sure there’s enough space to move around easily.
Provide Alternative Lighting
Overhead lights may be practical,
but they do little to add to the aesthetic of any room. They’re bright, harsh,
and tend to cast a sterile-feeling wash over the room. While it would be unwise
to do away with overhead lighting entirely, it’s a great idea to complement it
with accent lighting that creates a softer, more welcoming glow.
Add table and floor lamps near
cosy furniture to facilitate reading at night or task lamps over a desk if one
or more family member likes to tackle homework or household finances in the
comfort of the living room. Using floor lamps lets people get a little more
creative, too. Choose lampshades that feature interesting patterns, colours, or
designs but make sure they don’t interfere with the lighting too much if people
use it to accomplish practical daily tasks.
The Bottom Line
Living rooms are meant to be
lived in. Since every person alive has slightly different tastes, there’s no
blueprint for creating the perfect cosy, comfy, inviting living room but the
tips above can certainly help. Choose the ones that make the most sense for
space, the household’s residents, and the designer’s personality and try to
balance function with fashion for maximum effect.
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