If the kitchen is the heart of your home, then the living room is its soul. It is where your unique personality comes through, and where friends and family members can gather to create memories.
These days, it may be one of the more difficult rooms in your home to design. Popular main floor open-concept layouts mean the living room is just part of a contiguous, flowing space that often includes the kitchen and dining room. So, creating a living room with its own separate personality may be challenging for some people, but it’s not a difficult task for the experts.
Have you ever noticed how beautifully styled the living rooms are at the show home of a new-home development? The designers of these spaces take special care to arrange eye-catching, stylish, trendy living spaces, and the living room is where they can let their creativity soar. If you’re looking to inject some personality into your living room, read on for some expert advice.
Open concept versus closed
Although the open-concept design is still favoured for its spaciousness, flow of natural light and the ability to promote social interaction, Tara Bergen, show home merchandiser for Jayman BUILT Edmonton, says she is seeing a gradual move away from this style.
“In recent years, we have begun to move towards a more closed-concept trend, which encourages a feeling of cosiness and comfort. While an open-concept floorplan is still the best option for many because it lends itself very well to those who enjoy entertaining, open concept versus closed ultimately comes down to what’s functional for you.”
Most designers stress that your likes, dislikes, style and personality are paramount when setting up your living room – or any space in your home. For Bergen, having a plan on what you want your living room to look like is the first step.
“When designing a living room, the key is the layout and space planning. This will dictate the mood and flow of the room and can greatly affect how it is used,” she says.
The importance of scale
Whether you live in a cosy condo or a palatial home, the scale of the furniture you choose is key.
“Scale is the most important factor here,” says Bergen. “We always need the same minimum circulation allowances, or the space between furniture, to move around a room, so when the room gets smaller, so must the furniture. Fortunately, different brands make a variety of furniture sizes, from apartment size to large-scale furniture for massive rooms.”
She adds that some items may not fit into a small living room, such as accent chairs, but the scale of the furniture, rugs, and accessories are the main factors to keep in mind.
“Visual weight can also play a role. When dealing with a smaller space, try using pieces with slimmer legs, or those made of glass, so the eye passes through. For a larger space, chunky, heavier items will help to fill the space.”
Choosing furniture
Taabish Zaver, interior design manager at Cantiro, says she typically selects one accent piece and then styles around it. “In the case of the living room, that tends to be the sofa. It serves as the central and primary seating area in the room, providing comfort and a focal point for socializing, relaxing, and entertaining. The choice of a sofa can significantly influence the overall style and functionality of the living room, making it a key element in the room’s design.”
Bergen agrees. “For me, the living room layout always starts with the sofa. There are usually multiple layout options, but a sofa or sectional can dictate how the rest of the furniture flows. It’s best to have your sofa facing a visual feature such as a fireplace, art piece or TV, and then other items like a coffee table, rug, and accent chairs, can be placed accordingly in a functional manner.”
Taabish Zaver’s tips to create a stylish, comfortable living room
- Seating and fabrics: A comfortable living room often features plush seating, soft textiles, and cosy elements such as throws and cushions.
- Lighting: Proper lighting, which includes ambient, task and accent, sets the right mood and enhances the room’s atmosphere.
- Layout: Effective use of the space and furniture placement allows for a variety of activities, such as socializing, relaxing and entertaining.
- Aesthetics: Carefully chose colours, patterns and decor that reflects a particular style or theme, whether it’s modern, traditional, minimalist or eclectic.
- Storage: Clever storage solutions keep the living room organized and uncluttered.
- Personalization: Incorporate personal touches and decor that reflect your unique style and preferences.