The living room determines what the house will be like: cozy and welcoming or a loner’s refuge. In this article we will tell you how to make the main room in your apartment stylish and beautiful.
The design of living rooms depends greatly on the intended function and size. It is important to take into account the placement and ision of space, the creation of a harmonious color scheme and style, the choice of finishing materials and lighting solutions.
How to choose the right furniture to match the concept, where to place the TV, how to decorate a small living room, what common mistakes to avoid when planning a living room – we will answer these and other questions, focusing on the designer’s approach to creating cozy and functional interiors.
Living room design styles
There are many style options for decorating a living room, and the decision depends on personal preferences and the available budget of each person.
Although unexpected, minimalism can be the perfect choice for a spacious living room. In this case, the room is not overloaded with excessive details, which creates a feeling of lightness and free space.
The Loft style involves an optical increase in space, as well as the absence of overload with objects. This design approach will be attractive to those who do not accept restrictions and want to give their home a feeling of spaciousness.
Classical
Lovers of traditional values are advised to balance luxurious elements in the interior to avoid unnecessary extravagance. Use details carefully, such as columns, stucco, gold, heavy curtains and wrought iron furniture. It is important to remember that the classic style does not imply cheap solutions. If you decide to bring a mirror into your interior, frame it inside a hand-carved wooden frame to highlight the style.
Modern
The design of this style strives for minimalism, paying attention to conciseness and functionality. Practical options are used as finishing materials, and the interior contains folding sofas, shelving or cabinets, lighting integrated into the multi-level ceiling, and a minimal number of decorative elements.
Provence
French country, or Provencal style, is not limited to a rustic aesthetic. It is an artfully blended luxury that embellishes the apparent simplicity, inspired by the charm of the southern regions of France and a return to origins. This style is dominated by warm pastel shades, which are emphasized by bright accents. Features of the Provencal style: snow-white walls, wooden ceiling beams, rough texture of plaster, furniture made of natural wood and abundant use of textile accessories.
Art Deco
When creating an interior in the Art Deco style, attention is paid to clear geometry; romantic patterns and natural motifs should be avoided. Glossy finishes, lacquered and metallic surfaces, mirror mosaics and polished wood are part of this style, creating a sparkling and dramatic appearance. Characteristic Art Deco features include graphic prints on luxurious fabrics such as silk, taffeta, satin, velvet and brocade. In Art Deco, a monochrome palette, chocolate and cream shades, as well as rich emerald, sapphire and golden colors are popular.
Modern
Don’t ignore current trends. For example, the concept of well-being calls for a move away from excessive luxury in decoration and a return to traditional methods of decorating living spaces. In such interiors, handmade elements, natural materials and plants create comfort and beauty.
It is also worth paying attention to the contemporary style (from the English contemporary – modern), which includes elements of modern design. And although at first it may seem that modern and contemporary are similar, contemporary provides freedom in the choice of materials, furniture and decor.
This is defined as eclecticism, in which elements of different styles are harmoniously intertwined. This style is characterized by a neutral color palette, including black, white and shades of grey, brown and beige. Contemporary is also distinguished by the clear geometry of walls and ceilings, simplicity of furniture and restrained decor.
Break stereotypes
Don’t limit yourself to strictly adhering to one style. If you want to break established design norms and rules, feel free to do so at your own discretion. Even if the interior has a stylistic basis, add elements that go beyond this style, giving the interior inidual character and uniqueness.
This approach enlivens the interior: bright color accents against the background of white walls will add expressiveness to the living room, and a classic chest of drawers will take on a new interpretation when standing next to brickwork, and the rough texture of wooden shelves will contrast with smooth glossy surfaces.
Use a small rug to create a focal point for unobtrusive design elements. For example, such a rug will fit into a white interior, giving visual harmony to the space.
Color spectrum
For the living room, the best choice is to use a light color palette, as neutral shades are known to harmonize with each other.
Natural colors do not attract undue attention, but they are far from boring. From a psychological point of view, this range has a calming effect and promotes relaxation and good rest. Even if you prefer bright colors, it is recommended to mute them slightly: replace expressive red with ocher or a brick shade, and bright green with olive.
The color palette for a classic living room includes neutral shades such as white, cream, beige, as well as light blue, light gray and pale pink, and so on. The upholstery of upholstered furniture can be made in light green, brown or pale yellow tones.
Contemporary style typically uses neutral, often monochrome, colors. Bright accessories, such as chocolate brown, navy blue or other rich colors, look expressive against such a background.
Those looking for non-standard solutions should pay attention to the color palette typical of an Art Deco interior. Predominant colors: black, white, dark brown, ivory, as well as shades of red and green, including ruby and emerald. It is important to adhere to the principles of eclecticism of this style, such as accenting brown-beige shades with bronze or gold, complementing a black interior with nuances of burgundy and combining gray-green tones with blue accents.
Wall decoration
This method allows you to transform your living room by simply changing one wall, using a different color or shade, wallpaper or decorative brick for decoration.
It is not necessary that the color of the wall be a strict continuation of the design of the room. The main thing is not to overdo it with bright shades. The contrast is made moderate and somewhat balanced.
Furniture and decor
In small living rooms, the best choice would be convertible furniture, which will be functional and at the same time take up minimal space. The location of the fireplace next to the soft zone is considered optimal. In addition, the center of attention can be a coffee table or TV. The layout of the living room should be thought out so that movement around the room is comfortable and unobstructed.
To create an interior in a classic style, carefully select furniture so that the elements are harmoniously combined with each other, and the shapes have slight curves. This applies to both chairs and cabinet furniture. It is important to note that in the classic style the use of metal or plastic is not allowed; furniture made of natural wood is preferable.
Minimalism helps to expand space, characterized by a practical absence of decor and paying attention to the functionality of elements.
The loft style is characterized by a minimal amount of decor, where furniture not only performs functional tasks, but is also used to zone the room. Laconic shapes, metal details and leather emphasize the practicality and ergonomics of this style.
The interior in the Art Nouveau style is distinguished by smooth lines, ornateness and artistic elements. For such an interior, sofas with elegant details and armchairs with artistic features are suitable. Antique furniture will also look great in this style.
The Provence style is characterized by painted and aged furniture , while the contemporary style is characterized by built-in wardrobes and modular furniture with storage space. Additional bookcases, couches, folding tables and sofas, and chair beds are functional in this style.
Wall and floor clocks will fit into a classic interior, and the vase will become an exquisite decoration for the living room, regardless of style. Decorative pillows can help create a casual atmosphere, although you should be careful with favors and figurines so as not to overwhelm the space.
Floors and ceilings
The living room is a popular space in the home, and requires choosing flooring that is practical. Suitable options would be parquet boards and laminate. But if you want to save money, use high-quality linoleum with a decorative pattern that imitates natural wood.
For practical ceilings, plasterboard is often used to create multi-level structures.
Planning and zoning
Even at the planning stage, the designer’s priorities will be functionality and useful use of the available space. When formulating an answer to the question of what type of living room is needed, it is important to first determine what specific functions it will perform. If this is a traditional recreation room, then the choice will depend on personal ideas about what rest and relaxation will be like.
A comfortable sofa, a widescreen TV, an armchair with a floor lamp for reading nearby and a fireplace that will add coziness to the living room.
Decorating a small living room
Often in small kitchens it is not possible to arrange a separate dining area. Therefore, living rooms are sometimes used for eating. This decision becomes more relevant every year, as the combination of several functional areas in one room is becoming a more common trend. The kitchen-living room has obvious advantages, such as a bright and spacious room, as well as a solution to the problem of the dining area.
There are many ways to zone the kitchen space and relaxation area in the living room. For example, you can use a kitchen island by decorating one of its sides (the one facing the living room) in a shade that harmonizes with the decor of the sitting area. Another popular option is to install a bar counter that serves as a dining area.
To ide the space, screens, partitions with a built-in fireplace, shelving, dining tables or upholstered furniture are used. As for finishing the kitchen-living room, a popular trend will be the use of different materials for the floor.
Sometimes it happens that the living room additionally serves as a bedroom. In such cases, install a large folding sofa, which will allow you to turn the living room into a bedroom at night.
It is also worth considering that lighting, which highlights the boundaries, will also be a means of zoning. To solve this problem, use spotlights.
Lighting
When choosing central lighting, focus on the style of the interior. The color, material and shape of the chandelier must match the color palette and design concept. In rooms with high ceilings, hanging chandeliers look good, while in living rooms with normal ceiling heights, they are justified – for example, above the dining table.
To create a cozy atmosphere in the living room, it is recommended to use at least four levels of lighting, including natural light, ceiling lights, table lamps, and sconces or floor lamps. Multi-level lighting maintains a balance between comfort, functionality and aesthetics.
Create islands of light. Place floor lamps and sconces next to sofas and armchairs, and highlight decorative elements with spotlights on the floor. If the living room has a work area, then use diffused and uniform lighting, and lamps above the dining table will provide soft and cozy lighting.
TYPICAL MISTAKES WHEN DECORING A LIVING ROOM
Of course, you will not avoid mistakes, but our tips will help reduce their number to a minimum.
- Lack of light. Insufficient lighting will deprive the interior of expressiveness and make time spent in the living room uncomfortable.
- Oversaturation . Use restraint, as excessive decor will harm both aesthetic perception and comfort in the early stages.
- Mirrors, framed photos and paintings . Place these decorative elements at eye level, while trying to maintain harmony in the interior and avoid disorganization.
- Large furniture in a small living room . The dimensions of the furniture must correspond to the dimensions of the room.
- Tropical forest on the windowsill . Some people prefer to decorate their window sills with planters, but the living room will look more attractive if you limit yourself to a few small green accents.
Any fantasies come true. Don’t be afraid to break the norm, but keep basic design principles in mind. Then the living room will take on a new look, because design is not only the visual perception of the house, but also the emotional atmosphere.