The living room is the core of the house, where you can unwind, relax and spend time with friends and family. Furnishing a living room from scratch may seem excessive, but it can also be very rewarding once you have achieved the desired result. Read this article to find out how.
Steps
Step 1. Determine how the living room will be used
This will help you decide which furniture to buy and which theme / color scheme to choose. Evaluate how many people will be using the living room on a regular basis so you can purchase an appropriately sized sofa and put in the right number of chairs if possible.
- Take into account both the practical use and the aesthetic aspects of the living room. In other words, think about what the room will physically be used for and how you want to see it. Keep this in mind as you furnish it so you don't waste money on impractical things.
- Decide if you want to have a television or not. If you opt for it, decide where it will be placed before decorating; avoid placing it in a place with too much window light which creates reflections. You could also buy collective game consoles or a closet to store the television.
Step 2. Choose a color and style combination
Having a theme in mind is important when choosing new furniture in order to achieve the desired aesthetic. You can also think about changing the color of the walls to suit your preferences. Consider the following ideas:
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Warm tones.
Paint the walls cucumber-green and buy items with a yellow and orange accent, such as armchairs, cushions, and pieces of art. This color scheme creates a warm and playful, bold and colorful environment.
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English countryside.
It can be green, blue, red, or gray patterned canvas wallpaper, chintz patterned wallpaper with accentuated patterns, shabby-chic style furniture, and an elegant Chinese style. Compensate the very colorful areas with others in neutral tones to avoid an overflowing living room.
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French countryside.
As with the English countryside, this style combines colorful patterns such as stripes and checkers with neutral tones. Find some vintage items on the French-Provençal style, and add shades of deep red and blue. For a more formal look, add elegant swags and a glass chandelier.
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Modern / contemporary style.
The modern design is very minimalist, insert neutral tones like beige, gray and dark brown, and choose furniture with straight lines and smooth surfaces (stay away from detailed embroidery or inlays). Try a long beige L-shaped sofa and throw in dark gray cushions and a rectangular dark wood coffee table.
Step 3. Take your measurements
Before buying any furniture, you need to measure the length and width of the room. Determine where you want to put each piece of furniture and the appropriate measurements for that area.
You also need to measure the height of the ceiling if you plan to purchase a bookcase or wardrobe
Step 4. Take the essentials
Regardless of the style or color you choose, you need the following items to complete your living room:
- A couch. Consider taking a longer sofa (4-5 seats) and a smaller one (2-3 seats) and place them perpendicular to each other.
- Small table. This will serve as the center piece of the room, and you can use it to place magazines, books, remote controls, etc. The sofas must be placed around the coffee table.
- Classic chair (s). These add an extra pop of color and offer additional seating.
- Television or fireplace. These serve as reference points for determining which direction to point the furniture. If you don't have these items, place the sofas and chairs facing each other with a coffee table in between.
Step 5. Add decorations
Once the essentials are in place, you need to add some smaller decorative accessories. Find some pictures for the walls, and decorate the mantel with knick-knacks, candles, and picture frames. You can also put one or more lamps to make more light.
- You could add other items such as a fruit bowl for the coffee table, plants, flower pots, and various books or magazines.
- Put curtains or swags on the windows, especially if they face the street.
- If you have a wooden floor, you can put a large rug to cover it.
Advice
- It is not necessary to buy all the furniture in the same store. Mix and match, consider buying new and old (second-hand) furniture.
- Consider hiring an interior decorator to help you find the style you want.
- Browse various home design magazines and furniture websites to find a style that inspires you.
- If you opt for a vintage style, you can try a thrift store to find unique and exclusive pieces at super low prices.
