Did you know that there are experts who devote their careers to studying the psychology of interior design? That’s because our interior spaces have real, tangible effects on our behaviors and moods.
If you find yourself feeling restless, agitated, or overwhelmed when you step foot in your living room, it may be a sign that it’s time for a change. Living rooms are one of our most-used interior spaces, and designing your living room with your mood in mind is a great way to improve your day-to-day life.
Picking the perfect living room layout and design style doesn’t come naturally to everyone. If you’re not sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place.
Read on for our guide to restyling your living room and picking the perfect furniture.
Consider Design Styles That Speak to You
You may not be able to look at a gallery of furniture and decor and decide, automatically, what goes together. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t take a look at different design styles and see what speaks to you!
Browse the internet or pick up an interior design magazine and take note of two to three design styles that you like. Popular, trending styles include industrial chic, mid-century modern, minimalist, Bohemian, and Scandinavian design, although there are plenty of other styles to choose from.
Once you have a few that you like, try to envision what those styles would look like in practice. Can you see yourself enjoying couches and chairs draped with Scandinavian-style throw blankets or the neat, clutter-free feel of minimalism? Narrow down your design influence to the one that you’ll actually want to live in and that you’ll be able to replicate in your own living room.
Measure Your Space and Consider Scale
Picking furniture and designing a layout isn’t just about aesthetics. While you have your design influence in mind, it’s not time to put it to use yet.
First, grab some measuring tape and write down the dimensions of your living room. Include any unusual features like recessed shelves, fireplaces, or large windows.
In addition, start thinking about scale. In design, scale refers to the size of an object (like a piece of furniture) in relation to another object (like a second piece of furniture or the room, itself). You want to design with scale in mind, which means that large rooms shouldn’t be filled with small pieces of furniture and small rooms shouldn’t be dominated by large pieces of furniture.
Think About Function and Comfort
How do you want your living room to function? Is it a space where you plan to entertain guests or kick back with the entire family? Is it a space where you hope you get some work done during the day?
When designing a living room, you need to balance function with comfort. You know the dimensions and have a sense of scale. However, you also need to think about things like creating natural walkways, whether or not a television will be the focal point, and so forth.
Pick a Color Scheme Before You Start Shopping
Color is another thing you’re going to want to consider before you start buying your furniture. Your goal is to purchase pieces that go well together, but that doesn’t mean that you need to buy furniture with identical upholstery. Here, the color wheel (and color psychology) are your friends.
Let’s start with the basics of color psychology. If you want your living room to be an oasis of relaxation, consider cool tones, which include your greys, blues, and greens. If you want your living room to provide you with energy and excitement, consider warm tones like red, yellow, and orange.
One option is to create a monochromatic color scheme, using different shades of the same color. Another option is to pull from all of your cool colors or all of your warm colors.
All of that said, there is also the simplest (and easiest on the eye) option: going neutral. Neutral tones include white, tan, beige, light grey, and other natural colors. Neutral tones actually suit certain styles best, including Scandinavian and industrial chic design.
Draw Up a Plan for Your Living Room Layout
To safeguard yourself from making purchases that won’t work on a practical level, draw up a layout. Include specific measurements and double-check that these measurements fit nicely into your allotted space.
Drawing up a layout will help you narrow down your furniture choices when it’s time to start shopping. You’ll know, ahead of time, what size, shape, and quantity of furniture you’re looking for.
Find Quality Pieces That Will Last
Finally, it’s time for the fun part: shopping! Buying furniture for the living room is no small investment, which means that you’re going to want to make sure that you’re buying your pieces from a quality manufacturer.
Remember, you’ve worked hard on your living room layout and you deserve to enjoy it for years to come! Look for pieces that you truly love, that work in your space, and that are well-made from durable materials.
Create Interior Spaces That Work for You
Your living room plays a large role in your life. It’s where you spend tons of time and build cherished memories with family and friends. Plus, your living room layout and design impact your mood and behaviors every day!
With our tips, you can turn your living room into the perfect space that combines function, comfort, and taste. If you love our living room layout guide, we’re certain that you’ll love more of our content!
Take a look at the rest of our website and learn more helpful hints and tips on how to style the rest of your home, manage your finances, and more.
