Living Room Inspiration for Decorating with Furniture Pieces
Your living room is such an important part of your house and your life. It has multiple purposes, which can make it hard for decorating. It acts as your sitting room when you host guests, but needs to be a relaxed space where you can unwind. It is also a fun space, where families gather to play games or watch TV on the couch. In many open floor plans, it can also be the same place where you eat.
Your living room reflects your personality, so should have a unique look to match, while being welcoming and enticing. This important room deserves some care and attention to help it fill all of the jobs it does, so here are some living room ideas to help you get the most out of this critical space.
Living Room Design Ideas
When decorating your living room, first consider the size, shape, and natural lighting of the area, and don't forget to take into account all of the things you use it for. Also, when considering a living room idea, make sure it fits your personal style. While you might want to try something really bold and different, you spend a lot of time in this room, and if it isn't really 'you', you're going to tire of it quickly.
Start by getting some ideas of the furniture, colour scheme, and style you are interested in, then choose a paint colour for the living room walls to coordinate. Next, find a rug, artwork, window treatments and other highlight pieces that fit with your overall theme. Remember, you don't need to do everything at once. Once you have your main furniture, like a sofa, other seating, and a coffee table, you can take time to find the perfect complementary pieces.
Modern Living Room
For a modern living room, bold decor is key. Geometric shapes combined with black and white colouring makes a strong statement. If you like the look of black and white, but want a more functional sofa that won't show dust or dirt as much, you can get the same effect with a deep, cool grey. A gallery wall on the opposite side of the sofa, precisely arranged, completes the look.
Classic Cool
Cool whites and ultra-light ice blues can feel welcoming, not cold. Paired with stainless steel or silver accents, this creates a bright, airy feel. A minimal coffee table and side tables further keep the sense of space.
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Complementary Honey-Light Wood and Cool Blue
This living room scheme looks great if you already have lighter or warm hardwood floors, and offers a gentle but upbeat feel. Choose a light sofa and chairs, with lighter, honey-coloured wood accents. Blue cushions, throws, and other items add colour and character, but this looks best when kept minimalistic.
Grey and Great
Grey has been popular for a while, and as a cool neutral with so much flexibility, its popularity is moving from a trend to a classic scheme. Especially with quality furniture, its appeal is timeless.
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Cozy, Comfy and Contemporary
For the look of a New York City apartment without feeling cold, comfortable black leather reclining furniture is a sure success. For those who think modern living rooms are not very welcoming, a black leather sofa takes center stage visually for the modern look, but, being cushiony and reclining, sets a more relaxed and inviting look. Black and white pictures, with black picture frames add to the vibe. An unusual coffee table or a wet bar gives a big city impression, too.
Simple and Sophisticated
Clean lines, classic leather, and a simple, uncluttered look is both welcoming and sophisticated. The natural look of leather and wood is timeless, and works well in both larger or smaller spaces. This grown up style is perfect for hosting and casual lounging.
Standout Sofa or Quirky Accent Chair
Instead of decor highlights and accents, sofas can be the focal point and be the main aesthetic source of interest. In a room of neutrals, a bolder or distinctive colour for the sofa creates this visual interest, as well as a touch of coziness to your living room.
A distinctive accent chair that fits naturally within your colour scheme but adds a pop of personality is useful for a cohesive look while creating a unique and personalized space. In addition to adding extra seating options, eye-catching chairs can be used to tie together your entire colour palette, in the same way rugs are often used, and can introduce more texture to your living room.
Living Room Ideas for Difficult Spaces
Define Areas for Irregular Rooms
If you have an irregularly-shaped room, you can create separate spaces to maximize it. Using different area rugs, you can create the illusion of separated areas. You can create a book nook, craft area, cozy sitting area, or other useful little spot.
Dark or Small Space
Light furniture and wall colour scheme, in whites or a light neutral palette, makes a room feel more open. Maximize natural light with mirrors and open spaces that won't block the light. Supplementing with lots of lighting, including table lamps, will also help the area not feel closed in.
Leveraging Multifunctional Living Room Furniture for a Multipurpose Space
Since living rooms get used for everything, the best living room ideas incorporate multifunctional pieces. These help ensure your living room doesn't get cluttered or simply doesn't work for your needs. Try an ottoman that doubles as a table, in addition to being a footrest. Bookshelves hold decorations, books, and more, making them perfect for storage. Drawers and cabinets also offer storage, while also storing your TV. Sofa sleepers are also great for adding your ability to host, or for extra-comfortable viewing during a TV marathon!
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Finding the Right Furnishings
Perhaps the most important factor when decorating your living room is choosing sturdy, high-quality pieces that will stand up to the heavy use that living rooms receive. Cheaper items tend to look worn and tired quickly, which seriously detracts from your decor.
Smitty's Fine Furniture has all the living room furnishings you need to refresh your space. Whatever your personal style, we have quality, timeless pieces you will love for many years.
Smitty's Fine Furniture is a family-owned furniture store specializing in Canadian made furniture and customized solutions. Visit our locations in Kitchener and Hanover: