Modern people have quite a hectic life, especially those living in urban areas, and seem to be working 24/7, giving to the world the best of their selves. Of course, it is vital to keep something for oneself, and creating a cozy space for your body and soul is a way to find the balance. Here, you will find helpful ideas to create such a place in your living room.
Living Room: The Most Important Room of Your Home
As the very name of the room suggests, it is created for living, or even living happily ever after. Some young adults may say they come home to sleep, but many do not even notice that they spend so much time in their apartments and in their living rooms. For instance, on average, individuals spend 6.8 hours per day in their bedrooms and 4.4 hours a day in their living room, making it the second most popular place in a house/apartment. Easy calculations make it clear that a person lives in the living room for 1,606 hours a year. Can you imagine? You spend over two months in your living room, so this should be your place of strength!
Luckily, you can find anything for your room in a myriad of stores, hypermarkets, or online sellers. You can find so many types of furniture, accessories, paint, wallpaper, nails – you just name it. However, with this abundance of things and materials, a little but critical thing is often left behind. All these beautiful and functional things are rather standardized to address the needs of the mass market. But standards are good for public places, while you need something really personal and close to your heart. Here you will find unique ideas and primary rules to design YOUR living room, making it a true place of comfort.
The Key Rules to Design Your Living Room
RULE N°1: The Right Style
The first thing to consider when designing your living room is its style. It is pivotal to choose the right style to make the room a complete space. Although some go and pick a style from a catalog, the right style is the one that is right for you personally. In fact, only four major styles exist: contemporary, minimalist, industrial, and traditional. If you feel better with modern hi-tech things, contemporary style is the best option for you. Elegant shapes and a good sense of order are the characteristics of the traditional style, so choose this option if you find it a comfortable place to stay. Some prefer the sharp and rather brutal shapes typical of the industrial style. If you need space rather than things, the minimalist style is your choice. Bring your favorite book to the sofa and enjoy the story under the warmth of a lamp. Such a minimalist but the full picture of complete relaxation can be your perfect style.
RULE N°2: Harmonious Colors
Harmony is what people need to build resilience and remain happy in this stressful world. Color has a dramatic impact on people’s emotional states, so it is critical to choose this element of design for your living room wisely. Again, this is your choice but make sure you have a single palette of colors rather than a whole spectrum of shades. Of course, the first thing to do is to choose the atmosphere. What are you looking for: a dynamic space, a relaxing and peaceful place, or a joyful and somewhat goofy spot in your apartment?
So, be a good designer yourself and follow the double scheme pattern. Your color combination will be comprised of:
- Key tones: These are the colors a person sees when entering a room. These should be two colors or even one often used on walls and major pieces of furniture (such as sofas).
- Complementary tones: These can be between one and three colors that are used with different elements (usually, accessories) bringing additional touches of shades.
Of course, once you are ready with your color palette, stick to it. Remember that any additional colors will make your room look like a chaotic lost and found space.
RULE 3: Don’t Overuse Patterns and Graphics
When looking at designers’ living rooms, people often pay much attention to accessories. Some of these viewers come to a tragically wrong conclusion – the more, the better. However, patterns and graphics serve as additional touches, so they should be used sparingly. These are complementary elements, so they should occupy the corresponding proportion of the overall space of your living room. Use them to place emphasis on something rather than create torture to your eyes and cognitive function.
RULE 4: Ethnical Touches
Ethnical elements are, perhaps, the most effective items bringing your personal touch and character to your living room. You can explore your ethnic identity or choose the ethnical peculiarities of people from a different part of the globe. The major focus is your inner world and your inclinations. You can add these touches with the help of smaller items (cushions, carpets, baskets, and the like). Again, remember that no mass-market product can provide that ethnical touch. These elements cannot be found in IKEA, but you can easily find the best piece for your living room on a flea market, specialized websites, or your granny’s attic.
The Essential Objects to Create an Atmosphere That Suits You
So, now you know that Tiny Touches Tune your living room, which can be called the triple T rule. Color, patterns, and the overall style are major elements of your harmony, while small things grab attention and create the atmosphere. Of course, these small things make up the big picture, so they need some of your consideration time. First, remember about your style, color scheme, and patterns (if any) when buying essential objects.
- Carpets: They used to keep people’s dwellings warm and cozy, but now the former function is rather irrelevant. So, bringing coziness and a special touch of your personality can be a good job for these guys. By the by, they can be the major holders of graphics or patterns.
- Cushions: Although these are small objects, they can make a big difference by giving color touches and comfort. As mentioned above, a sofa is one of the major objects that go in the key tone (or tone), while cushions will add complementary elements. Make your living room bright or peaceful with the help of these items.
- Baskets: Some people are still unaware of the complementary role baskets can play in your apartment designs. At that, these elements can create an ethnical touch or be a functional component, such as a storage space (for your magazines). You can cover a plant pot with a good basket making the living room a place of romance.
- Decorative Trinkets: These are the things that bring more style and/or much of your personality. Such things as candles create an atmosphere of warmth and some intimacy, while vases add a certain kind of solemn beauty. Meaningful accessories can make you feel connected to the outer world as well. Place a plate you brought from your Euro trip in your living room, and it will bring your memories back each day.
- Plants: Some still think that plants can bring more oxygen to your dwelling, but, unfortunately, to achieve this effect, you will have to plant a jungle in your living room (Heid, 2018). Nevertheless, metaphorically, plants do create an atmosphere of freshness and a space filled with oxygen and positive energy. You also receive a tiny oasis of nature that can help you relax.
- Lighting: Light is an absolutely essential element needed for all living beings, including humans. This is what can make your living room appropriate or inappropriate for, well, living. Therefore, in addition to the central source of light, consider adding other sources (lamps, torchères, candles, spotlights, and a plethora of other things).
- Others: This section is all about individuality and creativity. The components mentioned above are all central items to consider, but you will still find something to share your individual perspective. Be it a mirror, a frame, or a piece of art created by yourself – these will work! You will definitely feel comfortable in a place that is unique and so much personalized.
Did You Know?
Hopefully, this article is a helpful source of knowledge and inspiration for your designing adventure. Perhaps, one more tip will do no harm, especially if it is related to something many find luxurious. Of course, it is all about space, which is becoming a new luxury, especially in urban areas. In order to make your living room seem more spacious, you can use wide windows and glass doors if you are lucky enough to have this option. However, you can also use lighter colors to bring more air and use another trick. You can use mirrors which will make your living room seem larger. These fixtures can also add a touch of secrecy and joyful exploration of new spaces or new facets of your soul.
Reference
Heid, M. (2018). You asked: Can indoor plants really purify the air? Time.