How To Decorate A Living Room – Forbes Advisor

Whether you are a seasoned professional or a novice in design, creating a well-designed living room space that balances coordinated elegance with the charm of life can be a challenge. With a little thought and a few interior tips from interior designer Hanna Propst of McAlpine, there’s no reason why you can’t turn your living room into a welcoming oasis.

1. Know your space

The place to start is the space itself. If you’ve lived in your home for a while, you may already be familiar with the challenges and unique features of your space. If not, take some time to measure and draw the floor plan of your new board. Be sure to note the locations of windows, doors, fireplaces, and any other objects that will affect where you can place the furniture.

2. List your needs

Once you’ve jotted down your dimensions, it’s time to think about what you need from your space. “I first like to think about how the space is used and how I want it to feel,” Propst says. Are you the entertaining type? Design your conversation space with spacious benches that can be moved and grouped together. Over a movie and a person popcorn? Find a large, comfortable sofa and consider placing the TV.

If you have children or pets, be sure to consider the durability of the new pieces you choose and plan any storage you may want for the children’s toys.

3. Determine your taste

Do you think elegant and modern furniture feels calm or cool? Does a packed bookshelf feel alive or crowded? “It can be very easy to get confused when you’re drawn to different styles,” Propst says. “As a designer, I have an appreciation for many different aesthetics, but it obviously wouldn’t make sense to put them all in one room.” Be considerate of your lifestyle and the aesthetics that will work best for your space, too.

Old Hollywood glamour or Scandinavian minimalism might look pretty in a magazine, but that doesn’t mean it’s the style for you. If you’re still having trouble, Propst recommends looking at images or spaces you come back to over and over. “It pays to think about things that you find timeless—what do you keep coming back to? What environments make you feel the way you want to feel in your space?”

4. Layout your color palette

While many different aesthetics tend toward specific palettes, it’s still important to think about the colors that suit your home best. It can be helpful to take a look at the trends you’re already seeing in your space. Do you tend to stick to neutral tones or do you prefer a more saturated and moody palette? Is there a specific color that appears often in your space?

“If there is a particular piece of antique furniture or a rug… that I really like or would like to incorporate, I might use it as the basis of a color scheme and let it inform other aspects of the space,” says Propst. Consider other materials in your space because they will contribute to the overall palette as well. Try keeping your wood tones consistent for a cohesive look and adding cooler tones like gray, blue, and green to add a bit of visual contrast to warmer spaces.

5. Set your budget

It may seem like a no-brainer, but knowing how much you want to spend beforehand will save you a headache. When it comes to design, budgets are about priorities. Understanding which pieces you’d like to brag about, what you need now and what you can fill in at the bottom of the line is critical to setting a realistic budget.

Carpets and lighting can be as pricey as the larger pieces, so do some research in some of your favorite stores to get realistic costs for décor to your taste. If you’re hoping to incorporate any custom millwork, furniture, or upholstery, get quotes early so you know where you might need to save. Finally, always add a small pillow to the budget, if you fall in love with a special or one-of-a-kind piece along the way. You never know where design inspiration will strike you.

6. Find the big pieces first

Once you have done all your homework, you are ready to start shopping. Start with your focal pieces that will anchor the space. “A good sofa is a great place to start when investing in living room furniture,” says Propst. “I always look for timeless lines and a neutral texture or leather, so no matter how your style evolves, it makes sense in a space.”

Other focal pieces could be a beautiful antique rug, an heirloom chair you’re hoping to show off or even a wall of shelving that highlights your collection of Penguin classics. No matter what your space focuses on, starting with the larger elements will help you focus the design as you go.

7. Fill in the gaps

With your focal points in place, it’s time to improve your design. Filling in the gaps can be satisfying, like putting the last pieces of a puzzle in place, but it can also be overwhelming. These are the often overlooked pieces that can take your space to the next level. The most important component, according to Propst, is lighting.

“When I enter people’s living rooms, lighting often seems to be an afterthought,” says Probst. However, it is arguably the most important aspect of the design. Choosing the right type, number of fixtures, and color temperature and intensity greatly influences the mood, usability, and aesthetic of a space.”

There are a few tricks designed to focus on lighting your ceiling to create a gentle glow instead of downlight. Keep your LED fixtures at a warmer color temperature to create that cozy feeling (about 2700K and no more than 3000K for a living space). Well-placed wall lamps or cleverly suspended pendant lights can make interesting accent lights, so don’t be afraid to look beyond standard table and floor lamps.

8. Personalize your finishing touch

Finally, let your personality shine through your space. Even a simple, plain space can feel comfortable and inviting when it contains those personal touches. Bring your favorite candles, a stack of cherished books, display some art on the wall, or lean against a piece of furniture. Take an adventure out into the world and see eclectic pieces that show your interests.

Propst’s favorite place to search? “I’m a huge fan of antiques, so anytime I can search an antique or antique shop, I do, especially when I’m traveling,” she says. “Sometimes the messier the shop, the better – and that’s when you find those hidden gems!” When in doubt, add more plants, which will always warm the space and add a sense of life. Accessories are a great way to transform a well-designed space into your own.

No matter your space, budget, or style, anyone can turn their living room into a thoughtful retreat.