Decorating your Living Room:
Most of us spend a lot of time getting our living room in fine order, as this is usually where we entertain guests and needs to make a good impression. Making a good impression is a noble goal so long we don't turn the room into a picture perfect place that intimidates guests and requires a high maintenance upkeep from family. A living room is meant for living, not preserving, so make yours comfortable and friendly to be in.
Make a Design Plan:
The first step is to look at what you have at hand and chalk up a design plan. Consider both the effect you want to create and the architectural elements of the living room. Make a list too of the activities you are going to use the living room for. Is it going to be reserved for entertaining guests or is it going to be a family room as well? Is it going to double as a dining room? Will it be used for reading or playing games or watching television? If you have pets, will they be allowed in it?
Then think about the kind of furniture you will require for the proposed activities. If you are going to have a dining table, what kind, large or small? Are you going to have cabinets for the television, books, ornaments and other stuff? What kind of sofa and chairs will be comfortable for you and your guests, and wear well too if you have pets jumping on and off?
Get inspired:
Once you know what you want, you can look at different design ideas. Refer to magazine photographs, color swathes, fabric designs, artworks, other people's homes, shop windows, nature, the Internet, everything is grist for the mill. It is inspiring and certainly very interesting to know what leading interior designers are doing currently, but don't fall too much for 'what's fashionable now' and 'what's hot and happening today'. Remember, you should be your own style expert where your own home is concerned. The point is not just to have a well-designed living room, but one that portrays your personality vividly, is both fun and comfortable to live with, and is easy to maintain. If you have a living room that is too precious to be used, one of you needs to be changed.
Most of us spend a lot of time getting our living room in fine order, as this is usually where we entertain guests and needs to make a good impression. Making a good impression is a noble goal so long we don't turn the room into a picture perfect place that intimidates guests and requires a high maintenance upkeep from family. A living room is meant for living, not preserving, so make yours comfortable and friendly to be in.
Make a Design Plan:
The first step is to look at what you have at hand and chalk up a design plan. Consider both the effect you want to create and the architectural elements of the living room. Make a list too of the activities you are going to use the living room for. Is it going to be reserved for entertaining guests or is it going to be a family room as well? Is it going to double as a dining room? Will it be used for reading or playing games or watching television? If you have pets, will they be allowed in it?
Then think about the kind of furniture you will require for the proposed activities. If you are going to have a dining table, what kind, large or small? Are you going to have cabinets for the television, books, ornaments and other stuff? What kind of sofa and chairs will be comfortable for you and your guests, and wear well too if you have pets jumping on and off?
Get inspired:
Once you know what you want, you can look at different design ideas. Refer to magazine photographs, color swathes, fabric designs, artworks, other people's homes, shop windows, nature, the Internet, everything is grist for the mill. It is inspiring and certainly very interesting to know what leading interior designers are doing currently, but don't fall too much for 'what's fashionable now' and 'what's hot and happening today'. Remember, you should be your own style expert where your own home is concerned. The point is not just to have a well-designed living room, but one that portrays your personality vividly, is both fun and comfortable to live with, and is easy to maintain. If you have a living room that is too precious to be used, one of you needs to be changed.