As the center point of your home, your living room is a great place to begin your redecorating project. Whether you’re starting fresh in a new home or looking for simple ways to upgrade your existing decor, we’ll show you how to decorate your living room in five easy steps.
- Take Inventory of Your Furniture and Decor
If you’re working with a living room full of furniture and decor, start by taking stock of your stuff to determine what to keep, what to donate or sell, and what to toss. Use this time to let go of worn-out items like your broken-in easy chair or that scuffed-up coffee table that’s on its last leg. With only the essential pieces left, you can start fresh and build on your design from the ground up. - Arrange Your Furniture to Entertain and Unwind
Look for opportunities to create seating areas that encourage conversation, or situate your furniture around a focal point like your TV or fireplace. Don’t forget to think about traffic flow. Your living room is typically the most-used room in your home and the place you go to relax at the end of the day. Make sure furniture is situated in such a way that it’s not difficult to maneuver around everything, or look for lightweight pieces that can rotate throughout the space.
If you’re not starting from scratch, begin decorating your living room by rearranging your furniture. If you’ve been living with the glare on your TV for the last few years because you’re already settled in, now is the time to change things up. Moving your furniture around can make your space feel new and interesting again. - Refresh Your Color Palette to Set the Tone
Before buying all new decor, artwork, and accessories, it’s important to figure out your living room’s color palette. The color of a room will ultimately determine the mood and energy of the space. If you want to create a calming, soothing space, consider shades of blue or green. For a more energetic, lively space, think about warm tones like reds, oranges, and yellows. Neutral shades of beige, grey, tan, or white will give you more versatility when deciding what secondary colors to bring in.
Dark-colored or patterned pieces with tight weaves will prove to be the most durable in a living space, especially for a busy family. If your color palette feels too one-note, switch up your fabrics and finishes for a richer, fuller look. - Nail Down Your Style for a Cohesive Home Design
Your living room’s style will often set expectations for the rest of your home, so the next step is nailing down the design style you want to achieve. If you love the look of low-slung sofas, tapered legs, and geometric shapes, you’ll love mid-century modern style. Or if you prefer distressed furniture, vintage decor, and floral patterns, shabby chic style is your cup of tea. For the modern minimalist who loves clean lines, practical decor, and streamlined design, you’ll revel in the simplicity of modern style. - Welcome Guests With Efficient Lighting
Lighting is an often-overlooked part of redecorating a space, but it’s essential when setting the mood of your living room and illuminating your decor. To learn how to use a mix of ambient overhead lighting and task lighting to give the room a warm glow, check out our Home Lighting Design Tips.
Maximize natural light with sheer curtains that softly diffuse sunlight. Table and floor lamps are a great way to punctuate your design style while adding functional light to your room, so don’t be afraid to go bold with your lamp choices. Lamps are also a way to integrate secondary pops of color into your living room design.
