Listen up, my friend. This is the perfect description if you’re on the lookout for how to make your living room shout, “I’ve got my life together.” Here are 12 kick-ass ideas I’m about to drop that will increase your space and make your guest from blah to wow.
No boring, cookie-cutter advice here as I have researched for the last 1 month to give you only the good stuff. So, either you want drama or want to bring some comfy vibe to your space, I have covered everything. Also, if you are looking to go out and hire an interior designer, just remember I have some tips for that too. Let’s start.
12 Interior Designing Tips For Living Room
Tip 1: Get Cozy with Color
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Today, I will spill on my secret weapon and it is Accent Walls. In the past, I was scared of colour. Like, after everything was completed suddenly, I felt like I didn’t like it within a week. And then I started imagining what if my walls made me feel like I was living in a neon sign? But I learned the hard way Honey and trust me, one formula can alter the ambience of your entire living room and it is one brave accent wall.
Seriously. I painted one wall with a rich, deep navy and the whole room just grew up, elegant, classy, yet cosy. I went with the dark colour because the moody vibe is what I love but do as you like. If red, emerald green or even warm mustard while that’s your thing, just go for it.
The rest of the room easily fits right into place I swear. And, hey, it’s also the best place to display your favourite art, the coolest mirror, or some vintage vessel you snagged, you know, at a thrift shop. Also, consider pairing it with elegant room paint colors for the perfect balance.
Tip 2: “Furniture Fiasco? No Thanks”
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You buy some piece of random cheap furniture that looks good in the store, but as soon as you get it home you are like, what the hell did I do? We’ve all been there. And, I also found out the solution is to stop buying things that do not add value to my space.
That’s why when I finally went furniture shopping, I was picky. Fit the vibe, the pieces I need are the kind that are practical. I’ve got a mid-century modern sofa that is comfy as hell and low, sleek, nothing bulky. Yes, the kind you actually can lounge on without yourself sinking into oblivion. And it’s a great colour (a neutral, obviously) so it goes with everything, no matter what trend I’m trying to achieve that season.
Pro tip: Do not use excessive chairs and tables in your room. Less is more.
Tip 3: “Lighting, Baby!”
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Lighting is everything. If you are thinking me crazy and thinking, who do you think is sitting in the dark? I am talking about some mood lighting, not the fluorescent light in your room giving you a headache.
I want some kind of lights that make people look good, go into a space and also create a sense of warmth, in every sense you can think of the sense that you want to invite your friends over for no other reason than just to show off your cool living room.
Boring harsh overhead lights are gone and I replaced them with dimmable floor lamps and pendant lights. And it’s like magic. You can also choose the LED strips under the coffee table or behind the TV. Trust me though, get some mood lighting and your place will be transformed into a five-star hotel.
Tip 4: Maximize Small Spaces
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Well, so we all had a feeling of getting stuck in a tight little living room with no room to move at all. And the struggle is REAL. I do have some tricks for your little room that can make it look much bigger. The first thing is to just use mirrors.
Go for the Big ones. Like, floor-to-ceiling mirrors. The light which they reflect gives them the illusion of depth. If you are smart in how you choose the furniture then low and sleek will have to do. A minimalist coffee table and floating shelves are what I opted for. But all these should not feel overcrowded, they’ve elevated everything.
There’s a secret, though: Small living room ideas involve ignoring vertical space! Try to use tall plants or artwork that reaches upwards. It will diminish your perception of space and make your brain believe there’s more space to contain. You can thank me later.
Tip 5: “Layer It Up”
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My rule of thumb in any living room is that if you don’t have at least five throw blankets and 10 pillows, then you don’t have the stake in life that requires these things. No joke, I layer the shit out of my sofa space. I was referring to throws, pillows and rugs.
A blanket is not only for cosiness but also for the vibe, as any couch will not do without it. I love the texture of things and I like to layer examples with a thick knit here like a velvet pillow there.
The mixing was done to give it some depth. I promise you; this is the easiest way to give your living room a touch of a glance you may see on the cover page of a magazine. GRAB A RUG ASAP IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ONE. The instant style just layers my rough floor and gives an instant vibe to my guests.
Tip 6: “Personalize Like a Pro”
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Listen, this one is non-negotiable. Your living room will curse you if you don’t do this. You must personalise it as per your choice. And I can never stand next to the people buying all the generic cheap stuff and filling their room. So don’t be that guy buying everything generic without planning.
For me, I have my room just in my way. One of my favourite things in that room? Weirdest trinkets that I’ve picked up over the years and brought with me from my family heirlooms. They tell a story, and I am just going to shout this out loud, I like it more than my personality.
In addition, I also put a custom-made rug a couple of funky sculptures, and a couple of my framed photos from my travels. It gives an impression of my own home in the room. Throw away that so-called safe stuff and fill it with something that is truly yourself.
Tip 7: “Open Shelving, Open Minds”
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Now, I get it. If you let it become a little bit of a mess, then open shelving can be your best choice. And if you do it right? Total game changer. I was very sceptical actually in my early days of interior designing and I thought to myself Why hide all my cute shit?
Thus, I put some open shelves and started displaying all my books, art pieces and all other random things I like. The catch was that I needed to keep it organized. There can’t be a cluttered mess. Therefore, I had baskets for smaller things, and I also grouped items in terms of numbers (yes, there is a rule for this).
I also went with a colouring palette that was always the same so everything was in order. Being Instagram-ready now, in a way as my living room is always curated and it feels way more.
Tip 8: “It’s All About Balance”
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Once upon a time, my living room was just like some tornado came, I used to throw stuff here and there in my living room. I had chosen mismatched everything: bright pillows, dark furniture, wild art. And the result? Complete Chaos. The thing here is that you can’t have a room that just becomes a dump of everything you have in your closet. No, honey. It’s all about balance.
First and foremost, you need to make your space weighted equally (colour, shape, size) work against one another. Then balance it out with a lighter-coloured sofa if you’ve got one. If you’ve also got a dark and big sofa, then balance it with some light accessories or art.
I like to be bold and neutral, so the room is grounded but also exciting to me. Design modern living room is all about finding the perfect mix of calm and chaos. And trust me, once you hit that spot between chaos and calm, then only it will work. Remember, balance is the secret sauce.
Tip 9: “Mixing Old with New”
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Grandma’s chair is not the most modern chic, I know, I know but listen. I am not willing to let go of that vintage chair and here is why. Because it’s about mixing all the old things with the new. I have gloomy like those gloomy old antique pieces sitting next to my contemporary, sleek furniture.
And believe me, it works. It gives the room personality. For creating an interesting space, you need that contrast. The lesson here is about understanding how to combine it all. It is both cool and fun to throw some old-school furniture next to fresh, modern pieces. As such, walk away from that weird lamp you picked up from a garage sale.
And if you plan it with a little bit, your room will easily pop as this will look gorgeous surrounded by cleaner, more modern items and it should come out well. Ignore what anyone tells you to get rid of the old things, try to combine the old with the new and surprise them.
Tip 10: “Statement Art”
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Listen, art is non-negotiable. What I mean by that is do not go for that print from the generic, local home store. No, not at all but choose real, statement pieces. I have had some disasters in the past but believe me. One time I bought an “abstract” painting. Huge regret.
However, these days, I’m particularly obsessed with getting art just to feel something. I am all in whenever there is a bold photograph, a stirring sculpture or an oversized piece that covers the wall. So, if there is this giant black-and-white photograph of mine that makes everything pull together in my living room.
I just absolutely love it and it’s perfect as a vibe at least for me. But if you are still stuck even now just have a look at local artists or search on online shops that are not mainstream. There are some insane pieces here that simply would elevate your space. Don’t be stubborn and go for boring art.
Tip 11: “Focus on Texture”
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Texture is everything and let me tell you something. I don’t mind how cute you throw those pillows and rugs but if the room’s textures don’t feel well all efforts are gone. So, try to mix and match that to create a flat space. Every corner should be layered textures and textures.
To me, there are velvet cushions, a shaggy rug, smooth leather chairs and a knit throw that has made it to my couch, but I barely know its name. And, I even haven’t sat on it. What you need is just mix soft, rough, cool and cosy materials in all your living room and you are done.
This induces a feeling of depth and interest. And textures simply enhance the feeling of the room like touching another dimension. In some way, it reminds you of when you’re snuggling up with a blanket, except you need to do it to your entire room.
Tip 12: “Use What You’ve Got”
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There’s no way for me to start dropping tens of dollars on decor every time I think of a wild idea. Hell no, I am not Putin, I am Trump and I save money wherever I can. And I just love to make things work with what I already have. So, you need to see what you have and look around what you can do with it.
Just scroll some DIY home decor and you get tons of ideas. I even got rid of my old bookshelves by painting them and now they look brand new. Old throw blankets? Make a pillow cover and no one is going to open the cover and check. And believe me, half of my decor is second-hand or DIY.
And if you don’t have time for all this, just find some thrift store and get yourself some customised second-hand pieces. I learned it the hard way and marked my words “Spending big will not make a space look great”. It’s all about being smart and then owning it. Truly, you are not going to spend what you have gathered with years of hard work.
Final thoughts
So, you have got 12 ways to take your living room from ‘meh’ to ‘wow’ without knocking your socks off, or emptying out your purse. And, if you are dead set to have the pros handle it then you can consider going for the top interior designer. I certainly trust that they will help take all of these tips and transform them into a place where your neighbours will be jealous. Don’t just waste time and start planning.
