The living room is the heart and face of the home – it is usually the room in which we spend most of our free time, the place where we relax, entertain and get together with friends and family. Achieving maximum comfort, good functionality and great aesthetic value is of utmost importance in living room design. As a main interior space within our homes, it is only natural that the living room gets our undivided attention and becomes a starting point in the whole design project.

What is there to know about living room interior design?

Proper functionality is the first step towards good design.

Before all else, functional organization should be considered. It is necessary to determine the furniture groups that we should fit in the interior space, and try out different layout options. It is important to leave a sufficient amount of free space between furnishings so you can freely move around.

Layout schemes for your living room can vary depending on the characteristics of the space and the personal needs and requirements of the inhabitants. Still, a cozy sitting area is typically a must-have in any living room design. In addition to that, a TV area can be designed, as well as dining and kitchen areas, a reading corner and storage solutions.

From a psychological point of view, it is best to avoid placing your seating corner with its back against the door. If your home is with an open concept floor-plan then it is important that you have a good flow in your room by figuring out the relationships between the different areas. Naturally, the sitting area should not be in the way between your kitchen and dining table.

As far as the TV is concerned, it is recommended that you don’t place right opposite or in front of a window as that would either cause annoying glares, or totally block your view out. Another thing you should consider is placing your TV in a way that it can be viewed from different part of the room, such as the sitting area, the dining table or the kitchen.

Your furnishing options are basically unlimited.

The way you furnish a place is of utmost importance for the comfort of living and the design appeal. Picking out your furniture is quite a personal process as it depends on your individual needs and preferences, so there are no strict guidelines that you should necessarily follow. There is a large number of possibilities for you to find various items in large furniture chain stores or smaller boutique shops. And, if you face any difficulties picking out a good design, then you can always have your furniture all custom-made.

One of the most important things to consider when looking for furniture, is choosing pieces of a proper size with respect to the measures of your room. You should not overfurnish a small room, just as you should not leave a larger space void and uninviting. Before all else, however, you should make sure that you keep your design balanced and consistent by picking out pieces that look good together.

Good lighting means better comfort of living.

It is highly recommended that you get plenty of light in your room. Installing a large variety of lamps throughout the interior space is the best way to make sure you get a good combination of ambient, task and accent lighting. It is best if all individual areas in your living room get independent illumination.

Good lighting design can make it possible for you to put an accent on a certain area in your home by putting it in the spotlight. That way, the sitting area can be designed with a fabulous chandelier, and the kitchen corner nearby can have simpler recessed lights instead.

As for your task lighting, you can have a floor lamp in your reading nook, table lamps beside the sofa or wall sconces in certain spots. Accent lighting, on the other hand, can be integrated in the design of the furnishings, decorations and drop ceilings.

Drop ceilings can be a great addition to your living room design.

Drop ceilings can give a real boost to your design by making it more fascinating and unique. A little play with form and height can help you define the different areas in your living room and put an accent on one of them. Of course, your drop ceiling design should be consistent with the general design concept, as well as with the interior layout of your room and the choice of lighting. Read again our article on that matter.

Choosing a color scheme for your living room is a personal decision.

We were once asked what colors are best for a living room interior design. The right answer is that there is no wrong choice. Color theory is a science of its own that deals with the way colors are created and how they impact human emotions and behavior, but, after all, it all comes to personal perceptions.

Neutral shades, for example, can be nice and soothing for some people or utterly monotonous and boring for others. Still, the one basic principle when working with color is finding harmony and proper balance, which can be achieved with the help of varied hues and slight contrasts. It sounds easy enough, but is in fact an art of its own!

Accents can catch the eye and enrich an interior design.

Accents stand out amidst other elements and add character to any design. Basically, any interior design element can serve as an accent – a drop ceiling, a feature wall, a vintage armchair, a bright rug, a fabulous chandelier… The possibilities are endless, but it is important that we keep good balance. Moderation is the key to a good design, as going overboard with accents can have a negative impact.

Accessories put the final touch in living room interior design.

Interior decorations are that last detail which breathes life into the interior design of any place. They inspire a sense of comfort and help personalize a space, as they reflect the character and style of the inhabitants. The choice of home accessories is strictly personal and can’t be conformed to a standard. Still, as designers, we usually recommend having a large variety of decor items such as interior textiles, wall art, sculptures, plants…

Discover more living room design ideas on our projects page.