Here at Fireside Furniture, we know that the living room is arguably the most important room in a home. This is where you relax after a long day, host family and friends, watch your favorite shows, and maybe even work. You may call it the soul of your home. So based on this idea, let’s think about what would make the perfect living room. Well, this room needs to be warm, cozy, welcoming, but also stylish and representative of your personal style.
In our blog, we have a lot of information about how to create a great living room. And in this article below, the home furniture experts at Fireside Furniture have created the ultimate guide to help you design the perfect living room. We look at everything you need to do to create the perfect living space.
Let’s get started.
What Do I Need for The Perfect Living Room? Layout and Style
First things first, you need a plan.
Envision what you want your living room to look like and sketch a layout and general style. This will help you as you shop so you do not purchase items that will be out of style in the space. Consider key colors, furniture pieces, and arrangements.
Also, consider the style you want to achieve. Popular décor styles for living rooms include traditional, rustic, farmhouse, modern, industrial, minimalist, and mid-century.
Obviously, you don’t need to color within the lines. Pick a style or combine two or three that speak to your personality, and use this as another guide as you shop.
Living Room Necessities: A Focal Point
Next, create a focal point. This is a centerpiece around which the rest of your living room is designed. It can be a TV console, fireplace, window with scenic views, a grand piano, a wall, or even a sofa.
The Perfect Living Room Color Scheme
Now, consider the perfect color scheme.
Remember, your living room should be the most inviting part of your home, so think warm color palettes. It is also conventionally wise to go neutral, as this allows for more flexibility should you want to mix things up later.
Make sure the floors are darker than your walls. This will create the illusion of space and balance. When picking colors, you can think about 60:30:10 rule – 60% dominant color, 30% secondary, and 10% accent.
Living Room Furniture Essentials
As one of the leading furniture stores in all of New Jersey, we here at Fireside Furniture are of course going to talk about furniture and home furnishings! Furniture is the primary building block of any living room. Some key pieces you need include:
Sofa
With a few exceptions, a sofa is a basic necessity.
This, however, does not mean it needs to be boring. A sofa can be a focal point in your space, so play around with fabric and style. You can go casual with this elegant button-tufted sofa or retro with a leather sectional – it’s up to you.
But also, don’t feel the pressure to go bold. Neutral pieces are easier to design around and offer more versatility. Most importantly, pick a functional, comfortable sofa that will last many years.
If you are designing a smaller space, skip the oversized sectional and 3-seater sofa and set up a two-cushion loveseat.
Once your main chair is set, break up the monotony with at least one accent chair or lounge. This piece can complement but does not have to match your loveseat or couch.
Coffee Table
With your coffee table, you can never go wrong with the traditional rectangular design. But if your sofa is more laidback, consider a statement piece. It can be asymmetrical, round, with a modish silhouette – something that draws the eyes.
Ottoman
An ottoman can act as a footrest, provide additional seating, or provide storage if it is lidded. This piece does not have to match your larger furniture pieces.
Wondering if you need an ottoman for your couch? Read our informative article about that exact question to find out!
Other Living Room Furniture
Add at least one or two side tables next to your seating areas. This creates space to place the TV remote, set drinks, arrange books, etc. Also, consider a
- Media console like this rustic table-TV console combo
- Bookshelf
- Credenza
- Hutch
Accessories and Decorations
Once you set up your furniture, the main body of your living room is set. It’s not time to add some color and personality with accessories and decorations.
Start with an area rag to create a warm and cozy look, add insulation to the floors, and absorb sound. Make sure your choice complements your sofa or table.
Hang something eye-catching on at least two walls. This can be a culture of framed photos, traditional framed art, a mural, a large map, or floating shelves. If you want to make your walls a focal point, plaster a chic wallpaper to one wall or paint it in a bold color.
Complement these two walls on the other side with window curtains. Pick colors and textures that complement your upholstery and area rug. An extra tip is to shop for long curtains that skim the floor.
Other decorative items you can place around the room include:
- Decorative pillows
- Throw blankets
- Floor baskets
- Small accent pieces, such as ceramic bowls, abstract bookends, a vase, scented candles, catch-all trays, a globe, and small sculptures.
- Houseplants
Remeber than when decorating, less is more. Don’t overcrowd your room, or it will end up looking tacky. A few pieces centered around your key furniture pieces should do.
Lighting
Windows in your living room will deliver tons of natural light. This is crucial for ambiance and will make your space feel open, light, and airy.
If your living room doubles as a workspace and you don’t have enough natural light, put in a bright overhead lamp. But don’t let this be the only source of light.
Use different fixtures to create layered lighting and a soothing ambiance. Consider options such as a pendant over your reading nook, night lights on the side table, a task light for your desk, a lantern, etc.
Technology
Finally, technology goes a long way during those cozy evenings and movie nights. The essentials here are a TV and sound bar or surround speakers.
Pick a TV size, style, and model that matches your budget, personal style, and the size of your living room. The average TV screen spans 55 to 65 inches, which should be sufficient.
However, ensure it offers 4k resolution and an above-60Hz refresh rate for the best viewing.
Time to Go Shopping at Fireside Furniture!
So there you have it: setting up the perfect living room comes down to planning. Start with a clear vision of what you want your space to look like, pick a focal point, and design around that point.
Most importantly, pick items for comfort as much as design. Your living room should be warm, cozy, and inviting. Also, don’t give yourself a headache trying to match everything – complimentary décor works better for a clean look. And now that you know everything you need for the perfect living room, browse our catalogs for the best living room furniture and accessories. Also, feel free to reach out if you have any décor and design questions about your living room, or come into our showroom on Route 23 in Pompton Plains, New Jersey to see the furniture in person!