The living room is the centre of a modern home, which means designing the right kind of space is vital to creating a welcoming place to live.
So how do you decide on the living room décor that’s right for you?
It’s not just about making a place to live, it’s also a great opportunity to upgrade a property you’re looking to sell.
A well-presented property is a far more attractive proposition to homebuyers than a tired room with paint peeling from the walls.
A Simple Approach To Living Room Interior Design
First up, let’s focus on the simple steps. Changing up your living room doesn’t always mean a complete and expensive overhaul.
There are a number of easy ways you can go about enhancing a living space:
1. Rearranging Furniture
It’s amazing what a change simply rearranging furniture can make to your living room. Try new layouts for your room, particularly if you have furniture that is cutting out natural light.
Moving your sofa to a new spot also offers a fresh new perspective to the time you spend in the space.
2. Removing Furniture
Don’t be afraid to say goodbye! We collect so much clutter through our lives that it’s sometimes hard to think how life would be without it.
But in the words of famed decluttering expert Marie Kondo: “Does that item spark joy in you?”
So, why not try removing excess furniture such as tables, ornaments, and unnecessary chairs from the living room and see if that makes a more positive space to live in.
3. Upgrading Furniture
There are two ways to upgrade your furniture. On one hand, if you can afford it, you can buy new or second hand furniture to replace what you’ve got. Don’t forget to check online stores for some great deals.
However, if you’re more creatively inclined, upcycling is a huge trend right now, offering some great living room décor ideas that turn tired old furniture into something creative and new.
4. Introducing New Light
The right lighting can transform a space from a bright and breezy living room to a cosy twilight parlour.
Introduce new lamps or light sources to the dark corners of the room and see how you can create a fresh ambience for your living room.
5. Add Some Greenery
Bringing nature indoors is a great way to add a fresh new look to your home.
Consider some easy-care indoor plants to beautifully match your interior, and add a new, natural dimension to your living room.
6. Touching Up Paint
A quick touch-up with some paint can make a huge difference to how well-maintained a property looks.
Why not try smoothing out the creases in your living room by fixing flaking paint spots or cracks on walls.
Be sure to match the paint correctly, and if in doubt, try the new colour on a discrete area of the wall first.
7. Repaint
A full repaint doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think. Why not look into some new colours to really refresh the space you live in?
Try out new colours on a concealed part of the wall to make sure you’re committed to the choice before you splash it up the walls.
7 Designs To Inspire Change!
Every property is unique, which means finding the right solutions requires being open to creative living room ideas that fit the space in which you live.
Here are 7 living room design ideas to inspire you.
1. Light And Airy
This is all about bright colours and making the most of natural light.
Use whites or very light pastel colours as the guidance for your palate, keeping walls and furniture bright to maximise the cool, clean feel of the space.
Avoid unnecessary clutter or furniture that blocks out light, consider whitewashing bricks to bring in that light and airy feel to all corners, and introduce furniture and decor that really emphasise that elegant feel.
This is one of those simple modern living room ideas that never goes out of fashion, and doesn’t need to break the bank to create.
2. Calm And Cosy
It’s all about soft colours and warm light to create that calm and cosy design.
Thick rugs, beautiful throws, cosy furnishings; these all contribute to a warm ambience that really helps to create a comforting feel around your living room.
Don’t be afraid to add elements of colour to add a little vibrancy to the décor. This can be a simple living room design style that’s achievable with some great soft furnishings and an eye for detail.
3. Arabian Chic
Keep it stylish while enjoying a glamourous twist with some Arabian chic. This is all about grand elegance that isn’t afraid to showcase vibrant design with exquisite rugs, elaborate blankets, and beautifully embroidered cushions.
There’s no defined palate for this look, just a commitment to luxurious furnishings and chic elegance with a sprinkle of spice and style.
Some exceptional lighting fixtures also go a long way to supporting this living room design style.
4. Timeless Classic
The right combination of classic furniture and interior décor can provide a truly chic and timeless feel to your living room.
Think classic red leather sofas and wooden floors that resound with every step. A perfectly positioned rug can add to the style while drawing the room together.
There are a huge range of options for your timeless look, from real antiques to faux-replicas, providing a great styling option that’s unique to you.
5. Artsy Fartsy
Why not get more creative with a style that’s built around creativity? Artistic chic is an overarching style that integrates unique design and creative elements into your living room.
This is all about tying the space together with eye-catching art and quirky items that speaks to your creative spirit.
Be sure not to go overboard and clutter up your room, and as ever – make the most of your natural light to highlight the pieces that really illuminate the room.
6. Mediterranean Style
It’s all about cool blues and clear whites with a Mediterranean style that offers a breath of fresh air to your modern living room.
Natural light once again plays a big part in this style, working with the vibrant blues and soft whites to echo a real by-the-sea feel.
Tiled floors can add an extra touch of something special to really carry the style to the next level.
7. Scandinavian Chic
Scandinavian chic goes far beyond that Ikea flatpack look!
While Malaysia might be more renowned for its sweltering days than cosy nights by the open fire, Scandinavian style provides an accessible design that really brings together that idea of warmth shared with good company.
Think soft grey with a pop of lemony yellow, eye-catching furniture with sharp angles and natural wood finish, and complementary use of colours in soft furnishings and throws.
What’s Next For Your Living Room Design?
Living room design isn’t just a great way to refresh your home, it’s a great way to add value. Making your home a more desirable place to live is an important part of any selling process.
That being said, here are some important questions you might want answered first:
1. Will It Definitely Add Value To My Home?
Only if you do a good job! But really, the better your home looks, the more likely you are to sell it. The bonus on top is it might increase the value too.
2. Do I Need To Hire A Professional?
That’s really up to you. Many of the ideas above just need a little bit of commitment and an eye for detail.
If you want to try some DIY you can pick up most of the things you need at a local hypermarket, furniture store, or online.
A professional could be a great investment to add value to your home, but at the end of the day it’s down to what you feel comfortable with in terms of cost and design.
3. How Much Will It Cost?
You can make your living room like-new with just a quick lick of paint and some smart furniture arrangement, or spend a fortune on antique chairs and luxury furnishings that liven up the space. It’s really up to you.
4. Should I Budget?
Yes. It’s important to budget for any change to your property. If you’re upgrading to sell, you need to consider how much the change might cost before deciding if it’s worthwhile.
Ultimately, whatever the reason you’re upgrading your home, you should have a clear budget and plan ahead of time.
Hopefully we’ve inspired you with some great ideas for living room design. It’s amazing the difference a little bit of attention and care can make to your home. View more Renovation and Home Design articles here.