If Your Living Room Could Talk
Get the scoop on what your room is trying to tell you.
Often the most used room in your home, the living room is where you watch TV after work, host friends on a Saturday night, and cuddle up with a weekend read. Can you imagine what it would say if it could talk? It might beg for a renovation, implore for a cleaning, or plead for some personality.
Check out what our editors think your living room might be saying and discover ways to give this hardworking space what it's asking for.
The Gripe: "I've been like this for years"
Design: Chancey Design
The Fix: A new floor plan
When was the last time you rearranged your space? If you're like most of us, you haven't moved your furniture since you set it in place.
Create a fresh, new room without spending a dime by switching it up. If the TV is currently the focal point of your room, group your sofa and accent chairs across from each another. This centers the space around conversation rather than a screen. If you're craving a bigger space, place your sofa against the longest wall. This tricks the eye into thinking your space is longer than it actually is.
When you revamp, you're not just decorating, you're actually extending the life of some pieces. When furniture sits in one spot too long, traffic patterns form, wearing on floors and rugs. A new layout creates a different traffic flow, reducing the wear and tear.
Rearrange strategically with the seasons and the path of sunlight. If low winter light shines in your eyes while sitting on the sofa, rotate your seating so you’re facing away from the windows. Learn the ebb and flow of light and traffic, then play around with your space so you don’t feel stuck in one spot.
The Gripe: “I feel like a cave”
Design: Clean Design Partners
The Fix: Stop living in a dungeon and let there be light
Layered lighting illuminates a room properly. Your room should have lighting on three levels: high, medium, and low. High includes anything hanging from the ceiling (chandeliers, pendant, flush mounts, track lighting). Medium lighting is sconces, floor lamps, and task lights. Low lighting involves table lamps and other small lights.
Pick your window treatments wisely. Choose a light weight fabric to let in a natural glow or horizontal blinds that can be adjusted to let in light without sacrificing privacy. In this room, wooden blinds cover only half the window to brings in a hint of the tree tops and a lot of sunlight. Bright spaces create happier homes and happier moods.
The Gripe: "I'm basic"
Design: Clean Design Partners
The Fix: Put your decorator's hat on
Most people cross the decorating finish line in their home and then consider it complete. Decorating isn't like a marathon—though it can feel that way at times. A home is ever-changing, staying current with updates based on trends, your taste, or even your organizational needs.
Keep boring at bay by giving your space a style, anything from an all-out theme to an eclectic assortment of hand-me-downs. A well-developed style gives your space a lived-in feel.
If you already have a theme or style, try identifying or creating focal point in your living room. Whether it’s a pop of color in a neutral room or an ornately detailed coffee table in a minimalist space, this element will take center stage. Experiment with different options. This may take time, but don't give up—your living room deserves personality.
The Gripe: “I'm a hot mess”
Design: Chango & Co.
The Fix: Clean it up
From the mail to the kids’ toys to jackets and purses to anything brought into the home, the living room’s proximity to the entryway makes it a disposal for all the day's stuff. It’s easy to let this clutter build up on the coffee table, end table, or console, and that’s why putting together a system to stay clean and organized is so important.
Making small, simple changes to your living room will help reduce the mess. If the coffee table is drowning in mail, hang a wall-mounted organizer with at least three compartments near the entry door—force yourself to sort the mail and recycle junk. If kids’ toys are an issue, tuck a basket into a cabinet or behind the sofa for easy cleanup. Utilizing space and finding strategic organizing solutions will help you stay tidy. If bags and purses are the culprit in your home, pair up decorative hooks with an empty wall and voila.
The Gripe: "I'm lonely"
Design: Robin Henry
The Fix: Add comfort or function
Do you find yourself heading straight to the bedroom after work, passing by the living room without so much as a glance? Your living room might not be up to your comfort standards. Introduce plush blankets and cozy pillows that purr an oh-so-comfy siren song you can't resist. Or, layer a faux fur rug on top of your flooring or an existing rug and you'll find yourself walking around in there for the feels.
If comfort isn’t an issue, then reevaluate how you’re utilizing the space. Does your living room lack functionality? Change the outlook of this space by setting up a mini home office with a console table behind the sofa. Or make it your workout space. Keep a yoga mat cleverly concealed in a cabinet and grab it when you need a light workout.
Make your space more desirable and you’ll find yourself spending more time in it!
