Before you start buying furniture and making changes to the layout, it is important to know how to design a new living room. This guide will show you how to design a new living room with furniture placement, color scheme, floor plan, and window treatments. Keeping in mind the basic principles of design, you will be able to create a comfortable and appealing living space. If you haven’t yet done so, read on to learn how to design a new living room in no time!
Contents
Furniture placement
While planning for furniture placement, take the time to measure the room and take measurements of each piece. It’s important to plan the layout of the room so that everyone will have clear paths. Once you have your measurements, write them down or use blue tape to mark where you want your pieces to go. Take a step back and assess the layout of the room. Once you have a general idea of where everything should go, you can start placing furniture.
You can start by placing the biggest piece of furniture in the room – the sofa or the armchair – so that it faces the room’s main feature, such as the window. However, if the room has a small window, avoid placing the large piece of furniture in front of it. Instead, position it opposite the first piece of furniture. Add small seating arrangements adjacent to the large piece of furniture. Accent furniture can include accent pieces such as coffee tables and ottomans. You can even use end tables as lamps or display pieces.
The layout of the furniture should flow with the overall style of the house and the rest of the house. Ask yourself what would you like the first thing to see when you walk into the living room? Are you going to hang artwork on the walls? Consider whether the furniture will block the radiator. Is there a separate area in the room? Consider all of these factors before deciding where to place furniture. A well-designed living room will reflect the individual taste of the homeowner.
You should also consider the traffic flow of the room. Make sure that you don’t have to shuffle your furniture around or trip over someone. You should have ample space between your furniture pieces so that people can move freely. A well-organized room will not be cramped or feel crowded. If possible, place furniture near a door or a window to give the room a spacious look. The space should not be too small to accommodate a sofa or a small armchair.
Color scheme
Before you choose the perfect color scheme for your new living room, you should first decide on the style of the room. The general rule of thumb is to use medium to dark colors for walls and ceiling. You can also add accent hues to create bold effects. The more pronounced a piece of furniture or carpet is, the more important it is to match it to the room’s color scheme. Here are some tips that will help you determine which colors go together the best.
Deep colors are making a comeback in recent years. They create a dramatic focal point for a neutral room and are often given a contemporary twist by extending the color into woodwork and furniture. Then, to balance the colors, consider using furnishings in pale colors and wooden floors. Then, make sure to consider your sightlines and how these colors will look together. This can help you avoid making a mistake you’ll regret later!
You can also add a vibrant summer look to your living room by pairing it with pink or citron. This color combination works beautifully with a rattan sofa and unlined curtains. Pink has matured into a sophisticated, earthy color that works with all the contrasting hues of your home. You can even choose a soft shade of pink to add to the look of your room. You’ll feel relaxed and at peace in your new room.
Using pastel colors for walls can be an excellent way to make an otherwise plain living room into a cozy retreat. Choose colors that reflect your personality and your tastes. Choose modern hues or warm earthy hues. You can even use a combination of both, if you want to add some pops of color. Once you have decided on a color scheme for your living room, you can then go about choosing accessories.
Floor plan
The process of making a floor plan for a new living room starts by measuring the room, either in terms of length or width. Take note of any installed furniture or built-ins in the room. Use a graph paper to measure and mark the room boundaries. Add one box for each foot of length. Next, draw four walls and mark the locations of all windows, doors, and other architectural features. Make sure to indicate the direction in which each window opens. Using the dimensions as a guide, you can design a floor plan that perfectly fits your lifestyle.
Next, determine what kind of furniture you want in the space. The first layer is a symmetrical sofa and a pair of bookcases. Then add a swivel lounge chair and a cozy throw. Layer in a storage chest for games and extra cozy throws. Finally, create a floor plan that makes sense for your home’s decor and function. It’s never too late to start a floor plan.
Creating a floor plan can be time-consuming, but fortunately, there are some tools out there that can help. A program like Cedreo makes it easier to create floor plans with just a few clicks of a mouse. Then, drag and drop furnishings and materials to create 3D visualizations of the space. After generating the floor plan, you can customize it with color and textures, move walls, and add accessories.
Once you’ve determined the functional needs of the room, you can choose furniture placement, negative space, and focal points. You may have been tempted to move your furniture to the corners of a room in order to save space, but you should resist this temptation. Ultimately, you’ll be glad you did. After all, it’s your living room, so you might as well take it easy! With a floor plan, you can start the planning process, and get the space you’ve always wanted.
Window treatments
When considering window treatments for your new living room, you should consider several factors before choosing the right option. Your window treatment should not only suit the decor of your new room, but it should also suit the practical points of your home: light, privacy, and view. To help you choose the right window treatment, you can also match the window frames to the treatments. Moreover, if you have a period living room, you may want to choose window treatments that complement the style of the room.
While assessing the window treatment requirements for a new living room, you should pay attention to the style of your windows. Some good designers hang their window fittings above the window frame. This will draw the eyes upwards. This will also enhance the drama of your window treatment. However, if you don’t want to use artwork, you should consider choosing other window treatment options for your living room. If you’re a beginner in interior design, you can check out some of the latest trends in interior decorating.
A living room may have bi-fold, sliding, or casement windows. Window treatments for living rooms can add color, pattern, or texture to the room. Roman blinds or curtains can also be used to add a luxurious look to the room. If your window treatment selections are more traditional, choose a shutter or panel style. If your living room is facing a street, you might want to avoid tier-on-tier shutters. These will prevent the room from feeling like a goldfish bowl. You can also use slats for fine control over privacy and daytime light.
If you have a dark living room, you can opt for a darker color for the window coverings. Although most living rooms feature all-white curtains, Studio KT designer Kara Thomas paired a mostly white room with thick black curtains for drama. Choosing dark colors for the window treatment options will give the room a unique look. J Designs has incorporated patterns into their window treatments. The key is to choose a pattern that blends well with the surrounding decor.
Lighting
To design a new living room with lighting, consider a few tips from an interior designer. First, make a list of activities you want to do in the room. You may want to incorporate art lights or track lighting. Then, sketch out the layout of the room to see where different types of lighting should be placed. Lastly, take note of how the room feels when certain types of light are used.
You can use track lighting to focus light on specific areas of the room, such as artwork and wall features. Or, you can use small spotlights to cast focused light on an object of interest. Spot lights are an excellent way to add accents and highlight artwork. Spot lights are also great for accent lighting in dark areas. And if you have a larger budget, you can also add some sophisticated lighting controls.
In addition to strategic layout and well-made furniture, lighting is a vital element of living room design. Lighting sets the mood, so you should consider different styles and features. You can use understated recessed lighting or bold statement pieces, depending on the room’s size and layout. However, you should keep in mind that lighting is not just a decorative piece. The quality of bulb is crucial, and it should interact with other elements in the room. Here are 5 examples of living rooms with their own signature lighting style:
When designing a new living room, don’t forget to consider how you will use it. Decide what time of day you’ll be using the room most, and then consider what types of lighting will best serve each function. Ambient light is used to fill a room, while task lighting provides illumination for specific activities. For example, a table lamp and a floor lamp with adjustable arms provide ample illumination for a dining table or lounge area.
Final thoughts on how to design a new living room
In conclusion, knowing how to design a new living room continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs and preferences of homeowners. With a focus on comfort, functionality, and personal style, the latest trends in living room design offer exciting possibilities for creating a space that truly reflects your personality.
From the use of natural materials and earthy tones to the incorporation of technology and smart home features, there are numerous options to explore when updating your living room. Whether you prefer a minimalist and contemporary look or a cozy and traditional ambiance, there are design elements and ideas to suit every taste.