Thinking through good living room design is something I really enjoy. It can also be a challenge for some. There are some key thoughts to keep in mind when designing a welcoming and stylish living room. Because we move around frequently, we have found there are certain things beyond our control we simply have to work with – or work around. These non-negotiables don’t have to be game changers, though. How can we make our living room stylish – and do it on a budget? Let’s explore.
Choose a paint color that suits your design
Okay so paint color can be a non-negotiable if you’re a renter. Often, we’re stuck with whatever the owner chooses. However, there are a few work arounds I’ve found to be VERY helpful. Let me tell you a little story: A few years ago, you’ll remember that gray and white was all the rage. It was the color scheme of every home parade, every model home, every apartment. It was THE color choice. And while it was beautiful, it was also a little cold.
When we moved from our house we found our apartment to feel a little cold as well. The luxury vinyl floor was gray. The walls were pale gray and trim was dark gray. The counters, while marble, were black, white, and gray. The kitchen cabinets were gray. The carpet was gray. We needed to warm things up – and in a hurry.
We needed a solution – and a simple one! Because we were bringing some of our furniture from our house, we had the option to pick and choose the pieces that would both anchor the space, and warm it up. For us, that meant black and wood tones. Adding in the black gave weight to the room and allowed the eye a place to land. The wood tones added in just enough warmth to keep the room from feeling stark and void. Just adding in these simple touches transformed our space in no time at all.
Set a Budget Before You Start
Setting a budget when designing a living room is one of the most important steps, if not THE most important step. No one wants to create their ideal living space to find out it cost them WAY more than intended.
That said, working within a budget doesn’t mean you can’t still have the room of your dreams. Places like Wayfair, Amazon, FaceBook Market Place, and even Big Lots have a ton of options that may work with your style and your budget.
Set your budget and be willing to wait it out. Wait for that perfect sofa to go on sale – most furniture manufacturers have holiday sales or military discounts. Don’t be afraid to ask, and don’t be rushed into a sale. Good things come to those who wait.
Design with a Vision in Mind
I talk a lot about setting a color palette for your home. I think it is single-handedly the best way to start any design project. Unless you begin with the end in mind, you may find yourself sourcing pillows, throws, accessories, and decor that, although beautiful, may not fit your overall design aesthetic.
Start with your basics. Our basics are neutrals, but yours doesn’t have to be. We like black, white, gray, taupe, and brown for our base. Our colors then play in as navy and slate blue, and olive and sage green. But if you prefer more color, then by all means, go for it!
If you like a blue and white aesthetic – which is stunning – then the items you purchase will be easily chosen. When you want to add in accent colors, simply go for the ones opposite blue on the color wheel. Reds, hot pinks, yellows, and shades of green are all stunning in this color combo. The point is, setting a color palette first gives you the guidelines in which you can design a living room that’s stylish and comfortable.
Have Fun – Create a mood board
Creating a mood board for your desired space can be a lot of fun. It can also let you see what you’ve imagined. Mood boards help me see where my color scheme may be off, where I need to warm things up, tone things down, add in a touch of drama, or insert a splash of greenery.
I always create mood boards when designing a room. I can see immediately where I need a splash of color, or a different rug alternative. I’ve created mood boards with photos of my existing pieces and screen shots of pieces I’m thinking of buying. Every single time I find at least one thing I need to change before I start. It saves time, money, and heartache in the end. No one wants to put all the effort into a beautiful room only to find that something just feels off.
Here is a quick mood board I created for this living room design. This room starts with a neutral palette of taupes, browns, grays, creams, blacks and wood tones. Putting all the pieces in a mood board like this lets me see if the color scheme works together, if I need more black, if I need a warmer or cooler wood tone, and if I need more or less pattern in the art work and flooring.
Living Room Design Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming
If you follow these easy tips and tricks, I’m certain you’ll come up with a living room design that is too good to be true! It will be one you and your guests will love to spend time in. Most importantly, remember that home is where the heart is, and no matter what aesthetic you desire, keeping your heart at the center of it all will be the greatest reward of all.
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