Living Room Ideas
11. Steer clear of straight lines Positioning all the furniture in your living room in a straight line, such as along one wall facing a television, makes it feel less than social. Instead, arrange sofas and armchairs in a conversation-pit style – with furniture on at least three sides of the room. This will ensure people’s focus is on each other rather than on the screen.
10. Personalise with artwork and greenery Add artwork to your living room and watch the space come alive. Not only does art add colour and energy, but it also gives an insight into your personality and style. We have some incredible artists in Australia and investing in a key piece or two is a great way to support our local industry. Don’t be afraid to have a little fun with your art selection. Choose pieces that speak to you and that complement your decor. Greenery is the perfect finishing touch to a cosy living space – give the room an instant lift and bring the outside in with a medley of luscious indoor plants in different-size pots.
7. Lay a rug (that’s big enough) To create a cosy feel in a living room, a floor rug is a must – it will not only warm up a hardwood or tiled floor, but it can also help zone the living area if you have an open-plan space. Choosing one in soft wool with a chunky, knitted pile will add to the cosy feel. When it comes to rug size, go as large as the room will allow so the legs of furniture, such as the sofa, can sit on it.
While some negative space (the empty space in a room) is good as it allows your eye to rest, too much will make your room feel empty. Make sure you measure your living room and create a basic floor plan before buying anything. As a guide, allow 75 centimetres between furniture to walk around comfortably and 35 to 45 centimetres between sofas and tables so you can place a drink down with ease. Also, assess whether the scale of a sofa is right for the people who will be seated there. Does it have enough depth and height for all members of your family to sit comfortably? Is it low and comfortable or upright and formal? The best way to assess this is to visit the showroom and sit down together for a while before you buy.
4. Choose the right-size furniture Often people select furniture that is not the right size for their living room – and whether it is too small or too large, the end result is the same: the room doesn’t feel right. When you’re selecting furniture, first consider the scale of your room. Lots of small furniture pieces in a small living room will make the space feel more cluttered. Instead, choose fewer, more generous pieces. If your livi
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