How to Design a Living Room You Actually Want to Live In

When it comes to the different rooms in your house, chances are the living room is one of the places you spend the most time in. That’s why it’s important to make this space an inviting and comfortable place to relax.

Focus on the seating

Because you spend most of your time in the living room sitting, it’s essential to find couches and chairs that are comfortable and durable. While there are many cheap options available, it’s important to think of this as an investment and opt for better quality furniture that will last longer.

When selecting seating, think about your lifestyle. Do you have children? Pets? If so, you may not want to select white or lighter color upholstery. Instead, focus on darker colors or patterns that can hide stains or pet hair easily. 

Add rugs and tables

A rug can help tie together the room and play some tricks on the eyes to make the room appear larger than it is. When the rug is larger than the seating area, it’ll make the entire room look bigger. 

If you live in an apartment and aren’t on the ground floor, you may want to select a thicker rug or rug pad to go underneath your rug. This will minimize any noise you make and lessen the change your neighbors get annoyed at any noise coming from your apartment.

A coffee table can become the focal point of the living area, so you want to be sure you’re choosing a piece that is durable and never goes out of style. Because we often have snacks or drinks with us when watching TV or entertaining, you’ll want to scatter a couple accent tables throughout so that there’s always a surface nearby to place a dish or cup on.

Don’t leave the walls blank

There’s nothing more depressing than blank walls throughout a home. The walls provide a canvas for you to show off things that are important to you or emphasize your own style. You can frame and hang family photos or search for art at places like T.J. Maxx, Target, or Home Goods. 

If you’re feeling extra creative, you can hang various knick-knacks from your travels or different times in your life, mount mirrors on the wall, or create a gallery wall—the possibilities are endless!

Mix it up with textures and colors

To bring personality into the room, search for different colors and textures. Different textures and colors such as glass, wool, silk, and metal create a more inviting and lively room.

Pillows are also a functional way to bring texture and a pop of color to your living room. There are plenty of pillow styles to choose from these days and you can find a variety of different styles at stores such as World Market, Urban Outfitters, and Target.

Emphasize lighting

Last but certainly not least, make sure the room has enough lighting. You’ll want to have some ambient lighting and task or accent lighting. Ambient lighting serves as the general source of light for the room, while task or accent lighting can be used for areas that aren’t as well lit or where you’ll be focusing on certain things, such as a lamp for a reading nook. 

Ideally, your living room will have a lot of natural daylight. Crisp, clear daylight helps regulate our circadian rhythms and gives us energy and focus. If you don’t have natural lighting, Brilli’s Charge Up collection mimics daylight to provide alertness and get you ready for the day. 

In the evening, Brilli’s Wind Down collection can create the same soft light that occurs in the evening, which helps promote feelings of calm and relaxation. This helps your body unwind and prepare for sleep.