When you’re looking to establish a new style, especially in a room as large and multi-functional as the living room, it can be difficult to think about where, exactly, to get started. You want to make sure that the space has a unified aesthetic, but having something to build on can make that a lot easier. As such, here, we’re going to look at five places you can start building from.
Make Flooring Your Foundation
As one of the first, most practical, and visually dominant choices you’re likely to make with the room, starting with your flooring is a smart idea. Whether you’re working with hardwood, laminate, carpet, or otherwise, it can set the tone for the rest of the space. A laminate floor can be the start of a contemporary, pared-back look, for instance, while carpet might better suit a living room that’s built around the factors of cosiness and warmth, and wooden floors could be the start of a space ruled by natural materials.
Choose A Colour Scheme First
If you have an idea for a colour that you want to use for the walls, or a specific piece of furniture, then you can create a clear and coordinated colour scheme from it. You might be able to pick out a main colour and a secondary supporting tone from what’s already there, or you might decide to build it from scratch. Whether you opt for light and airy, warm and cosy, or bold and dramatic, it can make it a lot easier to pick pieces that fit those appeals when you know what tones you’re aiming for.
Build Around The Sofa
Given that it’s usually the largest and, indeed, most widely used item in the room, the sofa can make for a natural starting point. If you don’t already have one, finding a stylish and comfortable option, like a Swyft sofa, can help you quickly determine what style and aesthetic the rest of your living room is going to match. Finding complementary seating, coffee tables, and rugs to work around it can help you start building outwards, and soon you’ll be filling the whole space with a clear vision.
Work With Your Architectural Features
The thing about the options mentioned above is that they’re relatively easy to replace. Architectural features like a fireplace tend to be longer lasting, so if your decor style doesn’t work with them, then it can stand out like a sore thumb and become frustrating. Design around these features, such as using a fireplace as a focal point to build seating around, or enhancing it with artwork or a statement mantle. These features tend to add character and history to a space, so highlighting them can give the room a sense of intentional design.
When you pick one of the elements above to start with, think about the aesthetic choices that can either complement or contrast, and feel free to explore a wide range of styles, but always come back to that starting factor so that everything fits with it and, thus, each other.