Living Room Decor Dilemmas: 5 Biggest Problems Solved
Does your living room not feel inviting any more? Does it look scruffy? Not enough storage? Here's what you do
Keeping the living room clutter-free, clean and sprightly (on a daily basis) takes effort. However, some proactive attempts can go a long way in having a living space that is well ordered and easy to manage. Here are tips to crack some of your everyday living-room troubles.
Placing select furniture pieces on one side of a room ensures the foot traffic stays unobstructed on the other side. A full-wall storage-cum-TV unit, like the one here, not only lets you store a lot of stuff but also acts a focal point to distract the eye from the narrowness of the room.
5 Efficient Layout Ideas for Small Living Rooms
5 Efficient Layout Ideas for Small Living Rooms
Too big or too long
To ace the decor of big living rooms, multiple focal points need to be created, while making sure the space is not unnecessarily cluttered. Try clustering furniture in two or three groups, each having an individual purpose and personality, yet complementing each other in a cohesive way. Other secondary focal points can be created with statement wall art, a console table, a sideboard, a swing, light fixtures and the like.
Look through Houzz photos for decor ideas
To ace the decor of big living rooms, multiple focal points need to be created, while making sure the space is not unnecessarily cluttered. Try clustering furniture in two or three groups, each having an individual purpose and personality, yet complementing each other in a cohesive way. Other secondary focal points can be created with statement wall art, a console table, a sideboard, a swing, light fixtures and the like.
Look through Houzz photos for decor ideas
You can also use area rugs to visually demarcate the different seating zones in an open living room. Ultimately, follow a colour palette or decor style to tie the whole space together.
How to Choose the Right Carpet for Your Home
How to Choose the Right Carpet for Your Home
Problem 2: When there is lack of storage
Built-in units, in small and big living rooms alike, allow maximum storage in a limited space. Walls like this one offer both display and plenty of storage without looking messy. For a more ‘light’ look, you can have closed shelves to stow away stuff that is not for show.
Search for furniture and storage in Houzz products
Built-in units, in small and big living rooms alike, allow maximum storage in a limited space. Walls like this one offer both display and plenty of storage without looking messy. For a more ‘light’ look, you can have closed shelves to stow away stuff that is not for show.
Search for furniture and storage in Houzz products
If your living room cannot accommodate a storage wall, add some clever built-in storage around the TV unit, window seat, or doorways, or in alcoves, to utilise every inch of available space.
You can bring in ottomans, a bench and side tables with hidden storage or drawers to stash little knick-knacks, books, newspapers, CDs and DVDs, important paperwork – everything that you regularly need within reach. Baskets can come handy in temporarily storing the kids’ toys, magazines, charging cords and the other bits and pieces that usually flood the centre and side tables. You can also add a wheeled table or a multi-level trolley for extra storage. It can be rolled into the store room (or any other room) to free up space in the living room whenever required.
You can bring in ottomans, a bench and side tables with hidden storage or drawers to stash little knick-knacks, books, newspapers, CDs and DVDs, important paperwork – everything that you regularly need within reach. Baskets can come handy in temporarily storing the kids’ toys, magazines, charging cords and the other bits and pieces that usually flood the centre and side tables. You can also add a wheeled table or a multi-level trolley for extra storage. It can be rolled into the store room (or any other room) to free up space in the living room whenever required.
Problem 3: When there is too much clutter
You have sufficient open space and built-in storage units, but your living room still looks untidy? Why? Because … clutter is the result of disorganisation – even of furniture and decor in an itherwise tidy room. Laying the furniture and wall decor such that all the focal points lie in a single axis can directly make any space look tidier. For instance, see how the centre table, the painting and ceiling fan fall in a single axis in the picture. In addition to that, having low-height furniture helps clear the view at eye level, thereby making the room look open and expansive.
Limit the use of furniture, decorations and other architectural details to reduce visual mishmash. In the space, notice how the use of large artworks (instead of many small artworks), repeated decorative elements such as chandeliers, chairs and side tables, and white and solid pastel colours, makes for a trim look.
You have sufficient open space and built-in storage units, but your living room still looks untidy? Why? Because … clutter is the result of disorganisation – even of furniture and decor in an itherwise tidy room. Laying the furniture and wall decor such that all the focal points lie in a single axis can directly make any space look tidier. For instance, see how the centre table, the painting and ceiling fan fall in a single axis in the picture. In addition to that, having low-height furniture helps clear the view at eye level, thereby making the room look open and expansive.
Limit the use of furniture, decorations and other architectural details to reduce visual mishmash. In the space, notice how the use of large artworks (instead of many small artworks), repeated decorative elements such as chandeliers, chairs and side tables, and white and solid pastel colours, makes for a trim look.
Problem 4: When lack of wall space hampers layout
Sometimes having too many windows and doors can hinder furniture placement in the living room. In such cases, placing the furniture away from the walls is an elementary solution. Let the centre table act as an anchor for organising the furniture, and the furniture can provide a starting point for arranging storage and decorations around the rest of the living room. This lets you set up integral functions of the room irrespective of the wall space.
You can also turn windows into window seats and build storage around the doors to get maximum advantage out of them. Just make sure you keep the entry and exit paths unhampered and open.
Sometimes having too many windows and doors can hinder furniture placement in the living room. In such cases, placing the furniture away from the walls is an elementary solution. Let the centre table act as an anchor for organising the furniture, and the furniture can provide a starting point for arranging storage and decorations around the rest of the living room. This lets you set up integral functions of the room irrespective of the wall space.
You can also turn windows into window seats and build storage around the doors to get maximum advantage out of them. Just make sure you keep the entry and exit paths unhampered and open.
Problem 5: When the decor is dated
To inject a fresh vibe, you can redo the walls and ceiling with paint or wallpaper. The walls can then be adorned with paintings, wall art or statement shelving. Add a patterned rug, curtains in an accent colour, or unique pendant lights or table lamps. Not only do these elements instantly energise the view frame but also provide striking focal points to the room.
To inject a fresh vibe, you can redo the walls and ceiling with paint or wallpaper. The walls can then be adorned with paintings, wall art or statement shelving. Add a patterned rug, curtains in an accent colour, or unique pendant lights or table lamps. Not only do these elements instantly energise the view frame but also provide striking focal points to the room.
Reconsider the fabric elements of the room (sofa covers, window shades, throws, cushion covers) to give a new look to the space on a small budget. Other than that, wall mirrors, vases, sculptures and accessories such as candlesticks, coasters, trays and so on can create interesting vignettes around the living room.
While layering all the wall coverings, furniture, textiles, lighting, wall hangings and decorating items, make sure you work along a common thread. It can be a decor theme, a colour scheme or any other binding factor.
Read more:
Kitchens: 5 Biggest Problems Solved
10 Decor Myths to Debunk Right Away
Tell us:
Which of these hacks helped you in fixing your living room problems? Show us with pictures in Comments below.
While layering all the wall coverings, furniture, textiles, lighting, wall hangings and decorating items, make sure you work along a common thread. It can be a decor theme, a colour scheme or any other binding factor.
Read more:
Kitchens: 5 Biggest Problems Solved
10 Decor Myths to Debunk Right Away
Tell us:
Which of these hacks helped you in fixing your living room problems? Show us with pictures in Comments below.
Not all of us have a proportionately-sized and rightly-shaped living room where easy arrangements can fit. But I can safely say, a good layout with the right furniture can solve almost all space-related hiccups.
Too small or too narrow
When space is at premium, small sofas, love seats, chaises and chairs work best. They fulfil function while being visually light and giving the living room a look of spaciousness. Visual bulk can be further reduced by having low-height sofas, furniture with thin legs, a centre table with a clear glass top and other such choices. Finally, sufficient lighting, underplayed hues and sleek textures can help you build the decor of your small living space.
Find an interior designer to help design your living room