Expert Speak: How to Design the Perfect Living Room
Here are valuable insights and tips from design professionals on how to make the most of this very important space
A place for conversations, get-togethers and jamborees … the living room is one of the most lively and important places in a home. It’s also the first section of the home that you open up to guests, so it needs to have an inviting vibe while also showcasing the best of your design tastes and style. Those looking to redecorate or design this area from scratch should keep this in mind – be it the furniture, lighting, wall colours, plants or accessories, everything should be carefully chosen.
Experts tips from: Architect Manish Dikshit of Aum Architects & product designer Farzin Adenwalla of Bombay Atelier.
Experts tips from: Architect Manish Dikshit of Aum Architects & product designer Farzin Adenwalla of Bombay Atelier.
If you practise sustainable living, eco-friendly furniture made of reclaimed wood, bamboo or natural cane is an option. These types of furniture can work for a single statement piece, too, with a colourful throw cushion to complete the look. “Some homeowners who tread the sustainable path are now even choosing to do away with the conventional leather sofas and are choosing eco-friendly options with confidence,” says Adenwalla.
Apart from apartment dwellers, those residing in large homes and who love to entertain can go in for edgier looking living rooms. “They should think of furniture as an art piece with its own identity. So if you have two identical seaters, consider a third which is different in terms of shape, material or size to create some drama in the room. Those who love being experimental can choose all four sofas in different style formats. I think that too looks bold yet smart,” says Manish Dikshit.
Think of a chesterfield sofa, high-backed armchairs with a graphic-printed fabric or loveseats from high-end brands – the idea is to make the place stand out.
Think of a chesterfield sofa, high-backed armchairs with a graphic-printed fabric or loveseats from high-end brands – the idea is to make the place stand out.
Get a decorative light or two
Lights can be used as decorative elements too. The right lighting can be the perfect design addition to your home, such as a pair of smart table lamps, elegant floor lamps, chandeliers or unique wall sconces.
When choosing and positioning a decorative light source, be sure its luminosity isn’t too overbearing or that its position isn’t at eye level. The illuminators should preferably be kept out of anyone’s reach.
5 Tips on Lighting Your House Right
Lights can be used as decorative elements too. The right lighting can be the perfect design addition to your home, such as a pair of smart table lamps, elegant floor lamps, chandeliers or unique wall sconces.
When choosing and positioning a decorative light source, be sure its luminosity isn’t too overbearing or that its position isn’t at eye level. The illuminators should preferably be kept out of anyone’s reach.
5 Tips on Lighting Your House Right
If you’re looking for simple yet sophisticated options, you can choose wall lights or hidden LEDs, but should consider getting at least one designer lamp or attention-grabbing illuminator. “Think of that light as a sculptural piece that creates an atmosphere – either a calming or a high-energy one, according to your preferences,” suggests Adenwalla.
Suit the wall colours to the size of the space
The effect of wall colour or a pretty wallpaper is subtle yet significant; it can accentuate the architectural details of a room and also attract more traffic. “First consider the size of the room – in a small space, a really bold and bright colour or an elaborate wallpaper may look good, but will make the area look small,” says Dikshit.
An off-white or earthen tone, a dull yellow or beige colour would do justice to small apartments. “I personally like the Asian Paints Colour of the Year 2017, Intense Ocean, which can create a serene atmosphere,” says Adenwalla.
The effect of wall colour or a pretty wallpaper is subtle yet significant; it can accentuate the architectural details of a room and also attract more traffic. “First consider the size of the room – in a small space, a really bold and bright colour or an elaborate wallpaper may look good, but will make the area look small,” says Dikshit.
An off-white or earthen tone, a dull yellow or beige colour would do justice to small apartments. “I personally like the Asian Paints Colour of the Year 2017, Intense Ocean, which can create a serene atmosphere,” says Adenwalla.
But one could also explore the use of colour splashes – a wall awash with a single vibrant tone or multiple hues, as seen in this picture. Consider even a textured paint for effect. “A growing trend is to do away with wallpapers completely and go in for solid colours on the walls instead,” says Dikshit.
Assign specific areas for accessories
Your collectibles, curios and interesting finds can find pride of place in the living room, but don’t overdo it. From old compasses and clocks collected by your grandfather, handcrafted figurines you saw at an art fair, to African masks you purchased during your travels, make sure you display all these in a well thought-out way.
Your collectibles, curios and interesting finds can find pride of place in the living room, but don’t overdo it. From old compasses and clocks collected by your grandfather, handcrafted figurines you saw at an art fair, to African masks you purchased during your travels, make sure you display all these in a well thought-out way.
From a smart centrepiece, a cabinet full of treasured finds to an entire wall filled with accessories – you can experiment with various styles. Dikshit suggests a statement wall that is highlighted with photographs. Dig out the best pictures from your travels and family history and print them out in black & white to make your own art gallery of photographs.
5 Extraordinary Ways to Dress Up Your Walls
5 Extraordinary Ways to Dress Up Your Walls
Make plants a decor staple
There are so many reasons for you to bring plants into the living room – use them to add colour to the space, to create a refreshing mood, to purify the air or simply as an accent feature. A great idea, especially for those who live in small apartments, is to opt for hanging terrariums or pots. This way, you can have your own mini garden indoors!
“All plants, whether indoor or outdoor, need natural air. So at least for an hour every day, keep the plants outside to receive some sunlight and fresh air,” says Dikshit.
5 Plants Best Suited for Indian Homes
There are so many reasons for you to bring plants into the living room – use them to add colour to the space, to create a refreshing mood, to purify the air or simply as an accent feature. A great idea, especially for those who live in small apartments, is to opt for hanging terrariums or pots. This way, you can have your own mini garden indoors!
“All plants, whether indoor or outdoor, need natural air. So at least for an hour every day, keep the plants outside to receive some sunlight and fresh air,” says Dikshit.
5 Plants Best Suited for Indian Homes
You could choose to grow the areca palm (Dypsis lutescens), money plant (Epipremnum aureum) and Aloe vera at home or just get a few bonsais and make a vertical garden. You could even place some pots on wheels and change their location about home. In a way, you can use plants as a green relief and also an accessory.
Read more:
9 Ways to Play With Contrast in Your Living Room
15 Beautiful Living Rooms on Houzz India
Tell us:
How have you designed your living room? Tell us in Comments below.
Read more:
9 Ways to Play With Contrast in Your Living Room
15 Beautiful Living Rooms on Houzz India
Tell us:
How have you designed your living room? Tell us in Comments below.
Choice of furniture is most integral to the design. Getting the right look for your living room requires some thought in terms of the space available, the traffic you receive in this area and how the place can best represent you. Says Farzin Adenwalla, “In city homes where space is an issue, people should look for flexible pieces that look good in different areas – so if it’s chairs or a nest of stools, see if these can be easily picked up and used in different parts of the house as well.”