A lover of all things interior? Want to bring a slice of designer style into your space and create a home worthy of any magazine feature? Don’t be afraid – here are our tips that will make your living room sure to impress!
Identify your aesthetic
Do you prefer Scandinavian minimalism or do you prefer a cozy farmhouse style? It’s a good idea to find your ideal style before you start furnishing your apartment. Then you’ll find it easier to decide which furniture to go for or which accessories to choose. Really try to choose just one direction and stick to it. You will see for yourself that the result will be worth it! Pinterest, home style blogs, home magazines as well as Instagram are full of inspiration.
Create a visual moodboard, complete with color schemes, ideas for furniture and storage, accessory & textile tips and use it to build a wishlist, and eventually a room plan. Stick within your chosen aesthetic when choosing – then you’re guaranteed everything will be cohesive, and therefore worthy of any magazine spread!
Not sure which style to go with? Have a look at as many as possible online, and go with your gut – which makes you feel the most envious or happy? That’s probably the one you should go for, as long as practicality allows.
Quality matters
No designer space is made up of cheap, disposable items. If you want to add a little luxury to your living room, investing in timeless, quality pieces is a good place to start. If you’re starting from scratch – think about the biggest pieces first. That’s a sofa, a coffee table, and perhaps an armchair if the space allows. These three things should work in tandem with each other, and also be the best you can afford – you can spend more now, and pick up smaller accessories later.
In particular, the sofa should be durable, stylish, but above all – comfortable! Spend time sitting on it in the store, and send it back if you have any niggling doubts once it’s in your living room. It will be the single most used piece of furniture in your living room, perhaps even your home – so don’t compromise on it!
When it comes to accessories, in a designer space, less is always more. Everything should fit within the space. A rule of thumb is to not impulse buy something because you like it, really think if it will fit into the scheme you’ve chosen. Hidden storage is always useful too – clutter is a sure way to make the space look messy.
Don’t completely neglect practicality over style. If you have small children or pets, a sofa with washable covers and a coffee table devoid of sharp edges are musts. That stylish art-deco piece might seem a dream, but if in reality it feels like you’re sitting on a park bench – perhaps give it a miss and add smaller touches of the same style elsewhere, like in a vase or a painting.
Think green!
We can’t imagine an interior without some greenery, and most designers would agree! It’s certainly all the rage now, over TikTok and Instagram, to have an abundance of plants – but don’t overdo it. Choose a few standout plants that you know you can take care of, and place them in good, stylish pots with plenty of drainage.
Plants breathe life into any space. Not got green fingers? No problem – there are plenty of artificial options out there, just make sure you choose a good one that won’t fray, and remember to dust it!
Let there be light
Banish any thought of harsh overhead lighting – that has no place in a designer home! We always advocate for as many lamps as the space will allow, in a warm hue. Candles are most definitely your friend, too. Scented ones will add a sense of serenity to the space, but even unscented are great for adding atmosphere & the final touch of class to your living room.
