There are so many living room design ideas out there that it can be really hard to decide on the right direction to go. Home decor magazines offer plenty of ideas, as do home improvement shows.

These tips are great for experienced interior designers, but what living room design ideas can the average person adopt to turn their house into a home.

It’s not really as difficult as it may seem. The first thing you need to do is settle on a style. It can be rustic, contemporary, traditional, European or even eclectic. There’s no right or wrong. However, the style of house you have can greatly influence your decision. For example, a country home may look more homey if the living room design ideas are built around country furnishings, rustic or traditional. It may be harder to pull off modern or contemporary in a house that begs for something a little more traditional.

Once you have a style in mind you can start building living room design ideas. Regardless of the style you choose, you want to build everything around a focal point. It can be a fireplace, a view window, a huge plasma screen or a piece of artwork. If you don’t know what it is in your living room, close your eyes. When you open them what are they naturally drawn to? Ask friends and family to do the same. That is your focal point.

If you don’t have one you can use a colored wall to do the same thing. Pick a daring, bold color that will complement the other living room design ideas you have and paint a wall that color. This will create the focal point that any room needs. When picking a color, be sure it contrasts or complements the color of your furnishings. A pink wall isn’t going to jibe well with a green sofa. If you’re not sure what goes with what, ask the folks at your local home improvement or paint store for suggestions on a matching color. Just bring in the pillow or cushion and see what you can jointly come up with.

If you have windows, your window treatments should also support your overall living room design ideas, right down to the colors and fabrics. While many homes have gone away from drapes and curtains in favor of shades, you may want to reconsider them if you’re incorporating new living room design ideas into your home. They can really make a view window pop or add drama to an otherwise sterile space.

Don’t overlook lighting, either. If you’re looking for drama or focal points, light can help define it even more. Also, you want your room to be evenly lit. You don’t want dark spots that can’t be lit when you want them to be. So spread your lighting out and make sure they are part of the living room design ideas you use in your home. Whenever possible, go with dimmer switches on all the lights so you can exercise even more control over the lighting in the room.

Finally, don’t overlook the artwork and the special touches that make a house a home. It’s O.K. to have knick-knacks and art, as long as they fit with what you’re trying to accomplish. The wrong piece can really upend your attempts to create a harmonic, warm space that invites guests in and makes them feel at home. Try placing knickknacks and art in different places to see where they fit best. If something just doesn’t work, don’t force it. Find some other place for it in your home. Even if it’s your favorite thing in the world, it can destroy everything you’re striving to accomplish.

Author Bio: Jesse Akre owns Edenvale Shoppes and hosts numerous furniture and furnishings for any home whether it be end tables or teak furniture styles and designs.

Category: Home Management
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