Does Design Matter?

Your living room is the heart of your home — it's your space to relax, entertain and express your personal style. When it comes to decorating and designing your living room, abiding by several key considerations can help you create a cohesive and welcoming environment.

From figuring out your aesthetic to incorporating lighting and design elements, following our Six Step Guide can help you transform your living room into a space you'll love.

Step 1: Discover Your Aesthetic

Before diving into décor choices, take time to identify your preferred aesthetic. To create a cohesive aesthetic, your design direction must be clear.

Ask yourself:

• What do you want your room to smell and look like? What feeling do you want your guests to be left with when they leave the room?
• Do you value feelings of freshness, history, antiquity, modernity or simplicity?
• Do you lean towards minimalism, rustic charm, modern elegance, or eclectic bohemian?

Consider the culture, colors, textures, and styles that resonate with you. Look for inspiration in magazines, online platforms like Pinterest, or by visiting online homeware stores. This first initial step will inform your decisions throughout the design process, so it is important it's well-considered.

Step 2: Choose Your Key Elements

Next, you should consider any foundational pieces you have in mind for your living room. Did you have your eye on that beautiful cream upholstered sofa, or that antique chandelier? Shop a statement rug to anchor your living room, or that must-have piece of artwork. Settling on your non-negotiable pieces first allows you to build your room around these central elements. 

Step 3: Harness the Power of Color Analysis

Once you have decided on your key design pieces, you can delve into deciding on your optimal color palette.

Color influences mood and perception, making color analysis crucial in living room design. Consider your likes and dislikes, but also the psychological impact of your color palette. Soft neutrals like beige and light grey evoke calmness, while bold hues such as deep blue or emerald green add drama. 

It is not advised to choose just one color. Consider adding complimentary colors or shades to enhance your predominant palettes, such as pops of color against a monochrome backdrop, whites with beiges, blues with greens, or different shades of the same color.

Introducing color accents through throw pillows, curtains, artwork or vases will be critical. 

Step 4: Utilize Soft Lighting and Lighting Projectors 

Lighting is perhaps the most crucial decision in your space. Soft lighting is the unsung hero of interior design. Think floor lamps, table lamps and wall sconces with warm-toned bulbs. Correct lighting choices will soften the harsher edges of your space creating feelings of intimacy and calm.

Whilst practicality is an important consideration, utilizing soft and warm light sources alongside main light sources will give you options. Choose lamps that act as statement design pieces as well as offering multiple brightness settings. Choose lighting projectors to display calming scenes, such as starry skies or soothing landscapes to best suit your occasion. The aim is to be able to illuminate your space properly with multiple sources of soft lighting.

Step 4: Embrace Decorative Pieces

Decorative elements add character and texture to your living room. Choose  homeware pieces that complement your chosen aesthetic. Display vases filled with fresh blooms or decorative branches on your shelves. Add coffee table books to your console table. Invest in a high-quality rug that ties together your color scheme.

The power of smaller accents cannot be underestimated and should be prioritized.

Step 5: Positioning and Feng Shui Principles

Optimize furniture placement and flow using Feng Shui principles. Ensure that seating arrangements promote conversation and allow for easy movement. Choose floor lamps of different heights, and rugs of different shapes to break up stale structuring.

Position your sofa against a solid wall for stability. Use irregular rugs to delineate zones. Incorporate natural elements like plants to enhance positive energy flow and vitality. If you are unsure about your living room set-up, draw out multiple options and consider which format offers more flow. 

Do You Need Design Help?

LAMP TRAMP's lighting, rugs and homeware pieces are specifically designed echo cohesion and style to make your design process easier.

If you have questions on how to best utilize our lighting, rugs and homeware into your new living room, contact us.