Tips for choosing furniture
A living room set is chosen taking into account:
- Size. The main rule that must be followed is proportionality. That is, the more spacious the room, the larger the items can be. Choose furniture taking into account not only the size of the hall, but also each other – a small wardrobe for a small sofa and vice versa.
- Colors. The size of the living room is also important when choosing a color scheme – any rooms are decorated in light colors, only huge rooms in dark colors. Warm shades (pink, yellow, orange, beige) will make the room more comfortable, cold ones (blue, gray, green) will help you relax.
- Style orientation. Before buying furniture for the living room, decide on the style of the future interior. Classics are characterized by large-sized upholstered furniture, carved and decorated with patterns and bas-reliefs cabinet furniture. High-tech, on the contrary, prefers conciseness and clear, correct forms.
- Intended functionality. The set of interior items depends on how many people and how they plan to use this room in the apartment. One small sofa is not enough for a large family or frequent gatherings with friends, for example. If you love books, put a bookcase, and from time to time you have dinner parties – a dining table and chairs.
What furniture to put in the living room?
We have already touched on the topic of the set of necessary furniture items, let’s analyze it in more detail. The main components are considered to be:
- Sofa. Its size, color and appearance depend on many factors, but the vast majority of living rooms have it. Sometimes the sofa is supplemented or even replaced with armchairs, poufs, chairs.
- Wall or shelving unit. The size and type are selected in accordance with what you will store inside. Open shelves for books and souvenirs, closed ones for everything else.
- Coffee table. You can refuse it, but the presence of this furniture accessory expands the functionality of the room. You can drink tea, play games and even work behind it.
The photo shows a living room with sliding doors
The composition can be complemented by:
- Dining table. If you have a small kitchen or studio, it is logical to move the dining area to the living room, using zoning techniques.
- TV stand. Sometimes a chest of drawers plays its role. It is necessary when the TV is not hanging on the wall.
- Desk. Another option for using space is equipping a work area. As in the case of the dining room, it must be fenced off from the main room.
The photo shows furniture for a classic living room with a dining area
Choosing cozy upholstered furniture
Upholstered furniture, especially a comfortable sofa, is a fundamental part of the living room interior. There are 3 main types:
- Straight. Dimensions can be completely different: from 2-seater to spacious 4-5-seater. A straight ottoman is often used in combination with additional seating or separately in small rooms.
- Corner. An additional section on one side eliminates the need to put a chair or buy an additional pouf. A sofa with an ottoman is convenient if you like to spend time in front of the TV in comfort.
- Modular. The main advantage of such furniture is variability. A corner sofa can easily be transformed into a straight structure with poufs or into several separate seats. Sofas with a folding mechanism can replace the master bed in a one-room apartment or play the role of additional sleeping places for guests.
When choosing the color of the main piece of upholstered furniture, rely on these schemes:
- to match the walls;
- neutral (basic on basic – gray on white, for example);
- contrasting decoration (bright on light, light on dark).
The photo shows a large corner sofa
You don’t have to choose armchairs exactly like the sofa, but they should be in the same style. For a corner sofa, it’s enough to add one seat on the other side of the corner. Two are placed near a straight sofa or taken out to a separate area – combining, for example, with a coffee table or bookshelves.
Many people underestimate ottomans, ignoring their purchase. However, modern models are multifunctional: use them as a footrest, an additional seat, and even a coffee table. In addition, some have a spacious storage compartment – if you put a blanket and a pillow in it, you can take them out at any time.
The photo shows a set of armchairs and coffee tables
What to consider when choosing cabinet furniture?
The famous wall units that many people love are no longer relevant; cabinet furniture for the living room is a wardrobe, a rack, a sideboard, a cabinet or built-in shelves.
The main advantage of open shelving is the airiness of the design. They do not look bulky and are suitable even as furniture for small living rooms. The main thing is not to put too many things on the shelves, so as not to create a feeling of clutter.
In closed cabinets, there will be no problem with the number of things, because you can hide a lot behind the facades. To avoid the structure looking huge, choose a cabinet in the same color as the furniture.
A sideboard is something between a rack and a cabinet. Glass in the upper facades makes it airier. Thanks to them, the sideboard is used as a decor, filling it with interesting details.
The photo shows the zoning of the living room with a work area
If you are one of those who want everything at once — order modular furniture. Here, as in the kitchen, you simply choose the necessary functional shelves and cabinets, which together will create a single composition. Basically, modules are cabinets for books, dishes, clothes, open shelves, chests of drawers, cabinets.
Today, many people place a TV on the wall, but sometimes it is necessary to install a set-top box or music system along with it — a low cabinet will do for this. It does not have to be from the same set as the cabinet — the main thing is that it matches it in style or color.
The materials from which the parts are made are no less important:
- Chipboard. Affordable furniture, there are models for different styles.
- Wood. Natural wood is expensive, but will serve you for many years. Looks especially good in a classic interior.
- Plastic. According to designers, it will fit perfectly into modern minimalist styles and is undemanding to care for.
- Glass. It looks futuristic and makes it easier to perceive the overall picture.
The photo shows the design idea of a large built-in wardrobe in the hall
Features for a small living room
The right furniture for a small living room corresponds to its parameters. A pair of compact armchairs will replace a sofa, a small wall unit or a tall cabinet – a large closet. To make a miniature hall look 5+, use the following tips:
- Use multifunctional furniture. A pouf table, a sofa bed, a work space in the closet will save a huge amount of space.
- Introduce ways to visually expand the space. Light shades, glossy surfaces, mirrors, transparent elements will make the living room more spacious.
- Leave the center free. You should be able to move around the room comfortably. The maximum you can put is a small table.
The photo shows a furniture option for a small living room
- Put furniture on legs. Whether it’s a sofa or a nightstand, they will be perceived more easily.
- Buy low or order built-in modern furniture. When a cabinet is part of the wall, it does not clutter up the space, and if there are no obstacles at eye level, the room looks larger.
- Think about lighting. Do not clutter the windows, install additional light sources. This will add not only space, but also coziness.
The photo shows a loft-style table made of wood and metal
