How I Transformed My Living Room By Applying These 5 Design Rules
If I may say so, I am super proud of how my living room has turned out! It’s got all the elements I imagined it would have when my husband and I bought our house a couple years ago. And believe it or not, it’s all a combination of perfectly executed design rules. Design rules - the key ingredient to getting the decor right!
In today’s blog post I’m sharing 5 design rules I followed in my living room that made it look oh so pretty!
Empty tour of our living room
1. I Defined A Focal Point
Every room needs a focal point. A focal point makes it easy to arrange furniture, creating a visual balance. In a living room, a focal point is usually a window, TV, fireplace. In my living room, I created a focal point along the longest wall by placing the TV and TV unit.
Once this focal point was established, everything else was pretty intuitive. I knew exactly where the 3-seater couch, the loveseat and the accent chairs went.
2. I Defined An Anchoring Element
In addition to defining a focal point, it is important to also decide on an anchoring element in a space. An anchoring element is a decor piece that grounds everything. If you haven’t guessed it already, it is a rug!
Rugs, in addition to looking irresistibly pretty also help in holding all the decor you layer in a space. Without a rug, everything you put in a living room looks afloat. When shopping for rugs, keep in mind the rug size thumb rule. The rug should be large enough to allow the front two legs of all surrounding furniture pieces, such as sofas, chairs, to rest on it.
3. Front Two Legs Of The Furniture Rest On The Rug
Which brings me to my next point. Every time you look at a living room designed by a professional, (yes I’m talking about all those Instagram and Pinterest inspirations you have saved), they all will have one thing in common. The front two legs of the furniture pieces, the couch, the accent chairs rest on the rug.
I applied this rule in my living room too. If you don’t have a rug in your living room yet I highly encourage you to consider placing one. A rug is a great anchoring element which every living room needs. It will create that visual balance while grounding everything together. Just remember this design rule when you shop for one!
4. My Coffee Table Is 2/3rd The Size Of The Couch
If you ever wondered what’s off with your living room, I urge you take a look at your coffee table. This is a decor piece that’s easy to get wrong. A too small or too large coffee table messes up the entire look of a living room making it feel disconnected or overcrowded.
As a thumb rule, your coffee table should be 2/3rd the size of the largest couch in your living room. This rule ensures that your space looks visually balanced. Another simple rule is to make sure you can comfortably reach the coffee table to place your drink from any seat without needing to get up.
5. I Layered Lighting
If there is one game-changing decor element that every home needs, it’s lighting! Lots of layered lighting! These would be your table lamps, floor lamps, spot lights, ceiling lights. When you add a variety of such ambient, accent and task lights around your home, it softens the space, brings in the luxe look and gives your home the warmth, inviting ambience.
In my living room I added a table lamp on the side table and a floor lamp. There are also a bunch of recessed lights in the living room but the ambience these beauties create when lit, is something else!
These were the 5 design rules I incorporated in my living room. I think they all work so beautifully! The rules are so easy to follow, you certainly cannot go wrong with them. If you’re in the process of designing and decorating your living room, I hope this blog post will serve as a guide and make your job easier.
