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How do I Make a Comfortable Living Room?

Elva K.
Elva K.

Since the living room functions as the centerpiece of the home, you can make it a comfortable living room through the use of paint, accessories, furniture, and pillows. Simplicity and efficiency should be the goals in making a comfortable living room. For example, creating the right color plan for the room, decorating the room with accessories that are reminiscent of the individual and the family, installing comfortable and useful furniture, and having large decorative pillows can make a comfortable living room that will bring joy for years to come.

Certain colors tend to make rooms seem calming, warm, or inviting as opposed to cold and emotionless. Since the living room is a place where you want friends and family to feel welcome, it could be helpful to select paint and carpet colors that inspire comfort. Granted, what inspires comfort for one family may not inspire comfort for other families. Thus, your choice of paint colors should reflect your family's preferences.

Comfortable sofas are usually large and cushiony.
Comfortable sofas are usually large and cushiony.

For some families, use of white paint could be sufficient. For other families, colors such as tan, pastels, dark blue, orange, or red could be appropriate, depending on whether the goal is to create a calming mood or an energizing mood for the living room. If you prefer to have carpeting as opposed to hardwood floors, the living room carpet color should complement the wall color. Whatever color is selected, keep in mind that the purpose of using color is to help your family and friends feel comfortable while also communicating a style message.

A piano in a living room should be placed to the side, not in the middle.
A piano in a living room should be placed to the side, not in the middle.

Putting accessories into the living room that are reminiscent of your family, such as pictures of family members, pictures of friends, or other objects of significance, can be useful in creating a comfortable living room. Examples of objects of significance could be things such as mementos from travel, family reunions, or other life experiences. Also, adding a table or other furniture piece that previously belonged to a grandparent or great-grandparent could also be a welcome touch if such furniture is available.

Decorated lampshades can add character to a living room.
Decorated lampshades can add character to a living room.

Furniture in the living room should be comfortable and not intimidating. Tables, regardless of the material they are made of, should be sturdy and appropriate for long-term family use. In terms of seating, generally, large and cushiony are characteristics the sofa and chairs should have because it is important that family and friends actually feel comfortable when they sit down in the living room. Place chairs, sofas, and bookcases near the wall to create a feeling of openness and more space. Also, if a piano is deemed necessary, the piano should be placed in the corner and not in the room's center.

A floor lamp can be used to make a living room more comfortable.
A floor lamp can be used to make a living room more comfortable.

Whether you use tall floor lamps in the corners of the room or whether you have recessed lighting, the lighting should be just enough but not too much. For instance, family and friends should be able to see but the light should not be glaring or excessive in a way that can be uncomfortable to the eyes. Curtains or blinds should effectively block out the sun but should also be color coordinated to fit into the room.

Some people favor contemporary living rooms that are minimalist yet comfortably appointed.
Some people favor contemporary living rooms that are minimalist yet comfortably appointed.

Pillows in the living room should be comfortable but also colorful because the use of color will create warmth and interest in the living room space. Asking your family which colors are their favorites could be a fun and useful way to choose what color pillows will be. Also, placing the pillows strategically in areas that your family prefers will create a mood of comfort in the living room.

The living room is a place where family and friends will typically meet to talk, enjoy music, watch movies, or perhaps simply pass the time. Consequently, the living room needs to be a space that reflects your family and needs to be a space that everybody will feel relaxed in. Warmth, friendliness, charm, and welcoming should ooze from the room so much that people should be able to look at the room and want to be there. Keep those things in mind as you create a comfortable living room.

Discussion Comments

Phaedrus

I find that breaking up the seating arrangement in a living room can make it more comfortable. Some visitors may want to watch television or play video games, while others might want to sit on couches and talk. It might be helpful to set up several chairs or a couch near the television and create a separate area for socializing.

AnswerMan

I think the arrangement of furniture in a living can help make it more comfortable. Many people place their couches in a "L" formation for aesthetics, but that doesn't always make it easy for friends to converse. The people on either end of the formation can't really see or hear each other very well. I suggest angling couches and chairs so that visitors can see each other and not have to crane their necks or talk louder.

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    • Comfortable sofas are usually large and cushiony.
      By: jonnyju29
      Comfortable sofas are usually large and cushiony.
    • A piano in a living room should be placed to the side, not in the middle.
      By: araraadt
      A piano in a living room should be placed to the side, not in the middle.
    • Decorated lampshades can add character to a living room.
      By: Greentree
      Decorated lampshades can add character to a living room.
    • A floor lamp can be used to make a living room more comfortable.
      By: venusangel
      A floor lamp can be used to make a living room more comfortable.
    • Some people favor contemporary living rooms that are minimalist yet comfortably appointed.
      By: victor zastol'skiy
      Some people favor contemporary living rooms that are minimalist yet comfortably appointed.