Are you in the enviable position of creating a perfectly unique, stylish living room? The stimulating process of deciding on the look and feel that makes you happy, and then systematically finding all the pieces of the puzzle which will inevitably come together to create this magical space is terribly exciting.
We’ve curated a list of sage advice from global décor experts to assist you down this road, and of course, being the experts in all things sofa related, we have offered our own guidance on the pros of a made to order sofa to complement your new living room.
Let’s start with the foundational pieces and work from there.
Building a stylish living room from the bottom up
You probably have a million ideas in your mind or on your mood board, but until you start looking for each specific element your focus will remain blurred and conceptual. It’s always a good idea to have a feel or a style in mind, but still remain open to what this will be made up of.
Made to order sofa
Yes, you have a budget which you need to adhere to, but when it comes to cutting corners, your sofa is certainly not the place to start.
A custom sofa is the pivotal point of your living room and a piece which should, according to UK statistics, last you 10 – 12 years. As the most used item of furniture, a focal point, and a hook on which many other design elements hang, your sofa needs to be the first right decision that you make.
We feel that the best thing about ordering living room furniture that will meet (and exceed) the vision that you have in your head is that our team can craft a made to order sofa to do exactly that. You want the right comfort level, colour, fabric, tone, length, depth, and height – and that’s exactly what you should get.
For a full breakdown on why you should consider a made to order sofa, read our recent article on the topic. You’ll see how to consider factors such as personal comfort, design, style, quality, and practicality.
Flooring
Some interesting points are highlighted from HGTV, where they say, “ Since the floor is usually the largest surface in a room, it lays the foundation for the entire look of the space—colour, style, texture, and pattern. And a new floor can be a big investment, so you want a surface that will last for years. Your floor choice is about balancing your needs with your style.”
That said, it is possible that your redesign may not include pulling up the floors, but you still need a little something to bring in the essence of the style that you want.
A cheaper (and transformative) option comes in the form of a rug – or rugs, plural. Our tips on choosing a rug to match your redesigned room are:
- Ensure that the rug matches your lifestyle. Does it need to be practical and hardwearing, or can you splash out on something more delicate and glamourous?
- Choose the right size. A small rug will leave your room looking unfinished and perhaps a little empty, whereas a rug that is too large can easily overwhelm the space.
“I often recommend the front legs of the sofa and side chairs be placed on the rug as an alternative solution,” says Anishka Clarke of Ishka Designs.
- Choose the right colour. Thankfully there is no shortage of colour, texture, or pattern when it comes to rugs. Some designers opt to layer a smaller, muted rug on top of a thicker more vibrant one for added texture and interest.
Wall colour
Whether you’re going with wallpaper or a good quality paint, your choice of wall colour is another impactful element to your stylish living room. However, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when we’re standing in the DIY store looking at what appears to be a thousand paint colour options.
Home guide, This Old House offers some uniquely practical advice to combat paint colour paralysis.
They say, “Start by selecting three colors from an existing object in your home. “Take a pillow from the family-room sofa, your favorite tie or scarf, or a painting—anything that conveys comfort or has an emotional connection for you—and take that object to the paint store,” says Krims. “Find three sample strips with those colors, and you instantly have 15 to 18 colors you can use, since each sample strip typically contains six paint colors.”
“The next step is to choose one of the three paint colors as your wall color and to save the other two to be used around the room in fabric or furnishings.”
As we are all too well aware, the predominate colour of a room has a definite psychological impact. So, determine early on whether you want a bold and exciting room, or a serene and tranquil space and consider these carefully when choosing your wall colour.
Window treatments
Window treatments, too, need to factor in the practical with the stylish. Do you need to shield your delicate furniture from direct sunlight or protect your privacy from the curtain-twitching neighbours?
Once you’ve established whether you’re going for blinds, curtains, or something less traditional then you can set about selecting fabrics, tones, and patterns to bring your design together.
BHG comments on the value of choosing the right window treatments.
“The window treatments you choose go a long way toward giving your living room personality. Boisterous, boldly patterned shades signal its use as a family room, where toys are as welcome as toss pillows. Tailored curtains with elegant trims establish a stately space to entertain visitors.”
Decorview speaks of window treatment colour choices in their article saying, “Tone-on-tone color pairings have been a popular fashion trend for the past few years, and in 2020, this trend will crossover into interior design in a big way.”
“Rather than pepper several colors around your home, just choose one and then vary the tones. Too many colors can cause visual overwhelm, which is why tone-on-tone color palettes are so brilliant. You’ll add visual interest to the space without the technicolor overload.”
Indeed, we are certainly not at a loss when it comes to curtains or blinds.
Accessories
It’s here where you can really have fun, because accessories don’t have to be practical. They can be whimsical and fun, eclectic or traditional – whatever your decorating heart desires.
Our final professional quote comes from Ylighting who offer this smart advice.
“My favorite accessorizing tip is to start with what you already own and place each piece where you feel it belongs. But if you’re starting fresh, then begin with the most common accessories like mirrors and wall art. Personally, as I collect souvenirs from travelling or from friends and family, I’ll continue to add the pieces to my art wall or table top decor, as long as the magnitude of decor fits my personality.
“If you have a lot of accessories, don’t feel like you have to have them all on display at the same time. Clutter doesn’t look good, can actually make you feel stressed, and doesn’t allow you to really see and appreciate each piece. Curate decor seasonally, or just whenever you want a refresh in your living room.”
In Conclusion
We understand that creating your uniquely stylish living room is going to be a wonderfully exciting challenge and that you want to get all the elements just right.
We can’t help you to choose your curtains, but we can certainly assist you in your first, essential purchase. Please feel free to call into one of our showrooms and let’s discuss what your perfect made to order sofa is going to look and feel like.
Call us on 03300 564 111 to book a consultation.
