How to choose furniture for your living room?

Tips for Choosing Furniture

Consider the following when selecting a living room set:

• Size. The main rule you need to follow is proportionality. That is, the larger the room, the bulkier the items can be. Choose furniture not only considering the size of the room, but also each other – a small cabinet for a small sofa and vice versa.
• Color. The choice of color scheme is also important depending on the size of the living room – any room can be decorated in light tones, only huge rooms in dark tones. Warm shades (pink, yellow, orange, beige) will make the room more cozy, cool shades (blue, gray, green) will help to relax.
• Style. Before purchasing furniture for the living room, decide on the style of the future interior. Classic styles typically feature bulky soft furniture, carved and decorated with patterns and bas-reliefs. High-tech, on the other hand, prefers simplicity and sharp, 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. A small sofa isn’t enough for a large family or frequent gatherings with friends, for example. If you love books – get a bookcase, if you occasionally host formal dinners – a dining table and chairs.

What furniture to put in the living room?

We’ve already touched on the topic of the necessary furniture items, let’s discuss it in more detail. The main components are:

• Sofa. Its size, color and appearance depend on many factors, but in the vast majority of living rooms, it is present. Sometimes the sofa is supplemented or even replaced with armchairs, ottomans, chairs.
• Wall unit or shelving. The size and type are chosen according to what you will store inside. Open shelves for books and souvenirs, closed ones for everything else.
• Coffee table. You can do without it, but having this piece of furniture expands the functionality of the room. You can use it to have tea, play games and even work.

The photo shows a living room with sliding doors

The composition can be complemented by:

• Dining table. If you have a small kitchen or a studio, it’s logical to move the dining area into the living room using zoning techniques.
• TV stand. Sometimes a chest of drawers plays its role. Needed when the TV isn’t hanging on the wall.
• Desk. Another way to use the space is to equip a workspace. As in the case with the dining area, it needs to be separated from the main room.

In the photo: Classic living room furniture with a dining area

Choosing Cozy Soft Furniture

Soft furniture, especially a comfortable couch, is a foundational part of a living room interior. There are 3 main types:

1. Straight. Sizes can be completely different: from a 2-seater to a spacious 4-5 seater. A straight couch is often used in combination with additional seating or separately in small living rooms.
2. Corner. An additional section on one side eliminates the need to put a chair or buy an ottoman. A couch with an ottoman is convenient if you like to spend time in front of the TV comfortably.
3. Modular. The main advantage of such furniture is variability. A corner sofa easily turns into a straight design with ottomans or into several separate seats. Couches with a fold-out mechanism can replace a bed in a studio apartment or serve as additional sleeping places for guests.

When choosing the color of the main piece of soft furniture, rely on these schemes:

• toned with the walls;
• neutral (base on base – gray on white, for example);
• contrasting with the finish (bright on light, light on dark).

In the photo: Large corner couch

Chairs don’t necessarily have to match the couch exactly, but they should be in the same style. With a corner couch, it’s enough to add one place on the other side of the corner. Two are placed near a straight couch or taken out into a separate zone – uniting, 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, additional seating, and even a coffee table. Moreover, some have a spacious storage compartment – if you put a blanket and pillow in it you can get them out at any moment.

In the photo: Set of chairs and coffee tables

What to Consider When Choosing Case Furniture?

Beloved by many, famous wall-to-wall units are no longer relevant, case furniture for the living room is a wardrobe, rack, slide, stand, or built-in shelves.

The main advantage of open racks is the lightness of the structure. 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 sense of clutter.

In closed cabinets, there will be no problems with the number of things, because many things can be hidden behind the facades. To avoid the construction looking massive, choose a cabinet in the tone of the furniture.

A sideboard is something in between a rack and a wardrobe. The glass in the upper facades makes it more airy. Thanks to them, the sideboard is used as a decor, filling it with interesting details.

In the photo: Zoning of the living room with a workspace

If you’re someone who wants everything at once, go for modular furniture. Just like in the kitchen, you simply pick the functional shelves and cabinets you need, which together form a cohesive arrangement. Mostly, modules are bookcases, dish racks, clothing wardrobes, open shelves, dressers, nightstands.

Many people mount their television on the wall these days, but sometimes you need to install a console or sound system alongside it — a low-height stand will suffice. It doesn’t have to match the wardrobe — it’s more important that it complements it in style or color.

The materials the items are made of are no less important:

• Laminated chipboard. Affordable furniture, there are models for different styles.
• Wood. Natural wood is expensive, but it will last you for many years. It looks especially good in a classic interior.
• Plastic. Designers believe it fits perfectly into modern minimalist styles, it is low-maintenance.
• Glass. It has a futuristic look and helps lighten the overall perception.

The photo showcases a design idea for a large built-in closet in the living room

Features for a small living room

The right furniture for a small living room matches its parameters. A pair of compact chairs can replace a sofa, and a small slide or case can replace a large closet. To make the small room look outstanding, consider these tips:

• Use multifunctional furniture. An ottoman-table, sofa-bed, or workspace in a closet can save a huge amount of space.
• Implement methods to visually expand the space. Light shades, glossy surfaces, mirrors, transparent elements will make the living room feel more spacious.
• Keep the center free. You should be able to move around the room comfortably. The most you can put in the center is a small table.

The photo shows furniture options for a small living room

• Put your furniture on legs. Whether it’s a sofa or stand, they will appear lighter.
• Buy low or order built-in modern furniture. When the wardrobe is part of the wall it does not clutter the space, and if there are no obstacles at eye level, the room appears larger.
• Think about the lighting. Don’t clutter windows, add extra light sources. This will not only add space, but also coziness.

The photo shows a table made of wood and metal in a loft style

The arrangement of the living room should be functional but remain aesthetically pleasing. Only purchase the necessary pieces of furniture and combine them at your discretion.