Light and airy living room ideas

16 design rules for a bright lounge |

(Image credit: Project by Julia Dempster)

Light living room ideas should be bright, spacious and welcoming – not dull, dreary or dated.

There are a plethora of sophisticated ways to enhance a light space, so dress your living room with best paint ideas, lighting tips and earthy neutral tones for a space that is airy, inviting and oh so stylish.

Light living room ideas – 16 expert ways to introduce light to your lounge

From using the right paint colors to clever ways to accessorize, these bright, light living room ideas will help you add interest and intrigue – and have you reaching for the paint chart or the light bulb.

1. Light your living room right

(Image credit: Future / Matthew Williams)

Living room lighting is one of the most important considerations when designing a room scheme.

A common task undertaken in any living room is reading. 'For that, you need shadowless light,’ says Rebecca Weir, creative director at Light IQ . ‘One trick is to get an incredibly slim dedicated reading light to sit directly next to a more decorative table lamp. Plug it in under a sofa in a recessed floor socket so there are no wires trailing across the room.’

2. Consider outside influences

(Image credit: Paul Raeside / Future)

Choosing a living room color scheme is one of the hardest parts of decorating a light living room because we only actually know the true color of something because it’s sitting next to another color.

When you’re thinking about color for your home, you have to first start by standing in the middle of the room and explore what will be around the color – where the light is coming in, the architectural qualities of the room and even what is outside the window. If you have foliage outside which the light has to filter through, that green is going to be cast throughout the room. These considerations will help you understand what the color will read as in the space.

3. Don't just reach for the white paint

(Image credit: Future / Lisa Cohen)

‘The trap that people fall into is that they consider dark living rooms to be wrong – and just paint them white,’ says interior designer Rachel Chudley, Rachel Chudley Studio . ‘I like to lean into the darkness and explore the depths of color,’ she adds. ‘Go for a very deep shade but in a high gloss paint and this will reflect the light around the room.’

4. Create a light-filled space for reading

(Image credit: Future / Jon Day)

As with other rooms of the house, layers of lighting are essential to set the right mood for a reading space in the living room.

Wall lighting on shelf spines work well as reading lights but consider the height of these when both standing and sitting down, recommends Sally Stephenson of Owl Lighting . ‘You could also put them on the sides of shelves to enhance the living room seating area; they focus pools of lights and encourage spaces to pause.’

When creating a reading nook, a sofa in a bay window or a window seat are ideal spaces as they tend to enjoy plenty of natural daylight, but include a soft, dimmable downlight which can be operated separately from the rest of the room for darker evenings.

5. Use a palette of harmonious hues

(Image credit: Future)

Choosing complementary color combinations is an art form that works beautifully in light living rooms. ‘Pick one color as a foundation – from a favorite artwork, image or piece of clothing – to form the thread that runs through the space,’ says Charlotte Archer, head of brand, Sanderson . ‘Build your palette around this with complementary or tonal shades. My number one rule is: decorate for yourself, not others – choose tones that you love and you won’t go wrong.’

6. Use scale to add instant impact to a light living room

(Image credit: Jan Baldwin / Future)

‘Scale in interior design really drives how diverse you can be with color pairings: larger homes can take a looser palette; in smaller homes, it’s best to keep the colors more concise – find three colors that harmonize and use them as a common thread for continuity,’ says Charu Gandhi, founder and director, Elicyon .

‘I enjoy using ivory, egg-yolk yellows with hints of navy, mixed with copper and metal accents. Old rose pink, nude and orangery tones is also a nice palette – the combination of dull shades creates a calm but sumptuous aesthetic. We’re also using pastel lilac with thistle green and soft amber, which gives a pleasing visual sense – perfect for a light living room.’

7. Light up any dark corners

(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)

‘Lighting is key to setting atmosphere in a dark or light living room,’ says Penny Morrison, founder at Penny Morrison . ‘I always illuminate rooms with lamps, except where there are very dark areas. Instead, I will put small downlighters in the corners of the room on dimmer switches. These can be used to gently enhance the illusion of daylight on a really dark day.’

‘Even the simplest of schemes can be enriched with a well-placed chandelier,’ says Annabel Astor, OKA co-founder. ‘They add just the right dose of decadence and drama.’

8. Think about how you will use your space

(Image credit: Davide Lovatti / Future)

Think about all the different people who will use a light-filled, family living room, including people of varying age ranges. ‘We all like to think a room has plenty of light but as we get older, clarity and sharpness of vision start to be lost,’ says Rebecca Weir. ‘At this point, elements of strong lighting are needed to compensate.’

It’s difficult to consider all the changes in lifestyle and interests that lie ahead so try and imagine a niece and nephew or grandparents coming to stay and all the small, fiddly tasks that might be required – from playing board games to knitting. Finally, where space allows, create a reading or crossword area with a small table and smart desk lamp.

9. Go for neutrals underfoot

(Image credit: Polly Eltes / Future)

Choosing a living room carpet in a classic base note will bring a sense of calm to your light living space. A neutral shade is a wise investment too, as its versatility and longevity adds value to your property. It will also make co-ordinating the flooring in different rooms a breeze – with a neutral palette, everything goes – enabling you to combine plains and subtle patterns, while keeping a consistent flow throughout the house.

10. Use white in a small living room

(Image credit: Anna Stathaki / Future)

Just like any other color, the variation in white tones ranges from cool through to warm. When decorating with white in any room, always buy a range of tester pots and paint large sheets of paper so you can see how they look in different lights throughout the day.

‘If you’re looking to increase the feeling of space in a room by using white, paint all walls and woodwork in the same shade,’ says David Mottershead, managing director, Little Greene . ‘Use it as you would a blank canvas, then add colorful furniture and collectibles.’

11. Maximize light with mirrors

(Image credit: K&H Design)

Hanging living room mirrors is a quick and easy way to instantly make rooms feel lighter and more spacious. In this living room by K&H Design, floor to ceiling mirrors have been used in conjunction with clever lighting ideas to create a bright and welcoming feel.

'Previously accessed by a single door, this south west facing sun filled room was seldom used. We created the double full height doors for light flow and better accessibility,' says Katie Glaister, founder of K&H Design . 'The Rupert Bevan slumped mirror fills each fireside alcove. It subtly projects the afternoon sun throughout the room and increases the sense of space.'

The decorative lighting, 'adds to the drama and color in the room and brings together the contemporary and old with the antique chinoiserie lamp. They also create different moods in the room by day and night,' she adds.

12. Consider the shape of furniture

(Image credit: Interior by kate Lester / Photograph by Amy Bartlam)

Living room paint ideas are an easy way to brighten a space, but furniture, too, should not be overlooked when thinking about creating a light living room, as it can have a big impact on how a looks and feels.

In this room design by interior designer Kate Lester , clever living room furniture choices help keep the space feeling open and airy. With their simple, open-frame design, these mid-century chairs have a weightless feel and allow light to shine through. Kate Lester also takes care with her upholstery choices preferring more streamlined designs.

'I always defer to the idea of pulling from traditional shapes and concepts, but with a more streamlined approach, like traditional roll arm sofas that are over-scaled and extra-deep and plush. The fabrics are a soft and pre-washed to exude an overall casual and liveable aesthetic even on a more traditional frame.'

13. Choose the right window treatment

(Image credit: Hillarys)

Bay windows are a beautiful architectural feature that flood living rooms with light, but finding the right window treatment for them can be tricky. If you're looking for a way to maintain privacy whilst keeping living rooms light and airy, consider a simple sheer roller blind.

'Bay windows increase the flow of natural light into your home and give you views of the outside that you wouldn’t get with an ordinary window. To emphasise this, pick out a sheer voile roller window blind which will create a lovely ambience by allowing sunlight to gently filter through, whilst providing daytime privacy,' advises Yvonne Keal, senior product manager at Hillarys .

Roller blinds are also perfect for those looking for a sleek and simple living room look as they 'sit neatly within your window recess for a neat and streamlined finish,' adds Yvonne Keal. 'They work well in bay windows as you can fit individual roller blinds to each window pane for flexible control over light and privacy.'

14. Opt for floating shelves

(Image credit: Kitesgrove)

Freestanding or fitted shelving units can be cumbersome, but floating shelves are a brilliant way to create storage and display space while keeping living rooms feeling light and airy.

Fitted to the wall with hidden brackets, they create a clean, streamlined look perfect for minimalist living rooms. They work well behind a sofa where brackets might look messy, but are also effective hung in a series used for display, as pictured in this space by Kitesgrove, as the absence of brackets creates space to lean taller pieces such as framed artworks or artisan plates.

'Floating shelves are an effective design feature to create depth for styling and layering a space with personal objets and decorative items, as well as practical storage,' says Katie Lion, senior interior designer at Kitesgrove .

'To achieve a curated, uncluttered feel, we always recommend investing in some beautiful storage items such as these handmade woven baskets which become part of the display.'

15. Introduce contrasting tones

(Image credit: Boråstapeter Vivalla wallpaper from the collection Alla tiders Hus)

Decorating with white can make rooms feel lighter and larger, however, it can sometimes make spaces feel soulless. The key to getting it right is to use contrasting tones to create rhythm, explains Sissa Sundling, head of design at Boråstapeter.

'To maximize light in a living room, it is all about using contrasting tones to strengthen the light feeling. In this space, if everything was white, it would be hard to read the whole room, it would appear smaller and darker. '

By having the chimney and wallpaper in white, but with the introduction of darker tones through the wood panels and brown sofa, 'the eyes sweep over the hole room, from light to dark, to light, to dark,' says Sissa Sundling. 'The light parts are predominant, so they reinforce each other, in contrast to the browns, making the room appear lighter.'

16. Choose pale upholstery for furniture

(Image credit: Project by Julia Dempster)

As the largest piece in a living room it's important to get the sofa right. If you're lucky enough to have a space bathed in light from large windows, then consider emphasising this by choosing furniture in pale colors – large, bulky pieces may dominate a scheme if covered in dark fabrics.

'In this living space it was easy as there was a wealth a light from three large windows which allowed the light to flood into the room, says interior designer Julia Dempster .

'The neutral palette was key in making the area feel larger as the space was not broken up by large contrasting pieces of furniture. The punctuation was an accent of cool pale grey and most of the large bulky furniture items were off white/natural, so soothing to the eye.'

If you're thinking of having a light sofa as part of an all-white living room scheme, try a loose-cushioned design in a textured fabric to ensure the space remains feeling cosy and layered.

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.

How To Keep The Interiors Feel Airy, Light and Cool

Did you know that the colors and choice of materials and accessories in a room can greatly influence the perception of the room’s size and mood? To achieve a light, airy and cool feeling in any room there are a few simple tips to follow.

1. Paint Color

Choose your paint colors carefully. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to paint everything white. However, the colors you chose should be light and cool. Ice blues and greens or other muted and neutral colors such as gray, can make any room feel open and airy, as well as making a small space feels more open. Also, incorporating colors found in your environment outside can make it feel like the outside has come inside and open up the room.

Paint color is Benjamin Moore OC-23 Classic Gray.

2. Keep the Right Temperature

Use appropriate heating and cooling in the room. Small spaces may benefit from an individual system. Another popular option is ducted air conditioning. It can help keep your room at the perfect temperature all year round without needing to spoil your décor with bulky in-room units. Ducted air conditioning can heat and cool an entire house, and also give you individual control over specific zones, including the kitchen, making it the perfect option for open concept homes where rooms often serve multiple purposes.

3. Natural Light

Whatever your space, let in as much natural light as possible. It’s also a good idea to avoid heavy fabrics and drapes as this can have the opposite effect and make a room feel cozy and closed. By using sheer drapes and not covering any of the windows with furniture, your room will naturally feel more open and light.

4. Lighting

Despite your best efforts, there are some times when sunlight just isn’t enough. Perhaps you live in a rainy climate or in a building where the natural light is obscured. By using clever lighting techniques you can still open up a room. Avoid harsh fluorescent lights and use more natural lighting. Multiple light sources work well, such as lamps placed around the room with soft light bulbs or sconces.

5: Furniture

When choosing furniture, it’s best to choose pieces that don’t overwhelm the room. The key here is to leave plenty of open space. As with the paint colors, light and muted colors also work best for furniture to make a room feel airy and cool. As well as blues and greens, grays, lavenders and browns also work well. Light colored furniture will also reflect the natural light in the room, making it feel open and airy. If you’d like to inject a little warmth into the room yellows and light metallic tones can do this without overwhelming the cool feeling of the room.

Sources: Kate Marker Interiors.

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tips for choosing style, decoration and furniture - INMYROOM

The living room in the house is the place where, as the name suggests, guests are received. However, the owners themselves relax here, spending time in front of the TV or a book, with drinks, pleasant conversation and other activities. Therefore, the living room should be the most comfortable place in your home.

If your family consists of several people, it is important to consider the interests of everyone. It is quite possible that for one of the family members, when designing the interior of a living room in an apartment, they will have to give space for working at a computer, doing creative work, even sports. All these points must be planned at the stage of designing the premises. nine0003

Determine the center of the living room

Living room design is inseparable from a competent layout. After looking at examples of photos of the living room in the apartment, you can see various space planning options. Of course, the choice depends on your preferences, as well as on the size and functionality of the room.

Place sofas and armchairs around the perimeter of the room in no case is worth it. Firstly, this is the last century, and the modern design of the living room categorically does not accept such a layout. In addition, you will clutter up the space with only recreational items, leaving no free space for other functional areas. nine0003

The best option for the interior of the living room is to highlight the central group, around which the rest of the furniture will be grouped. As a rule, a recreation area with a TV and a sofa is chosen as the center of the composition.

A fireplace can also be a central element, next to which chairs, rocking chairs or even luxurious skins for relaxation will comfortably fit.

Standard set of furniture for designing a living room in an apartment:

sofa;
several armchairs;
coffee or coffee table;
shelving for decorative items and/or books.

If the room is large, or it has to take on a diverse functional load, of course, you should not limit yourself to this. The living room may well have a desktop for a computer, chests of drawers and cabinets, a bar counter.

In order not to clutter up a cramped room too much, give preference to the transformer models that are popular today. Such furniture is very functional and allows you to perfectly save scarce space. nine0003

Choice of colors

If your living room is located on the sunny side, then you are practically unlimited in the choice of colors for finishing and furnishing it. The contrasting interior design of the living room will look very interesting. For example, walls and floors can be decorated in cold colors, while furniture, in contrast, in warm colors.

Many modern interior styles welcome the clean slate living room design. This technique involves decorating the walls and ceiling with plain white plaster or paint. And furniture and decor elements can be selected in a variety of colors: bright or rich dark - to create a spectacular and stylish interior, delicate and pastel - for a light, cozy and elegant design. nine0003

For north-facing living rooms with little to no daylight, choose warm-coloured finishes. Such an interior design of the living room compensates for the lack of sun, makes the room cozy and conducive to relaxation no matter what.

And, of course, if the room is a bit dark, you should take care of good artificial lighting. Well-placed spotlights are best suited to illuminate every corner of your living room.

Of course, the choice of colors for decorating a room should also depend on what visual and emotional effect you want to achieve. nine0003

If the living room is intended for stormy parties and active pastime, then it makes sense to decorate it in bright, saturated colors.

If the owners want to indulge in a calm and relaxing holiday, then the interior of the living room should be to match. In this case, you should give preference to soft light tones or, conversely, deep and calm, but in no case flashy.

Finishing materials

The choice of finishing materials should largely depend on the style in which you would like to maintain the design of the living room in the apartment. So, paper wallpapers with romantic flowers are definitely not suitable for laconic hi-tech or minimalism. And Provence or country-style interiors will not be combined with bright carpets with psychedelic prints and ultra-modern wall coverings with fur or leather texture. nine0003

In addition, the shape and size of the room is of great importance. Properly selected finishes will perfectly smooth out the flaws of the room and focus on its merits. While a thoughtlessly chosen design can spoil even a spacious and bright room.

Walls

The classic rule is that for small rooms it is better to choose light shades. It always works flawlessly. However, if this solution seems too boring for you, you can try all sorts of interesting wall designs. Spectacular examples of wall design in the living room, photos of which are presented in our article, will help you navigate and choose the most attractive options for yourself. nine0003

For example, even smooth, light-colored walls can be made a spectacular interior detail by adding bright or simply contrasting color accents to them. See such unusual living room interior ideas in the photo below.

All kinds of plasterboard niches look very stylish. They not only diversify the interior, but also become its very functional detail. After all, they can accommodate both decorative elements and items needed in the household. And if such a niche is beautifully illuminated from the inside, this will create an interesting effect of depth. nine0003

The traditional option for decorating the living room walls is wallpaper. Fortunately, today there is a great variety of them: both classic paper, and modern non-woven, and washable, and glass, and even innovative liquid wallpaper. If you are a lover of change, then you can pay attention to the wallpaper for painting. With such a finish, you can easily change the look of the room, at least several times a year. However, please note that, as a rule, such wallpapers are designed for a limited number of repaints. nine0003

Smoothly plastered or painted walls look great in modern interiors. At the same time, if you are a fan of the original design, you can pick up plaster with all sorts of beautiful and unusual textures. With its help, you can add a twist to your design and create a truly beautiful living room interior.

One of the fashion trends in modern design is the combination of materials. It is very important to use combinations of several finishes in one room: different types and shades of plaster, paint plus wallpaper, or even a combination of two types of wallpaper with different patterns and textures. See examples of such a living room design in the photo below. nine0003

Using this technique, you will not only be able to make your interior bright, stylish and original, but will also successfully cope with the zoning of the room. As you know, for proper zoning, it is not enough to collect several diverse groups of furniture in one room. So that all this does not look like a "hodgepodge", it is necessary to highlight each of the functional areas with its own design elements. And here, the design of wall sections in different colors and even different textures is the best fit. nine0003

Ceiling

When choosing the design of the ceiling in the living room, first of all, start from the size of the room. No matter how much you like spectacular multi-tiered structures, in a small room, packed full of necessary furniture, they will look simply ridiculous. In no case do not overload the design of the room.

If the room is small, then the best option is a simple ceiling in light colors with built-in ceiling lights. A good design move would be a small cornice around the perimeter, it will add a sense of depth. nine0003

Another interesting solution for visually increasing the space is the so-called "floating" suspended ceilings. This is a two-tier structure with a small height difference and built-in lights mounted inside the "upper" tier in such a way that they themselves are not visible. This technique creates soft diffused light and an interesting depth effect. As a result, the room seems visually higher and more spacious.

However, remember that the design tricks you have listed are inappropriate for small rooms with high ceilings. If in such a room you try to “distance” the ceiling even more due to visual techniques, then you will feel in it like at the bottom of a bottomless well. nine0003

In narrow rooms with high ceilings, it makes sense, on the contrary, to reduce the height - through visual means or with the help of suspended structures. Then the living room will immediately seem more comfortable and suitable for a comfortable stay.

If you are lucky and your living room is spacious and has high enough ceilings, then feel free to experiment with their design.

Here, multi-level suspended structures, both laconic and intricate forms, stucco, columns, scallops, and complex lighting systems can be used. nine0003

The main thing is not to overdo it and stick to the intended design of the room. If the room is decorated in a ceremonial classical style, in the spirit of Baroque or Empire, then without a doubt, both bas-reliefs and columns will be appropriate. But for more concise modern styles, you should choose a simpler and more rigorous ceiling design.

If your living room will have several functional areas, then the zoning can be "supported" with an appropriately designed ceiling. nine0003

For example, a central seating area with a sofa group and a TV set can be highlighted with a second tier of false ceiling. Depending on the general style of the room, both strict rectangular shapes and soft rounded lines may be appropriate.

The ceiling does not have to be white. Delicate, warm pastel shades will look perfect in almost any room.

Fans of more extravagant options can experiment with bright shades. It is not necessary to decorate the entire ceiling in saturated colors. However, if you highlight only part of it or one of the tiers with a spectacular shade, you will get a chic look. nine0003

As far as materials are concerned, it is best to avoid whitewashing and painting. After all, this will take a long time and carefully level the surface. An excellent modern solution is plasterboard suspended ceilings or stylish stretch models. They are quick to install, provide perfectly flat surfaces, and in addition, allow you to create a wide variety of design options.

Lighting

Just a few years ago, when choosing lighting, the issue was always decided in favor of a large ceiling chandelier. Of course, today there are many lovers of such lighting fixtures, including those decorated with numerous "crystal" pendants. However, you should not get hung up on this option, because modern manufacturers offer many interesting, stylish and comfortable options. nine0003

If you - due to adherence to traditions or in order to create a certain style of interior - have opted for a massive chandelier, you do not need to limit yourself to this. In any living room, additional sources of lighting will be appropriate: wall sconces, floor lamps and portable standing lamps.

Additional light sources perform several functions at once:

They allow you to well illuminate all corners of the room without leaving any terra incognita areas in it, where it is dark in the evening, even if you gouge out your eye. nine0022
Create separate lighting and comfort in each functional area. Thanks to a well-placed floor lamp or sconce, one of the family members with all the conveniences can read or work at a computer in the corner of the hall, while others have a “movie show” or an evening rest in the twilight on the sofa.
Can create decorative lighting in a niche, near art objects, etc.
They are additional decorative elements.

If you are a supporter of laconic design, then recessed ceiling lights are the best fit. They also allow you to create separate lighting in different functional areas of the living room. And besides, with their help you can always adjust the brightness and level of illumination of the room. And with all this, they remain almost invisible, do not overload the design and fit almost all interior styles. nine0003

It's safe to say that recessed ceiling lights are the best choice for a small room with low ceilings. But, at the same time, they will also be appropriate in a spacious hall.

Style Selection

Choose a style based on the tastes of the whole family. Look at photo examples of living room designs in a magazine, on the Internet, explore the various styles that are in abundance today.

Of course, the dimensions of the room must also be taken into account. In a small room in Khrushchev, a lush baroque or any other “palace” interior will look out of place. For small living rooms, it is best to choose a laconic design in the Scandinavian style, elegant classics or strict hi-tech or minimalism. Country and Provence are perfect, as these styles suggest comfort and emphatically home furnishings. nine0003

If your living room is large, then there is room to roam. In principle, a spacious room can be decorated in almost any style that you and your family like.

When choosing the style of the living room, be sure to take into account the features of the interior of the other rooms. Maintain style and harmony.

Classic

The classic style of the interior involves the use of the most natural materials. The whole environment should breathe quality and good taste. As part of this style, traditional furniture made of solid wood or at least high-quality MDF will be appropriate. nine0003

Classic interior colors are soft, calm, usually light. But in principle, within the framework of this style, almost any shades (except bright and flashy) will be appropriate if they are correctly beaten.

Elegant wallpaper, paintings, vases, traditional chandeliers, beautiful curtains - all this will be an excellent frame for an interior in a classic style.

Despite certain design rules, there are different directions for decorating a living room in the spirit of the classics. Within the framework of the classical style, several variations can exist at once:

refined and rich "palace", in which discreet gilding and more elaborate forms will be appropriate;
solid and reliable English style, suggesting solid furniture of simple shapes and unpretentious decor;
neoclassical, meaning lighter and simpler forms, expensive elegance without ostentatious luxury.

Minimalism and high-tech

High-tech and constructivism can also be combined under this general direction. All these styles imply laconic finishes, emphatically simple and modern furniture models, built-in lighting, and an abundance of technology. nine0003

Minimalism is characterized by soft colors, calm combinations, stylish and simple shapes.

For hi-tech, for all their similarities, saturated tones, metallic luster and a lot of glass are more characteristic. High-tech furniture or decor can have very unusual, but at the same time laconic and streamlined shapes.

Minimalist interior of the living room is best suited for young and energetic people who keep up with the times, who do not attach much importance to luxurious surroundings, preferring simplicity and elegance of lines. nine0003

However, do not think that the interior in the style of hi-tech or minimalism is something from the category of "cheap and cheerful". Such a design may well turn out to be much more expensive than some magnificent Empire style.

Country and Provence

These styles are perfect for lovers of home comfort, antiquity and rustic simplicity. If you want to enjoy peace as much as possible, relax and forget about the bustle of the city, then these are excellent options for the living room.

At the same time, country is deliberately rough, emphatically rural, with simple, almost unfinished furniture and themed textiles. It is characterized by natural, natural shades: soft light and dark green tones, the whole range of brown, light yellow, ocher. Of the prints, a large cage, as well as various variations of floral patterns, will be especially harmonious. nine0003

The Provence style, as it should be for a true Frenchman, is more refined, distinguished by a special chic and charm. It is characterized by lighter shades of furniture and finishes: white, cream, pale blue, turquoise, beige. Decor and textiles can be very flirtatious: with ruffles, scallops, flounces, etc.

Today, these design trends are very popular not only in the design of country cottages, but also in the decoration of city apartments. Therefore, in stores you can easily find furniture, decor and finishing materials that perfectly match these styles. nine0003

Scandinavian

This style is incredibly popular right now. The secret of its success is in the harmonious combination of minimalism, comfort and homeliness. It involves a simple and concise finish, convenient and comfortable furniture of simple shapes, stylish, but at the same time soft and not defiant decor.

The Scandinavian style is characterized by calm shades: white, beige, light gray, gray-green, pale blue, dark blue. Often in the colors of such an interior there is a certain marine theme. nine0003

Living room interior in Scandinavian style is the perfect balance of functionality, convenience, modernity and home comfort. Stylish and modern upholstered furniture for the living room is perfect here, a photo of which you can see below.

Choosing furniture

Before you start choosing furniture for your living room, carefully consider which functional areas will be allocated in the room. Beautiful furniture for the living room, the photo of which can be seen below, is not all. It is important to correctly arrange it so that all the inhabitants and guests of the apartment feel cozy and comfortable. nine0003

If it is intended exclusively for families, then a comfortable sofa, armchairs, a TV stand and a couple of shelving will be enough. If space allows, you can add a coffee table, as well as small cabinets where you can place various decor items.

If you often arrange parties, like to receive and treat guests, then you will need a bar counter. It looks stylish, modern, spectacular, can serve as a place to store all kinds of items and will allow you to organize the serving of drinks and treats for guests in a very small area. In addition, the bar counter can be an excellent dividing element if you need to zone the living room. nine0003

Choose the dimensions of the sofa and the number of chairs depending on the number of family members and the possible number of guests. It makes no sense to choose an airfield sofa and three armchairs if you live alone and rarely receive guests. In this case, it is worth limiting yourself to more compact options and leaving more free space in the room - to create a feeling of spaciousness or to accommodate other functional elements.

If you expect your guests to occasionally stay overnight, then the choice of sofa should be approached especially carefully. Choose folding models, on which, if necessary, you can fully sleep. If there can be several overnight guests, then it makes sense to consider options for transforming chairs that can fold out and turn into a bed. nine0003

Modern design solutions, as a rule, do not involve the placement of solid cabinets in the hall. It is assumed that this tradition should remain in the Soviet past. However, if you don't have a walk-in closet and don't have enough space to place storage items in other rooms, no one can force you to give up a spacious closet in the living room.

In a classic interior, it can even be a solid wall. However, if you prefer more modern design trends, then it is better to pay attention to stylish wardrobes. For a small room, models with mirrored doors are perfect, they allow you to visually expand the space, and will not weigh down the interior as much as their counterparts with solid doors. nine0003

A small room should not be cluttered with a large number of pieces of furniture. Such an "abundant" environment will overwhelm, distract, and simply interfere with free movement around the room. If you don’t have a lot of things, then you definitely shouldn’t put a massive closet in the living room, limit yourself to a light and elegant rack. If you want to create a truly light and stylish design, pay special attention to the modern style living room furniture, the photo of which can be seen below.

If you do not plan to receive guests often, it makes no sense to purchase a grand dining table in the hall. In order to drink coffee or have a snack in front of the TV, an elegant coffee table will be quite enough. To save space, you can choose a functional transforming table, which will serve as both a stand and a storage for books and magazines, and, if necessary, can be expanded into a fairly full-fledged springboard for home meals. nine0003

Fireplace in the living room interior

If you want your living room to breathe genuine comfort and hospitality, consider purchasing a fireplace. Naturally, it is almost impossible to establish a real hearth in a city apartment. But today there are a lot of magnificent imitations on sale that will emphasize the elegance of the interior, create an atmosphere of comfort in the room and even be able to heat it.

An electric fireplace is perfect for an apartment. Do not think that this is a more beautiful analogue of the heater. In fact, modern manufacturers produce incredibly realistic models that amazingly imitate real flames. There are even models with sound and aroma accompaniment. That is, in front of you there will be not only the illusion of an open fire, but also real crackles, as well as the smells of burning logs. nine0003

Fireplaces are produced in a wide variety of styles: exquisite classic, ultra-modern laconic high-tech models, mysterious gothic, luxuriously decorated with gilding and marble in the rococo style, cozy stoves in the spirit of the country. In addition, fireplaces in the living room can vary in location: wall, corner, island.

Such a variety of models will allow you to choose exactly the option for your living room that fits perfectly into the layout and style of decoration. nine0022

What color to choose for a bright living room

What style to choose for a bright living room

To visually expand the space and create a relaxed atmosphere in Moscow, it is traditionally customary to use the design of a living room in light colors. This design is distinguished in their work by many designers. The bright interior is quite versatile, you can arrange a room of any layout. It visually increases the area and improves the geometric parameters of the room. The living room can be decorated in bright colors on your own, it is not necessary to resort to the services of professional designers. This article will help you understand the features of the layout and design of a bright living room. nine0003

What are the advantages of designing a living room in light colors

The living room is usually used as a relaxation room, so you need to choose a relaxing environment. This can be easily achieved by using light colors, because according to psychologists, they practically do not carry an emotional load. For example, gray and beige tones do not evoke any specific emotions at all, soft greens have a calming effect on people, golden ones give a feeling of well-being, and peach ones give warmth. nine0003

The way the room will be perceived and what mood it will give to its inhabitants largely depends on the color design. Different shades can give the room warmth or freshness, cheerfulness or peace. Light colors help to get rid of tension, so they are often used in the design of bedrooms and living rooms.

A light background makes it easy to distribute more saturated color accents: multi-colored paintings, bright vases, sofa cushions and blankets in warm colors, various souvenirs and accessories. The modern design of the living room in bright colors will distract from problems, relieve emotional stress and help restore inner balance. nine0003

Recommended related articles:

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If such a design does not quite correspond to the temperament of some residents of the apartment, then it is recommended to dilute the light range with one or two bright shades. It is worth choosing exactly those colors that evoke positive emotions in a particular person. Otherwise, the design of a bright living room will not cause pleasant impressions, but, on the contrary, will create an uncomfortable environment. nine0003

The modern design of a bright living room has a number of advantages:

Due to light shades, the area of the room visually seems larger.
The room becomes much brighter.
The light finish is the perfect backdrop for both dark and bright interiors.
Granite, marble, wood and other natural materials go well with light colors.
Light shades do not cause irritation, but, on the contrary, help to relax, calm down, give peace. nine0022

You should also take into account some nuances when designing a living room in light colors:

You should feel the measure, otherwise the room will be associated with a hospital ward.
This living room requires proper care and perfect order, because the light colors are very easily soiled.
It is necessary to carefully prepare all surfaces before finishing, as all irregularities, roughness, cracks and scratches will clearly stand out against a light background. nine0022

How the design of a small living room in light colors increases the space

Delicate shades in the interior visually increase the space, so they are often used in small apartments to design a small living room. For the floor in this case, it is better to use light-colored parquet with dark inserts or cream-colored wooden laminate. Beautiful light furniture of various shapes will look good here. Massive items should be discarded. When choosing chandeliers, floor lamps and lamps, it should be taken into account that they are made in the same style and combined with other interior items. Accessories are best chosen to match the upholstery of upholstered furniture. When designing a stylish and presentable interior, it is necessary to pay attention to every detail of the future environment: paintings, dishes, vases. nine0003

If there is not enough space in the apartment and the living room is not initially provided, then you can decorate it by combining the room with a kitchen or a terrace. Cabinets with mirrored doors will look advantageous here, they will help to visually enlarge the room.

7 rules for designing a bright small living room to visually expand the space:

You need to choose the right color. Light rooms always look more spacious than dark ones. White interiors are very popular right now, they are ideal for very small living rooms. Visually help to increase the area of the room light shades of cold colors - green, blue, gray. The smaller the size of the living room, the lighter it should be. In this way, the so-called closet effect can be avoided. nine0022
No need to hide the floor. The more the floor surface is visible, the more spacious the living room appears. To do this, you need to choose the right furniture. So, instead of deaf chairs, you should choose models with high legs. Floor cabinets should be abandoned in favor of suspended structures.
Do not close all corners tightly. There should not be a lot of furniture in the living room. A few corners should be left completely free. The more corners in the room are forced, the smaller its area seems. nine0022
Mirrors must be used. This item needs no further explanation. It is a well-known fact that mirrors visually enlarge the space, as they reflect part of the room. You can experiment and install a mirror in an unusual place: on the front door, above the TV or in the corner. Alternatively, a fully mirrored wall can be made behind the sofa.
Deaf elements should be replaced with transparent ones. From small objects, you can choose a glass coffee table, a TV console or a false fireplace. Or you can make the entire wall between the living room and the corridor transparent. nine0022
Choose images with spacious views. Paintings, posters and photographs will take guests' eyes away, giving depth to the room. But the pictures should not be very large, otherwise you can achieve the opposite effect. It is better to stick photo wallpapers only on a small part of the wall. Above a small sofa, it is better to place a poster of the appropriate size.
Low furniture should be chosen. It looks much lighter, and the room with it visually looks larger. It is better to refuse a high cabinet for a third of the wall in favor of a low wall cabinet. nine0022

See also: Design of a small living room: examples, rules, recommendations

What color to choose for the design of a bright living room

White.

White evokes a light and clean look. To make the interior of the living room sparkle with new colors, you can harmoniously match bright or dark color accents to white tones.

Light grey.

The light gray color looks quite concise, it looks neutral and at the same time noble. This tone will help create the perfect color base in the room. It is easily combined with almost all shades: bright, and pastel, and deep, and boudoir. The combination of light gray and blue colors looks harmonious in the design of a bright living room, the photo of which is presented below:

Light brown.

This warming tone will give the living room warmth, comfort and atmosphere. Nude oily light shades of light brown do not attract much attention to themselves, but at the same time they look very pretty.

Beige.

Beige and all its light shades form the main base of the interior. Against their background, accessories of almost any color look great. Light colors can decorate the living room in any style of interior - from classic to loft. nine0003

Light green.

Light green shades are associated with life, nature and energy. Such colors in the interior will help refresh your thoughts and tune in to soulfulness. Greenish tones can be used in the design of the walls of a bright living room, furniture or interior items. Light green blankets and sofa cushions look very cozy.

Light blue.

Light blue colors are associated with air, freshness, heaven. Cool and invigorating shades are ideal for decorating the interior of the living room. They are harmoniously combined with white, gray, red tones and ivory. nine0003

Light yellow.

Maximalism is inherent in this shade, it has inexhaustible energy. A living room decorated in this color will always give a good mood. Light yellow shades look great in the interior, they are suitable for wall decoration and furniture upholstery.

Light turquoise.

Light turquoise shades go well with both dark and light colors. They are used as the main color and as a separate color accent in a neutral or light interior. nine0003

Light pink.

This color combines two stylish shades - pink and nude. Incredibly feminine light pink shades are associated with the flowering of delicate rose flowers. Walls painted in this color will create a calm atmosphere filled with tenderness in the living room.

Light lilac.

The charm and charm of light lilac shades fascinates. A living room decorated in such vibrant colors will make a special impression on guests. nine0003

See also: Styles of apartment renovation: types and features