Must Have Architectural Details That Enhance A Living Room Design

Thoughtful Living Room Design Ideas That Will Improve Your Lifestyle

When it comes to home remodeling, kitchens and bathrooms often get the most attention.

However, the recent surge in living room updates is a growing trend that can pay off homeowners in many ways. For starters, it's easier to upgrade than a kitchen or bathroom remodeling – no plumbing, minimal electrical work, and limited space.

The living room focuses on comfort and style, with fewer functional aspects to consider. A smart living room design can be enjoyed today and can give your home a price boost when it's time to sell.

Let's look at some living room design updates that are must-haves, affordable features, and can improve your comfort and boost your home's style!

Smart Living Room Design Tips

The pandemic changed the way many of us choose to live in our homes. Living room updates are an affordable way to inject a big dose of personal style into your home while creating the space to best fit your family's lifestyle and needs! Here are some current must-have living room design features to consider.

Indoor/Outdoor Living

This is the number one recommendation of designers and realtors. Connecting your indoor living space to the outdoors helps to physically and virtually expand the living space while maximizing views and natural light. The trend toward the stay-cation was already growing before the pandemic hit. Homeowners are developing their outdoor living space with kitchens, outdoor fireplaces, and more, creating a continuity between indoor and outdoor living. This can be accomplished in a couple of different ways. Opening up an exterior wall and installing sliding doors that completely open the indoors to the outdoors is an option. Another option is to install fixed windows. Large fixed windows are inexpensive and open your living room to views and natural light.

Expand the Living Room

In older homes, the living room was often kept compact to conserve energy. Think traditional ranch-style or Victorian. As the movement toward the open concept has grown, along with the homeowner's need for larger, more functional space, potential buyers expect larger living rooms. If you have an adjoining room, like a formal dining space, you can remove a wall to take over the space and create more square footage.

Create Privacy Niches

Within the living room, incorporate small niches to offer some privacy while maintaining the open concept. You can use design elements like half-walls, pillars or columns, or even glass walls to define your space. Non-permanent dividers can be created using furniture pieces like bookshelves, which can be moved to fit your mood. Niches can be big enough for a cozy chair and a reading lamp to relax with a good book or your pet, or they can be even smaller – wall niches are both decorative and functional for displaying your favorite art or decorative objects.

Boost Natural Light with New Windows

Nothing stimulates the feeling of living more than natural light flooding your home. Replacing existing windows or adding transom windows around the room can flood the space with natural light and give your home a more open feel. New windows are a good investment, often recouping 70 to 75% of the original cost. Plus, you'll reduce energy use and save money when you replace poor, leaky windows with new weathertight models.

Comfortable Furniture is a Must!

It might seem obvious, but it's worth thinking about. Comfortable living room furniture is a must. The days of the plastic-covered formal living room furniture are way over! Today, soft fabrics, deep cushions, and rounded edges are in. Make your space look beautiful. This goes beyond furniture; think plush rugs and throw blankets to give your living room the look and feel of comfort. The sofa is a smart place to spend a little extra. A good couch can last for decades. Remember, you'll spend hours sitting on the furniture, so it should be comfortable and durable.

Consider Including A Fireplace

A fireplace can give your living room a captivating visual focal point, up the ambiance, and create the coziness only a fireplace can offer. Today, homeowners have options, including a vented gas fireplace, a non-vented gas fireplace, an electric fireplace, and the traditional wood-burning option. A fireplace allows family and friends a natural gathering spot for conversations and creating memories. ("The stockings were hung from the fireplace with care...")

Create A Layered Lighting Plan

When the sun goes down, a layered lighting plan consisting of task, ambient, decorative, and accent lighting can create the perfect ambiance. Living rooms are used by the family for so many activities, from reading or homework to watching a movie, and each activity can benefit from a range of lighting options. Overhead lights on dimmers, sconces on the wall, reading lamps, and art lighting can help you create the perfect atmosphere. For convenience, consider including floor outlets in your living room design so lamps can be placed next to seating without worrying about tripping over wires.

Define Your Space with a Large Area Rug

One element all designers love is a large area rug in the living room. Whether your home offers an open concept or a separate living room, a large area rug can help define your space and be a key element in your interior design. A large area rug helps to anchor the room and provides a guide to your color palette. A large area rug adds warmth and coziness and is a great way to tie your furniture and decor together. It adds a sense of elegance by adding detail and texture to the space.

Living Room Design Is All About Details

These are just a few options for updating your living space. Working with an interior designer is a great way to better define your needs. The living room is often overlooked when it comes to home remodeling projects. Small changes can make a big impact on your room's aesthetics, design, and comfort.

Updates are an affordable way to inject personal style, comfort, and functionality into your living space. Whether your home is an open concept or you have a more formal dedicated living room, you can set the tone for your aesthetic style by making some smart choices for your living room design.

Are you considering a home remodeling project or a new living room design? Let us help you create a new look and design the perfect finished space to meet your needs! If you live in the Greater Madison area, call the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel at (608) 846-5963. We can take your home to the next level of comfort, design, and function! Ready to learn more? We're always happy to answer your questions.