Your living room probably occupies a special place in your house. It might be the first space people see when they enter your home. It might serve as the nexus between all the other heavily trafficked rooms of your house. And more than likely, it’s the room in which your family spends the most time together.
Even the best living room can, over time, start to look dull or uninspiring—and that doesn’t exactly make you feel good. Fortunately, whether your goal is to make a big impression on your guests or just feel more comfortable in your own living room, there are some easy (and cost-efficient) ways for you to improve the space overall.
Spice Up the Living Room
Follow these tips to give your living room a new character, or make it more comfortable for you, your family, and your guests:
1. Invest in a mantel
First, consider investing in a better mantel. According to eFireplace Store, there are literally countless models to choose from, broken down by the materials used, the shape, the functionality, and dozens of other variables. A mantel can instantly make your living space feel cozier, especially if you’re keeping fires in winter, and give you a space to display some of your best artwork.
2. Move furniture to make things open
You don’t have to be an expert in the art of feng shui to improve the layout of your living room by rearranging the furniture. One of the best things you can do is create more space, ensuring an open flow of air and walkability. You can also minimize the number of furniture pieces in the room, focusing on quality over quantity. In any case, sometimes merely changing things is enough to make the space feel more interesting and welcoming.
3. Paint the walls (with strong accents)
It’s one of the least expensive ways to spruce up a room, and one of the most impactful. Try painting a strong color that reflects the mood or personality you want the room to emanate; there’s a near-infinite range of tones to choose from, so you should be able to find something approximating perfection. Consider using a strong complementary accent color to make the space pop even more.
4. Seek out original artwork
Original artwork can add color and creative inspiration to any space of your house, and if you look hard enough, you can find a piece that genuinely speaks to you—and something unlike any other art you’ve seen before. There aren’t any hard rules for what kind of art you should display or how you should display it, but if you’re interested in making your living room more inviting, or making it “pop” more, gravitate toward bigger pieces, which could feasibly occupy a large section of your wall.
5. Add a few plants
Indoor plants are more than decoration; research suggests they’re good for your physical and mental health. If you place them appropriately, they can add color and unique visuals to the room, and if you choose the right type, you may even be able to harvest portions of them for your meals. Indoor plants don’t require much ongoing care, and shouldn’t cost much, so they serve as ideal ways to add more life to your room.
6. Layer your textures
Many amateur decorators try to optimize a space by keeping things as consistent and in line with each other as possible, but you can actually improve the vibe of your living room even further by experimenting with different textures in different areas, and by layering those textures on top of one another. For example, your walls may have a smooth, polished look, but your coffee table might look rough and made of raw materials. This subtle contrast can help you draw the eyes of your guests, and give your space a much more distinctive look.
7. Provide more sensory experiences
Finally, consider providing more sensory experiences on a regular basis. The visuals of the room and tactile experiences of the furniture might be your only considerations, but what about arranging speakers to play comforting music for your family and your guests? What about using scent diffusers, candles, and other sources to produce welcoming aromas?
One Step at a Time
Don’t let yourself think that a single change is going to dramatically change the way you feel about your living room, and don’t be surprised if your changes eventually become stale over time. Your home is never going to feel perfect, and even if it somehow does, the feeling won’t last forever. Come to terms with that, and commit to making regular, gradual adjustments to make your space feel alive and welcoming to you and your guests.
