When it comes to picking out the perfect living room furniture, there are a lot of things to think about. After all, this is going to be one of the most-used areas in your home, so you want to make sure you choose wisely. This article will discuss some of the key factors you need to take into account when selecting furniture for your living room.
Table of Contents
Plan The Space
You cannot start picking furniture until you study and plan the space you’ll be working with. The designers over at Minimalistic Interiors know how important it is to prepare everything in advance. This will help you get the full picture, allowing you to pick more wisely.
Planning the space should start by measuring the room and considering how much space you have to work with. Make sure to measure windows, doorways, and other obstacles that could affect the furniture layout. Once you know how much room you can work with, create a sketch of the space with measurements included. This will help visualize what furniture pieces may fit in different areas of the living room.
Check Comfort
Make sure to test out every piece of furniture you’re thinking of buying to see how comfortable it is. Set down, lean back, and get a good feel for the piece of furniture you’re looking at. If you plan on spending a lot of time in your living room, checking comfort should always be a top priority when selecting furniture.
Pay attention to the arms and the depth of the couch or chair. The arms should be high enough to rest your arms naturally and not too low that they come up higher than your shoulder level. Also consider how deep you want your couch or chair – if you want a deeper seat for snuggling up in blankets, then choose one with more depth – but ensure that it’s still comfortable.
Determine The Room’s Purpose
Once you know what you’ll be using the living room for, apart from leisure time, of course, you’ll know what kind of furniture to look for. For example, if you’re going to be studying in it, you’ll want a chair and a table in one corner of it. On the other hand, if you’ll be doing crafting and DIY projects, you might need a desk and storage for all the necessary items.
It’s also important to consider how much space is available in the living room. If you’re restricted with space, opt for multipurpose or convertible pieces that can be folded away when not in use. You should also decide on a focal point of the room. A TV, fireplace, or window make great focal points that can be centered by anchoring furniture around it. This will create harmony and draw attention to the main feature of your living room.
Choose The Right Type
There are lots of different furniture types. These are the following:
- Sofas and Settees
- Chairs
- Tables
- Cabinets
- Ottomans
- Bean Bags
When choosing the right type of furniture for your living room, it is important to consider a few factors such as the size of your space, the design style you are going for, and how much storage space you need. It’s also important to think about how often you plan to use the furniture, as this could affect your choice of material.
Pick One, Accent With Others
Once you choose one piece you’re completely sure about getting, try picking the others by comparing styles, colors, and finishes. When you’ve narrowed your choices down to a few pieces, start picking the accent items based on their ability to partner with the focal piece.
For example, if you have chosen a blue sofa as your main piece of furniture, choose artwork or throw pillows in shades of blue or other colors that complement it, like navy, turquoise, or teal. Have fun picking out these smaller pieces! Accenting items can add so much personality to any room. Accenting your main piece of furniture with smaller accent items is a great way to make your living room come together.
Focus On Durability
There are various materials furniture is made out of. These are the following:
- Wood
- Fabric
- Steel
- Bamboo
- Plywood
- Wicker
Do some research on each type of material and think about what would work best for your living room. When choosing furniture that will last, durability is key. You want to make sure that it can withstand wear and tear, as well as regular use. Investing in quality pieces means they will be strong enough to handle everyday family life or even any pets you have at home.
Think About Traffic Flow
Think hard about the number of people who will be passing through daily and the frequency of those visits before considering living room furniture. Are you considering a couch that allows for two people to pass by?
Or maybe an armchair with a smaller footprint in the room? It’s important to think about how traffic passes through the space and what kind of furniture will enable that without creating too much disruption. A sofa may be great if it can fit your needs, but if it becomes an obstacle, then it may not be the right choice.
Another thing to consider is whether or not you have any pets that need access around the living room (such as cats or dogs). Pet-friendly furniture should provide enough space for them to pass by comfortably, while also considering your own personal style.
Get Multipurpose Pieces
Being practical is always a great idea when it comes to choosing living room furniture. Multipurpose pieces can help save space and money, while still giving you the look and feel you want for your living room. A sectional that has a chaise lounge attached is a great way to get two functions out of one piece of furniture.
Or, if you’d like more storage space, an ottoman with built-in shelves or drawers can be quite useful. Not only does getting multipurpose pieces give you more bang for your buck, but it can also make your living room look larger than it really is. Opting for functional items that serve multiple purposes is always a smart move when it comes to creating the ideal living room space.
Good furniture is essential for the comfort and overall feel of your living room, so plan the space and test each piece out. Determine what the room will be used for and choose the right type for your needs. You could try picking one and picking others accordingly, but make sure to focus on durability. Finally, think about traffic flow and functionality!
