Living Room Design Ideas

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There are so many living room decorating ideas, from glamorous to elegant to country chic. Most decorators will tell you, though, that perfecting the basics is the best way to design and decorate a beautiful living room.

The basics of living room decorating ideas are simple: wall covering, floor covering and furnishings. In these three areas, you want to keep things neutral and comfortable so they will be long-lasting and always in style. Get trendy in other areas of the room, like storage and lighting - basically, with things that won't be too expensive to replace when you get tired of them.

Once the walls, floors and furniture are set, the real creative fun begins. Now it's time to add those special touches that make a room your own. There are a wide variety of living room decorating ideas that can be used to turn a blank canvas into the cozy living room of your dreams. Here we will cover a few simple and easy ways to enhance your living room decor using lighting, color and storage.

Lighting is often overlooked as a decorating tool, because it is also functional. Items that have a function and can enhance a room's decor are the most valuable decorations, since they serve a dual purpose. The lights set a room's ambiance, so a living room should be relaxing and not too bright. If the room is large, don't shy away from large lamps to make a bold style statement. On the other hand, don't use something too big in a small living room. Always try to create a balance when decorating and keep things pleasing to the eye.

Don't forget to add color. That doesn't mean bringing in a bright green couch. Keep the couch neutral, and get some brightly colored throw pillows and blankets for a punch of color. Flowers also introduce a nice touch of color, and lightly scented fresh flowers can really add life to a living room. Silk flowers are fine as long as they are attractive and not overdone.

Wall coverings like paintings or photographs bring both color and personality into a room. This is wonderful way to express your style and make the room feel complete and put together. If you have a large painting or photograph, think about using it as the focal point of the room. Draw the colors out and use them in other areas of the room to bring everything together and make the entire room look like one cohesive art piece.

Every room also needs storage, and this is one of the best ways to enhance the decor and highlight a decorative theme. Baskets and bins can easily be painted to match the room, and used to store anything from blankets to pillows to newspapers to DVDs. Be creative and step out of the box every now and then. This is the best way to make your decoration a true reflection of you.

#1: Living Room Color Schemes

Paint color schemes work best when they complement the size, the design style and the mood you want to create in the room.

While a large area allows you to decorate with many colors, it's best to use similar colors on the walls and furnishings in a small room. With less contrast between the furniture and wall color, the furniture blends into the background and the room appears larger.

Often paint colors are associated with particular design styles. Modern furniture looks good in rooms painted white, beige, gray, sage and other neutral colors. Country style rooms feel homey when painted in colors named for things found in nature such as wheat, grass, sky and apple.

Sophisticated, upscale rooms have walls painted with colors toned down by mixing them with gray. These muted colors are suited for quiet, conservative and restful rooms. Bright, tropical colors are fun, casual and youthful. They work well in areas where you want to encourage lots of activity.