Among all the rooms in your house, the living room is without a doubt the most important one. It stands as the heart of every home, the area where you mingle with guests, hold movie nights with family, and laze around on weekends.
So, we understand if you’re a bit intimidated by the idea of designing such a crucial space. Luckily for you, we’re here to make it easier. This guide will show you how to decorate your living room with several proven and easy tips.
Whether you’re just moving in or thinking of rearranging living room decors, follow these interior decor tips to breathe a new life into your home!
1. Check the measurements and layout
As with any interior decor job, decorating a living room starts with knowing its measurements. It’s important to get accurate measurements first to give way for all the nook and cranny you’re going to use, such as sofas, centre tables, lamps, bespoke rugs, and more.
It will save you the time and energy of having to return furniture pieces and wall decorations if they don’t fit into the space as originally planned.
Besides this, it can help you figure out if you have enough space for any additional living room decors and furniture like accent chairs and side tables, which give more character to any space.
By taking the time to check the measurements and layout, you’ll have a better idea of which furniture and decorations you can purchase.
2. Focus on a design
From contemporary and bohemian to quirky and rustic, you won’t run out of design options for your living room if you’re willing to expand your view.
The task of decorating a living room is already hard as it is, so most people tend to go with what’s popular, even if that doesn’t really suit their preferences.
Look at what works best for your daily life while also providing the look that best represents your character. As far as living room decor in Singapore is concerned, these are some practical considerations to keep in mind:
- Easy maintenance – How easy is it to clean and keep in good condition? If it requires more attention or care than you can provide, don’t bother.
- Lighting and ventilation – This is specifically for items like curtains or blinds. Do they provide what you need in this area?
- Climate and materials – Is the furniture made of materials that fit your preferences, e.g. eco-friendly materials? Does it have the durability or comfort you require?
One tip that always helps when choosing the overall design is asking what a living room means to you. Otherwise, you may end up with a space with living room decor that is all over the place and doesn’t reflect your lifestyle.
For example, if you want to host weekly movie nights with family and friends, then a sectional sofa and mood lighting would be worthwhile investments.
If you like taking care of indoor plants, then going with a rustic interior will definitely match your love of foliage.
On aesthetics, consider what look you want to achieve for your space or room. If all else fails, remember that you can always choose personalised items. They can work wonders when done right.
For example, one of our favourite small living room decorating ideas is to get a custom rug done in the perfect size and shape to make the space look bigger. With precise design, you can maximise just about any visual effect for decor.
3. Invest in a great sofa
The seating arrangement is key to every living room, no matter if you’re catering to just yourself or a big family. This explains why we always look for a sofa first when buying furniture.
It’s the largest piece of furniture in the living room, so it basically dictates how the entire room will be arranged and designed.
When you’re looking for a sofa, it’s worth remembering what you want your living room to look like and be used for. For example, if you love hosting parties at home, then a smaller sofa would be more practical to give guests space to move around.
Checking the materials is equally important! It’s better to invest in a durable, pricey sofa than a cheap one that can last for only a year or two.
Lastly, don’t forget to consider your lifestyle! If you have pets or kids, you may want to opt for a sofa in a darker shade so the cleaning and maintenance will be easier.
Or you can anchor everything with a bespoke rug. But before you do this, you should know exactly what you hope to get from designing a custom rug.
Is your main goal to achieve harmony with the rest of your decor? Is it to add a personal touch that reflects your style and unique aesthetic choices?
The beauty of a bespoke rug is that it can meet just about any of those requirements. When done well, it can be tailored to match your sofa’s colour palette and material, and provide the best expression of your style.
4. Add art and accessories
After you’ve taken care of the living room fundamentals, it’s time to fill up the empty spaces with art and accessories!
Paintings and huge prints are always a fantastic choice and can add more character to living rooms. Meanwhile, pillows, mirrors, side tables, and floor lamps are excellent in pulling the space together.
Don’t forget to look into functional and stylish accents. Accessories like side tables, ottomans, and lamps are good options.
Side tables, for instance, can be unexpectedly useful. You can introduce a new material (like marble or metal), offer storage space for things like magazines or remote controls, and another surface on which to place other items, like a flower vase!
And if you want the space to be more cosy and homey, you’ll never go wrong with house plants! Indoor plants can lighten up the mood by bringing some zen and freshness into your home.
Adding any of these will not only complete your living room’s look but breathe new life into it as well. Accessories play a vital role in balancing design, filling in empty spaces, adding symmetry, and creating a sense of proportion.
Take advantage of that wherever you can. Layer them in different heights, textures, and sizes. Experiment with arrangements. Find the perfect balance for your unique space and you’ll achieve the cohesive home decor look everyone wants!
(Friendly tip: don’t go overboard because blank spaces are still important to give your eyes a place to rest!)
5. Don’t forget the lighting
Lighting is easily one the most important elements of interior design but is also the most overlooked by homeowners.
It’s essential in setting up the overall mood of a space, so learning how lighting works is crucial in decorating your living room. It can make or break how your living room will look like and feel.
While most people go for mass-production lamp designs, consider looking for something different. You wouldn’t be alone: the demand for unique, handcrafted lighting pieces is surging.
Include artisanal fixtures, often sourced from local craftspeople. These can serve as focal points in 2025, adding character and a personal touch to interiors.
For example, you can install a cosy lamp at the entryway or hallway to create a welcoming atmosphere. You can choose an artisanal one in particular that uses bamboo or responsibly sourced wood for an organic, natural feel.
All of this is part of the impression that your home can make on the visitor. That’s why it can be useful to think about what you want to portray with your actual light sources.
That being said, don’t forget the actual sun. Nothing beats natural lighting in the daytime! You can play around with it by adding mirrors to reflect the sunlight and sheer curtains to diffuse it.
And if you’re not blessed with large windows, corner lamps and table lamps are a great way to add ambience and glow to your living room.
Decorating the perfect living room
Turning your living room into a space that can accommodate guests, hold family functions, and be a place of rest and comfort doesn’t have to be a daunting task!
Sometimes it can be as easy as taking stock of the space you have, finding the right furniture and accessories, taking advantage of natural lighting, and defining what your idea of an ideal living room is.
If you’re interested in adding a custom rug to your living, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We can design one for you and give you tips on how to decorate your room as well!
