Living Room Design Done Right

Important questions to ask before assembling the living space of your dreams

When you’re looking to design or re-design your living room, it’s best you ask yourself the right questions before getting started. 

• How do you intend to use this space?
• Is this your casual living room for everyday use or a formal sitting room for special occasions, or both?
• Is it family- and/or pet-friendly?
• What's the focal point—TV, fireplace, art, or are there multiple?
• How many people do you need seating for?
• Are there existing pieces of furniture or art that you are going to be incorporating?

Consider designing the room around the pieces that will last a while, and to start designing from the ground up. A good handmade rug will last generations, and high-quality furniture can be enjoyed for years to come. Selecting these staple pieces in neutral tones means you'll be less likely to grow tired of them after a few years and wish you had invested in something different. It's often easier to use decorative pillows and accessories as intriguing pops of color and texture, which can be easily swapped out after a few years to refresh your room. 

When it comes to selecting an area rug, here are the questions to ask.

• What is the right size for your room? An area rug should either encompass all of the furniture in the room or at least the front feet of your sofa and chairs. A rug that is too small for the space will make your room look crowded, and a rug that is too large can make your furniture look out of scale. 
• When selecting an area rug, follow your instincts over what you think you should choose. Rather than follow the trends, choose a rug that you immediately have a connection with, as though you are selecting a piece of art for your walls. 

A fun choice might be a rug that incorporates traditional patterns with contemporary colors. This design can feel timeless and be quite suitable for mountain-style homes. 

When thinking about seating arrangements, the conversation often includes comparing a sectional to a sofa and chairs. Sectionals are nice for family lounging on movie night, but when it comes to entertaining friends, the seating isn't utilized as well because, let's face it: no one wants that corner seat. If your living room is the central area for entertaining, a sofa with a couple of accent chairs is usually a better use of space.

If there are mountain views to be admired, or if your living room is open to your kitchen, swivel chairs allow your guests to take in the views and also chat with someone who is busy in the kitchen. Swivel chairs also offer a solution to the conundrum of multiple focal points, such as a living room with a fireplace on one side and a TV on the other. 

Living rooms are often versatile spaces that serve many purposes for our lives. Asking the right questions before jumping into designing will help ensure that you end up with a room that fulfills all those needs and that you can enjoy for years to come. 

David Chase Scully is the founder and owner of David Chase Furniture & Design, a forward-looking showroom that offers smart, clean, transitional design styles, based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. View their profile or contact David at 970-879-5667.

Content for this article provided by David Chase Furniture & Design.