As kitchens get larger and transform into the main area for entertaining, living rooms tend to collect dust. This can take shape in the form of outdated couches or unnecessary clutter, rendering the area undesirable for you and your guests. Of all of the rooms in a home, the living room is arguably most prone to an identity crisis.
Is the center of attention the TV or is this a room purely for socializing? Maybe it's both, and that's fine! No matter the purpose of your living room, it's time to revisit its presentation.
Pick A Palette
You know what puts the “live” in living room? A clean, light color palette. So often, a forgotten room is stuck with a darker paint job. While there is no need to start busting out the neon paint, take a good look at your living room walls. If you feel like you're entering a cave, it may be time to lighten things up. This extends far beyond paint. Furniture and accessories have a profound way of conveying a color palette. For a look that is timeless, yet convertible, stick to neutrals like grays, whites and ivories. If you grow bored with it, look no further than a fun decorative pillow or two.
Select A Sofa
The biggest piece of the living room can often be what is dragging it down: the sofa. While everyone is entitled to their own tastes, if you are in pursuit of an updated look, go ahead and throw out the plaid upholstered couch. Some patterned fabrics work for sofas, but if yours is larger than three cushions, we suggest reserving the fun prints for an accent chair or two. If you are working with a lot of floor space, consider a sectional. They don't seem to be going out of style anytime soon.
Take Out The TV
As a warning, this is a bit controversial. If your living room skews more on the socializing side than the spectator side, it may not be the end of the world to move the television into another room. If you have a home theater or separate media room, this is almost a no-brainer. It also frees you from feeling like all of your other furniture has to revolve around a singular fixture. If that is too big of a step, consider an entertainment center that features trendy sliding barn doors. It will get you used to the idea that a TV doesn't have to be everpresent. However, if you're known for your Superbowl parties, disregard all of the advice.