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From festive gatherings to movie marathons, to quiet contemplation, the living room fulfills its name as the space in which we carry out many activities of daily life. Whether we’re arriving home from a long day or lounging on a weekend, our living rooms offer a space to relax, have fun, pursue interests, and simply be.
As such, a beautiful and functional living room that enhances your lifestyle is central to a home that feels authentically yours. That’s where Copenhagen comes in. With an experienced sales and design team, and a plethora of modern furnishings for all kinds of living spaces, we’re here to help you design a home that lets you enjoy your best life.
Below, find ten tips we’ve put together to help elevate your living room – whether you’re looking to make a quick touch-up or a more intensive re-imagining.
Visual contrast can add balance and variety to a room, leading the eye around the space and creating a more dynamic impression than a room that uses a monochromatic style. You can contrast colors, textures, materials, design eras, and more, in the form of subtle touches or more dramatic statements. Just remember to be consistent and intentional in your choices so the room still feels cohesive.
For example, a light grey sofa like the Austin can be jazzed up with a pop of bright color, like the Femme Assise Pillow. Or, add some sophistication with darker-toned accents, like the Strati Coffee Table in black oak veneer. When considering texture, you could add coziness to a smooth leather sectional like the Kinsley with a chunky throw blanket or a plush rug like the Artisan Phase.
Since living rooms are often used for family time, a gallery wall of photos or artwork can commemorate special moments and make a house feel like a home. Experiment with different hanging arrangements like a rectangular grid vs a more freeform shape and consider investing in quality frames to make your pictures shine. Another perk of a gallery wall is that it frees up space on occasional tables if you find them getting cluttered with photos.
Like artwork, books can be a great way to add personality to a room. A few well-chosen coffee table books can express your interests, provide reading material, and act as a conversation starter. The cover art and colors of aesthetically pleasing books can also accentuate your design theme. Try pairing your books with a coffee table that has drawers or open storage, like Liam, to house the books when you need extra tabletop space.
If something feels visually off about your media setup, it could be that your TV unit is not proportional to your TV. Generally, a media base that is at least 6” wider than your TV on either side will prevent the setup from looking top-heavy, as well as provide stability.
Copenhagen offers TV stands in a range of sizes and styles, from the small space-friendly Jackson, to the extra-wide Horizon with room for storage and display. Additionally, if you’re seeking an ultra-functional, intuitively designed media unit, try one by BDI – their Elements console comes with acoustically transparent doors, adjustable shelves, and a beautiful laser-carved pattern.
Furniture that is adaptable, versatile, and able to fulfill multiple purposes can play a vital role in your home to meet changing needs over time. For instance, a lift-top coffee table like the Reveal allows for both work and leisure activities, while offering storage space under its top. Flexible furniture options can be as small as a storage ottoman, or as large as a sleeper sofa, depending on what you’re seeking.
Modular pieces are also worth consideration if you’re looking for furnishings that can be deconstructed and rearranged to suit a variety of preferences. Try the Bendt Modular Sectional with cozy fabric upholstery and tufted stitching – or build your own arrangement with individual units in our modular seating collection.
Perhaps as important as what furnishings you have in a room is how you arrange them. To find the best layout for your living room, think of what activities you want to use the space for, as well as the flow of movement into and out of the space. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different arrangements to find what works best.
One popular layout places a sofa, armchairs, and a media stand in a rectangle with the chairs forming the short sides – this allows for both conversation and entertainment. As a bonus, swivel chairs let people easily angle themselves to another person or to the TV.
Furniture that supports the body and facilitates relaxation can make it easier to unwind, connect with others, and share quality time. Depending on how much of a change you want to make, you can splurge on a power-motion sectional like the Lianne, or add a recliner like the Stressless® Max, world-renowned for its comfort technology.
If you’re seeking a more budget-friendly option, you may enjoy the Brighton Manual Recliner, available with a swivel base, space-saving footrest, liftable headrest, and six colors. Or, if you’re just looking to add smaller touches of comfort, we’ve got you covered too. Consider a couple of bolster or throw pillows on a sofa for back and head support (we love the extra-plush feel of the Sphere), or an ottoman that lets you put your feet up.
Both natural and artificial light are crucial for a welcoming living room – they enhance mood, add warmth, and aid in tasks that require illumination. To maximize natural sunlight, think of placing seating close to windows, and using window treatments like adjustable blinds or sheer curtains that balance illumination with privacy.
At night, layered lighting is a must. In addition to overhead lights, strategically place some floor and table lamps near areas where people sit or congregate. We recommend lamps with LEDs, dimmer functions, and clean lines – like the Sonic Arc Lamp or Circo Table Lamp – for a blend of adjustability and sustainability.
Is there a corner of your living room you’re not sure how to use? Consider a nook. Having a living room nook not only amplifies coziness, but it also creates zones of more social vs more private spots in the room, allowing occupants to choose what area appeals to them.
Outfit your nook with a plush chair like the Bismarck or Anton, and include lighting and a functional side table, like the Caro. Once set up, the possibilities of a nook are myriad – you can use yours for reading, napping, listening to records, practicing a hobby like knitting or puzzles, and more.
Though living rooms are a go-to spot for watching movies, streaming shows, and gaming, you may also want to think of how to encourage activities that don’t center on technology. It can be as simple as placing a chessboard or puzzle on your coffee table or selecting some tabletop games that appeal to you and your household members. If your family or housemates are creatively inclined, art and craft supplies or musical instruments can be added to the mix. When not in use, consider storing these items on a shelf, in a credenza, or under a lift-top coffee table to minimize clutter.
These pointers are just a few of the many ways you can create a living room that you love. If you seek additional inspiration or guidance, visit a Copenhagen showroom, browse our blog, or talk to one of our sales and design associates.