Creating a living room that is cozy and comfortable, yet suitable for hosting guests is a challenge, but it’s not impossible. With a little creativity, you can create a living room perfect for newlyweds, who like to snuggle with one another and entertain friends. You don't have to be a design expert or a Rockefeller to get the living room of your dreams. You just need to use some common sense and know what you want to get out of the room. Here is what you need to do to create a cozy and comfortable living room –
Think about how you’d like to use the room.
Every room has to have a distinct purpose. Some have more than one. Your living room can be a retreat for you and your spouse after a long day or a room for entertaining friends and family or even a guest room. For instance, you can make sure to have a fireplace for the two of you, a TV and a large coffee table for your annual Super Bowl party, and a couch that converts to a bed for house guests. Voila, you have a multifunctional living room that is cozy and comfortable.
Paint with inviting colors.
You have to consider the placement of your living room when deciding on a paint color. If it’s visible from the dining room, for instance, then you have to choose a matching palette. To pump up the coziness factor, you might consider darker colors that make everyone feel closer together. But lighter colors could bring a smile to your face by brightening up the place.
Pick your furniture wisely.
Many newlyweds start with a clean slate and buy new furniture. If that’s the case, look for pieces that offer style and function, such as couches made of materials like microsuede, which cleans easily and is soft enough that you’ll sink into your couch or loveseat. Try to pick classic pieces that you won’t tire of quickly. Shop sales; think holiday weekends for furniture or even go to garage sales and antique shops. Those who are combining their stuff or using hand-me-downs should not feel stuck. You can fit a slip cover over a couch and add throw pillows or paint an end table to give it a new life.
Add ambiance and personality.
Put the lights on dimmers. Keep an iPod station and television in an entertainment center. Place framed paintings and other meaningful art on the wall. Show off some of your favorite wedding photos in frames or as a framed collage. Make sure the accessories in the room reflect the two of you. A vase from Murano that you picked up on your Italian honeymoon or a quilt made of the T-shirts your husband collected in college remind you of great memories and share a story with your guests.
Build flexibility into the design.
When a room has more than one purpose, you have to build in flexibility. For example, being able to dim the lights for a romantic night on the couch is great, but you also have to be able to get in enough light for houseguests who might want to read before going to sleep. You might like the corner by the window free for a Christmas tree in December, but you’d rather have a console table there during the rest of the year. The point is that you have to take into consideration the room’s many uses and layout the furniture and all the rest to accommodate everything. You want function and practicality combined with beauty.
Consider architectural touches.
Having arches built to connect the living room to the kitchen or tearing down walls to open up the space to the dining room can change the whole feel of the space. Beadboard, for instance, can be fun in a more casual living room. Crown molding in any room is always a nice finishing touch.
