If you’re like us, chances you spend a lot of time in your living room. So, if it’s not working for you, it can be a daily struggle. Too much clutter, too empty, not functional enough for your needs – these are just some of the styling flaws that can take away from the joy of relaxing at home.

If you’re thinking of changing the style of your living room to better fit your lifestyle, here are some things to consider:

Use vertical space as well as horizontal

To maximise your space and create visual interest, pay attention to your available vertical surfaces. An open-shelf buffet, like our exclusive Sauvage Londa, is the perfect height for living rooms. Anchored by a hardwood mindi base that doubles as storage, the open shelves are excellent for showcasing framed pictures, ceramics and plants.

And don’t scrimp on the artwork! The right framed print can transform a living room by tying all your other design elements together. Depending on your personal style, correctly chosen prints can set the mood with bold colour, a calming monochrome schematic, or stunning pattern and texture. Living by Design boasts an exclusive retail collection of Designer Boys Art. If you need help choosing the right print for your space, our Interior Designer can help.

Mix up your shapes

If your living room furniture features lots of straight lines, such as an L-shaped sofa, rectangular bookshelves and entertainment unit, try balancing this look with some curved shapes. A round coffee table and side tables, an organic shaped rug and even a circular ottoman, like our Hamptons inspired Lecco Rattan range, can soften the hard lines and really bring a room together.

Similarly, too many curves in a living room can result in an unbalanced look and feel. Swap out a circular mirror for a rectangular one, opt for a square coffee table, or introduce straight lines with a rectangular console. We can’t go past our exclusive Bailey console table that brings an industrial aesthetic with its bold, straight lines.

Play around with texture and pattern

Two of the easiest ways to add warmth and interest to your living room is by accessorising with scatter cushions and baskets. Experiment with different textures and patterns to create a comfortable and welcoming space.

Instantly spruce up your living room by adding cushions to your sofas and occasional chairs. Go for solid colour with an interesting texture, like our Luxe Velvet range, or Boho French Linen range that features hand-frayed edging. Or opt for scatter cushions with a simple stripe, like our Sea Spray range or our best-selling Simpatico range, that add a classic freshness. The list of looks that can be achieved by mixing different cushions is endless, so get creative!

Natural, woven materials are a fantastic way to introduce texture and to your living room. And if they can double up as storage, it’s even better. Living by Design’s Seagrass Storage Basket range can be used as decorative feature to great effect, and it can also store the kids’ toys, extra blankets or cushions. Available in natural with a contrasting black or white stripe, it’s no wonder these have become a favourite decorating item.

Need one-on-one help to style your living room? Our Styling Team is here to help. Contact us for more details.