How to Make Your Living Space More Welcoming and Conversation-Friendly

The living room is the superstar of your home. It can be a busy room, where the family gathers to chit chat and enjoy fun activities or a quiet retreat at the end of a day of hard work when all you want to do is relax. Having this in mind, we want to design it as best as we can. Shopping for living room furniture comes with a lot of challenges. We want to always be on track with the latest trends and leave a personal touch in the design. But let’s be realistic – the most important design factor is comfort.

Modular Lounge Suites for Relaxation and Entertainment 

Whether you’re looking to replace your existing sofa, or you’re designing your living room from scratch, modular lounge suites are stylish and versatile furniture options that give you maximum comfort. The timeless designs make them convenient for both modern and vintage styles or anything in between.

They can break apart into several pieces (or modules) that allow you easy transportation, but they can also be arranged according to your liking and the size of the room. Common arranging styles are the U and L shape, but you can use your creativity and needs to arrange it otherwise.

Sitting Space

Lounge suites are spacious, providing you room for your whole family while being less bulky than traditional furniture sets. This way there’s no awkwardness and mismatching furniture borrowed from other rooms when you need to squeeze in more people. In other situations, they give you enough space to stretch out and relax or cuddle while watching TV. You often get a matching ottoman so you can relax your feet after a busy day.

Colour and Material

Lounge suites come in various materials, and some are more comfortable than others. Natural materials like cotton, linen or wool are great for clothing but don’t give the best results when used in furniture. A mixture of natural and synthetic material provides a comfortable surface that’s durable, wrinkle-free and more fade resistant. When picking a colour, you can choose one that goes best with your overall living room design or you can go for a neutral colour. That way you can keep your big comfy suite should you choose to redesign your living room.

On the topic of accessorizing – you can add whatever you prefer. Cushions and throw blankets will add in to the comfort, while contemporary art prints, plants or stylish floor lamps will add some more character. Rugs can often have both functions.

Natural Fiber Rugs for Warmth Underfoot 

Rugs are a convenient living room accessory that adds to aesthetics, but also gives your feet the comfort they need, as opposed to walking on a solid hardwood floor. Depending on your floor insulation, they can also keep your feet warm during the cold months. Be careful with the rug’s size when you’re designing your living room. A rug with the ideal length should stop just before the seating furniture, however, you can always pick a larger one according to your preference. One dilemma many people face is when choosing the rug’s material, as it can be synthetic or natural.

Natural fiber rugs are sustainable and can be composted after they’re worn out, whereas synthetic rugs will pollute the environment. This is why many people are turning to natural over synthetic rugs. They are very comfortable and come in a variety of vivid colours and patterns. This is why they’re especially popular among families with young children. The natural fiber rugs on the market are usually made of:

• Wool – one of the more common rug materials. Wool rugs are extremely durable, being able to last up to 50 years. They’re waterproof, dust-mite resistant and easy to clean. Wool is easy to dye, so you can find these rugs in a variety of different colours. One drawback is that they tend to shed;
• Cotton – another popular rug material. They also come in a variety of different colours and are probably the most comfortable. These rugs don’t shed and they’re easy to clean – they can even be washed in a washing machine;
• Hemp – not as comfortable as cotton and wool, but very durable and stain-resistant;
• Sisal – It’s made from the fleshy leaves of Mexican agave plants and it’s very sturdy. It’s hypoallergenic and is mostly used for large areas such as an entranceway.

Bring Nature Inside with Plants 

Adding plants to your living room is another way to create a cosy and welcoming atmosphere. Not only that, but they have the ability to eliminate harmful pollutants in our indoor air, according to a 1989 NASA study.

 Some plants might need a lot of daylight for maintenance, so it’s good to check the light sources in the room before deciding on a plant. Good indoor plants are: anthurium, snake plant, zz plant, peace lily, coin plant, English ivy and others. Although it’s good to have a lot of plants, be careful not to overcrowd your living room. 

Including indoor trees can additionally liven up your space. Popular choices are the citrus, umbrella and dragon tree, but there are many other options to choose from. Be especially careful if you own a pet, as some plants like lilies, tulips and English ivy can be toxic to them if ingested.

Choose the Right Wall Colour

That being said, if you’re unable to include plants in your living room – green wall colour is the next best thing. It brings life to your space and it’s soothing for the eyes. This colour is perfect for those who are bored with the neutral white. Grey on the other hand, brings elegance and serenity. It provides a good backdrop if you’re planning to experiment with different colours and add colourful art pieces. 

Blue is another calming colour for your living room, and it’s a popular one. It looks best paired with a hardwood floor and a lot of wooden elements. One colour that is especially tough to work with is black. It can close the space up and it gives off a cold and unfriendly vibe. However, when combined with the right furniture, accessories and a splash of colour, it can look gorgeous and surprising.