The living room is the hub of the home. It’s the place you entertain guests, spend time with your family, and curl up on the sofa when watching Netflix. Now it’s time to decorate your living space for spring with a style that reflects your personality, lifestyle, and budget. It’s not about spending thousands of dollars on a remodel but embracing fresh design concepts that make your living room even more livable.
Even in the most minimalist living rooms, indoor plants don’t have to cause a clutter nightmare. Long gone are the days of towering kentia palms in bulky pots taking up floor space. Today, there are hundreds of varieties to choose from, including smaller plants that won’t overwhelm your living space but merely add a natural element to your room. Consider snake plants, Monstera, or ZZ plants. Or for something a little different, Aloe Vera with its thick, fleshy leaves. It’s one of Mother Nature’s best designs! Or how about the conventional, if kitsch, cactus plant? It still commands attention, and its prickly appearance creates a pleasant contrast in rooms with soft color palettes and minimalist layouts.
Whatever you choose this spring, houseplants are almost always a good idea. Research shows they improve mood, reduce stress, and increase reaction times.
#2. Find a Better Place to Sit
The average American spends around 6.5 hours sitting down, but not all seats are the same. Your sofa should always be your extra special place to sit: A comfy spot to relax after a long day at work.
So consider upgrading your sofa this spring to long-lasting wood furniture. There are various new styles to choose from, including modular sofas made up of moveable cubes. (Configure the seats just how you like.) Great for contemporary living rooms, these sofas save space without sacrificing comfort.
Then there are retro sofas with chunky arms and thick legs that make a statement in your living room. While not for everyone, these sofas are an instant conversation starter when friends visit your home. For something more conservative, the classic Chesterfield sofa style — an upholstered leather sofa, typically dark, with deep button tufting that looks like holes — is a perennial favorite for both designers and design-minded homeowners.
What about the material? Leather’s easier to clean, so it’s perfect for dogs and kids, but you’ll have more color options with fabric.
Have a look at what’s out there. The internet’s a better place to shop than the furniture store because there’s so much more choice available. Start by comparing furniture reviews and get your next sofa before spring’s out.
Spring cleaning can involve more than wiping down baseboards and dusting ceiling fans. It’s your chance to incorporate a fresh aesthetic into your living space. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to achieve your look. Painting the walls in a new color and adding a few photo frames around the room will make a difference.
For walls, neutral shades work best because they won’t overwhelm the room or affect future property value. Soft pinks and blues, or even light grays, make a solid, and always inoffensive, style choice. Pastels are an alternative. If you want to be bold, rich browns are in vogue right now.
For finishing touches, frame your favorite iPhone photos and place the images around your living room for a homely touch. Or hang a bright canvas print on a wall for a sprinkle of color.
Pro-tip: Investing in storage boxes and shelving units will keep your living room clutter-free and emphasize the style choices you make.
#4. Make Use of Natural Light
Natural light transforms the look of your living room. It makes rooms look bigger and brightens up even the darkest and dingiest of spaces. While you can’t control the light outside, there are a few ways to emphasize the light you have in your living room:
Mirrors, when positioned in the right place, amplify natural light, so you can create a lighter, brighter living space.
Angling furniture toward windows should reflect natural light and make your space look a little sunnier.
Avoid dark-colored drapes and furniture if you want to create a brighter living room this spring.
Before You Decorate
Spring is an incredible time to invest in your living room. Adding some indoor plants, upgrading your sofa, painting the walls in a new shade, and emphasizing natural light won’t break the bank. Follow these tips to make your living space the beating heart of your home again.
Hi there! I am Emily Evert, the owner of Emily Reviews. I am 28 and live in a small town in Michigan with my boyfriend Ryan and our two pugs. I have a large family and I adore my nieces and nephews. I love reading memoirs, and learning about child development and psychology. I love watching The Game of Thrones, Teen Mom, Sister Wives and Veep. I like listening to Jason Isbell, John Prine, and other alt-country or Americana music. I created Emily Reviews as a creative outlet to share my life and the products that I love with others.
We’re currently working on number three.