Living Rooms can be a homeowner’s favorite room, especially when it’s newly furnished. It brings people together, encourages conversations to flow easily, and laughs abound. It’s the perfect place for a family to gather or have friends over for a game night.
Awkward Living Spaces
What happens when you find yourself with an awkward living room layout? It could be that your room is too wide or too narrow, has funny angles, or has multiple entrances/exits. Perhaps an unexpected corner needs to be dealt with or a large wall of windows steals much of the wall space.
Regardless of the issue, let’s get creative and think outside the box when trying to overcome tricky layouts. Let’s review some clever interior design tips that will turn your awkward living room into a more usable space.
Neutral wall palette
If you’re just starting out with a new space or you’re in the process of redecorating an awkward living room, it’s a good idea to use a neutral color palette on the walls.
Neutral colors help make rooms feel more spacious, and they also mask awkward layouts by creating a cohesive and natural flow.
Choosing this neutral palette doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your personal style — you just show off your personality through accessories, artwork, and furniture. That way, you draw attention to the things you love rather than the space itself.
You can add depth with dark neutrals or use large windows to your advantage by painting your walls a light neutral tone that will reflect the natural light throughout your home.
Additionally, if you find your layout boring, add an accent wall to create a focal point, or if your living room is too small, paint your whole house in neutrals to create a sense of spaciousness and cohesiveness.
Create Zones
One of the best interior design strategies for fixing an awkward living room layout is to use furniture that’ll help break up the room or divide it. By creating zones within a room, you separate areas that are meant for different purposes while keeping them visually connected.
Large living rooms can feel overwhelming and too open. By breaking up the space with dividers or furniture, you create separate areas for entertaining or relaxing, depending on what fits your needs.
For example, you can separate the dining area from the TV area or even create an office space in your living room by bringing in the dividers. This will allow you to keep the areas visually connected while still giving each space its own purpose.
Although room dividers are most used in large living rooms, it’s perfectly acceptable to use them in a small living room as well. In fact, they make your home feel more spacious if you’re using them correctly.
A divider could be anything from a portable screen to a bookshelf, which could give you extra storage space while still providing separation between areas.
Center your furniture
Centering your furniture means placing your furniture away from the walls and into the center of your living room. This is the best option for accommodating space with a large wall of windows and places with an irregularly-shaped interior.
It is important to choose the right furniture and accessories to achieve a cozy atmosphere. Add interest by using pieces that have a 360-degree appeal, whether through upholstery or by making them seem to blend seamlessly together. For instance, a console table positioned behind a sofa of the same height will create a visually-pleasing effect — and it also gives you more surface to decorate!
For large spaces, consider using a sectional that can fit multiple people. You can then combine it with extra seating areas, such as a pair of armchairs or another sofa that fits your style.
Then, anchor the pieces with an area rug that defines the space and gives it a more finished look. This can also be a great way to add more visual interest and direct foot traffic in your awkward space so that it’s easier to navigate.
For smaller spaces, think about the functionality of the room and how you can use it. For example, if you have a focal point such as a large TV, fireplace, or perhaps a beautiful coffee table, place your furniture towards it to bring attention to the piece and get the most use out of it.
In such situations, you should choose one element to be your focal point and use interior design techniques to draw attention away from the other.
Contact Room Reimagined Design
You don’t have to turn your living space into a construction site to make it feel more complete. If you’re still struggling to get the right look for your living room, call Room Reimagined Design at (651) 387-3861.
One of our experienced professional design consultants will come to your home to provide a complimentary consultation. From there, they’ll evaluate the rooms you want to revamp and talk you through potential options that fit your space and your style. Contact us today!
