They call it the living room because you live in it, at least in theory.
More and more, though, we spend more time away from that room and living elsewhere, be it at work, the bedroom, a home office, or, if needs must, a local bar or brewing company.
It seems like we spend less and less time actually in our living rooms, much less living in them.
This is a shame, because, your living room should represent you.
Whether you’re looking for Amish living room furniture or something to stand out, the area called the living room should be fun and representative of you.
Go with what you love
Back in the day, the living room needed to be formal, elegant, and generic.
Fortunately, it’s the future now, so you should feel free to fill the room with your preferred décor.
Fans of cats should feel free to have cat print pillows, lovers of photos should frame there walls with them, and those who like comfy furniture should array the room with them.
It’s your living room, after all, so it should represent how you live.
Holders and display for your living room are great for this.
Add some color
Different color schemes can really set the mood for a room.
Even better, the colors can be adjusted to create different moods based on the season.
Lighter colors are great in the warmer months to keep a room looking warm without absorbing a lot of light. In autumn, seasonal colors like orange and brown bring to mind the outdoors, creating a cozy theme.
In the winter, bright colors not only reflect the holiday season, they can help fight back against the cold and darkness of long winter nights.
Brining the outside inside for added fun
Potted plants and flowers are often used to brighten up a room, and, for a living room with plenty of window space, it can definitely add new dimensions to a room’s look.
Whether it’s a fern in the corner or a potted plant on the coffee table, a bit of natural greenery can brighten up almost any room.
Add some smells
Generally, the use of scents, like oils or candles, is usually thought of as more of a bathroom décor.
Scents can help brighten up a living room, too.
The trick is to use the right scents and to not overdo them. A single scented candle or oil diffuser can make a big difference in a room’s atmosphere.
Seasonal scents can really help set the tone for the holidays, while relaxation-focused scents, like lavender or pine, can help you unwind after a long day.
If using scents, don’t mix too many, and don’t use a lot, as that can lead to poor air quality and thus breathing issues.
Plus the candles can get expensive.
Set the mood with lights
You can do a lot with lights to set a mood. Low lights create an intimate atmosphere.
Bright lights invite activity and good lighting for reading.
The ability to set the mood with lights doesn’t require a lot of lights, but it does need you to make the most of the ones you have.
Dimmer switches are also useful. Where the lights are placed and how you use them matter more than just how many lights there are.
The same can be said for how you direct the lights, either from lamps, chandeliers, or wall mounts.
Have a favorite spot
Some readers might remember that their father or grandfather had a favorite chair, and how no one else sat in that chair.
While you might not need to go that far, having a preferred spot in the living room not only makes it cozy and comfortable, it also makes it a great place to, well, live.
A cozy chair is the most obvious option, but it’s not the only one. you can also set up the corner of the couch to suit your needs.
A place to bundle up and play pillow fort can do the job just as well as a comfy chair.
Avoid clutter
Above all, when working toward a mood in a room, clutter can definitely cramp the desired effect.
You’re mind finds itself wandering toward that clutter and how to remove it. So, take care to avoid clutter in the first place.
Some organizational tools, such as baskets and properly designated drawers, can help with a living.
Having the kids keep their toys in specific containers and training them to clean up after themselves is important, too.
The same can be said for adults, since we tend to leave our stuff lying around.
This is especially true for people living alone who might be less inclined to put stuff away.
To properly enjoy the mood of a room, it needs to be clear of doubts or concerns.
That way you can enjoy the room itself.