Monday, December 8, 2008

Living Room Design Ideas

If you love to watch home decorating shows and home make-overs, I’m sure you have an idea on how you want your own home to look like. Let’s start with the simplestliving room design ideas that could fit your lifestyle, needs and budget.

Decorating a living room shouldn’t be too extravagant and expensive. If you are in a tight budget, you can always do it yourself instead of hiring an interior designer; but if you can afford to hire a good designer, then why not. You can plan ahead and check for designs on the internet or magazines to visualize the effect on your actual living room.

What you should first consider is your living room’s size. Is it too small, or too large? Do you need to extend or just keep the existing living space and make the most out of it? Remember that any living room design idea can bring life to your bland living space, it will greatly depend on the execution and how the space adapts to its new design.

Also consider your family’s lifestyle. Are there kids in the home? Are there smokers? Do you love to entertain guests? When designing a living room, always take into consideration these aspects. If you have kids, make sure that the design is kid-friendly. If you and your loved ones smoke, make sure your living space is equipped and safe for smoking. And if you love to entertain family and friends in the living room, make sure you have ample space and furniture.

Decide which living room design idea should you have that will meet your needs. Always take into consideration your lifestyle and your budget. Having a living room design idea that you and your family decided upon is one great way of incorporating your family’s taste and cooperation in the process. It should be a family effort and decision.

Below are some of the popular living room design ideas that you may find on the internet and in various home design magazines:

1. Asian-inspired Design speaks of texture, color and culture. If you love the historical background of some of Asia’s popular countries and cities, it will help you define your living room’s distinctive design. The traditional items indigenous in Asia will bring tradition and culture into your living space. Asian-inspire living room design is a theme in itself, so try not to incorporate heavy design ideas and just stick to one theme.

2. Classic-Modern Design is one of the most common living room design ideas. Homes that have Classic-Modern style design enjoy mostly the relaxing feel and texture of the living space. If you have a very geometric or sharp edged space, toning and softening it with textures is the way to do it.

3. Hawaiian-inspired Design is not so difficult to achieve. Always remember the key elements: hand-made native ornaments and accessories, woven furniture, bamboo and of course the signature bold floral prints. If you love the Hawaiian sun, sea and flora, you can incorporate these aspects when planning for your living room design.

4. Italian-Tuscan Design is a challenging project. If you have been to Tuscany and you wanted to bring the ambiance and style of a traditional Tuscan home into your own living space, there’s no doubt that you too can enjoy it. Having a budget for it and a keen eye for style is the way to do it. Colors, textures and accents are key elements. Materials are not hard to find these days and they are available as reproductions and there are shops that sell imported items as well.

5. Modern Zen Design is made to relax and bring comfort into your living space. This living room design idea is quite popular nowadays especially for folks who wanted to have balance and comfort in their home. Having a focal point in your living room and accents to balance the style are the key ingredients. Incorporate a natural feel by opening up the room and letting in some natural light completes the Zen feel.

6. Mountain Lodge Style showcases wood in all its glory. If your living space reminds you of a mountain resort lodge in Montana, then it’s such a nice idea to incorporate some appropriate furniture to complete the style. A Mountain Lodge Style is warm and cozy, and it speaks of retreat from the hustle and bustle of the day.

7. Tropical Style brings in the outdoor color pallets. The lush greens and yellows of natural flora are just two of most common colors you can find in a tropical living room design idea. Choose colors that are found naturally like the color of trees, plants, flowers and fruits. Think of a tropical forest or a market full of tropical fruits to inspire your design.

8. Urban Design is a lifestyle. This living room design idea speaks of relaxed but modern arrangement. It speaks of color and texture that represent the lifestyle of its owner. There is actually no particular color scheme or texture when we speak of Urban Design, it almost always adapts to the taste of the home owner. But the keys to fulfilling the style are the relaxed and comfortable arrangements, organized and clean lines.

9. Victorian Style living rooms are plush and classy. You would normally find Victorian Style living rooms in Victorian style homes and hotels. The key here is classic sophisticated style with a splash of color and texture. Victorian style living rooms speak of opulence.

Whatever living room design idea you have in mind, make sure that it will fit your needs and lifestyle. Make sure to consult from a designer who knows how to handle a tight budget and complies with what you want. And always remember to choose the design that you will enjoy for a long time.

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