If you’re planning to decorate or re-decorate a living room, there are so many variables to take into consideration – furniture, colour, lighting and space, etc.

Here are some tips from Yello designed (get it!) to make the process more fun, while providing practical ideas, and jump-starting your creative energy.

Plan the space

Interior designers suggest creating a floor plan to scale, using the precise dimensions of the space, in order to help you visualise exactly how the final room will look and feel.

This early stage of planning is the best time to think about different furniture arrangements, how you want the room to function, and the space to flow. You should also consider where you want to place floor lighting, side tables, a bookcase and / or coffee table.

When selecting the colour palette for the room, think carefully about how much time you’ll be spending in it, and whether you’ll be able to live with your choice in the long term.

Seating

In most living rooms the sofa will usually be the largest piece of furniture so consider carefully where you want it to be positioned.

Sofas will usually be located in relation to the focal point of the room whether that is a coffee table, a fireplace or a window.

Design experts suggest providing as much seating as possible to encourage conversation and interaction rather than putting a large sofa in front of a TV. People should be also able to see and talk to each other without straining their necks or voices.

Remember to leave enough room around furniture for people to move around easily. Try not to have any seating placed up against a wall.

Lighting

Consider how much lighting you need and whether you have space for a floor lamp as well as other lamps on side tables or a mantelpiece.

Your lighting will perform a dual function, as a light source and a decorative accessory, so consider how it will work on a practical, day-to-day basis as well as for ambiance and accent.

Lamps and lampshades can be an added point of interest in a room so select interesting shapes and materials.

Soft furnishings / accessories

Once you decide where to put the furniture you can think about soft furnishings.

Rugs are one of the best ways to define areas in a room. Consider whether you want one large rug or two to three smaller rugs which will break up the space. Think carefully about the colour and texture of any floor coverings and try to choose something that will stand the test of time.

Select cushions and accessories, such as candles, vases, throws and curtains, which match the colour palette or inject an unusual pattern or vibrancy into the room.

If you have artwork, or images of family and friends, resist the urge to cover every wall and surface and instead, find the best position for the picture to be fully appreciated.

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We hope these tips have given you plenty of interior design inspiration and motivation. Instagram and Pinterest are also good places to get your creativity and imagination fired up!

Search FindYello.com to find all the items you’ll need.

Sources: The Spruce and Home and Gardens.