The living room is the heart of your house. It’s where everyone gathers to relax, unwind, chat, watch TV, and have fun. Just think, out of all the rooms in your house, where do you most often retreat to? The living room right?
It’s just that important and this is why you should put the most effort into decorating and furnishing it so that you and your family can be comfortable. If you are struggling for inspiration, I’ve compiled the ultimate list of living room essentials below for your benefit!
Comfortable Seating
I’ve yet to enter a living room without at least one chair! This is kinda the mainstay of this room – a comfortable seating arrangement. Usually, this is dictated by the floor space and other items you want but it’s common for people to have either a sofa and armchair or two sofas.
Living Room Carpet
The living room carpet is hugely important! You want a carpet that’s comfortable to walk on, matches your decor, and is resilient to wear and tear. Maybe you want a neutral colour that lets you have brighter furniture? Or perhaps you want to go with a bolder carpet that hides stains better?
Lighting
As the main room in your house, your living room doesn’t want to be dark! It’s the room where we usually watch TV, read at night, and spend family time together so everything wants to be visible. Therefore, great ceiling light coverage is a must and you could consider table lamps or free-standing lamps if you don’t have a large window for natural light.
Coffee Table
Coffee tables are subjective but most living rooms have one! I’ll be the first to admit that I mainly use my living room coffee table to rest my feet on but it’s great and definitely one of the more important living room essentials. You can make your coffee table with your furniture too to continue the theme or decor you want to achieve.
Entertainment Centre
What respectable living room doesn’t have an entertainment centre with a TV? It’s a given in today’s digital world and this is where you can spend a lot or be refrained. For example, I just have a TV on a TV stand, and my games console. I know people, however, who have a sound bar, DVD player, subwoofer and a complete surround sound setup too!
Storage
If you have kids or pets your living room may need storage! This comes in a range of types and sizes but it could be something simple like a chest of drawers or a sideboard, or even built-in cupboards to alcoves in your walls.
Artwork and Decor
Unless you are a fan of blank walls then you want a splash of artwork, colour, and decor in your living room! The possibilities here are many and you could opt for something like canvases, paintings, or contemporary wall hangings. This is an area where you can really personalize your living room and bring your design ideas together.
Furniture Covers
I have a cat, so both of my living room sofas have large blankets over them to protect the original material. These are living room essentials if you have pets and they can also help make your furniture last longer.
Window Dressings
Curtains, blinds, and window decorations! As a bare minimum, you want your living room to have curtains or blinds so you can block out the dark and stop those nosey neighbours from watching you as you do your morning yoga routine!
Side Tables
Smaller coffee tables or side tables are invaluable, especially if you have two sofas like I do! They are usually placed next to armchairs and sofas to provide an additional surface for drinks to be placed on.
Personal Touches
You will probably want to add some personal touches to your living room too! For example, I’ve got two custom art pieces with Polaroid photos of places I’ve visited. I’ve also got loads of scented candles! Things like these make your living room feel more homely.
Greenery/Natural Elements
Many people love having plants in their living room to add a natural touch to the room and to make everything feel healthier. You can keep it simple and have small pot plants on your windowsill, or go all out and have larger pot plants on dedicated stands.
Make Your Living Room Your Own With This Ultimate Checklist!
Phew, I hope I haven’t missed anything. That list was fun to create and I hope you now have some epic inspiration for decorating your living room. These living room essentials will make your time in this room comfortable and memorable, and hopefully turn it into the room that everyone in your household can retreat to to relax and come together!
