Living Room Decorating Ideas that Expand Space

The living room is often the first room that visitors see when they walk through your front door, and the space sets the tone for how guests feel about the rest of your home. Your living room is also a place for entertaining friends and relaxing with family and its design should reflect that.

While making the space physically larger would involve expensive remodeling, there are many ways to make the room look bigger that are simple to execute and budget friendly. Check out the following easy-to-do and creative living room decorating ideas.

Focus on the Floor

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The floor takes up a significant amount of square footage and thus is one of the most high impact spaces in your living room. Ue one flooring material, such as wood or carpet, throughout your living room and adjoining rooms to visually expand the space and create flow with your design. In that same vein, avoid interrupting the eye with contrasting floor coverings. Use sofas and cabinets with legs, so the floor fades under the furniture rather than stopping suddenly at a wall of wood or fabric.

Take Advantage of the Walls

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The place where the walls meet the floor defines the size of a room both physically and visually. You can’t alter the location of your walls without a construction crew, but using living room decor that emphasizes the wall’s height draws the eye up and makes the room appear bigger. To accomplish this hang floor-length curtains close to the ceiling, use tall bookshelves to compel guests to look up or install crown molding.

Arrange for Traffic Flow

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Uninterrupted movement is one sign of a large space, so arrange your furniture in a way that allows everyone to move easily from one area to the next. Determine how someone enters the room and where they’re most likely to go, such as to a sofa or desk chair, then arrange the furniture so people can use paths without obstruction. Make sure to allow enough space to perform tasks common to the room, such as opening and closing window coverings and reaching for light switches.

Add a Focal Point

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Emphasize a focal point or accent piece in order to take people’s attention away from the size of the room. This can be anything from a feature wall to a mantle, or a bold piece of furniture that creates contrast with the other walls. Another option is to add a contrasting accessory. Look for an object in a style that differs from the rest of your decor. For example, if you primarily rely on traditional pieces, try something avant-garde like some modern art. If you prefer minimalist modern furniture, choose something that’s traditional, such as an antique armoire, as your focal point.

Use Mirrors to Reflect Light

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Mirrors push walls away and reflect light, which makes the space look bigger. Use them in front of your most attractive decor, such as flowers or rich drapes or windows, to reflect beauty and please the eye. Avoid using a mirrored wall, which can look too retro and alter your aesthetic. Instead, rely on one large framed mirror propped on the floor, or group several smallerirrors on a wall.