Last Updated on October 20, 2024 by Tanya Janse van Rensburg
Living rooms aren’t just private spots to plunk down after a long day and turn on the TV.
They’re also the place for quality family time, friendly get-togethers, and solitary weekend afternoons pursuing creative hobbies.
Their mixed-use nature makes sitting rooms one of the most critical areas in every home, which is all the more reason to invest special attention into living room design.
I’m a huge fan of imaginative décor tryouts, and after years of experimenting, I think I’ve finally put together a living room of my dreams.
My dream-come-true living room showcases a chic blend of Nordic, natural, and eclectic styles.
It may sound odd, but these three home décor trends can be paired with a laudable aesthetic effect for as long as you know how to balance them.
Scandinavian minimalism provides a ready canvas for creative experiments, starting with boho elements. It also leaves room for employing organic details as accent pieces.
The stylistic barebones of my dream living room are Nordic, and boho pieces serve as functional trims that express the creative side of my personality.
At the same time, houseplants and wooden furnishings infuse the room with springtime freshness and natural charm.
To complete the look, it would be good to find some living room paintings that enhance the aesthetic and add a touch of personal artistry.
These paintings can tie the entire space together, truly reflecting my unique style.
After careful consideration, I decided that hardwood flooring was the perfect basis for my dream living room.
I opted for light wood for the floorboard hue, which visually expands the space without disrupting the room's stylistic integrity.
For an aesthetic bonus, I shod the floor in a beige DIY area rug made from coarse rope, which now occupies the central place in the room.
The rug was handy when I visually separated the entertaining area from the reading nook.
My living room is shoebox-sized, so I had to put every inch to good use to achieve a décor that’s functional and pleasing.
The area of my living room dedicated to guest entertaining is tiny, but it exudes a rustic elegance mixed with casual vintage notes.
The two round coffee tables are made from oak and decked by a faux-marble top, and I reupholstered the retro-looking chair with white textured fabric to match the Nordic backdrop.
I also applied a fresh coat of varnish to the armrests and legs for accent touches and added extra stuffing to plump the chair for bonus comfort.
The sectional is the pillar of my dream living room.
A snug spot dedicated to guest entertaining, the Rockway 122-inch two-piece upholstered sectional in notion ironside by Arhaus gives the rest of my Nordic-styled room a grounded ambiance.
The statement sectional's suave grey hue and rich textured upholstery provide a tasteful dose of visual contrast, breaking the monotony of neutral tones and adding character to the room.
While simultaneously creating a solid base for experiments with natural wood storage and shelving.
The brilliant white walls are an ideal backdrop for creative décor experiments and help visually open up my small living room.
Nevertheless, I was never a big fan of all-white designs, so I’m considering adding an accent wall covered in modern wallpapers with a Scandinavian or faux-natural print to define the focal point in the room.
On that note, I may also swap paint for monochromatic white wall covers: contemporary wallpapers are easier to maintain and don’t require sprucing up every few years like standard wall paint.
Along the wall overlooking the alley, I placed a low cabinet to accommodate my favorite reads and topped it off with a backless ottoman with colorful cushions.
That way, I can curl up with a book and a cup of hot cocoa on cold winter days and spend my lazy Sunday afternoons soaking in literary masterpieces in the sun.
I plopped a few oversized planters with my beloved Monstera houseplants atop the cabinet and hung a modernist painting above them.
I also installed three wall-mounted shelves in the opposite corner to display family photos, my lovely fern plant, and various memorabilia I salvaged during my travels.
I love my living room just as it is now, and I strongly encourage everyone to follow their dreams when designing their family den.
After all, life’s too short to spend your free time in a less-than-perfect living room.
Zoe Clark is a journalist, freelance stylist and blogger. She is a visual storyteller and aesthetician by heart who often writes about decorating and DIY ideas. She loves sparking creativity in people and giving them ideas for their own spaces.