How to decorate a rectangular living room

by | Dec 17, 2024 | Home Decor | 0 comments

Decoration of a rectangular living room is quite demanding work, but some proper tips can make it become your favorite room in the house. Small or large, it depends on its shape as that is used to best its capacity. In this guide, we are going to take you through step-by-step creation of a comfortable, stylish, and functional rectangular living room. You will know exactly where to place furniture, how to choose good coffee tables, and develop those beautiful little reading corners.

Knowing Your Room

Now that you are all ready and set to start decorating your living room, you take time to know it. Be familiar with its size and consider where doors and windows lie and the extent to which you can enjoy natural lighting in the living room.

Why does it matter:

  • Most square-shaped living rooms have long walls and narrow spaces. Use these to create different zones in the same space.
  • Knowing where the light comes from helps you plan your furniture placement so that the room feels bright.

Step 1: Plan Your Layout

It begins with a good layout-a precondition of a great interior design for any room, and much so living rooms. A rectangular-shaped living room, hence, should use space aptly to avoid cluttering of space.

Create Zones

Zone creation is essential in making a functional rectangular living room. Such divisions will be as follows:

Sitting zone: Sofa and chair may be used for easy conversational or relaxation area.

Recreation room: Television and media center console setup with wall mounting

  • Cozy Reading Nook: Make use of a corner or a smaller portion of your living space as a cozy nook to read.

Magic trick of floating furniture

Dancing your furniture away from walls. This makes your house feel bigger and designer-sleek.

Step 2. Choosing the perfect Furniture

The mood that the furniture that you’ll choose will determine will depend on the shape that you’ll be using for your living space. Select those ones which balance with the shape of your room and also its space.

Sofas and Chairs

  • A long sofa should be placed along the longer wall of your room.
  • Add two armchairs or a loveseat to make a balanced seating arrangement
  • If your room is small, a sectional sofa may hug one corner of it.

Coffee Tables

The right coffee table may well tie your whole design altogether. A rectangular living room does well with a rectangular or oval coffee table. 

 Picking a coffee table  

  • Do not get a size for it that is either too large or too small as regards your sofa
  • Provide between it enough room you could easily walk around this room without getting crumpled around anything
  • Use it and put books, flowers and other decorative things outside there.

Step 3: Eye on the Walls

Your rectangular living room’s walls tend to look a little too long or just empty sometimes. However, this isn’t something that will bother you, given the proper decor.

Hang some art or photos

  • Hang a gallery wall with family photos or art pieces that you love.
  • Use large artwork to fill the space on long walls.

Use Mirrors

  • Mirrors reflect light and make the room feel bigger.
  • Hang a large mirror on one wall or create a cool design using several smaller ones.

Step 4: The Right Rugs

A good rug will define your living room and warm up the space.

For rectangular living rooms:

  • Use a large rug to anchor your seating area. It should be large enough so the front legs of your sofa and chairs sit on it.
  • If you have different zones, use smaller rugs to separate them.

Step 5: Lighting Makes a Difference

Lighting is an important component of creating the right mood in your living room. In a rectangular space, layering your lighting will make it look cozy and inviting.

Types of Lighting to Employ:

  • Overhead Lighting: This would be a chandelier or a ceiling light, preferably centered.
  • Floor Lamps: This is best put close to sofas or reading nooks.
  • Table Lamps: Place smaller lamps on side tables or shelves.
  • Accent Lighting: Employ LED strips or wall sconces in pointing out art or architectural features.

Step 6: Creating a Reading Nook

Every rectangular living room can benefit from a small reading nook. A perfect way to fill an empty corner and create a cozy space.

What you’ll need:

  • A comfortable chair or small sofa.
  • A floor lamp or table lamp for reading light.
  • Small side table to hold books, coffee, or decor.
  • Add pillows or a throw blanket for extra coziness.

Step 7: Decorate with Accessories

Accessories can bring the personality of accessories into your living room to make it come alive. Using accessories in a rectangular space can add color, texture, and style.

Ideas for Accessories

  • Throw Pillows: These vary in size and add patterns to your seating area.
  • Curtains or Blinds: These must be selected according to the furniture and colors of walls.
  • Plants: Fresh indoor plants bring in freshness and make the room come alive.
  • Books and Decor: Place shelves that would display books, vases, or any other decor.

Step 8: Flow

To make living comfortably in a rectangular room, there has to be flow around the room. Don’t block the ways with furniture or clutter

How to Maintain Flow:

  • An open path is between each end of the room when the furniture is placed.
  • Large furniture pieces have to be kept aside as they usually consume much space.
  • Minimize clutter with baskets and cabinets.

The concept to decorate a square living space sounds complicated, but on closer focus, careful preparation really empowers an individual to render his living area both functional as well as lovely. First of all, let us identify the layout of a room before finally choosing the appropriate piece of furniture and other decorations concerning the coffee tables in that living area. A nook or soft lights never have any harm while making a space homely.

Remember, it is your living room. This is the place where you lounge out with family and friends; you should make it as cool as you are. Enjoy decorating!