If the kitchen is the heart of the home, than the living room is the roots. It is an important area where you do day to day activities, as well as hold family parties and seasonal gatherings.
Measuring and Photos
The first step is to measure your space, using a measuring tape to get the overall length and width of your room. Measure doorways and windows, also consider and take accurate dimensions of any alcoves or other recessed places in the room.
It's a good idea to sketch out a simple floor layout on paper to help visualize different layout combinations and determine how much furniture can fit into the area. Sketch out a couple different ways that furniture can be set-up in your room, keep in mind and factor in free space in between pieces so it is not hampered.
It’s also very useful to take photos of the existing space. Get snapshots of the overall area by standing in a corner or space just outside the room. If you want detailed pictures of your space, the best method is to go around the perimeter of the room, snapping photos of each wall. Start off in a corner and step parallel along the wall, standing far enough out to be able to include the architectural components, such as doors and windows, step along the perimeter taking chronological photos, until you come back to the beginning point.
Stage your room. You can use existing pieces of furniture for the mock-up, sheets of paper, or even better is painters’ tape to block the dimensions of the pieces onto the floor.
Utilize an online space planning program. In today’s furniture shopping market, online retailers have really evolved and offer, for free, super easy to use software where you can draw out your space. Some home planner apps even have the capacity to upload your room’s photos and space plan your actual room.
Budget
Estimate and figure what you can comfortably afford and stay inside your budget. One of the great advantages about furniture shopping today, it is easy to do research on furniture websites, compare the retailers for value, service and quality. Find out if they provide free delivery, is it in “inside” or “curbside” service, important things to consider when budgeting, as delivery costs can be expensive. Go to a brick-and mortar store and see the furniture in person, try it out. Review the cost comparisons of each retailer, and consider the savings, quality, and services provided from each retailer.
Style and Pieces
There is a huge selection of furniture pieces that fit a wide range of budgets, and there are so many styles to choose from, it can be a bit daunting project to take on. But in truth, it doesn’t. It can be really fun. First, start with the fundamentals, most living rooms consist of a sofa, armchair, coffee and side tables, and television cabinet. From there decide on a style farmhouse, mid-century, traditional, stick with one genre of style to make it simple and go with it. Add lamps, rugs, accent pieces that coordinate with the look. Again, stores and online are great resources to help direct you towards the perfect style expression you want to invoke.
Materials and Color
Colors depend on your taste, the amount of people in the household, and activities. For example, a cotton twill white upholstered sofa is okay if it is for a couple. But for a young family, the white fabric sofa better be a slipcover, that can be easily removed to wash. Durable, stain-resistant materials are essential if you have an active family, and need materials that will stand up to the daily activity.
Conclusion
The choice of furniture needs to balance the functions in the space, such as relaxation or entertaining guests, with a design style that works around your particular happenings. Keep this in mind when you start collecting information for your living room furniture checklist.
