There's something about a well-designed living room that gives a home that lively, heavenly feel– Sometimes it's the paint– or maybe the furniture– and other times it's the general organization of other items in the room. Creating an eye-catching focal point is a surefire way to revitalize your living room and make it feel like the house of your dreams in Rhode Island.
A focal point is the "thing" that catches your attention when you enter the room. It could be a particularly beautiful piece of artwork, fireplace, window, or an interesting piece of furniture that emphasizes the overall theme of the room. Once you establish this central point, make sure to streamline the surrounding design elements to focus on and complement it.
Our experienced design professionals at Rhode Island Design Center recommend these five ways to create an eye-catching focal point in your living room.
Consider Grouping Furniture Around a Window Focal Point
One of the simplest and most effective methods for creating a focal point in your living room is to arrange furniture around it. If you have a window as a focal point, strategically place your couch and chairs so that they face it. Sofa tables and lamps should also be arranged to flank the window.
You can also set a gallery wall over the sofa and add a corner shelving unit to complement it on either side. Add tall plants and curtain panels to create a gorgeous design element that will draw your eye. Try choosing unique floor rugs that are colorful or bold geometrics to tie everything together.
Add Unique Features to a Focal Point
Adding unique features to a focal point is another way to make it stand out from the rest of your living room. The designs you choose should play well off the colors, patterns, and textures already established in the room.
For example, if the focal point of your Rhode Island home is the window, adding black painted wood strips next to the window frame can create a striking design feature that guests will admire. Consider adding a shelf or two under the window to make an extra pop of flair.
Using a Light Fixture as Focal Point
Another effective way to transform your living room is to use a light fixture as an eye-catching focal point—light up the center of your ceiling with track lighting or pendant lights. The bonus of using a light fixture as an anchor for your design is that you can adjust its height to match the rest of your room's level of interest.
For instance, a Sputnik-inspired light fixture will add a dramatic touch to your room while maintaining a contemporary feel. Remember, its size is the secret to using a light fixture as a focal point. A bigger light fixture captures attention more quickly than a smaller one. Balancing the light levels in the room will also ensure the lighting complements your focal point rather than overpowering it.
Consider a Statement Mirror
Mirrors are excellent strategic pieces for creating focal points in your living rooms. Besides being decorative, they also bounce light around your living room to make it feel more open. However, when using a mirror as a focal point, consider its size, frame, and where you want to hang it.
What do you want it to reflect? Square or round, a mirror can effectively draw attention to your living room and create an elegant look. While mirrors can highlight any style and provide a sense of depth to any living space, choosing one that compliments your theme is critical.
Bookshelves as Focal Point
Bookshelves are a perfect way to store books and display sentimental collections or decorative items. A carefully curated collection of books and objects can serve as a focal point in your living room. You can opt for open shelves instead of closed-in cupboards to make the living space feel more open. A closed-in bookshelf makes the living room feel heavy and dark, but when the books are spilled out with a few decorative knickknacks, your living room will feel bright and open.
When using open shelving, avoid overcrowding the shelves. Leave some breathing space between the objects to make the shelving more visually appealing.
Follow the two-thirds to one-third decor rule for a foolproof method of styling open shelves; aim for two-thirds of books and one-third of accessories per shelf.
If you don't have enough space or don't require a large bookcase, chunky floating shelves will do the trick. You can style the shelves with artwork, books, and treasured collections to create an eye-catching focal point.
Living Room Design in Rhode Island
Crafting the perfect layout with just the right furniture can be a challenging task; visit Rhode Island Design Center in West Warwick, where you can sit in furniture before you decide to use that as a piece in your space, or work with our professional designers to create your dream living room. Contact us today to learn how you can give that living space a new sparkle.
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