How to Furnish a Formal Yet Functional Living Room
There’s something charming about a well-curated formal living room. It’s one of the few rooms in people’s homes designated specifically for visiting with guests and entertaining. Yet, prioritizing comfort and functionality over aesthetics becomes more popular in the interior design world. Thus, formal living rooms are giving way to their informal counterparts, dens, and family rooms. Who said you have to sacrifice comfort for style when designing a formal living room, though? Check out these tips from the design experts at Matter Brothers Furniture to see how simple creating a beautiful yet functional formal living room can be.
Mix & Match
Nothing makes a living room feel dated quite like a perfectly matched set of furniture. Instead of choosing identical sofas and chairs, opt for pairing furnishings that complement each other but are different. Mixing textures, patterns, and upholstery may seem intimidating at first, but once you choose a theme or color scheme for your formal living room, pulling the look together will be easier than you think. The result will be a space that’s polished yet fresh.
Make It Comfy
Formal living rooms tend to get a bad rap thanks to childhood memories of sticking to our grandmothers’ plastic-covered loveseats. However, the idea that these spaces can’t be comfortable simply isn’t true. What good is having a room to entertain in if it’s not welcoming? To design a formal living room that your guests will relax in, be sure to choose furnishings that don’t just look good, but feel good too. The best way to accomplish this is by trying out furniture before purchasing it. After all, no one wants to sit on a stiff sectional or uncomfortable armchair.
Add Modern Art
No matter what atmosphere you’re trying to convey in your formal living room, displaying the right artwork helps. To give the space a contemporary feel while still prioritizing comfort, consider hanging a few modern paintings or photographs above your sofa. The combination of cozy furnishings and tasteful art will effortlessly elevate the space without making it stuffy. Likewise, framing a variety of photographs and artwork in simple, matching black, white, or gold frames, then displaying them together a collage is a simple way to make a big impact in your formal living room.
Prioritize Function
Formal living rooms shouldn’t be reserved for special occasions. Instead, they should be enjoyed by your family on a regular basis. To ensure that your formal living room is a place to relax, play, and entertain, incorporate pieces that make doing so easy. For example, include a sleeper sofa or coffee table with storage to hide everything from blankets to board games. It’s also helpful to select family-friendly upholstery (think cotton, linen, and leather) rather than fabrics that are difficult to maintain, such as silk.
Arrange Furniture the Right Way
The way that you position the furniture in your home matters when it comes to how your family and guests will interact within it. To encourage socializing, arrange the seats in your formal living room that promotes conversation. For instance, having two sofas facing each other or a loveseat and two chairs positioned around an ottoman ensures conversation.
Conclusion
With these simple tips, you’ll be able to design a beautiful yet comfortable formal living room in no time. To browse living room furniture in Pinellas Park, contact us or visit the design experts at Matter Brothers Furniture. We can’t wait to help you bring your design dreams to life!
