Living room makeover – Living rooms are generally, after the kitchen, one of the most used rooms in your home. You spend time there on family game night, playing Scrabble and Monopoly by the fire, or on movie night with your husband, curled up on the couch sharing a big bowl of popcorn. No matter how you use your living room, lord knows that it won’t be a home without some seriously great living room furniture for the perfect living room makeover.
But how do you know what kind of furniture to get? Do you want the kind of living room that your grandma had, where the couches were covered in plastic and you got in trouble if you spilled even a drop on her pristine white rug? These sorts of living rooms are gorgeous, but for the most part, they’re anything but homey.
Lawson arm leather sofa, $6,965, LeatherShoppes
Brown leather rolled arm sofa
One of the easiest ways to get a piece that will stand the test of time is to get a sofa made of leather. Leather is a great material for your handbag, and even for your ottoman, but it’s best in a club chair or a sofa. As they age, leather sofas look even better, and they’re at once sophisticated and totally comfortable. Try one that’s at once modern and traditional, with a pleated rolled arm. Leather is great for a family household, because it can stand up to spills, dog hair and more – whereas fabric sofas soak up everything, leather tends to resist everything. Not to mention, it’s masculine but doesn’t feel overly so, so you won’t hate it sitting in your room. It’s a classic style – leather sofas never go out of style. They’ll be homey and perfect for your living room makeover!
Trunk coffee tables
Trunk cocktail/coffee table
Next, you’ll need a coffee table. These days, many people opt for oversized ottomans instead of coffee tables – these are great because they can work as a coffee table with the addition of a few trays, but can also make for extra seating when you have a lot of people over. However, if you really want things to feel homey, consider a trunk in place of a traditional coffee table. Trunks are great because they have lots of storage. They can provide bench-like seating in a pinch, and can also work as a traditional table for your popcorn bowls, candy bowls and late night drinks. If you like vintage, scout the flea market for a vintage trunk; if you like your lines clean, consider a simple wood trunk with a craftsman feel. Remember, you don’t have to be too funky with your furniture – you can bring in the visual interest in the accessories.
Leather club chairs and a folding chair designed by Hans Wegner
Club chairs for extra seating
If you have enough space, you should also consider adding a few club chairs for extra seating. This is where you can add some sophistication into your otherwise totally cozy room. Club chairs retain a great vintage look that will match the aged look of your sofa, but they’re also extremely modern, especially with a bright, colorful pillow. Consider chairs with tufted backs – bring a bit of glam into your room, you deserve it! Make sure you get something that has arms and is deep enough to really cozy up. Accent chairs are great because they provide extra seating and a bit of extra spice into your room. So don’t be afraid to go crazy with nail head trim and fun colors.
Living room storage option for an entertainment center
Entertainment center
No great living room makeover is complete without an entertainment center. You’ll need somewhere to store your TV, DVD player, cable box, stereo system, etc. With a sleek wooden entertainment console, you can store everything you need behind closed doors, so that the result is beautiful and functional. Many media centers also have room for DVDs and other video storage, so that you don’t have to purchase a bookshelf as well; you get two items in one! Consider a wood finish – wood is richer and lends another layer to your room, and it’ll look great with your leather sofa. It is also easiest to clean and to fix up. Any nicks can be fixed with a bit of wood glue or filler and a tiny bit of stain.
