One of the main challenges our clients face is their living room feeling mismatched and not cohesive. The living room, often the heart of a home, is a space where you want comfort and style… and yet it can be frustrating if you sense that your space is mismatched like teacups in a hardware store.

But if you only aim for a cohesive room and don’t consider these following seven factors, you risk creating a cold, cookie-cutter type space that lacks your unique personality. These valuable tips will help you create a cohesive loungeroom space where everything works well together — a space that is ALSO infused with your personality— your essence.

1. Define Your Style For the Space

   Begin the journey by defining your style. This is a big one. If you’re not quite sure what style you like, get curious, make it fun and explore. Narrowing down a particular style (or a couple of styles that blend together well) is an important foundational step. Because then you can make sure every following design decision aligns harmoniously throughout your space. In other words, getting a clear vision for a preferred style will be the guiding star of your design choices. Here’s a helpful guide that will help you define your style. PS your style may have changed just like you have over the years, so be sure to not miss this one!

2. Establish a Colour Palette

   Choosing a cohesive color palette is vital when aiming for a unified room design. Select a primary color and two or three shades that compliment each other and set the tone for the room. Distribute these colors across various elements, from wall paint and furniture to accessories. This thoughtful approach to color creates a visual flow, making the room feel interconnected and balanced. TIP: Do you have an artwork with colours in it that you love? Can you imagine your living room inspired by this artwork?

3. Consistent Furniture

   Having a consistent furniture style anchors your design and reinforces the room's overall theme for you. Whether you choose a contemporary, vintage, or minimalist vibe, select pieces that align with your chosen style and color palette. While mixing styles can be fun and can sometimes work well, keeping a cohesive theme ensures that the room feels unified and cohesive — instead of mish-mash and disjointed.

4. Balance Patterns and Textures

   Select colours, patterns and textures that resonate with your personal taste. Introducing patterns and textures can bring layers of visual interest without overwhelming the space. Thoughtfully selected throw pillows, rugs, and curtains can infuse softness, personality and warmth too. Aim for a balance that compliments your chosen color palette and contributes to the cohesive, inviting atmosphere you aim to achieve.

5. Thoughtful Layout

   Layout is a big one! The layout of your living room significantly impacts whether it works cohesively or not. Consider the flow and function of the space when arranging furniture. Create designated conversation areas that are easy to access. This will help you make sure you have a layout that helps you make good use of the space. A well-thought-out arrangement of furniture makes the space feel comfortable and contributes to the overall cohesion of the room.

6. Lighting Magic

   Lighting is a powerful element in setting the ambiance of a room. Combine ambient, task, and accent lighting to create layers and depth. Select fixtures that work well with your chosen design theme and bring enough brightness to the room. Thoughtful lighting enhances the room's cohesion, creating a warm and inviting environment.

7. Wall Art and Décor

   Choose wall art and décor items that seamlessly blend with your style and color palette. Whether it's a gallery wall of photos you love, an artwork, candles or decorative pieces, ensure that they contribute to, rather than distract from, your cohesive design. Find a balance between bold and subtle pieces for a harmonious visual impact.

Conclusion

Transforming your living room into a cohesive haven involves more than just aesthetic choices—it's a journey of thoughtful decisions and being able to creatively express yourself! By considering these seven above factors with intention, you'll create a living area space that not only looks unified but feels like a true reflection of your unique taste and personality. The result? A living room that is aesthetically pleasing and also exudes a welcoming atmosphere that resonates with you and your guests!

One of our many happy clients…

“Anica was a great communicator and always followed up promptly. She took her time to understand our style and respond to all our feedback. She had some really creative ideas that made us excited about redecorating. The design we ended up with is exactly what we wanted and feels very cohesive. We're excited to implement her design!”

- Tamina, Maroubra, NSW

See more about Tamina’s living area project here.

Want to prevent buyer’s remorse from purchasing items that end up looking mismatched? Check out our blog ‘A Cohesive Living Room in 7 Steps’. These seven steps will help you put together a design plan you’ll love (and these design principles apply to every room!)

Want to save yourself days of researching? Our interior design packages save our clients a ton of frustration, time, money! And we want you to enjoy the collaborative process as we put together your personalised design plan for your space! See how one of our packages will put you, your needs and budget at centerstage here.