Living Room Design Guide

You know the story of the shoe cobblers children? Well, I feel that is me regarding my home. Every time I sit down to start a design board for a room, in my own house, the phone rings for a new design or staging client. Then, I have to put my own house on hold, once again. But, this time, I have partnered with Lowe’s Home Improvement to design my living room (aka family room) after ten years. It is a decent size with vaulted ceilings, but, the walls have not been painted in seven years, the wall to wall carpeting must be at least fourteen years old, and the window treatments were a cheap quick fix. What I do love about the room? The sectional and my favorite bamileke wood coffee tables. Otherwise, lets do this. Let’s finally revamp this space.

This post is a sponsored collaboration with Lowe’s Home Improvement: As always all opinions are 100% truthful and my own

Living Room Design Guide and Hardwood Flooring

When designing a living room there are a few steps to get you started that can help eliminate any moments of frustration down the line. These are general tips you can use for any space before you start pulling pieces for your design board.

Tips To Creating a Living Room Design

1. If you are NOT working with a blank space (for instance, I am keeping the sectional & tables) Add those to your mood board immediately. If possible, know the fabric style and color of your existing pieces
2. Create a focal point
3. Arrange furniture layout opposite your focal point
4. Create the setting with a Color Palette: In other words, decide on your color scheme
   1. This not only includes paint but, fabrics used in the heavy furnishings to the pillows.
   2. Paint is main color, then accent furniture,  then window treatments, then art and pillows. However, if you have a a rug, art or accent chair as your inspiration, start there.
5. Choose flooring and area rugs (more about that below)
6. Find a way to add architectural accents: Maybe painting the trim in a dark gloss or paint the ceiling a unique color
7. If applicable, choose accent lighting
8. Decide on window treatments
9. Accessorize the space with art, personal collections, and as I say tchotchkes (these items will complete the space)
10. ENJOY!

So, here is the room before and my dream space coming together on my mood board. Also, how I plan to update it with my one stop shop Lowe’s Home Improvements.

Shop The Look 

1. Canvas Solid 108-in Cream Back Tab Single Curtain Panel // 2. Surya Tartan Throw Pillow // 3. Surya Mykonos Green Area Rug // 4. Abstract Print Art // 5. Autumn Hickory Engineered Hardwood Flooring // 6. In the Navy by HGTV Sherwin-Williams

Now, a couple of tips when it comes to flooring

There are many flooring options at Lowe’s Home Improvement:

1 – Tile (this is not limited to ceramic tile but porcelain that has the most gorgeous faux wood design)

2 – Laminate (great for high traffic areas)

3 – Hardwood (there are a few options that I discuss in more detail below)

Like many, we all dream of hardwood floors. Okay, maybe not all of us but I do. And I have always wanted to add hardwood floors to our family room. But, it isn’t that simple.

When choosing hardwood flooring, it can be daunting for anyone because there are a few options to consider under hardwood.

1 – Solid

2 – Engineered

3 – Tongue and Groove

4 – Locking

Now, to help narrow down your choices you first need to consider what the wood will be sitting on. For instance, in my case, it will be on concrete. For that reason, solid hardwood is not the best option. I can install but it will take more time and cost, because, I will need to install 3/4 treated plywood.

When your flooring is on concrete or heated, engineered hardwood is the best option. With engineered flooring, the top layer is 100% solid wood, the bottom layer is also solid wood, but, the middle is 5 to 7 layers of plywood. This is done so that it is less likely to expand or contract when exposed to moisture, humidity and temperatures.

After considering my living room issues,  I was able to determine what would be best for my space. I narrowed it down to engineered wood since this room sits on concrete.

Lastly, when it comes to Tongue and Groove or locking (click). It just depends on the type of install you prefer and the subfloor. The locking system is a DIY’er friend. Less skill and equipment is needed. Both of these install options come in solid bamboo/hardwood options as well as engineered. Personally, if you are having professionals install, I prefer the Tongue and Groove.

If you have a flooring project coming up, let me know! Would love to hear what you went with and how it worked out for you.