Living rooms are meant to look lived in. Whilst magazines and Pinterest bombard us with stunning images of pristine minimalist living rooms, there is a lot to be said for a more laid-back rustic living room look that will work all year round. It’s great to have a room that provides us with somewhere we can relax just as easily in the summer and winter, and achieving this is something that we all strive for. The good news is that this is a look that is very achievable with a little bit of know-how. Let’s take a look at some of the things you can do to create a fabulous laid-back rustic living room.
Rustic furniture
A good place to start with the laid-back look is to pick some key pieces of rustic furniture. This type of furniture forms a great base when it comes to decorating the rest of the room and when you opt for items like a reclaimed wood coffee table or a reclaimed wood sideboard, you are adding a genuine touch of character to the room. You want to opt for items that not only look beautiful but are also practical, so you can keep the area clutter-free and have all you need to relax.
Remember the laid-back look can combine a number of different styles and materials, especially when it comes to your furniture. As well as rustic and reclaimed wood furniture, you could also consider mango wood furniture. You may find that one, or two, key pieces of vintage furniture is a good fit with the casual aesthetic you are trying to achieve. Comfortable and relaxed are both important factors with the laid-back look.
Mix materials
The important thing to remember here is that not everything has to match. In fact, a mix of different materials will really help to pull the look together. These could be different types of wood for your furniture or even different types of fabrics for your soft furnishings. Natural materials in addition to the wood will really help to give a more organic laid back feel to the room. Think raw linens and muted neutral hues that are in tune with nature, such as greens, blues and browns.
Bring the outdoors in
Add some plants, or cut flowers, to your living room to help bring the outdoors inside to create a space that is in harmony with the great outdoors. Rich and vibrant colours on your walls will help to make your room seem brighter and bring a sense of wellbeing. Consider floaty drapes in your windows, which will create less of a barrier between the inside and outside of your home and will work wonderfully when there is a gentle breeze.
Layer lighting for maximum effect
The laid-back look is softer and gentle so consider layering your lighting to create a more subtle glow. Natural materials like wood and bamboo can work really well here to create a range of lighting. A bamboo table lamp on a mango wood side table or stone table lamp on a reclaimed wood side table will work well for those occasions when you don’t want the brighter light of a ceiling light. Floor lights also offer flexible lighting options and don’t forget candles on a mantlepiece or rustic sideboard for creating a natural evening light that instantly makes you relax.
Relaxed seating
Don’t forget to give careful consideration to your seating to create an easy going space. A 2-seater sofa or two can give a more relaxed look than a more formal arrangement with armchairs. It’s a great option when it comes to relaxed seating for those people who like to curl up in the evening and get comfortable with their favourite book or stretch out to watch a movie. Floor cushions also work well in a laid-back living room, as do plenty of soft cushions and throws to promote relaxing to the max!
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