Your living room is where life happens—where you relax after work, watch movies with family, and chat with friends. Making it look great doesn’t have to be complicated. At Petra Madalena, we help homeowners create beautiful living rooms that feel just right. Here’s how to decorate yours step by step.
Every living room needs a few key items. Your sofa is usually the biggest piece, so choose one that fits your space well. Too big, and the room feels cramped. Too small, and it looks empty.
Next comes your coffee table. This piece sits in front of your sofa and holds drinks, books, and remote controls. Pick one that’s about half the length of your sofa. Round tables work great in small spaces, while rectangular ones suit larger rooms. A bespoke coffee table from Petra Madalena can be made exactly the right size for your room.
Nobody likes a messy living room. That’s where good storage comes in. A nice cabinet can hide clutter and show off your favorite things at the same time. Put family photos on top, store board games inside.
Custom cabinets work even better because they fit your exact needs. Have lots of books? We can add more shelves. Need space for a large TV? We’ll make it the perfect size. Petra Madalena designs storage that solves your specific problems.
Pick three main colors for your room. Use your favorite color the most (on walls or big furniture), add a second color for smaller items, and use a bright accent color for pillows or art. This simple trick makes everything look pulled together.
Neutral colors like beige, gray, or white work well for walls and sofas. Then add color with cushions, curtains, and decorations. This way, you can change the look later without buying new furniture. For research-based insight into how color impacts mood and behavior, see this Frontiers in Psychology article on color and psychological functioning.
Soft fabrics make rooms feel warm and inviting. Add throw pillows to your sofa—mix different sizes and textures. Put a soft blanket over the arm of a chair. Place a rug under your coffee table to define the seating area.
Curtains do more than block light. They add color, soften hard windows, and make rooms feel finished. Choose heavier curtains for bedrooms and lighter ones for living rooms to let in natural light.
Good lighting changes everything. You need three types:
Put lamps on side tables next to sofas. Add a floor lamp in dark corners. Use dimmer switches when possible—bright for cleaning, soft for movie nights.
Your living room should show who you are. Bespoke bookcases from Petra Madalena can display your book collection beautifully. Mix books with photos, plants, and special objects to make shelves interesting.
Hang artwork at eye level—about 5 feet from the floor. Group smaller pictures together for bigger impact. Family photos make rooms feel personal and warm.
Plants make any room better. They clean the air and add natural beauty. Start with easy plants like pothos or snake plants if you’re new to gardening. Put a tall plant in an empty corner or small ones on shelves. For science-backed insights, see NASA’s Clean Air Study on plants and air quality.
No green thumb? Quality fake plants look surprisingly real these days. Mix them with real ones if you want—nobody will notice.
Arrange furniture so people can walk through easily. Leave about 3 feet between big pieces. Face chairs toward each other for easy conversation. Make sure everyone can reach the bespoke coffee table from their seat.
Don’t push all furniture against walls. Floating your sofa a few inches away from the wall makes rooms feel bigger and more planned.
Instead of buying lots of cheap items, invest in a few quality pieces. A well-made cabinet from Petra Madalena will last for years and look better over time. Good furniture is worth the investment—it saves money in the long run.
Start with one great piece, like a bespoke coffee table, then add to your room slowly. This approach helps you avoid mistakes and creates a room that truly fits your life.
Small details make big differences:
Decorating your living room doesn’t happen overnight. Begin with the basics—seating and a coffee table. Add storage with custom cabinets that fit your space perfectly. Layer in colors, textures, and personal items.
Remember, the best living rooms grow over time. They reflect the people who live in them. At Petra Madalena, we create furniture that becomes part of your story. Our bespoke bookcases and custom pieces help make your living room truly yours.
Take it step by step, trust your taste, and don’t be afraid to try new things. Your perfect living room is waiting to be created.
