Fast 2 day delivery

VELUX logo
Products
Services
Support
Online shop

Living room renovation inspiration: design the perfect space

7 min read
A spacious, bright living room with large roof and terrace windows, filled with natural light. The interior is decorated in a Scandinavian style with wooden furniture, plants, and modern decorations.
Living room renovation is a chance to refresh and modernise your space. A well-planned layout, plenty of natural light, and thoughtful decoration will make your living room the heart of your home, where relaxation and socialising meet.
Key takeaways
  1. Maximise natural light
    Installing roof windows can transform your living room, making it brighter, more spacious, and more inviting.
  2. Plan layout and budget
    A clear plan, budget, and well-thought-out furniture placement ensure a functional and stylish living room.

  3. Incorporate nature
    Pair natural materials like wood and stone with decorative elements like plants and art for a cozy and personalized atmosphere.

Planning the perfect living room

When renovating the living room, it’s essential to carefully consider its layout, functionality, and overall interior design. The living room should encourage relaxation while also being functional. Here are some tips on how to plan your space effectively.

1. What are your needs and wishes for a living room?

Before you embark on a living room renovation, think about what you want and need, then write it all down on a list. Use your current living room decor as a starting point. Assess what you like, what you don't like, and what you can keep or reuse. 

The living room should be adapted to the lifestyle of your family. When setting priorities, don't forget about the floor, lighting, furniture and RTV equipment. 

2. Decide on a specific interior style

A good interior design makes a space both visually appealing and functional. In a well-designed living room, everything has its place, and it is a pleasure to relax in it.  

When planning a renovation, you can focus on a specific interior design style and create an entire project based on its features. Minimalism will look elegant and modern; it will have clear lines and a narrow colour palette. The classic style will allow you to achieve the effect of greater depth and many dimensions. Choosing a specific style will also make it easier to choose furniture and colours. 

Scandinavian style features minimalism and light colors, while the classic style offers depth and elegant details.

3. Think through your renovation project and budget

Before you start renovating your living room (or any other room in your home), you should always have a plan and a budget. 

If you're planning to do the renovation yourself, plan extra time for each step of the way and consider hiring a professional for technical tasks like electrical upgrades. If you're hiring professionals, make sure you understand each other's work and explain everything in detail. Once the work begins, supervise and stay on top of it to make sure everything is going according to plan.  

The sooner you prepare a detailed plan, the better for the contractor and your budget. 

4. Emphasize natural light

Natural light is a crucial element in every living room design. It makes the space feel brighter, more spacious, and cosier. It's worth maximizing the use of natural light when planning your living room layout. Installing large windows that let in plenty of daylight is an excellent idea. If possible, consider installing roof windows - they bring additional light from above, which optically enlarges the space and gives it a modern style.

Discover the benefits of natural light and why it's essential for a healthier, happier home in our article 10 reasons why daylight is essential for a healthier, happier home.

Proper lighting has a significant impact on our well-being, and natural light is the best source of energy. By installing roof windows, you can introduce plenty of light and fresh air into your living room, making the room brighter and more welcoming.

5. Combine the kitchen with the living room

If you want your living room to feel larger and be a place that combines many functions, a good idea is to open it up to the kitchen. In an open-plan home, you can prepare meals and enjoy the company of family and friends at the same time. If you decide to combine two rooms, you need to take care of proper ventilation and light. Before you start renovating, analyse everything carefully.

Inspirational design ideas

Choosing colours and materials

Colours significantly influence how we perceive space. Light shades make the interior appear larger and more spacious, while darker tones bring a sense of cosiness and intimacy. When choosing colours, consider the emotions you want to evoke in the room. The living room decor should reflect your preferences, creating a space where you feel comfortable.

Also, consider your choice of materials. Natural materials like wood, stone, and linen add warmth and cosiness to the interior. Take care of the right choice of flooring - warm wood, soft carpets or modern panels are popular choices for the living room. Furniture made from natural materials is durable and elegant, giving your living room decoration a timeless feel.

If you prefer a modern style, opt for minimalist shapes and clean lines that will harmonise with light colours and large windows letting in natural light.

Natural materials like wood and bold colour choices like mustard yellow and teal add warmth and modern style, while roof windows flood the space with light for a balanced, inviting living room.

Create a new focal point in your living room with natural light

The focal point will draw the eye and enhance the aesthetic value of the interior. Can the ceiling be such a point? Absolutely! You can use it to create a focal point. Install beautiful wooden beams, paint the ceiling in a bold colour or install skylights to emphasise this space in your design in another way. 

Roof windows can turn the ceiling into a design feature, flooding the room with natural light. This creates a bright focal point, adding depth and enhancing the room’s overall aesthetic.

Bring nature closer with roof windows: Use a compass

Roof windows allow you to connect your home with its surroundings naturally. Large windows act like a living painting, where you can watch the changing daylight and seasons.

If you're planning a living room renovation and wondering where to best place roof windows, consider the rooms' orientation in the cardinal directions. This will help you maximise the amount of daylight entering the space.

  • North: For a north-facing living room, choose warmer tones and a roof window to allow more daylight in.
  • East: An east-facing roof window will let you capture the morning sun. Painting the walls green in such a living room will create a more welcoming atmosphere.
  • West: A west-facing roof window will be darker than in other directions. To create a cosy atmosphere, choose earthy tones for the walls.
  • South: If your living room faces south, it's probably the sunniest room in the house. You can soften the bright light with soft tones like green, gray, and light shades of blue.

By carefully considering the orientation of your living room and using roof windows, you can maximize natural light throughout the day, creating a harmonious connection between your home and nature.

Natural light helps restore balance to the circadian rhythm, allowing you to rest better at night and function more efficiently during the day. Sunlight stimulates the body’s production of melatonin and regulates the body’s natural rhythm.

Living room decorations and accessories

Living room decor is a key element in every interior. When choosing living room interior decorations, select pieces that harmonise with the overall arrangement while adding personal character to the room. Stylish cushions, wall art, and designer lamps are elements that will give your living room a unique style.

You can also consider plants to breathe life into the space and add a touch of nature. It's also essential to focus on textiles - soft blankets, curtains, and rugs that introduce a cosy atmosphere into the living room. The living room design in your home depends on the decorations you choose, so opt for those that best reflect your style.

Personalise your living room with a balance of stylish accessories and natural elements like plants and soft textiles. These details add warmth and a unique character to your space.

Furniture placement

Well-planned furniture placement is the foundation of a functional living room. The key is to ensure that the living room layout is comfortable and easy to navigate. A large sofa, comfortable armchairs, and a coffee table are essential for any living room. It’s important to consider furniture placement in relation to the room’s size and the amount of natural light available.

Maximize natural light in your living room with large roof windows, making the space feel brighter and more spacious.

For more creative ideas to refine your living room, take a look at our additional suggestions. Learn how thoughtful design choices and natural light can help you shape a welcoming and inspiring space.

Take the first step toward your dream living room

Renovating your living room, whether it's a full transformation or a simple refresh, is an opportunity to create a space that truly reflects who you are and what brings you comfort. Don't feel overwhelmed by the scope of the project - every change, big or small, contributes to a more functional and beautiful space. Whether you're letting more light in with roof windows, refreshing your decor, or rethinking your layout, each step brings you closer to a living room that's both stylish and practical.

Start by envisioning the living room of your dreams, then take that first step toward making it a reality. With thoughtful planning, creativity, and inspiration from the space around you, your ideal living room is within reach - a place where you can relax, recharge, and make lasting memories with those who matter most.

Author

VELUX Editorial team

Share

Read more articles

Reimagine your living room with these renovation ideas
The living room is the centre of the house. It's where we spend most of our time at home - from hanging out with family and friends to curling up on the sofa to watch our favourite TV series. Making the most of this space is essential, especially if you're renovating! Here's a list of ideas that will help you plan your living room renovation.
Read the full article
Design your living room with natural daylight
Design your living room to create the most welcoming home environment for every family member. One of the ways to make the most of this space is by inviting in the light from above.  Natural light can be one of the most significant improvements to your living space, so if you’re ready to design and transform your living room, continue reading!
Read the full article
Use daylight in architectural design
Do you want to bring your architecture closer to nature? Use daylight in the best possible way in your home! The natural cycles of the sun have a significant impact on us, so the more daylight you can use in your home, the better. Make your architecture shine: natural light has a beautiful glow that ensconces your home and heart.
Read the full article
Get a healthier home with roof windows
Did you know that you can create a healthier home with roof windows? We spend 90% of our time indoors. Therefore, the quality of air in your home has a significant impact on your health. Thanks to roof windows, you can make your life easier and promote a better indoor climate. Luckily, a few tweaks will go a long way. Here's how you get the most out of your VELUX roof windows.
Read the full article
Foster creativity with creative home interior
If you've also spent a lot of time working from home lately, you'll agree that our living spaces greatly influence our performance. Our environment can drive our creativity... but it can also stifle it. So, how do you make sure that your home interior nurtures your thoughts and ideas? Here's how you can let your living space inspire you to do your best work.
Read the full article