New build living room ideas
If you’ve just moved into a new build home, it can be tricky to envision to turn a blank canvas into a warm a homely living room. That’s why we’ve put together our favourite inspiring new build living room ideas and tips to make the process a little easier for you.
New living room ideas
1. Add a pop of colour to the walls
New builds are often painted white, which doesn’t offer much style or inspiration. A quick and easy way of injecting life into a new build living room is to use coloured paint on the walls.
Choose a colour that you love. We recommend getting some paint swatches first to see how they work and look in the particular light that’s available in your new build living room.
2. Install wall panelling
Introducing architectural elements to your new build home can immediately give it some character. A popular feature that keen DIYers are tackling themselves is wall panelling.
There are many different styles of wall panelling you can choose from, whether it’s the more elegant detailed style or a more contemporary grid style panelling, they’ll definitely be one that takes your fancy.
3. Choose a theme
It’s sometimes easier to have a clear plan in mind before decorating a new build living room. Choose a theme that you love and want to commit to. For example, a minimalist Scandi look like the one pictured above is perfect for those that hate clutter and who want a clean and fresh space.
4. Focal fireplace
Whether or not you have an open chimney in your living room is irrelevant as you can create a focal fireplace without the need of having an actual real fire.
Choose a faux design that still creates the same effect of having a fire without having to deal with all the mess that a real fire creates. You can then use this as a focal point for the entire room.
5. Statement lighting
If you’re looking to add personality to your living room we recommend thinking outside of the box when it comes to your lighting choices.
Avoid picking a standard cream lampshade and table lamp and instead opt for a statement ceiling light that sets the tone for the entire room. Wall lights are massively on trend right now and would look great either side of a sofa.
6. Introduce plants
Choose a couple of large designs to house in statement pots for the corners of the room and also pick out some smaller plants to display on shelves and windowsills.
7. Layer with texture
Stop a new build living room from feeling cold and uninviting by making sure there’s lots of texture in the room. Layering different textures such as throws, rugs and cushions will make it feel warm and cosy.
If your new build has solid wood flooring then a beautifully patterned oversized rug will do the job in making it feel more homely.
8. Hang patterned curtains
Window dressings can be tricky to get right. Your new build living room may already come with blinds but you may want to think about introducing curtains to the space to make it feel warmer.
Not only will curtains keep the heat in but this is a great opportunity to add pattern and colour to the room. Geometric and floral designs are very popular and would suit a contemporary home.
Read all about curtains vs blinds, here.
9. Bold sofa
Don’t take the easy way out and buy a grey sofa set from your local furniture shop. Instead, be a bit more creative with your choice of furniture for your new build living room.
Opt for a coloured velvet sofa to add a sense of sophistication to the room. Pink is a stylish option that goes with lots of different interior styles. Alternatively, a darker coloured sofa such as forest green or navy may be more practical.
10. Accent chair
If you don’t feel confident enough to bring colour into your living room with paint or wallpaper, consider how you can use furniture to create the same effect.
Sofas can be extremely expensive and buying a colourful one may not be an investment that you want to make. Instead, opt for a colourful armchair in a shade that you love. A bright poppy yellow always does the trick!
11. A touch of blue
Benjamin Moore announced their Colour of The Year for 2024 and it’s a gorgeous mid-toned blue. This suggests that we are going to be seeing a lot of blue interiors in the new year and you may want to take the opportunity to get ahead of the curve and decorate your new build living room with this calming shade.
To see what colours go with light blue, click here.
12. Paint it dark
New builds have the reputation of being light and bright, be bold and go against this preconception by painting your living room dark.
Black is a dramatic and stylish hue that always brings a sense of class and elevation but if you think this may be too dark for your space, a dark navy or forest green are also fantastic options.
13. Modern farmhouse
Sometimes it can be a hard feat bringing a sense of rustic charm to a new build property. However, there are certain things you can do to cosy up the space and give it a modern farmhouse feel.
Installing a log burner is an investment but will immediately give your room character and personality. Build bespoke alcove shelves either side to display some of your favourite trinkets.
14. Hang fun wallpaper
Instead of feeling restricted by a new build property, be inspired by it and see it as a totally blank canvas that you can put your own stamp on.
Wallpaper is a great decorating tool to use in open plan living areas to make a space feel colourful and alive. Be inspired by the living room pictured above and opt for a retro 70s theme – the possibilities are endless!
15. Media wall unit
Incorporate a media wall unit into your new build living room to turn it into the perfect family space to socialise in.
Not only is this a smart way of hiding all of the unsightly wires and plugs that a tv and speakers have, but it becomes the focal point of any living room and makes it feel luxurious.
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