First impressions count a lot and since most visitors do tend to evaluate the décor of a house based on the initial imapct, people often lay a greater emphasis and mark almost half the total budget for designing the living room.
Living room is considered the face of the house, the furniture used here should not be too heavy. Moreover, there should be enough flexibility to allow different layout options, so that the décor scheme does not appear monotonous over a period of time.
If you are planning to keep costs to a minimum, choose from the readymade living room packages comprising sofa sets, centre and side tables, dining table with chairs and sideboard units, which are available in the range of approximately INR 1.50 to 2 lakh.
A few rugs placed around the centre table or between sofas would also be nice, adding INR 15,000 to 20,000 to your budget. If you wish to have a decorative ceiling, instead of going for a complete false ceiling, which is not possible in a limited budget, corner mouldings can be opted for.
For those who want a lavish look, marble flooring for at least the living room area which can cost about INR 120 per sqft. Using stucco paint i.e. marble plaster (INR 70 per sqft.) on one of the walls will add an elegant touch. The room should have up-lighters and some spotlights highlighting artefacts.
Avoid ceiling lights as they tend to make the ceiling feel lower. Opt for soft colours and monochromatic colour schemes. Use cream, beige, gray or cool pastels on your walls and floors to make them recede.The ceiling should always be the lightest colour in the room.
Wallpapers are costly but can be used for giving the living room a special look at INR 25 per sheet approx. You can also add wallpaper borders to make the room look more lively and homey. To add a spectacular and sophisticated look to the room try painting the top half of the wall a light pastel colour and the bottom half of the wall a rich, darker colour.
Hang pictures, clocks or other items of interest on the walls to make your rooms more appealing. You can use pictures of family members or pictures of scenery or a combination of both.
Arrange the pictures in a variety of positions. Purchase two matching collage frames, insert photographs and hang one slightly higher on the wall than the other. Mirrors can be used to make a small living room appear larger than it actually is.
Plants are another great way to accessorize any room. You can use live plants or silk plants in your home decorating.
Above all, make sure the room captures and reflects your distinct personality throughout that alone will add interest and individuality to any décor scheme.