Living Room

Which curtains suit a living room?

Curtains for a living room should be chosen according to the size of the window, the light it lets in and how much of the fabric will be on show even when the curtains are open. Linara Tyg 3 gives a calm surface, while Rogers Stripe Tyg adds more direction. For larger patterns, floral curtain fabrics may be a better comparison. Try the proportions in the room and let everyday use come before decorative details.

How large should the rug under the seating area be?

A living room rug should be large enough to visually gather the sofa and armchairs, rather than sitting like a lone island in front of them. Ideally, at least the front legs of the furniture should rest on the rug. Bidjar 213x143 cm, Kelim 247x170 cm and Ziglar 220x150 cm show different proportions to start from. Try the proportions in the room and let everyday use come before decorative details.

How many light sources does a living room need?

A living room works best with several light sources at different heights, since the same room is used for conversation, reading and evening light. Combine ceiling light with floor and table lamps rather than letting one fitting do everything. Asher Golvlampa, Saxon Bordslampa Large and Nimbus Medium Taklampa each play a different role. Try the proportions in the room and let everyday use come before decorative details.

Which fabric lasts on a sofa that is used every day?

A fabric for an everyday sofa needs to be chosen for durability, texture and how easy the surface is to live with day to day. Always check the product's recommended use. Miners Canvas Tyg, Nobilis Sherpa and Romo Scala have different characters and should be judged both visually and by touch. Try the proportions in the room and let everyday use come before decorative details.

How do you combine patterns in a living room without it becoming cluttered?

Combine patterns by varying the scale and letting one or two colours recur across the surfaces. A large botanical motif can meet a narrow stripe and a calm weave without everything competing. Maple Tree Tyg and Bandala Tyg, for example, can be balanced with calmer furniture and a rug with a different rhythm.

The living room is a combination, not a collection

Because the living room holds so many functions, it is more helpful to think in relationships than in individual products. The size of the sofa determines how large a rug is needed, the rug affects the proportions of the table, and the curtains change both light and acoustics. So start with the large surfaces. Linara Tyg 3, Rogers Stripe Tyg and Bentham Tyg show how different textile expressions can be used as a foundation.

The living room page is a broad entry point, not a curated selection. If you already know you are looking for a particular type of product, it is better to move on to sofas and armchairs, rugs, fabrics or lighting. That makes it easier to compare dimensions and materials without the rest of the room getting in the way of the decision.

Curtains and textiles first

Curtains are a large surface and affect the room even when they are open. A plain fabric can bring calm around the window, while Maple Tree Tyg or Bandala Tyg can make the curtains the main feature. In a living room where the sofa already has plenty of texture, it may be wise to keep the curtains simpler. If you would rather let the window carry the pattern, floral curtain fabrics offer a more specific way forward.

Upholstery fabric needs to be judged by its use. Miners Canvas Tyg, Nobilis Sherpa and Osborne & Little Normandie show different surfaces and tactile qualities. Try the fabric against the rug and the curtains in the same light; a screen is rarely enough to tell whether two neutral tones really work together.

The rug should gather the seating group

The rug's most important job is to gather the furniture. Bidjar 213x143 cm, Kelim 247x170 cm and Ziglar 220x150 cm have different formats and expressions, but the same principle applies: start from the width of the sofa and how the armchairs are placed. A rug that is too small often makes a large seating group feel more fragmented, not lighter.

Light on three levels

The ceiling light need not be the strongest visual point. Nimbus Medium Taklampa can provide the general light, while Asher Golvlampa and Saxon Bordslampa Large bring light closer to the seating. A combination of high, mid-level and low light allows the living room to change between day and evening without moving the furniture.

If the room needs a wall with more character, Zoffany Kensington Grasscloth, Cockatoos Tapet or Designers Guild Laroche Tapet offer different starting points. For other rooms, you can move on to bedroom and dining room, which call for different proportions and material decisions.

When you are logged in, you can visualise wallpaper and fabric from the product page before you decide. You can then bring measurements, photos and samples to the showroom at Sturegatan 20 for a complimentary consultation on curtains, seating, rug and lighting.

Plan around how people actually move

A living room can look balanced in a photo yet work poorly if the route between the door, the sofa and other rooms cuts straight through the seating area. So mark out the walkways before deciding on the final position of the rug and tables. Side tables should be within reach without anyone having to get up, and floor lamps should stand where the cable run makes sense. Practical planning also gives the textile choices a better chance of being seen, rather than constantly being moved out of the way.

When the room is used both for everyday life and for guests, flexibility matters more than symmetry. An armchair that can be angled towards the conversation, a table lamp that creates its own pool of light and curtains that can regulate the daylight offer more ways to use the room than a completely static arrangement. This is also why the living room benefits from linking on to the hallway and the kitchen: the transitions between rooms affect how the large shared space is experienced.

Do not forget the empty space between the furniture either. Air around the coffee table, armchairs and side tables means that even a room with many patterns can feel calm. When the distances work, it becomes easier to let a bolder curtain, rug or wallpaper take centre stage without the rest of the interior having to compete for attention.

Read more: Wallpaper for the Living Room