The living room—It’s the first room guests get to see, it’s your sanctuary; a place you get to relax, hang out, and decompress. It’s also where you watch movies, gather for family meetings, and do a lot more.

Arguably, it may be said to be the most important room in a home—that’s why you’ve got to get it right. So how can you make your living room inviting not just to you, but to your guests? Here’s how:

5 Secrets to a Living Room That Draws You In

1). Get The Sofa Right

It all starts and ends with the sofa—it is the star of the show. Once you get it right, any other wrong decor choice is overshadowed, but once you get this one wrong, even the good things seem a bit off. That said, look for a sofa that creates a positive first impression. It should be comfortable, clean, and well-textured, with the right color and style. It sets the tone for the entire room!

2). Go Neutral, Then Spice Things up With Some Contrast

How come beige, grays, and off-whites are all the rage today?—They never go wrong! Opt for a neutral color palette because it makes your living room appear more spacious and crisp. It makes everything easy on the eye because items do not compete with each other. Besides that, it also creates a calm and tranquil atmosphere.

But it doesn’t stop there. You need to take things to the next level with some well-thought contrast. Spice things up with a touch of light and dark, break the white walls with a caramel sofa or a plant, or throw in some bright yellow throw pillows to contrast that grey couch.

3). Balance and Proportion

When it comes to art and design, balance is everything. That said, you need to mix textured fabric with clean lines, patterns with simple forms, vibrant colors with muted ones, and rectilinear forms with organic shapes. You should also mix furniture and decor dimensions. For example, a large sectional and 2 accent chairs would look more balanced than 2 sectionals or 4 accent chairs used alone.

4). Natural and Artificial Light

Before choosing furniture, rugs, decor pieces, and wall art, just how well-lit is your living room? Natural light is one of the most crucial factors to consider because it makes your room feel airy and fresh, and it brings out the colors best.

As for artificial lighting, place lamps, chandeliers, and other lighting fixtures strategically to exude the right welcoming ambiance to your room at night, consult with your local lighting shops to get the best advice and prices for your area.

5). Scent

This one is perhaps one of the biggest factors that most people ignore. It is extremely crucial because, for a room to draw a person in, it has to engage most of their senses in a positive way; smell, touch, sight, hearing, and sometimes even taste. That said, set the mood with some soothing scents like air freshener, fresh flowers, or scented candles and you’ll have everyone yearning to be in your space!

Final Thoughts: What Feels Like Home to You?

Is it bright colors, abstract art, plants, good food, your dog, or pictures of your loved ones? At the end of the day, what is inviting to you is what you should adorn your living room with—it will make you feel at home because it resonates with your soul.

Surround yourself with what you love and with some easy decorating skills, you’ll have a living room you love!