Do you feel like your living room isn’t quite working for you? Whether it’s an underused space, a room that feels a bit outdated, or just doesn’t feel right – you’re not alone.

The good news? You can turn an unloved living room into a space that reflects your personality, supports your lifestyle, and feels welcoming to both guests and potential buyers.

As an interior designer, I’m giving you my insider tips for buyers, sellers, and homeowners to help you unlock the potential of your living room. I’m also going to show you how I made these changes in my own home.

Why the Living Room Matters

For Sellers:

The living room is one of the key spaces that helps buyers picture themselves living in a home. A beautifully staged and inviting living room creates that emotional connection – a crucial factor in securing a strong offer. An uncluttered layout, a paint refresh and soft lighting can make all the difference in highlighting your home’s potential.

For Buyers:

When you step into a living room during a viewing, do you find yourself imagining cosy evenings with your family or entertaining friends? If a space doesn’t quite look like yours yet, that’s ok – small changes like new paint, thoughtful furniture selection and maximising natural light can completely transform it into a room that fits your lifestyle.

For Homeowners:

Your living room should be more than just a space to watch TV – it should be the place where your family comes together to relax, connect, and create memories. Through small but impactful updates – like reorganising the layout, adding personal touches, or updating colours – you can make this space a true reflection of your family’s needs and style.

How I Transformed My Living Room

After adding an open-plan kitchen and dining extension, our old living room felt neglected and lacked purpose – a common issue for many families. I wanted to bring it back to life, making it a space where our family could connect and feel at home, while also welcoming guests.

Here’s what I did:

Embraced the (lack of) light: Like most north-facing spaces in Manchester, our living room doesn’t see a lot of natural light, so instead of fighting it, I leaned into the cosiness. Painting the walls Studio Green by Farrow & Ball gave the room a cocooning feel that’s comforting in the evening and energising with morning sunlight (when the green shines through).

Defined zones: By using an L-shaped sofa, I created a natural division between a cosy conversation area around the fireplace and our home office. This helped the room retain its purpose – to be a place for friends and family to gather, chat, listen to music or watch TV.

Personalised with meaningful details: Along with closed cabinetry to hide electrical cables etc. I added open shelves to inject our family’s personality into the space. Shelves are perfect for displaying our family photos, artwork, record collection and books. These personal touches bring warmth and character to the space, and they’re often the first thing guests are drawn to when they walk in.

For more inspiration, check out my blog to see how I transformed our living room into a multi-functional home office and relaxation space.

Expert Tips for Buyers, Sellers, and Homeowners

For Sellers:

Keep your layout open and decluttered to show off the room’s full size.
Use neutral, earthy colours and textures to appeal to a broader audience.
Add soft lighting to create a welcoming atmosphere for potential buyers.

For Buyers:

Envision how the space could work for you – do you need a formal living room, a home office or a space to practice yoga?
Don’t be discouraged by outdated decor; small, quick updates can have a big impact. Don’t underestimate the power of paint – or adding lots of greenery!
Assess the natural light and how you can enhance it with new window coverings.

For Homeowners:

Make the space work for your lifestyle – define zones for different activities, such as relaxation, play, or conversation.
Choose colours that create the perfect mood – like calming greens or warm neutrals.
Add meaningful items that make the space feel like home, such as family photos, book collections and statement artwork.

Let’s Create a Living Room That Works for You

Whether you’re selling your home, buying a new one, or refreshing your current space, I can help you make your living room work for your lifestyle.

With my experience transforming living spaces, I’ve seen first-hand how meaningful design improves how people feel and live in their homes – and significantly increases property value!

From selecting colours that evoke the perfect mood to creating layouts that encourage well-being and connection, I focus on designs that are personal and work for you.

For more ideas and inspiration, visit my website to see my other exciting projects, and check out which interior design services are right for you.

Ready to take the next step toward transforming your space? I would love to hear from you – check out my contact details below!

Spaces by Kelly Interior Design

Phone: 07554 149880

Email: kelly@spacesbykelly.com

Website: www.spacesbykelly.com/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/spacesbykelly