How to design a feminine living room, according to experts
The living room is one of the main spaces that helps set the atmosphere of your home - so you want it to reflect your personality
The living room is one of the main spaces that helps set the atmosphere of your home – so you want it to reflect your personality.
If you’re a lady living alone or with other women, a feminine living room may be just what you need to match the energy of your home. Here are some expert-led tips on how to design a feminine living room.
Iliana Olymbios works on the content team at Sofa Club.
Summa Costandi, is the Co-founder at the decorative wall panelling company, Panels by Sofia.
Judi Kutner is a licensed realtor as well as a senior contributor at Virtual Staging.
Amy Wilson is an Interior Designer working with working with 247 Blinds.
Parinaz Nia, Founder at Anvari Design.
1. Soft colours
Colours are key when designing a girly living room. Anvari recommends: “Incorporate blush pinks, soft greys, and creamy neutrals to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
“These colours can be complemented with accents of gold or brass for a luxurious touch.”
Sharing details of how she applied this in a client project, she said: “We introduced rich purple tones, such as deep plum and mauve, which added depth, elegance, and a distinctly feminine flair.
“The purple tones served as a striking yet harmonious focal point, perfectly balancing the neutrals and metallic accents.”
When choosing a sofa, Iliana Olymbios from Sofa Club mentions to: “Opt for sofas in soft, feminine hues such as blush pink, champagne, cream, or light grey.
“Neutral tones with warm undertones can also enhance the look.” She adds: “Pair these with pastel or jewel-toned cushions to add dimension and style.”
2. Let light in
A feminine feel often focuses on a light vibe and one that lets a lot of light into the room rather than blocking it out.
Therefore, the colour of the curtains you use in a living room plays a key role in monitoring light intake.
That’s why Iliana suggests: “Keep the space bright and airy with sheer curtains or light-filtering drapes to enhance the softness of the design.” This will help lift the mood of the room.
Also touching on methods to let in light, Amy Wilson from 247 Blinds says: “Consider diffusing the sunlight with the softer fabrics of sheer blinds or curtains to feed into the delicate details of your feminine-feel living room, whilst also providing privacy.
“Alternatively, opting for cafe-style wooden shutters can provoke the feeling of a quaint Parisian cafe and add a refined feel to your space.”
Anvari Design also mentions that using: “Statement lighting with warm tones, such as chandeliers or sculptural pendants, is essential.
Use dimmable options for flexibility, and layer lighting with table lamps and floor lamps to create mood and focus areas”.
Light helps to complement luxurious tones and invites a warm ambience.
3. Prints
To add dynamic designs to the room, you could consider incorporating prints into your feminine living room design.
Feminine prints like: “subtle floral or botanical prints through cushions or a nearby area rug to add character without overwhelming the space” are design elements Iliana Olymbios also suggests.
4. Soft Shapes
Masculine styles tend to lean more heavily on sharp defined lines and corners.
On the contrary, feminine designs embrace more soft curves.
Take this into consideration when designing your feminine living room. From the throw pillows you use to the wallpaper you choose, consider incorporating curved lines and round edges.
Touching on how shapes can influence a feminine feel, Ilianna Olymbios says: “Sofas with rounded arms, tufted backs, or scalloped details are perfect for creating a softer, more elegant look.”
Speaking further on feminine shapes, Summa Costandi says: “Elegant, vertical lines will help to add depth to your space, without dominating the room.
“It can also create the illusion of more space by drawing the eye upwards and making walls appear taller.”
5. Delicate Details
Delicate designs function as a touch of feminity to any room. To achieve this, Anvari Design mentions: “Use metallic accents, glass objects, or ceramics with intricate patterns.” Sharing the impact of a project she worked on, she says: “gold-edged accessories paired beautifully with the deep purple tones, added an extra layer of elegance. Soft floral arrangements, such as hydrangeas and pink blossoms, provided a lively contrast to the richness of the purple, enhancing the overall vibrancy of the space.”
Touching on other delicate designs Illiana Olymbios also adds that “using mirrors or metallic décor to reflect light and amplify the feminine, glamorous vibe.”
6. Luxurious Fabrics
Furnishings that not only visibly look soft, but are also soft to the touch, adds an extra feminine feel to a living room.
Anvari Designs mentions: “Velvet, silk, and boucle are excellent choices for a feminine touch.”
She says that pairing sumptuous purple velvet fabrics with warm neutral tones, can create a sense of high-end sophistication while retaining comfort.
“Consider soft throws and plush cushions to layer textures and add depth”, she says.
7. Artwork
Incorporating art in your living room is a great way to add personality to the sacred space.
“Artwork can add a deeply personal and refined touch,” says Anvari. She says she has seen the impact of prioritising pieces that resonate emotionally with clients.
“Abstract or floral-themed pieces [can] work wonderfully alongside the purple accents, bringing cohesion and elegance to the space.”
9. Panels
Speaking on more permanent structures to your living room, Summa Costandi adds: “Consider fitting panels to areas such as the fireplace, a cosy alcove or behind shelving units to create a timeless and sophisticated style.
“You can also use half-height panelling to highlight coordinating or contrasting shades of colours.”
10. Functional Female
As well as the living room looking inviting, Judi Kutner says: “The room should work for how it’s actually used.
“Furniture that’s comfortable and versatile can make all the difference. A cosy seating arrangement that encourages conversation or a coffee table that doubles as extra storage keeps things functional without sacrificing style.
“It’s about creating a space that looks great but feels even better to live in.”
11. Disguise less aesthetically appeasing ornaments
Sometimes it can seem hard to make certain things in your living room fit in with the feminine aesthetics you are aiming for.
Amy Wilson thinks: “Televisions are big ugly features in living rooms and look stark and harsh”.
To help with this she suggests to: “consider hiding your TV within a sideboard, media wall or some cleverly positioned artwork to rectify this.”
This can help to make the room look a little more pleasing to the eye.
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