Expert Eye: 7 Ways to Create a Focal Point in the Living Room
Learn the tricks of creating and positioning a focal feature in any living room or lounge area
The focal point or feature of a room is the area that the eye is naturally drawn to upon entering a space. This can be an existing architectural element of the home such as a window or fireplace, or a decorative addition such as a coffee table or piece of art. The focal point draws you into the space, makes it feel welcoming and invites you to enter further.
The focal point of a room should be something that is instantly visible upon entering the space, but as you will see here, it doesn’t always have to be the centrepiece of the room. Check out these beautiful living rooms, which all contain a focal point that the eye is naturally drawn towards.
The focal point of a room should be something that is instantly visible upon entering the space, but as you will see here, it doesn’t always have to be the centrepiece of the room. Check out these beautiful living rooms, which all contain a focal point that the eye is naturally drawn towards.
2. A feature wall
Some will say that feature walls have had their day, however, in my opinion they definitely still have their place, especially when they look as striking as this stone-clad one. The eye is instantly drawn to this wall upon entering this snug living room, inviting guests into the space.
Some will say that feature walls have had their day, however, in my opinion they definitely still have their place, especially when they look as striking as this stone-clad one. The eye is instantly drawn to this wall upon entering this snug living room, inviting guests into the space.
- Keep feature walls to just one wall. Too many features result in the eye jumping from spot to spot without resting on any particular item or area. This can make for a busy feeling and less inviting space.
- A feature wall can be a wall that is clad with a different material, such as stone or timber.
- It can be covered with an eye-catching wallpaper or it can be painted, as is the most common choice, in a colour that is in contrast to the rest of the space.
3. A fireplace
We don’t get much call for fireplaces across a lot of Australia – in the tropical Queensland climate, for example. More’s the pity because nothing is more inviting in a cosy living area than a warm open fire.
Regardless of whether the fire is lit or not, it can be an attractive focal piece in a living room when surrounded by an interesting fireplace. In this living room, the colour of the fireplace contrasts with the wall behind it, making it instantly stand out. Its central position in the room, along with the furniture’s arrangement around it, naturally draws the eye straight down the room to the white fireplace surround.
Tip: The addition of a mirror above the fireplace, along with a centrally positioned plant and symmetrically positioned candlesticks and wall sconces, further help to draw attention to the focal point of this room.
Browse more living rooms with fireplaces
We don’t get much call for fireplaces across a lot of Australia – in the tropical Queensland climate, for example. More’s the pity because nothing is more inviting in a cosy living area than a warm open fire.
Regardless of whether the fire is lit or not, it can be an attractive focal piece in a living room when surrounded by an interesting fireplace. In this living room, the colour of the fireplace contrasts with the wall behind it, making it instantly stand out. Its central position in the room, along with the furniture’s arrangement around it, naturally draws the eye straight down the room to the white fireplace surround.
Tip: The addition of a mirror above the fireplace, along with a centrally positioned plant and symmetrically positioned candlesticks and wall sconces, further help to draw attention to the focal point of this room.
Browse more living rooms with fireplaces
4. A piece of furniture
Choosing a single piece of standout furniture for your living room is a guaranteed way to create a focal point that will add interest to the space.
It doesn’t have to be the largest piece of furniture in the room such as a sofa or a large entertainment unit. The first item that the eye is naturally drawn towards in this living room is the emerald green round ottoman. The colour and size of the ottoman both demand attention. The emerald-green colour stands out against the more neutral-coloured flooring, furniture and surrounding walls.
Tip: Scatter cushions on the sofa and armchair tie the colour of the ottoman in with the rest of the space, ensuring this focal piece doesn’t look out of place.
Choosing a single piece of standout furniture for your living room is a guaranteed way to create a focal point that will add interest to the space.
It doesn’t have to be the largest piece of furniture in the room such as a sofa or a large entertainment unit. The first item that the eye is naturally drawn towards in this living room is the emerald green round ottoman. The colour and size of the ottoman both demand attention. The emerald-green colour stands out against the more neutral-coloured flooring, furniture and surrounding walls.
Tip: Scatter cushions on the sofa and armchair tie the colour of the ottoman in with the rest of the space, ensuring this focal piece doesn’t look out of place.
The same principle can be applied to the rug used in a living space. This dramatic rug is the focal point of this otherwise relatively neutral and calm space. The colours of the surrounding flooring and cabinetry all complement the rug, while still letting it be the star of the show.
5. Emphasise the height
A living area that is lucky enough to boast high ceilings should really show them off. Here, the round pendant instantly draws the eye up, emphasising the height and spaciousness of this room.
The pendant is hung low so that it is in the perfect position to catch the eye; too high and it would fail to draw attention. The colour of the pendant also matches the window frames, ensuring that it fits into the scheme. But it isn’t too dramatic and so allows the height and openness of the space to be the main focal point. When the pendant is lit at night, the light will further draw the eye to the space above.
A living area that is lucky enough to boast high ceilings should really show them off. Here, the round pendant instantly draws the eye up, emphasising the height and spaciousness of this room.
The pendant is hung low so that it is in the perfect position to catch the eye; too high and it would fail to draw attention. The colour of the pendant also matches the window frames, ensuring that it fits into the scheme. But it isn’t too dramatic and so allows the height and openness of the space to be the main focal point. When the pendant is lit at night, the light will further draw the eye to the space above.
6. The view
This focal point comes completely free and, if you are fortunate enough to have a large window that looks out onto an attractive view, then this should be the natural focal point of your living room.
This focal point comes completely free and, if you are fortunate enough to have a large window that looks out onto an attractive view, then this should be the natural focal point of your living room.
- Orientate the furniture in the space to take full advantage of not only the view, but also the natural light.
- If window dressings are necessary for privacy reasons, try to keep them minimal so they don’t detract from the window or the view.
- Keep the furnishings and decor of the rest of the room subtle so that nothing fights the view for attention.
- Alternatively, bring the outdoors in, as in this living room, and continue the natural colour scheme from outside through the interior space.
Large windows can still be the focal point of a living area even if they don’t frame an attractive view. Dress the windows attractively with heavy curtains, or sheer veils that blow in the wind. This will help to disguise an unattractive view while also making the large windows a focal point in the room.
7. Bookshelves
The living area is a perfect place to store books and display decorative items or sentimental collections. Here, the first thing that the eye falls on upon entering the room is the carefully curated collection of books and display items on the bookshelves. Opting for open shelves as opposed to closed-in cupboards makes the space feel open. Hiding these beautiful books behind closed doors would make the wall of cabinetry feel heavy and opposing in the space.
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The living area is a perfect place to store books and display decorative items or sentimental collections. Here, the first thing that the eye falls on upon entering the room is the carefully curated collection of books and display items on the bookshelves. Opting for open shelves as opposed to closed-in cupboards makes the space feel open. Hiding these beautiful books behind closed doors would make the wall of cabinetry feel heavy and opposing in the space.
- When arranging items on open shelving, try not to overcrowd the shelves. Less is definitely more in this case. Leaving some breathing space between objects is much more visually pleasing to the eye.
- Follow the two-thirds books to one-third decor rule for a foolproof method of styling open shelves.
- Consider chunky floating shelves if you don’t have space – or the need – for a large bookcase. Style the shelves with treasured collections, artwork and books.
Your turn
If you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation!
More
Browse more living rooms with bookshelves
An artwork is the perfect way to introduce colour and personality into a space. Use a striking piece of art to create a focal point in a living room or living area.
- Choose a piece that stands out from its surroundings, but ensure that it ties in with the decor of the room.
- Select one large piece of art, or group a collection of similar pieces together to create a gallery on one wall.
- Pick an accent colour from the room’s existing colour scheme to help choose the perfect piece of art. This will anchor the artwork in the space, and ensure it ties in with the decor.
- When starting from scratch you can choose to select a focal piece of art first, and then base the rest of the room’s colour scheme around that.
Tip: The empty space on a wall above a sofa is the perfect place for a focal artwork.10 ways to make art the hero of your room