3 Tips for Streamlining Your Living Room

by Pierre C. Rumpf 04/07/2025

The living room is a central component of any home, but it can quickly become too busy Streamlining it can not only make it more attractive; it can make it more functional too. Try these three tips to both define the space and highlight its best features. 

Curb the collections 

Whether you collect books, vases, candles, etc., artful arrangements may mean pulling some of the bulkier items out. As you cut back on the clutter, it will be easier to reinvent the design. 

Also, be careful how you use your shelves. Adding a few may seem like a great way to use your vertical space, but they can also become places to stash what doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the room.

Add more storage

One cashmere blanket draped over the couch can be a beautiful addition to the room. However, ten accent pillows scattered everywhere may make the room seem disorganized.

Consider replacing a coffee table with a hope chest or adding a storage ottoman to keep your accessories organized and out of sight. Functional organizers and furniture are also great places to keep anything from board games to pet toys.

Integrate lighter colors 

Lighter colors have a way of making the space seem more alive, which can instantly make the room more inviting. If the room has plenty of natural light, add mirrors to help reflect its best features. This addition can be as simple as putting a slip cover over a couch or chair. 

Additional tips for your living space

Streamlining a living room brings new energy to it and gives everyone more breathing room — even if you're not carting out furniture. As you pare down the living room while adding practical items, you can also consider separating the space. For instance, the coffee table and couch might sit on one rug, while a chair and lamp for reading might it on another. 

Simple changes like this can instantly convey to residents and guests alike what the space is meant for. It also designates how people can move throughout the room. For example, "empty space" is there to make the living room feel more open and allow everyone freedom to move around. 

About the Author
Author

Pierre C. Rumpf

Broker Profile: Pierre comes from a diverse background. His adolescent and early adult years found him working for his father, a renowned structural engineer, and his brother, an architectural designer and general contractor. His knowledge of construction design (architectural & structural) and practices is significant. He coupled his construction background with his considerable sales experience, by becoming licensed to sell real estate in Massachusetts in 1986.

Pierre is also a licensed Attorney in the Commonwealth, who formerly worked for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office as a litigator in the Victim & Witness Assistance Division of the Family & Community Crimes Bureau, litigating cases involving victims of violent crime, and since then has had his own legal practice.

For decades, Pierre has excelled in helping buyers of real estate find that condo, single-family, multi-family, lot of lands, or commercial property they desire to buy, or by effectively marketing his clients’ properties to sell their property for the most amount of money possible. His professional background embodies the ideal combination of construction, sales, negotiating, and contract drafting, which is essential to actualizing his clients’ goals and/or dreams. He does all of this with attention to detail, integrity, and success.

Since 1995, PCR Realty has helped buyers and sellers make their transactions as successful as possible. Using a consultative approach, PCR Realty approaches each experience as a unique opportunity for its clients. As a full-service real estate brokerage firm, PCR Realty provides leading-edge services for buyers & sellers.

When it comes to successfully navigating today’s complex real estate market, you need to work with someone who has the experience and commitment to see it done right. PCR Realty excels at matching buyers to sellers. From state-of-the-art marketing to an experienced broker, PCR Realty works diligently to far exceed your expectations. PCR Realty invites you to learn more.