The kitchen may be the heart of the home, but the living room is what gives it its personality.

It is one of the most visible rooms of the home, and with the prevailing popularity of the open concept plan on the main floor, it’s easily the one where your personal style can make the most impact.

“The living room is easily considered the focal point of the home – it’s the place where family members come together to embrace the most cherished moments in life.” says Kristina Plank, Marketing Manager at Excel Homes. “Comfort is always a key factor in the design of the space – it needs to feel harmonious. It also is the place where a lot of your style can shine throughout the home too.”

But in today’s homes, the living room is not just in one part of the home, as it isn’t just necessarily on the main floor. The bonus room on the second floor, or the entertainment space in the basement can also be termed as living rooms and designed as such to take on this function for family fun.

Today’s living rooms

The function of the living room in today’s modern home has certainly evolved with changing lifestyles, says Coventry Homes Director, Marketing & Communications, Tara Van Horn. “While it traditionally served as a formal space for entertaining guests, it has now become a multifunctional area where families gather for relaxation, entertainment, and socializing.”

Plank says Excel designs their homes through the lens of their homeowners, and how to celebrate space. “For example, this year we’re going towards more natural tones with contrasting colours and splashes of accents that help exemplify the space. It’s all about interesting spaces that are both livable but feel very stylish.”

She adds that Excel Homes caters to the homeowners’ lifestyle and offers a wide range of upgrade options to craft the living room to their taste. “Our fireplace options have always been popular, whether it’s adding some extra tile, a mantel or extra panelling. We’ve also had requests for taller windows to add in more natural light or adding in extra pot lights to enhance the overall lighting. Pot lights are great because they provide a cascade of light illuminating the space but can also add a little bit of dramatic effect when place near walls too.”

Coventry’s Van Horn says they have also noticed a shift towards more versatile and cozy living spaces. “Natural elements like wood accents and natural stone are popular, along with comfortable and functional furniture arrangements that promote relaxation. We’ve incorporated these trends by focusing on creating inviting atmospheres that reflect the diverse lifestyles of modern families.”

Flexibility in design

Plank points out that design for the living room largely depends on the available space. “In our front garage homes, the living room can sometimes be more spacious because the home environment is open, so part of the ‘design canvas’ can open up to the kitchen and dining spaces. With duplex and laned homes, sometimes the area is smaller, so it’s all about maximizing the space to create a cozy, comfortable aesthetic.”

“At Coventry, we approach living room design for our showhomes with careful consideration of both style and functionality,” Van Horn says.

“For larger homes, we might focus on creating an elegant and sophisticated ambiance, incorporating luxurious finishes, statement lighting, and upscale furnishings to showcase the home’s upscale lifestyle. In contrast, for a smaller home, we might emphasize practicality and versatility, with space-saving solutions, multipurpose furniture, and a more casual yet stylish aesthetic that appeals to young families or downsizers.”

Regardless of the home’s size or layout, Van Horn says their goal is always to create living spaces that feel welcoming, comfortable, and tailored to the lifestyle of our clients

Showhome style

If you want the wow in your living room, there’s no better place to find design tips than in showhomes.

Coventry’s Kail in Rivers Edge has a “Timeless Nantucket” design, Van Horn points out. “This home blends coastal charm with timeless elegance. Think bead board detailing, light blue cabinetry, a stone fireplace, polished nickel details, grass cloth wallpaper, and natural accents like wicker, stone, and light warm woods. It’s fresh yet warm and features our signature Team Player Lifestyle Package® – an Oilers-themed bedroom that is sure to be a fan favourite.” Go to coventryhomes.ca for more.

“Excel Homes’ Rosewoodshowhome at SE Edmonton’s The Orchards presents a great example of how the living room’s overall flow influences the design,” Plank says.

“Rosewood is one of our popular front garage home models in Edmonton and the home environment easily flows together seamlessly. Homes like this is where we can let our interior decorating be the canvas to accentuate the home,” Plank says.

“The influence of the wood grain in the kitchen, the alabaster-toned walls and the slick black panelling within the main space allow us the ability to add design continuity to the living room. The bumped-out black tiled fireplace brings a sense of balance to the overall look yet adds a dynamic energy to the space. Also, the symmetry of lines and consistent shapes found in the furniture and fixtures help form a unified, cohesive theme throughout.” Find out more at excelhomes.ca.