If you’ve fallen in love with the idea of having some colorful marine life in your home, your living room is the perfect place to showcase an aquarium. It can be a centerpiece that attracts guests and children while giving you a relaxing view of the underwater world.
Sure, you could put an aquarium on top of a table against one of your walls, but there are many more creative and eye-catching ways to incorporate an aquarium in your living space. Here are five awesome ideas to inspire you.
1. In the Wall
Instead of putting an aquarium against a wall, why not put it in your wall? Walls aren’t just for art decor and photo frames. You can also have an aquarium built into it to create a more seamless and impressive feel.
Even better, you could install ambient lighting to call more attention to your fish tank and create a focal point in the room while adding dimension.
You can also pick out fish tank accessories and marine life that match your living room’s interiors and aesthetics. Colorful fish and fish with interesting patterns like Jaguar Cichlids are great ways to enhance the look and feel you’re going for.
2. Inside the Furniture
Worried you may not have enough space for an aquarium? Putting your aquarium inside furniture is a minimalist and space-saving way to enjoy marine life in your living space.
You can put it inside a ready-made space like an open shelf or perhaps have one built-in beneath a side table. If you place your aquarium on top of a cabinet, you can use the cupboards underneath it to hold your tools for cleaning and feeding your fish and keep them within easy reach.
Aquariums come in all shapes and sizes so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to incorporate one inside your furniture.
3. Under the Stairs
We often take certain spaces in our homes for granted without seeing the possibilities. The space under our stairs is one example. Why not turn the space under your stairs into an attractive and striking aquarium?
There are many ways to go about this depending on what kind of staircase you have and how it’s built. This is indeed an interesting home project for those who are unafraid to experiment on different placements, aquarium shapes, and sizes.
Instead of passing by your staircase without a second thought, people will stop and marvel at your creative touch.
4. Coffee Table Aquarium
Your coffee table is another area that can be turned into an interesting conversation starter. Imagine having coffee and entertaining guests with a coffee table on top and a beautiful aquarium underneath.
Could anything be more creative? You’ll have turned an ordinary coffee table into something exceptional. This is also a great way to make use of otherwise unutilized space without adding clutter to your living room.
5. Round Aquarium in the Middle of the Room
A bold and very noticeable way to add an aquarium to your living room is by installing a round aquarium right in the middle of it. For those who love big aquariums, this is the perfect addition to their living space.
Since it’s a lot more visible, you’ll need to make sure your aquarium is always in top shape. All the elements inside of it should always be clean and in their right places with thriving fish and plants. (Be sure to see our tips for maintaining and cleaning your aquarium below.)
If you have an open concept layout, a wide rectangular aquarium can also act as a creative and refreshing divider.
Other Interesting Places to Put an Aquarium in Your Home
Of course, this list is by no means exhaustive. You can also place your aquarium in the:
- ⬥ Game room to induce calmness and focus
- ⬥ Kitchen to create contrast and an interesting focal point
- ⬥ Study. You can read a book, work on your finances, etc. in a serene atmosphere
- ⬥ Entrance hall to add a splash of color while welcoming guests.
Tips on Maintaining Your Aquarium and Keeping it Clean
The living room is one of the most visited rooms of the house. This means you’ll have to pay special attention to maintaining your aquarium and keeping it clean.
Here are some tips that can help:
- ⬥ Do a quick visual check to ensure the filter is working properly. You should also keep an eye on the lighting, temperature, and decorations placed inside the aquarium.
- ⬥ Make sure your fish are fed and do a routine check to ensure they’re all healthy.
- ⬥ Replace at least 25% of the water in your aquarium every month to keep the nitrate concentrations at a safe level for fish and other aquatic life.
- ⬥ Use a gravel vacuum to clear out the debris. Pay special attention to the nooks and crannies, and the fish tank floor.
- ⬥ Keep an eye out for algae buildup as it can decrease the oxygen levels in the water.
- ⬥ Periodically replace light bulbs, fertilize and trim plants, and clear the fuel intake.
Final Thoughts
We hope you agree that these aquarium ideas for your living room are certainly out of the box! As you can see, there are many ways to enjoy an aquarium regardless of your living room’s shape and size.
Got any more awesome ideas for an aquarium in your living room? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you.
For more tips on what you can do with your walls, check these posts out.
9 Ways to Change The Look of Old Wood Panel Walls
