It’s the most frequently used room in the house, a room for relaxing in, a room for entertaining, but that doesn’t mean a living room should focus on being inoffensive. Rather, this is a room that’s all about the character of its owners, a room that can really make a statement. Bold decoration in the living room conveys confidence and energy and a real sense of style. There are lots of ways to bring a room like this to life.
Going all the way with a strong theme can give a room real impact. Whether it’s the sleek black, white and chrome of early minimalism, the bold color combinations and clean lines of ‘sixties modernism or something more obscure, such as a South American theme with everything from terracotta to giant cacti, a theme can look amazing if approached with real commitment and an unwillingness to compromise. Don’t forget to think about the ceiling, floor and window arrangements.
Too many rooms are left to languish in boring neutral colors simply due to a lack of imagination. Using bright colors on some or all of the walls really adds personality and can work much more effectively than many people anticipate. Large print wallpaper patterns can also look stunning—everything from floral patterns to elegant swirls to stripes—and plain walls can be enlivened with big mirrors or dramatic pieces of art. Decals are also an option, and stencil sets make it easy to paint right onto the wall in any color that appeals.
With a bit of shopping around, it’s possible to find furniture that really makes its mark. By taking advantage of sofa deals it’s possible to pair matching pieces of seating in strong contrasting colors, or settle on a single piece with a bold print such as multi-colored stripes. Accent chairs can brighten up dull corners. Unusual coffee tables make great centerpieces, especially when placed atop striking rugs. If cupboards and cabinets look too ordinary, they can be repainted in more vivid hues.
Crazy combinations
What really makes a room is not usually any one item but, rather, the relationship between them. It’s important not to be shy about experimenting with unusual color combinations, or about sitting different patterns side by side. With patterns or themes it’s best to restrict oneself to two until one has really got the hang of it, so as not to overload a space, but this can still be impressive. It’s worth thinking about how different elements in the room communicate with each other. Got a zebra print rug? Set it off with a framed photo of a lion.
Too often, rooms are arranged by fitting together a series of rectangle chairs, tables, shelving units and so on. Throwing in a few curves can make a room look very different, and more unusual shapes such as triangular tables can be quite a talking point. Designing a room with real energy can literally require learning to think outside the box.
Thrill with a theme
Going all the way with a strong theme can give a room real impact. Whether it’s the sleek black, white and chrome of early minimalism, the bold color combinations and clean lines of ‘sixties modernism or something more obscure, such as a South American theme with everything from terracotta to giant cacti, a theme can look amazing if approached with real commitment and an unwillingness to compromise. Don’t forget to think about the ceiling, floor and window arrangements.
Wow with the walls
Too many rooms are left to languish in boring neutral colors simply due to a lack of imagination. Using bright colors on some or all of the walls really adds personality and can work much more effectively than many people anticipate. Large print wallpaper patterns can also look stunning—everything from floral patterns to elegant swirls to stripes—and plain walls can be enlivened with big mirrors or dramatic pieces of art. Decals are also an option, and stencil sets make it easy to paint right onto the wall in any color that appeals.
Fabulous furniture
With a bit of shopping around, it’s possible to find furniture that really makes its mark. By taking advantage of sofa deals it’s possible to pair matching pieces of seating in strong contrasting colors, or settle on a single piece with a bold print such as multi-colored stripes. Accent chairs can brighten up dull corners. Unusual coffee tables make great centerpieces, especially when placed atop striking rugs. If cupboards and cabinets look too ordinary, they can be repainted in more vivid hues.
Crazy combinations
What really makes a room is not usually any one item but, rather, the relationship between them. It’s important not to be shy about experimenting with unusual color combinations, or about sitting different patterns side by side. With patterns or themes it’s best to restrict oneself to two until one has really got the hang of it, so as not to overload a space, but this can still be impressive. It’s worth thinking about how different elements in the room communicate with each other. Got a zebra print rug? Set it off with a framed photo of a lion.
Curious shapes
Too often, rooms are arranged by fitting together a series of rectangle chairs, tables, shelving units and so on. Throwing in a few curves can make a room look very different, and more unusual shapes such as triangular tables can be quite a talking point. Designing a room with real energy can literally require learning to think outside the box.
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