The clue is in the name – your living room is the place where family life is lived and is probably the most used room in the house. It also has to cover a whole range of purposes, depending on whether you are entertaining friends, keeping the kids occupied on a rainy day or simply settling down in the evening to watch some TV with a glass of wine.
As such, it doesn’t take long for the living room to start looking a little tired and jaded. Here are my top five ideas to give yours a new lease of life, without having to spend a fortune.
1) Upgrade the soft furnishings.
Cushions, blankets, and sofa throws make the room, and are the easiest things in the world to change around. You can pick up a variety and rotate them with the seasons, to keep the décor looking fresh, vibrant and relevant.
Cushions add comfort to your armchair or sofa, and the best thing about them is that you only need to change the covers to create an entirely different look.
As for the throws – well, let’s just say that if your sofa has lived a little and is showing a few battle scars, a well-positioned throw can conceal a multitude of sins.
2) Let the outside in
A bit of plant life makes the room look and feel fresher – and apparently, it is good for our health, too. Even if you are the sort of person who has the opposite to green fingers, and can instantly kill any plant, just by being in its presence, you could consider some fresh cut flowers. Cut the stalks diagonally, and add some flower food to the vase of water. Surely, even you can manage that!
3) Breathe new life into old
Most of us have a few old bits of furniture knocking around, either in semi-hidden use, or tucked away in a garage or cellar. Take another look at it – you would be amazed at what can be done with a coat of paint and some imagination. You could try getting artistic, and make some lines or two tone patterns with the help of some masking tape. And even if you are no dab hand with a paint brush, remember, shabby chic is all the rage, so you can’t go far wrong.
4) Look up
How does the ceiling look? Probably off-white with a few cobwebs. Imagine that in a pastel shade of green or blue. It will look fantastic and doesn’t take too long, as there is no major upheaval involved.
5) Reorganize
Just moving things around can make the room look like new. In summer, a minimalist, airy feel works better, while as autumn approaches, you can gather the sofa and armchair closer together for those cozy evenings in.