Focus on lighting
Lighting is essential for creating an ambience of a room. You may decide to try and add more light to your room by adding wall lights and lamps, or you may prefer to use warmer darker lighting such as the use of electric fires to create a cosy effect. Either way both effects of lighting will make a huge difference to the dynamic and warmth of a room. Furthermore, if you are seeking a modern theme within your living space, consider replacing your existing ceiling lights with spot lights will create a modern look to your room, as most new build houses are being fitted with spotlights. Your living room gives the first impression of your house; so make sure you get it right. Below we have shared some excellent living room design ideas to add the right character to your space.
Spruce up your seating
The choice of seating within your living space is extremely important, because when we are at home we need to feel comfortable in order to relax. Investing in a good, sturdy, comfortable sofa is a good idea, because we keep our sofas for a long time and they need to be able to resist wear and tear. Some may buy sofas because of comfort and some people may buy sofas because of their look and the materials which are used. A personal favourite of mine, are Chesterfield styled sofas and the Chesterfield sofa company offers a wide range of timeless stylish sofas.
Consider purchasing fabrics from charity shops
The choice of fabrics which are used in your living space makes all the difference. Some people may love bold eye-catching cushions and others may prefer subtle neutral coloured throws. However, the continuous purchase of cotton materials does impose a negative impact upon the environment, as the fertilisers used to grow cotton run off into freshwater habitats, which later cause oxygen-free dead zones in water bodies. An ethical and socially conscious way of purchasing fabrics would be to purchase fabrics from charity shops. This way you are reusing material which helps the environment and you are also supporting social causes which reap benefits for those who are in need. Vintage looking prints are also great for the ‘Shabby Chic’ effect!
Decorate your walls with pastel colours
There is a new trend of making shapes and designs on your walls by using masking tape and paint. The results are amazing, and it is often low cost and requires little art skill. However, it is important to evaluate which colours you are using and whether there is a clash or contrast between the colours. The use of pastel colours is often a safe bet, because pastel colours complement each other, and pastel coloured walls is often aesthetically pleasing because it can help to make room sizes look bigger, opposed to using darker colours which can make walls look like they are closer together.
Try DIY artwork
If you have some spare time on your hands and you are not looking to spend excess money on professional artwork, you can purchase canvas for as little as £6 and paint is easily available to purchase. If you have children, it is also a great way of getting them involved and helping them to develop new art skills and to also create something that is of value.
Add photographs to your living space
Adding photographs to your living space will not only give your room a personal touch, but it will also help those around you to remember good memories. The use of polaroid photographs will add a vintage yet edgy effect to your living space and polaroid photographs are instant, so it will be a quick and easy task to print polaroid photos if you have a polaroid camera. If you do not have a polaroid camera, polaroid photos can still be printed online and delivered to your home for a fraction of the price of purchasing a polaroid camera.
Use candles and wax heaters
Smells are not a part of decoration, although they are a part of creating a room’s atmosphere. However, candles and wax heaters are often presented in smartly decorated vases, stands and beautifully decorated lamp shades to place on top. They make great gifts and they are lovely centrepieces for to place on top of a fireplace.
A good quality rug can help solve problems
If you have a stain on your carpet and you do not want to use the time or money to remove your carpet and replace it with a new carpet. A rug can disguise the stain and add warmth to a room, whilst looking trendy and expensive.
