The living room is arguably the most important space in the home. Its central location and versatile use put it on the front line of our lives. From dinner parties to children’s sleepovers, our living rooms effortlessly adapt. However, their spacial ‘split personality’ means that keeping them looking fresh and stylish is both instrumental, and damn near impossible.
But, have no fear, I am here with a fool proof guide to easily sprucing up your living room –
1 | Declutter
A clean slate is the best place to start when redecorating. decluttering does require some effort, but it is worth it. Decluttering is the single most effective way to make your living room look better, and feel better. Once you’ve cleaned up the space, you’ll have a much better idea of what should stay, what should go, and what should be added (that’s the fun bit!). If just the simple idea of decluttering is giving you anxiety, take a look at my tried and tested, anxiety-free decluttering technique.
2 | If Walls Could Talk (they would ask for a coat of paint)
( OK maybe not to this extreme, this is a mural I did for a furniture showroom )
But, we’re all about instant satisfaction. If you’re looking for big change, with a small budget: get real with your walls. Consider creating a statement wall with colourful wallpaper, or paint. This will draw the eye towards it, and give the space a completely new vibe.
3 | Furniture Face Lift
Don’t worry – this is not the part where we tell you to bin all of your furniture. We’ll just…accentuate it a bit. Start with your sofa. Spruce it up with a cool lounge blanket, decorative pillows, or even new cushion covers (if the old ones simply won’t do). If you have a good bit of empty space in your living room, bookshelves have amazing spruce-up potential.
If you find an old shelf or cabinet at a flea market, but the colour scheme doesn’t match the look of your space, sand it down to give it an antique, retro feel. Alternatively, paint the shelves you already have (perhaps in the same colour as your statement wall).
4 | Lights Galore
One of the most underrated elements of interior design is the lighting. If your space isn’t well lit, it will never shine . Therefore, the lighting for your living room is of paramount importance. If your house was blessed with big, beautiful, south-facing windows, congratulations. If this isn’t the case, corner lamps are an easy way to add a stylish hue to your space. You could also use offset hanging lights over your sofa, or coffee table, providing the area with soft overhead lighting. If you are willing to go the extra mile, ceiling spotlights in different key points of the room have an almost magical quality to them, draping elements with light – very chic.
5 | Accessorise
Now that all the fundamentals are taken care of, let’s get to the fun bit! Paintings or large prints are always a fantastic choice for the living room. If you are interested in art, a big painting that you love is a great investment. Do it justice by placing it on a central wall.
Large corner plants, small hanging gardens, and little windowsill succulents are also extremely effective. They bring a sense of zen into your home, while looking (and smelling) great.
So there is my guide to sprucing up your living room is complete. If you’re loving what you’re reading, but have no idea where to begin, I am here to help to transform your living room into a space worthy of the name.
In the meantime, check me out on Instagram @Julesinspiration for your daily dose of cultural inspiration!
JULIAS INSPIRATION 