As we have all heard by now, the Coronavirus has led to the government urging people to stay at home. With many people now homebound, taking on a home improvement project is the perfect opportunity for you to keep yourself busy.
Self-isolating isn’t going to be an easy or pleasant experience, but opting to renovate your home during the coronavirus crisis could be more beneficial than you think. Not only will it help you mentally and physically, but it could also have the benefit of adding value to your home if you want to look at selling it in the future.
The living room is many people’s happy place. Somewhere to chill out, snuggle on the sofa and spend time with family and friends. So where better to start than this room!
Check out these simple home makeover and design tips that can transform your living room in just 6 steps.
STEP 01 – DECLUTTER
The first step is to take inventory of your furniture and décor to determine what to keep, what to donate or sell, and what to throw away. Use this time to let go of worn-out items, items that are too big for the room and items that you simply do not like anymore. By doing that, and with only the essential pieces left, you’ll get a better overview of what you can do with your space and can start fresh and build on your design from the ground up.
STEP 02 – REARRANGE THE LAYOUT
Even a simple reconfiguring of your living room layout can make it look and feel completely different. When you are looking at how to do this, just think how/why the new layout will suit you best and if it makes sense to how you use your living room. For example, if you use it mainly for watching tv or spending time with your family then look for opportunities to create seating areas that encourage conversation or situate your furniture around a focal point like your TV. Alternatively, if your living room is a mixture of where you work and where you like to relax, then try arranging your armchairs to create a reading corner or create a small home office that’s a designated space whilst feeling part of the room.
Your living room is one of the most-used rooms in your home so don’t forget to think about traffic flow. Make sure furniture is situated in such a way that it’s not difficult to manoeuvre around everything. If your furniture is just too big for the room, consider investing in furniture that’s designed with clever, space-saving features in mind. All our living room furniture and storage is exactly that, and comes in a range of styles to complement your space perfectly!
TOP TIP: Sometimes you’ll not get the arrangement right on the first go and you’ll need to move things around a few times. But when you get it done and feel good about the layout, make sure you sit and enjoy it for a little while to ensure it’s just right before you carry on renovating.
STEP 03– PAINT PAINT PAINT
Painting is an obvious one, but you should never under-estimate the transformative powers of paint! Whether it’s the whole room or just a feature wall you’re looking at, there is a reason why painting is a popular choice – it’s cheap, quick and easy and you can’t really go wrong!
The hardest part is choosing what colour to go with as this will ultimately determine the mood and energy of your space. If you want to create a calming, soothing room, consider shades of light blue or green. For a livelier space, think about warm tones like reds and oranges. Fail-safe neutral shades like beige, grey or white will always give you more versatility when deciding what secondary colours to bring in.
Painting doesn’t just apply to the walls! For a quick living room update you can always be brave and paint your furniture or floor! If you have pieces that are looking a bit neglected then bring them back to life by giving them a lick of paint – if you are unsure where to start, go online for handy guides on painting furniture and the picks of the best furniture paint too. When it comes to the floorboards, painting them is an easy weekend project that won’t cost you too much and can completely change the look of your space.
STEP 04 – LAYER WITH ACCESSORIES
It’s those soft furnishings which really make a home cosy, add texture and are the ultimate finishing touches in your space. From curtains, to lights, throws and fittings, there are endless accessories you can incorporate into your space to give it an instant refresh.
- Add Greenery with House Plants
House plants are a great way to quickly add colour and shape to a living room. Place a couple of larger plants around the edges of your room and add smaller plants like cacti to shelves and mantelpieces. They’ll also have added health benefits too by increasing the air quality in your room.
- Switch up the Cushions
Cushions are the most versatile of soft furnishings, and perfect as quick and cheap living room decor ideas. Available in so many different sizes, shapes, colours and textures, they could be all your living room needs to feel refreshed.
- Invest in a New Rug
At a fraction of the price of a new sofa, a new living room rug can have just as much of a bold impact. For a very on trend look, layer up a couple of rugs. Layering rugs, whether on carpet or hardwood floors, is a clever and simple way to give a room texture whilst utilizing another trend: pattern-mixing. The key is to pick patterns and colours that are complementary but still different enough. If you really are on a budget, instead of buying new, shop the other rooms in your house. Perhaps you could swap your bedroom rug with your current living room one to give both rooms a bit of a revamp?
- Efficient Lighting
Lighting is an often-overlooked part of redecorating a space, but it’s essential when setting the mood of your living room. Table and floor lamps are a great way to show off your design style while illuminating your décor and adding functional light to your room, so don’t be afraid to go bold with your lamp choices. Lamps are also a great way of introducing pops of colour into your living room design.
- Change the Fittings
People tend to see the fixtures of a room as a permanent feature, but it is really easy to change the fireplace or the radiators and they can completely change the feel of the room. Consider a trendy modern radiator or changing your light switches from bland white to smart grey or black ones.
- Create a Gallery Wall
You can easily update your living room with a gallery wall. This is a great way to quickly and cheaply refresh a living room, fill a blank space and inject the room with a bit of personality. Collect your favourite pictures and items such as record covers and prints and arrange them aesthetically on your wall. Also, wall murals are great if you are decorating a rented home since they aren’t as permanent as wallpaper or paint.
STEP 06 – HANDY STORAGE
Half the reason people fall out of love with their rooms is due to clutter and whilst you may not have considered practical storage as the most exciting part of your renovation, it certainly is a key aspect of your room and by picking beautiful (and useful!) pieces, you can use your storage to add personality and really transform your space. Whether it’s a TV & media unit, a stylish coffee table or a modern sideboard and shelving to display your ornaments neatly, we have something to suit all tastes and budgets. From a traditional look or modern designer high gloss furniture with lighting to illuminate your room perfectly, we really do cater for everyone!
STEP 07 – KEY STATEMENT PIECES
Statement pieces are ones that can fill an entire room with life. These pieces will steal the show from all other things in your room. This could be bold rugs, a chandelier, feature wall or striking artwork. Whatever you choose, a key statement piece will command attention and become the focal point within your new room. One eye-catching item per room is all you need to take your room from drab to fab.
Furniture needs to be practical, but that doesn’t mean it can’t also be exciting! A piece with an interesting shape or unique feature can steal the spotlight in any room. Our new Oslo collection fits this brief perfectly. You never have to trade in practicality for wow factor with this range, as a good piece can achieve both!
TOP TIP – Pin Down Your Style for a Cohesive Home Design
Your living room style will often set expectations for the rest of your home. It should complement and flow with the rest of your home so it is vital that you pin down the design style you want to achieve. If you love the look of simplicity, modern fresh and functional design with the added bonus of affordability then you’ll love Nordic style. Or if you prefer distressed furniture, vintage decor, and floral patterns, shabby chic style is your cup of tea. For the modern minimalist who loves clean lines, practical solutions, and streamlined design, you’ll revel in the simplicity of modern style. For inspiration head to Pinterest, Instagram, home decor blogs, and magazines to find a style that inspires you!
For even more inspiration, you can of course browse through our gorgeous new living room collections available now on our website! Whether you’re nuts about Nordic or a Master of Modern, we have something for just about everyone for purse pleasing prices! www.furnishedwithstyle.co.uk/
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