Jul 19 2010
How to Transform the Look of Your Living Room
Whether your living room is too small, too large, too bland or too congested, you can easily change its look! You may believe that you have a tiny area and therefore it is destined to appear small and congested. Alternatively your living area may be spacious – a bit TOO spacious. Maybe your living room looks cluttered and messy or plain, lacking any interest. No matter what your biggest problem might be, there are some easy solutions. This article offers tips and ideas for making your living room one that you love, and one that your family and guests love as well.
Make a Tiny Room Look Bigger
If you have a living room that is small, there are several things you can do to make it appear larger. First, paint the walls and ceiling a light color. A light color will make the ceiling appear higher, creating a spacious feeling. Consider furnishings that include light shades as well, such as pale blue, beige, tan and other light hues. Shy away from dark colored woods like mahogany, and opt for natural woods or pine finishes.
Wherever possible set furniture against the walls to open up as much floor space as you can. Remove any clutter, and steer clear of knick-knacks and other small accessories that make a room look congested and cluttered. To add color to the walls without taking away any visual space, use no more than one large accent per wall, preferably something brightly colored that will help light up the room. Leave windows bare if you can but if not use light-weight fabrics or sheers.
Cozy up a Large Room
Perhaps you have the opposite problem – your living room is way too big! This often makes a room appear a bit cold, making it feel as though it is lacking in personality. To make this room look more intimate and appealing, use rich, dark colors such as burgundy, navy and green. Browns, gold tones and autumn colors will work as well. While you don’t have to paint every wall a dark color, consider painting two opposing walls a rich shade as a contrast to the other walls. If you have a high beamed or cathedral ceiling, consider painting it a darker tone as well. This will visually bring the ceiling down.
When the room is too spacious, you want to draw it in. This can be accomplished by moving furnishings away from the wall, and creating smaller, more intimate settings. Arrange a sofa and chairs around a coffee table, where sitting arrangements will have you facing those who are visiting. This adds a personal, intimate feel to the room. Keep furnishings and accessories to scale – you want to use large, bulky furniture, large plants, and other décor that is of substantial size. Decorate the walls with large prints as well.
Remember, in any room too many accessories and accents can look junky, no matter how small or large the room might be. For smaller rooms, keep accents bright and sunny. In larger living rooms, use a variety of patterns and prints such as stripes, geometrics and florals that coordinate with the room’s main color. They will add dimension and depth to the room, helping to diminish the cold atmosphere.
Combine these ideas with a few of your own creative thoughts and enjoy rooms that are filled with style and personality!
