Apart from the kitchen, the living room is probably the room most frequented in a home. It is where we relax after a long day and where we entertain. Make a statement by transforming your living room into the centrepiece of your home. And because the vintage trend is not everyone’s cup of tea, here are three contemporary design ideas to keep your living room feeling modern yet still liveable.
The holistic look
Trend forecasters have noted that in times of political turmoil or social unrest, people tend towards interior design that reflects a need for simplicity and calm. But simplicity doesn’t have to equate to boring. This design aims to create a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces through incorporating elements found in nature, inside the room. This look sees the use of wood, stone and plant life integrated into the design. Invest in quality pieces, such as hardwood tables and genuine leather couches. An arrangement of indoor plants, such as Ficus trees and succulents, planted in decorative containers, will look great on pedestal tables spread across the room. Drape hand-woven throws in cool hues, such as taupe and rose, loosely over chairs to create a welcoming ambience.
Sophisticated drama
This room begs to be looked at. Throw away the rule book when it comes to choosing a focus wall; instead, dare to be bold with dramatic colour blocking in dark greys and moody blues. Break up the monotony of a dark colour palette by playing around with different textures and textiles. You can achieve this by pairing contrasting elements together. Think an industrial-type steel coffee table with a soft mohair rug, or sleek corduroy couches, with a wingback chair upholstered in plush velvet, nestled in the corner of the room. A useful tip for dark spaces is to place mirrors on opposing walls to reflect light; this will also make the room appear larger. As a final touch, add a stand-alone focus piece, say a lampshade in postbox red, to make the room pop.
Off-the-wall colour
With Greenery being the 2017 Pantone colour of the year, we again see a welcoming shift towards bright, vibrant colours in modern homes. This fresh-faced green is symbolic of life, new beginnings and youth. Dress your living room with a mix-match of geometric prints, tribal patterns and stripes, in splashes of canary yellows, oranges and reds for a zesty, upbeat atmosphere.
Contemporary style must-haves:
Window dressing
Frame your windows in beautiful, high-quality shutters. Shutters are the stylish alternative to pesky blinds and offer numerous other benefits. Made from durable, high-quality material that will not only add value to your home but give it a distinctive upmarket feel, shutters are typically custom-made to suit whatever your needs are.
Artwork
Ditch the family photos on the wall and opt for stylish prints instead. Art is one of the easiest ways to up the style factor in any room. An original painting may cost a small fortune, so you might want to opt for something less costly. Prints can easily be purchased online, with a variety of sizing options to choose from.
The 70/20/10 golden rule
Interior decorators swear by this method to maintain balance in a room. The concept is straightforward. You decide on a palette of three colours. Apply your primary colour in a 70% ratio to the rest of your palette; this is typically used on walls and even floors. Allocate 20% to your secondary colour and use this on your furnishings and fabrics, with the remaining 10 % working as an accent colour for accessories and focus pieces.
Functional spaces
Gone are the days where homes include a formal sitting room, to be used only for afternoon tea on Sundays. With housing prices at record highs, contemporary spaces have become much smaller. Therefore, our living spaces have had to adapt to become more practical – without losing their sense of style. Incorporate functional furniture pieces into your decor; ottomans can double up as extra seating/side tables, or a large coffee table with hidden storage can be perfect for storing board games! Consider purchasing a stylish couch with a pull-out bed – the extra sleeping space is always welcome!
With so many ideas to get excited about, there is no better time to get working on creating a modern space that works for you and reflects who you are.
