Reclaim your Weekend - The Living Room Edit

How to create a living space that reflects your personality, provides comfort and exudes style.

The living room tends to be a hard working multi-functional space. Somewhere to chill, watch tv, impromptu office, social gatherings and more. Follow our guide on how to create a space that feels inspirational, creative and laid back.

Walls, Fireplace, Window Frames all painted in Crosby.

Painting out the walls, ceiling, window frames, skirting boards, door frames and even fireplaces in one colour is a real game-changer. Choose a hue that you love, dark and dramatic or muted and earthy. A disciplined colour palette will act as brilliant backdrop to your room and allow your furniture, rugs and accessories to sing and not fight for attention, not only that but it will instantly make your space feel cooler and grander. When deciding on your colour, just remember to test using the biggest sample that you can and see how it performs at different times of the day with the different lights. 

Colour. Restrict the Palette.

Painting out the walls, ceiling, window frames, skirting boards, door frames and even fireplaces and in one colour is a real game-changer. Choose a hue that you love, dark and dramatic or muted and earthy. A disciplined colour palette will act as brilliant backdrop to your room and allow your furniture, rugs and accessories to sing and not fight for attention, not only that but it will instantly make your space feel cooler and grander. When deciding on your colour, just remember to test using the biggest sample that you can and see how it performs at different times of the day with the different lights.

Walls, Fireplace, Window Frames all painted in Crosby.

Top Paint Colours To Try...

Kelp - Soft and earthy brown based hue. Stunning with neutral accessories as well as black accents, it makes for the most beautiful sophisticated backdrop ever!

Terrain - This deep, nurturing and welcoming hue makes spaces feel super soft and relaxed and it works with all of our other colours so beautifully.

Madison Grey - It's grey but has undertones of green which change with the light. It's a colour that connects you with the subtle currents of nature. One of our bestselling colours.

Noir - a deeply intense muddy hue with nuances and undertones of purplish plum. Beautifully moody, its warmth and softness make it a super soothing option for living rooms.

Focal Points.

Add more than one focal point so the eye is excited and engaged wherever it looks. A statement lamp, oversized art, a supersized vase filled with botanicals or maybe a curvy cosy chair will all add a tantalising vibe and varying heights will create visual intrigue. Just remember to also ground your space with quieter, more restrained details, as too many starlets in one room will create too much drama! Stimulation is great but we also need breathing space to take stock and regain balance.

Dillon Art Print - Abstract, Monochrome and Supersized.

Laflin Lamp - Super Tall and Textural.

Nola Armchair - Super Soft and Curvy.

The Big NO NO!

It's a common mistake, but do not arrange your furniture against the walls and around the edges of the room, you’ll need a flow around the room and around the seating group, but not so large the space feels empty and miserable.

Top Tip: You shouldn’t be able to walk in a straight line from one end of the room to the other and arranging your furniture in this way actually makes your space feel cosy but looks bigger as you are not accentuating your boundaries.

Big NO NO

It's a common mistake, but do not arrange your furniture against the walls and around the edges of the room, you’ll need a flow around the room and around the seating group, but not so large the space feels empty and miserable.

Top Tip: You shouldn’t be able to walk in a straight line from one end of the room to the other and arranging your furniture in this way actually makes your space feel cosy but looks bigger as you are not accentuating your boundaries. 

Layering & Friction.

Visual interest comes through layering different materials and textures. Whether your room embraces maximalism or minimalism, it needs to be visually grounding. Unify the room through, rugs, plants, colour, materials and lighting. Within this harmony, you can introduce elements of friction, blending silks with wools, leathers with grainy woods, these elements contrast yet complement. You can also create friction by mixing styles, pairing the old with the new, luxe with vintage, the grit with the glam. Nail layering and friction and watch the magic happen!

Why Not Try...

The knitted texture of the Alaska Cushion looks perfect with a fluffy sheepskin and contrasts perfectly with the jumbo cord of the chair.

Crafted from Papier mache, the Talence Vessel visually tones with the muted hues of the sculpture and the rough wood of the table.

Elegantly poised, the dimpled bronze effect of the Arnie Sculpture provides the perfect contrast with the concrete stool and feathered Roxie Wall Hanging.

The Nevada Runner contrasts perfectly with the wooden floor, sumptuous furnishings and cute glass lamp.

The Colton Tray, a great way to bring in a reflective element to cluster and display your accessories.

The Savannah Table will add not only texture but pattern too.

Lighting - The Big Three.

Lighting in any room is super transformative and adds depth, enhances colours and creates a mood. A successful lighting scheme should consist of combination of three types: task, accent and ambient lighting.

Lighting - The Big Three.

Lighting in any room is super transformative and adds depth, enhances colours and creates a mood. A successful lighting scheme should consist of combination of three types: task, accent and ambient lighting.

Ambient

Provides general illumination, think chandeliers like our Beautiful Ballroom in this pic, recessed lighting and other ceiling fixtures.

Task

Concentrated lighting like this Niko Wall Light for performing certain tasks like reading and creates intriguing shadows.

Accent

Soft lighting that gently illuminates your room as dusk falls, think metallic lamps like this Gold Sputnik Lamp, candlelight or decorative sconces.

Ambient

Provides general illumination, think chandeliers like this beautiful Ballroom, recessed lighting and other ceiling fixtures. 

Task

Concentrated lighting like the Niko Wall Lamp for performing certain tasks like reading and creates intriguing shadows.

Accent

Soft lighting that gently illuminates your room as dusk falls, think metallic lamps like this Gold Sputnik, candlelight or decorative sconces.

Botanicals.

Plants and Flowers are essential to bring your space to life, they add colour, shape, texture, warmth and intrigue. Pop small succulents on bookshelves and vignettes or use a large scale plant as one of your focal points. Decorating with nature and celebrating the changing of the seasons is an easy way to liven up your space. A cluster of blooms on your coffee table will perk up the greyest of days and a rustic vase filled with grasses adds movement and texture.

Simply Add...

Pampas Grass - beautiful movement in neutral tones.

A collection of flowers and foliage creates a magical display that celebrates the season.

Faux succulents - no water required and look amazing popped on bookshelves or arranged in clusters.

And Finally - Accesorise.

Accessories give your living room it's personality. Artful ceramics, books, trays, ornaments, artworks, throws, rugs and cushions. These are the items that give your space energy and reflect our unique personalities. Just remember to restrict the colours, rein in the patterns, constantly repeat and everything will look and feel cohesive.