FIVE WAYS TO SPRUCE UP YOUR LIVING ROOM
Two years in a pandemic may have you a bit tired of the same living room setup you’ve been staring at for two years, so here are a few easy tips on how to refresh your living room without breaking the bank.
1. When it doubt, paint it out
One of the most cost effective ways to truly change a space is to paint it! Paint has the ability to set the mood of a room, create a clean and refreshing space, and bring personality into a drab space. If you’re wanting to create a cozy, intimate feel in your living room you may want to try a dark moody jewel tone, such as Benjamin Moore Hale Navy or my Benjamin Moore Salamander. Brighten up a space by going with a warm white like Sherwin Williams Alabaster. Still not sure what color goes best? Bring in an expert! The experts at your local paint store are always helpful!
2. Anchor the room with a rug
A simple addition or swap of a rug can truly change the personality and feel of a room. Adding a soft texture underfoot creates a cozy feel and helps pull a style together. If you choose a busy pattern or bold color, help balance it out by not having other competing patterns. Try layering a smaller rug over a larger rug if you want to create dimension.
Make sure you have an area rug large enough to set the front feet of your couch and chairs on the rug to help anchor the space and bring it together. Not sure what size rug to purchase? Here is a helpful article to check out to know what might work best for your space.
3. All of the lights
Ask any designer, stager, or photographer: Good lighting can make or break a room but is often overlooked when decorating a space. Finding the right balance of lighting is crucial for creating the right ambiance in living rooms and is an easy way to freshen up a space or add some new character to an existing space. There are three kinds of lighting in a room: Ambient lighting, task lighting, and decorative/accent lighting.
Ambient lighting is the type of lighting that lights up the whole room: overhead lightings like a chandelier, a large floor lamp, or recessed lighting that’s flat against the ceiling.
Task lighting is where the light can help you focus on a specific task like reading. Add a table lamp on a side table near a comfortable chair to help shine the light on an area where you might want to cozy up and grab a book, or turn off the overhead light and have the table lamp on to create a cozier space. Choose the right scale lamp for the room size. If it’s ample open space, go big with a solid study base and large shade. If you have a smaller space with tall ceilings, consider a tall and narrow table or floor lamp.
Accent lighting helps highlight a specific area, such as casting light on a piece of art or overhanging from a bookshelf. Use accent lighting sparingly and consider a dimmable bulb and switch.
4. Liven things up!
Plants have been a big comeback in the last few years and have taken off thanks to COVID and being stuck in our homes every day! It’s no wonder why the plant craze is back. Living plants bring a sense of the outdoors inside, add texture and an organic feel, and they quite literally freshen up the spaces around us. Plants act as a natural air filter for your home. Love the look of beautiful plants but not sure if you have a green thumb? Start with my favorite plants that are easy to keep alive: Pothos, Snake Plants, and ZZ plants are all very low-maintenance plants. You can find them at most plant shops. My favorite Portland area plant shops are Staghorn Mercantile in downtown Beaverton and EcoVibe on the east side of Portland.
If you’re still unsure about the whole “plant parent” thing, I recommend faux plants/trees. They still give a similar vibe to real plants without the maintenance. I like to add some form of greenery to every room, including the bathroom!