If your living space has seen better days or is looking a tad too lived in, don’t worry. Making your living room in your happy place doesn’t have to be expensive or even time-consuming. We’ve put together the top 5 simple ways you can turn a room into a sanctuary, and all in less than 10 minutes.
Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize
The secret to household harmony lies firmly in the sacred throw. Just throw one of these bad boys over any mess and bang! It’s like it never happened. OK, OK, maybe you will have to tidy up a bit, but throws can still transform a boring couch into somewhere you won’t want to leave on a Sunday. If you’re a renter, cushions, throws, glassware and accessories are all top buys for adding some sneaky color without painting the walls. Try shopping at charity shops in nice neighborhoods for interesting steals in accessories, but make sure to run your finds through a wash before you cozy up to them.
Let there be Light
There’s a reason people blame dating site disappointment on bad lighting, it can make the difference between a bad impression and a great evening. Good lighting is all about adding warmth and highlighting space. Replacing bulbs with softer versions is an inexpensive way to make an impact in ambiance. Also, try placing table lamps on surfaces at waist height such as dressers- light that’s too high or too low can make a room look unbalanced or shadowy. However, sometimes all you need is a few candles to change the atmosphere of space- check out the delightful Yankee Candle summer range!
Wall to Wall Style
Apart from making you look cultured; having art on your walls can make a big impact in a room. If forking out for original pieces is out of the question, go for a stylish print or have a rummage at flea markets or charity shops for unusual finds. If you own your own house or have permission to paint the walls, try painting a bold feature wall or going for some vintage inspired wallpaper.
The Frame Game
A room with bad curtains is like a face with bad eyebrows. Not on point. The right pair of curtains can set the tone for any room. With so many different types available it can be difficult to know what to go for. Eyelet curtains are a contemporary favorite among designers and they’re the easiest to hang (no rings or hooks or pulling strings- yay!) and the pencil pleat curtain is best for nailing that classic look. If your room feels to busy you may want to try going with a simple valance instead, you can even make your own!
Both styles will need a curtain pole; if you’re comfortable using tools, then you can pick up some all-rounders for a reasonable price at retailers like Tesco. However, if you’re not so keen, then you can leave the Black and Decker out of it and opt for a super easy tension rod and pair with a voile panel.
Never Ending Storage
A place for everything and everything in its place’ as the old saying goes. Whether it’s tripping over toys or the pile of DVDs someone said they’d put away, clutter isn’t fun. Shop vintage with a wooden chest (which can double as a table) or go all out contemporary with infinity shelving, either way for goodness sake, just put it away!