How to Decorate a Living Room: 22 Ideas for a Stunning Space

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The living elbow room is one of the most versatile areas of your home . It ’s a space for biz nights , check TV , napping , entertaining , studying , and more . If yours feel a small dated or uninspiring , take a cue from some decorating ideas that can truly transmute the look and sense of a living room .

We asked New York City designers and renovators Jordan Slocum and Barry Bordelon , also have it off as theBrownstone Boys , for their expertise about how to dress a support room . The duo leave many living room design melodic theme and tips to breathe in your next design project .

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1. Measure your living room space.

Before jumping into a live room overhaul , take tutelage of the fundamentals :

This is also the time to evaluate furnishings you already own — like piece of furniture , window treatments , and accessory — and decide whether they have a place in your updated invention .

2. Find inspiration in unexpected places.

The Brownstone Boys make living room intent that are personalize to the homeowner , and they take divine guidance from hobbies , flair , art , and more — even the local bodega . Their keep room designs start with things that bring personal happiness , and then they work up the aesthetic from there .

When asked how they come up with deck ideas for a bread and butter room , Slocum says , “ A major breathing in for us is New York City , so we look at thing we can bring into our projects or our client undertaking that are inspired by New York — whether it ’s the computer architecture or New York time of origin . ”

While planning your esthetic , assemble a assembling of images that entrance your preferable colors , patterns , article of furniture style , and source of inspiration . Use these epitome as a scout for your space and apportion them with experts to convey your vision .

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3. Add a wall of photos with custom wallpaper.

Wallpaper is a wonderful way to add design and texture to a aliveness room and develop a blueprint motif for a space . In a recent client project in New York , the Brownstone Boys took this decorating staple to a new level by comprise meaningful graphics into bespoke wallpaper byEazywallzthat boast black - and - white exposure . This is an idea that could work in any room of the household .

4. Use oversize elements in a small living room.

Are you trying to figure out how to ornament a small living room ? One dependable answer is to embrace oversize features tocreate an deception of spaciousnessand grandeur . declamatory furniture piece and bold ornamental elements can tot up character and raise a small room ’s optic appeal and functionality .

Although you must consider scale in your living room design , feel free to size up yourcouch , tables , or other pieces . Slocum struggle , “ You do n’t inevitably have to play into the sizing of your space . You patently want to make certain that everything subprogram and works to your liking , but do n’t get size intimidate you . ”

5. Install a showpiece pendant light above a coffee table.

make a warm and inviting atmospheric state and a stunning esthetic by adding a stylish pendant sparkle above the coffee table as a focal breaker point . you’re able to lower the height of thelight fixtureto add play to your living room invention , though if you contrive to move your furniture around , mount the igniter at a meridian that allows for ample headway space .

Upgrading to dimmer switches orsmart light bulbswill give you more control over lite levels so you’re able to create as cozy an environment as you want .

6. Add texture to the wall with limewash.

“ Limewash is have its moment again , which is really enceinte since it ’s such an former creative person ’s practice and craft , ” sound out Slocum . Limewash on the wall give your living elbow room an aged patina , and its delicate lustrelessness texture add together property and visual solicitation . This technique help householder infuse insidious colour variations that can produce a serene and inviting atmosphere , and enhance a room ’s style .

7. Add art, small accessories, and plants to complete your design.

If you ’re a buff of maximalist living way design , Slocum and Bordelon recommend using art to inform your article of furniture choices instead of seeking out artwork that complements the piece of furniture . The Brownstone Boys have the study of local artists in their pattern , so the spaces always reflect the communities they love .

Another low-priced way of life to make a living room feel complete is to inaugurate modest constituent that add together texture and color — things like console ironware , stroke blanket , alive industrial plant , and other little details that give the space extra expressive style .

8. Position window treatments above the window casings.

One of the Brownstone Boys ’ design trick is to positioncurtainsand other window intervention above , as opposed to interior or dismantle with , the windowpane casings . Especially in asmall livelihood room , this make a space appear larger by draw the eye upwards , creating the illusion of higher ceilings and visually elongated wall .

In homes with electroneutral wall , the Brownstone Boys indicate that DIY designer use window treatments as an opportunity to add gloss to a aliveness room .

9. Add slipcovers to your furniture.

Slipcoversare protective , removable cloth covers that can be placed oversofasand chairs . In living room interior blueprint , they not only protect furniture , but they also offer an cheap , versatile way to update pieces , tolerate for light people of colour and style alteration while preserving the inherent upholstery .

When enquire if they see slipcover becoming a mainstream movement , Bordelon notes that they ’ve seen great pieces that have a slipcover flavour . Sixpennyslipcovers , for example , have some nice lines . Still , he expects that this would be a more special trend .

10. Choose elements that have storage, or can be used in more than one way.

Every square foot counts , specially in small living room designing , where space constraints require creativity in interior decoration and furniture selection . For those judge to figure out how to decorate a small living room , Bordelon hint take opportunities to make your living elbow room design more practical . When potential , choose multipurpose furniture , such as ottoman with storage . Also , take advantage on erect space , or even consider build corner into wall to carve out storage or showing blank space . in the end , work on eliminate clutter , which attain any way look smaller , and do n’t bury to mete out with messyelectrical cordsand wires .

11. Incorporate your TV into a gallery wall.

At the end of a long solar day spend designing or renovating , the Brownstone Boys are like so many of us — they like to relax in front of the television .

Some living way designs embrace the telecasting ( or other electronics ) as part of the interior decoration , while others obscure it behind a slip cover or medium cabinet . Slocum suggests a flat screen idiot box like theSamsung Frame TV , which can double as graphics or as part of a gallery paries . When you ’re not binge Netflix , the Frame television set can exhibit photo or art , fuse seamlessly into a room ’s interior decoration .

12. Mix and match your upholstery.

The Brownstone Boys agree that mix - and - match upholstery is the way to go . Using a assortment of colors and pattern can create a more individualised aesthetic , make a keep room design finger more cohesive , and state a more interesting story . Slocum points out that buying several beautiful individual pieces might cost less than a consummate piece of furniture lay out and that you might be more quenched with the result . Bordelon adds that matching upholstery does n’t seem well thought out and can make a living elbow room seem like “ a hotel room or staged space . When you have things that are mismatched , or even immix in some vintage pieces , the quad look more collected and heedful . ”

13. Use pops of black to create contrast in neutral spaces.

electroneutral whole step provide a flexible base for living room interior design , but other design element should set off the tranquil backdrop . Using too many unrelieved neutrals in inner conception can make a monotonous space that may come up across as visually uninteresting .

While exploit on a project where tree diagram and other obstructions posed challenge for born lightness , Bordelon recalls how the team lightened up the interior with neutrals . “ We contrast it with some pops of black throughout the sign of the zodiac just to make those neutrals and those light tincture even lightheaded . ”

14. Frame your child’s art.

The hallmark of a Brownstone Boys intent is the room the duo contain touches that make a space personal to the homeowner . For example , on one of their projects , they remark kids ’ prowess held up by magnet on the fridge . Slocum and Bordelon had the kids ’ creations framed and used them asfamily roomdecor .

Slocum says of their breathing in to practice the child ’s art , “ It ’s really particular and it ’s something that is timeless as the kid grow . ”

15. Layer your books and accessories.

Layering point on a shelf or table by thoughtful locating or stacking adds depth and attribute to the display . A small layering can produce a visually piquant and well - equilibrize system and artfully organise your detail .

fix up books presents both challenge and chance . “ We think about different directions that a book lays in , maybe commit a taper on top of a set of leger , or laying them down so we have different peak to work out off , ” says Slocum .

16. Let a unique feature guide the living room configuration.

The Brownstone Boys aim to create spaces and ambiance that their clients fuck . For a guest who enjoyed listen to records , reimagined a parlor living room as a hearing space . A gorgeous record ledge and criminal record player became pregnant designing lineament of the room . With the addition of an oversize lounge , place toward the hearth , the room was transformed into a strong and welcoming surroundings for enjoy music .

17. Place fresh flowers on the coffee table.

Along with ( not surprisingly ) coffee tree mesa books , coffee tables are often loaded with coasters , tray , or small sculptural graphics piece . Bordelon points out that while you only want a brace of items on your coffee table , you should consider adding unused prime to your display .

Flowers add natural beauty , immediately reinvigorate and brightening a way . Unlike some other decorative accessory , sweet prime are easy to modify out on a regular basis , stick in different people of colour and seasonal touches to a living elbow room design . Not into flowers?Houseplantslook bang-up andfreshen the indoor airtoo .

18. Make the ceiling a focal point.

Slocum and Bordelon , whose body of work has taken them to classical brownstones in Brooklyn and beyond , have probably seen more than their plowshare of beautiful ceiling with vintage details . While the joy of a well - preserved cap with original clay sculpture are obvious , more ladder - of - the - mill ceiling offer design possibilities that are often overlooked .

In home that do n’t have crown moulding , coffered ceilings , or medallion , paint or wallpaper make opportunities for decorative sweetening of the ceiling . salutary of all , there are n’t any convention for painting the cap . “ you could go darker . you could go lighter . you’re able to even bring that color down a picayune low onto the rampart , and that will give you a little bit of architectural contingent , ” Bordelon says .

19. Throw pillows add a finishing touch.

Want to know how to embellish a living way when budget is an issue ? It ’s all about the stroke pillow . Choose fabrics in standout tones or with interesting design features to bring beaut , grain , coloration , and visual interest to the blank space . Bordelon recommend opting for a mixing of pillow , and incorporating those with tassel or other marked ornamentation sparingly .

20. Stick to paints in warm tones.

Choosing the correct living elbow room pigment color and furniture tones is essential in setting the modality of the space . Colors elicit emotion . more often than not talk , cool - toned hues like blue , gray , and purple tend to be more reposeful , while warm - toned shades like ointment , yellowish , and bolshie are more invigorating . The gloss you pick should meet with the aesthetic you ’ve chosen .

What ’s popular today ? Slocum sound out , “ I ’m seeing a plenty of velvet and warm tones — non-white reds , burgundy , purples , browns . I suppose that ’s having a really skillful moment right now . ”

21. Add a fireplace surround.

A fireplace surround help found a living room ’s aesthetic and adds style to the interior designing . It can be a focal point , setting the tone and anchoring the entire distance .

The Brownstone Boys expend hearth surrounds to come in fictional character into both vintage and New homes . There are many ways to update a fireplace , admit only replacing it or redesigning it by contribute marble slabs , roofing tile , slat , and more .

22. Layer your rugs.

carpet leave fondness , style , and underfoot comfort to the sustenance elbow room and other spaces , and they ’re a expectant way to append a pop of color or normal to an otherwise electroneutral backcloth . Rugscan act as a grounding presence in a way , or they can fructify ocular boundaries , helping to set seating areas or separate dining from last areas .

Layering rugs on top of each other is a trend worth try out . To draw in this proficiency off with beautiful results , the Brownstone Boys recommend :

Final Thoughts

find out how to ornament a support room is a creative and rewarding endeavor that allows you to make your space unparalleled and beautiful . These living elbow room design ideas from the Brownstone Boys will help oneself you get the most out of this space , transforming it into a comfortable , visually appealing , and running haven .

Interested in adding a niggling workspace to your sustenance room ? Get some ideas for topographic point in your homewhere you may create a small spot setup .

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Living room with many framed pieces of art.

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Wall of black and white photos.