Decorating
8 Updates That Will Change the Look and Feel of Your Living Room
Dial up the style in your living space by upgrading one of these key features, as inspired by these beautiful UK schemes
Our living rooms are typically the calm, cosy spaces where we relax after a busy day. As such, it’s worth investing in furniture and features that both look good and function beautifully.
Whether you smarten up cornicing, invest in bespoke cabinetry or simply fit a beautiful pendant light, any one of these updates could give your space a boost. Take a look at this list and let us know in the Comments below whether you’re tempted to undertake any of these ideas in your living room.
Whether you smarten up cornicing, invest in bespoke cabinetry or simply fit a beautiful pendant light, any one of these updates could give your space a boost. Take a look at this list and let us know in the Comments below whether you’re tempted to undertake any of these ideas in your living room.
2. Reupholster a favourite piece
There are lots of reasons to reupholster an old chair: it’s a sustainable way to furnish your home; it can be a way to give a treasured piece a second life, and it’s a great way to display fabulous fabric and create a focal point in your living room.
The armchair in this home stands out against the dark walls and also links the space to the dining room beyond by echoing the wallpaper.
Reupholstering isn’t cheap, but ending up with a bespoke piece that should last for years and form a centrepiece in your room can make the investment worthwhile.
There are lots of reasons to reupholster an old chair: it’s a sustainable way to furnish your home; it can be a way to give a treasured piece a second life, and it’s a great way to display fabulous fabric and create a focal point in your living room.
The armchair in this home stands out against the dark walls and also links the space to the dining room beyond by echoing the wallpaper.
Reupholstering isn’t cheap, but ending up with a bespoke piece that should last for years and form a centrepiece in your room can make the investment worthwhile.
3. Reboot your fireplace
If you have a chimney breast in your living room but no fireplace surround – or one that doesn’t do the room justice or has seen better days – it might be worth hiring someone to replace it.
The fireplace in this Harrogate, UK home was a plain opening that was too small for the proportions of the room. Karen Knox of Making Spaces enlarged the opening and had a new black slate surround and hearth fitted. “The room now has a striking focal point that’s much more in keeping with its 2.6-metre-high ceiling,” she says.
Fireplace surrounds needn’t cost a fortune, though unsurprisingly, more impressive designs tend to be pricier. Look for second-hand or simple surrounds; you can pick up a very basic pine design for a bargain or, for something more decorative, search for Victorian cast-iron surrounds, which range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. If you prefer carved stone or marble, expect to pay upwards of several thousand dollars.
Refreshing your decor? Find an interior designer near you to benefit from their industry connections and rates
If you have a chimney breast in your living room but no fireplace surround – or one that doesn’t do the room justice or has seen better days – it might be worth hiring someone to replace it.
The fireplace in this Harrogate, UK home was a plain opening that was too small for the proportions of the room. Karen Knox of Making Spaces enlarged the opening and had a new black slate surround and hearth fitted. “The room now has a striking focal point that’s much more in keeping with its 2.6-metre-high ceiling,” she says.
Fireplace surrounds needn’t cost a fortune, though unsurprisingly, more impressive designs tend to be pricier. Look for second-hand or simple surrounds; you can pick up a very basic pine design for a bargain or, for something more decorative, search for Victorian cast-iron surrounds, which range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. If you prefer carved stone or marble, expect to pay upwards of several thousand dollars.
Refreshing your decor? Find an interior designer near you to benefit from their industry connections and rates
4. Up your storage game
Living room alcoves are the perfect spots for storage. Shelves can look lovely filled with books and treasured objects, but how about going a step further and having beautiful cabinets made for a really smart solution?
This glass-fronted cupboard by Golden Design in London, UK gives the room a refined air. The glass is museum grade, which reduces reflection, while the base quietly hides away less-attractive possessions. Wall lights above highlight its beauty in the evening. It’s a look that can only be achieved with perfectly fitted, custom-designed joinery.
Living room alcoves are the perfect spots for storage. Shelves can look lovely filled with books and treasured objects, but how about going a step further and having beautiful cabinets made for a really smart solution?
This glass-fronted cupboard by Golden Design in London, UK gives the room a refined air. The glass is museum grade, which reduces reflection, while the base quietly hides away less-attractive possessions. Wall lights above highlight its beauty in the evening. It’s a look that can only be achieved with perfectly fitted, custom-designed joinery.
If you don’t have alcoves, consider a wall of bespoke cabinets, like this unit by Clare Elise Interiors. The panelled design gives the modern space character, while the deep colour – Basalt by Little Greene – draws attention to the displayed objects and away from the TV screen.
5. Invest in a comfy sofa
The perfect sofa is both lovely to look at and a joy to relax on, so if yours is uncomfortable or has seen better days, consider an upgrade. This is an investment – for a good-quality sofa, you really need to spend upwards of $1,000 – but it’s also a seat you’re likely to have for at least a decade.
First, decide first which shape would suit your household. A modular or L-shaped design with room for several bodies to stretch out on? A long squishy Chesterfield similar to the one in this London home by Domus Nova? Or perhaps you simply want something more cocooning for yourself.
Whichever you settle on, don’t forget to check it will fit through the front door and that the size is correct for your room – it’s worth marking out the shape on the floor with masking tape first to be sure.
The choice of filling will depend on how firm you like your seat. Fibre fillings consist of hollow polyester strands filled with air and give a soft feel, but will need daily plumping. Foam is firmer and will keep its shape; it comes in different degrees of firmness, so try before you buy. Feathers are gloriously squishy, but they can clump together and require plumping too. For many, the best option is a mixture – foam wrapped in feathers or fibre.
Find more inspiring living room images here
The perfect sofa is both lovely to look at and a joy to relax on, so if yours is uncomfortable or has seen better days, consider an upgrade. This is an investment – for a good-quality sofa, you really need to spend upwards of $1,000 – but it’s also a seat you’re likely to have for at least a decade.
First, decide first which shape would suit your household. A modular or L-shaped design with room for several bodies to stretch out on? A long squishy Chesterfield similar to the one in this London home by Domus Nova? Or perhaps you simply want something more cocooning for yourself.
Whichever you settle on, don’t forget to check it will fit through the front door and that the size is correct for your room – it’s worth marking out the shape on the floor with masking tape first to be sure.
The choice of filling will depend on how firm you like your seat. Fibre fillings consist of hollow polyester strands filled with air and give a soft feel, but will need daily plumping. Foam is firmer and will keep its shape; it comes in different degrees of firmness, so try before you buy. Feathers are gloriously squishy, but they can clump together and require plumping too. For many, the best option is a mixture – foam wrapped in feathers or fibre.
Find more inspiring living room images here
6. Add a fabulous light fitting
A statement light or pendant can draw the eye and lift your room out of the ordinary. There’s a massive range of light fittings on the market, so take the time to find something that works with the scale of your room.
If you have the height, consider a large, striking fitting such as a chandelier, a mid-century classic or a modern design such as this oversized rattan Screen pendant light from Market Set in a London room revamped by Andrew Jonathan Griffiths of A New Day – Interior Design Studio. “It looks like an art installation; the scale of it is just amazing,” he says.
A statement light or pendant can draw the eye and lift your room out of the ordinary. There’s a massive range of light fittings on the market, so take the time to find something that works with the scale of your room.
If you have the height, consider a large, striking fitting such as a chandelier, a mid-century classic or a modern design such as this oversized rattan Screen pendant light from Market Set in a London room revamped by Andrew Jonathan Griffiths of A New Day – Interior Design Studio. “It looks like an art installation; the scale of it is just amazing,” he says.
7. Revitalise your window treatment
You may prefer shutters or blinds, but, as windows tend to take up a fair amount of wall space in a living room, curtains can act almost as an artwork. To create an impact, think either pattern or texture – a striking design or a sumptuous, tactile fabric such as velvet.
The colours in these curtains were the starting point for the whole scheme in this living room, but if you’re adding them to an otherwise finished room, try choosing a fabric that includes some of the colours you’ve already used in your decor.
There’s a huge range of ready-made curtains available, but for something special that’s exactly what you’re looking for, consider investing in made-to-measure. The price will vary according to the lining, fabric choice, drop, width, style, and finish. Taking curtains right down to the floor – rather than stopping at your window sill – will need more fabric and add to the price, but will look more elegant.
You may prefer shutters or blinds, but, as windows tend to take up a fair amount of wall space in a living room, curtains can act almost as an artwork. To create an impact, think either pattern or texture – a striking design or a sumptuous, tactile fabric such as velvet.
The colours in these curtains were the starting point for the whole scheme in this living room, but if you’re adding them to an otherwise finished room, try choosing a fabric that includes some of the colours you’ve already used in your decor.
There’s a huge range of ready-made curtains available, but for something special that’s exactly what you’re looking for, consider investing in made-to-measure. The price will vary according to the lining, fabric choice, drop, width, style, and finish. Taking curtains right down to the floor – rather than stopping at your window sill – will need more fabric and add to the price, but will look more elegant.
8. Refresh door furniture
Finally, while focal-point pieces are important, it’s worth giving some attention to the details in your room too, such as light switches and door handles.
In this London renovation by Cairn, the door plate was removed and cleaned. The handle and escutcheon (the metal plate encircling and protecting the keyhole) were missing, but the team found new ones in the same ribbed style to match for a smart finish.
Finally, while focal-point pieces are important, it’s worth giving some attention to the details in your room too, such as light switches and door handles.
In this London renovation by Cairn, the door plate was removed and cleaned. The handle and escutcheon (the metal plate encircling and protecting the keyhole) were missing, but the team found new ones in the same ribbed style to match for a smart finish.
Your turn
Are you tempted to do any of these updates in your living room? Tell us which ones you’re keen to try in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversation.
More
Want more practical advice on interior design? Read up on 8 Expert Tips to Choosing the Perfect Paint Colour for Your Home
Are you tempted to do any of these updates in your living room? Tell us which ones you’re keen to try in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversation.
More
Want more practical advice on interior design? Read up on 8 Expert Tips to Choosing the Perfect Paint Colour for Your Home
Plasterwork, whether a simple shape that softens the line of the ceiling or an elaborate design that’s an artwork in itself, can give a living room an air of elegance. The icing sugar-style curls of the plasterwork in this room by BLOCK Design & Build in London, UK, contrast beautifully with the pared-down chimney breast.
If your cornices have been removed in the past or need some attention due to damage, neglect, the opening up of rooms or the removal of a chimney breast, it could be worth restoring them.
If you’re trying to match and reinstate existing cornices, some companies can make moulds of existing cornicing to replace damaged sections. The larger and more decorative the cornice gets, the more the cost tends to increase.