How can I freshen up the look of my living room without spending a lot of money?
First, decide how you want your living room to feel. Do you want the ambiance to be elegant and traditional or relaxed and informal? Your color palette and furnishings will dictate your design direction.
The easiest way to update any room is with a new coat of paint in a different color. Select a color that is in harmony with the rest of your home. Paint colors should flow together with consideration to adjoining spaces, even the floors. You can experiment with color by purchasing small, inexpensive “tester” bottles of paint.
Once you have finalized your wall color choice, select a trim color. Make it a contrast so that it will stand out. Your walls should be a flat paint, whereas your trim should be a semi-gloss. Ceilings should be painted a color that is at least 50 percent lighter than your wall color. Look at all three colors on different walls at various times of the day. Make sure the colors are true to your original design idea as this is the backdrop to your furnishings.
Since you will be removing your window treatments to paint, this is an excellent time to evaluate if you want to reinstall them. Do not put back up dirty, worn-out or dated treatments. New drapery hardware and simple silk panels that frame your windows can make your new space look stunning.
Use beautiful fabrics that are appropriate for your space. Keep in mind that windows get direct sunlight. Use an under-treatment if necessary to protect your floors and furnishings.
Now assess your furniture. What pieces are you passionate about? Start with your sofa. Is the style up to date? Is it the right scale and proportion for your room? Or does it look worn-out? If you elect to keep your sofa and reupholster it versus purchasing a new one, consider the price difference. It may less expensive to buy a new one.
Since it covers probably the largest piece of furniture in your living room, sofa fabric should be a neutral color that will go easily with other furniture pieces. Select textural fabrics such as linen or silk, which are timeless. Make sure it complements your paint colors and that the style of your sofa will be fashionable for many years.
Chairs around your sofa will allow for conversational seating. Chairs that are priceless to you can be reupholstered with a more contemporary fabric, giving them a new look and feel. Add some pillows to your new sofa out of the same fabric as your chair(s) and voila! You have a totally new and fresh look.
Sometimes less is more. Do not overfill your room, and be aware of traffic flow.
Tables also help set the tone. Whether they are wood, glass or mirror, the style of the tables you choose reflects your design taste. Fine-quality wood tables should be kept only if they work with your new furniture and still look great. Adding a table or a chest of a different finish will update your room. They do not need to be expensive, just the right size and height. Have the woods complement each other. Always mark out dimensions on the floor of all your furnishings with blue tape to see how everything fits, as furniture purchased in the wrong size can be a costly error.
Finally, the best part of putting your room together is accessorizing. Keep the items that you love and are personal. New picture frames, plants, art, a rug, lamps and table accessories will update your look. Have fun, and don’t forget a fabulous book for your coffee table. — Valerie Blood is president of Jamison Kay Ltd. and an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers. Reach her at 303-220-7114 or jamisonkayltd@aol.com.
To “Ask the Experts” your design and remodeling questions, send e-mail to marina@denverdesign.com. Responses are compiled for Room by the Denver Design District, or 303-282-3226.
