7 Small touches that make a big difference in the living room
It's the small details that turn a house into a home. Since you'll spend lots of time relaxing in the living room, it's the one space in the house that needs to feel really homely and where you can add personal touches to your heart's content. Here are a few ways to do it.
1. Plants
Adding plants to your living room is a great way to introduce life and natural colour to the space. Bringing the outside in with plants is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also purifies the air and can help reduce stress. There are various types of indoor plants to choose from, depending on your preference and the lighting in your living room. Personally, I like Peace Lilies, Fiddle Leaf-Figs, and Mona Lisas. You can place them on a side table, in a corner, or on bookshelves to add visual interest. If you opt for a trailing plant, try suspending it from the ceiling in a hanging basket to add greenery above eye level.
2. Lamps
Lamps are a great way to create a cosy atmosphere, especially at night. You can use them to highlight a specific area of your living room, such as a side table next to a sofa or on a sideboard. If you planned ahead and installed sockets within the shelves of a bookcase, you can plug in lamps without having wires trailing. If your shelves were built without lighting or wiring, a great retrofit solution is rechargeable LED lamps that can be scattered throughout the room. We used this method with a client in Notting Hill as a workaround because they were initially against joinery lighting. The little lamps looked really cute among the bookshelves.
3. Scatter cushions
When decorating your sofa, remember that comfort is key. Avoid overloading it with cushions. Start with two or three in the corners and perhaps a bolster cushion in the middle (vary the sizes to add interest). Begin with a print you love, then layer in a neutral colour that complements it. If you're feeling adventurous, you could combine two patterns. This will work best if you use similar tones. If you do mix two patterns, pair small-scale prints with large-scale designs so that one doesn’t overshadow the other.
4. Throws
Keep a throw handy for when it gets chilly and for snuggling up while watching TV. A lightweight cotton throw is easy to wash and dry, while a heavier faux fur throw will inject a touch of luxury. A woollen throw is comfortable and cosy. You can also use throws to protect your furniture, especially if you have a dog. Throws measuring 180 by 250cm are ideal for two-seaters, while those measuring 225 by 250cm are good for three-seaters.
5. Trim
Small decorative details can make a big impact on a space. Consider the humble trim, for example: it has the power to transform something ordinary into something extraordinary. The most conventional use is on cushions, lampshades, and upholstery (such as sofas, armchairs, stools, and ottomans). However, there are also less conventional uses, such as on the bottoms of curtains or even on wallpaper. We have even used trim in the past to create the illusion of panelling.
As with all interior projects, the type of trim you choose depends on the look you want to create. For a tailored look, consider adding piping to a chair or sofa. For a softer vibe, a fringe trim is a good choice, and for something more elegant or decadent, consider adding a tassel. If you want to inject a sense of fun, you can't go wrong with a pom-pom trim!
Trims are also ideal for those on a budget. If you've fallen in love with a patterned fabric for your curtains but it's outside of your budget, using a plain fabric and adding a trim can instantly add interest and make your interior feel more considered.
6. Art
A house is more than just a building made of bricks and mortar. It's a place where we create memories, spend time with loved ones, and feel safe and secure. Therefore, the design of a house should reflect the people who live there. Artwork is one of the best ways to achieve this. Whether it's an investment piece, a sketch bought on holiday, or an atmospheric black and white photograph, art makes a house feel like a home. In my opinion, a true home has something on almost every wall.
To ensure the best results, don't wait until the last minute to choose artwork. Whether you're undertaking a whole-home project or just rethinking one room, the best projects are those in which the art is chosen at the beginning and the scheme develops from there. If you're not sure what your art style is, follow your heart and ask yourself, "Does this put a smile on my face?"
In addition to liking a piece of artwork, you also have to keep in mind that it needs to work within your space, and it needs to fit your budget. This is where hiring an interior designer can be beneficial. Designers are always on the hunt for unique pieces and know hundreds of places to source artwork, so they can provide you with many options to suit your tastes and home.
7. Scent
There is nothing better than a living room that is delicately scented by your favourite candles or reed diffusers. They’re particularly good at disguising the smell of pets. Lit candles also help to make a home feel cosy and are a great way of adding atmosphere in an evening. Try to choose scented candles made from soy wax and essential oils to keep toxins to a minimum.
Reed diffusers gradually and continuously release fragrance by absorbing essential oils that evaporate into the air. For a stronger scent, turn them regularly. The scent you choose is a matter of personal preference, but fragrances with eucalyptus, rosemary, cedar, pine, and citrus notes evoke a clean, fresh feel.
