Olivia Nicholas - From Dull to Dazzling - Brightening Living Spaces

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After a while it seems we all get bored with our living spaces, after all we are in them day in and day out.  We desire a change, something new and invigorating. The living room is the soul of your house and is often where we spend the most of our time while home and awake. It should be a space that is lively, not something drab or blah. You may be thinking to yourself, I don’t have the time, energy, or money to put into redecorating my living room. But you don’t have to spend a lot of money or hire a pricey interior decorator. Through a few minor changes and a little creativity you’ll be able to transform your space into something you will love and enjoy.

Changing the paint color within a room can have a very dramatic impact. It is relatively cheap to buy a gallon or two of paint and can make a huge difference in the look and feel of a room. Deciding what color to transition to can be a challenge; it all depends on the mood you are going for and whether you want to make a space look larger than it is. Darker shades often make rooms appear smaller, while lighter shades can make rooms look larger. Warm colors are seen as inviting, while cool colors are calming. If you’re feeling more daring, try a bold color that you’ve always wanted. And if painting all the walls that bright color is simply too much for you, paint a single accent wall to give a pop of color.

Another element of decorating that can make a huge impact on the tone within a room is lighting. Light works to enhance décor, paint, and various textures. There are many lighting options, so consider what kinds of tasks and chores the room is used for. If you need a well-lit area, consider an additional floor or table accent lamp. Recessed lighting is a popular option, and adding a dimmer can make it suitable for all your needs. Replace old, heavy window drapes with sheer or lightweight fabric curtains. Avoid ruffles and ornate valances; simple lines appear more fluid without breaking up space. Be sure to let natural light into your space as well.  Simple and subtle lighting may be best in other areas, items like small lamps, candles or up lighting may work best.  Lamps are great as you can play with different sizes and textures of lamp shades as well as light bulb wattage.  Candles are a fabulous option when you are looking to create a little bit of light or add some drama to a room.  Think about different sized candles and using tall candle stands to cast light over a larger area.  Up lighting is a great option for highlighting specific areas or items, such as plants or artwork.

While you may not have money to buy new furniture, simply rearranging it can do wonders to a room. Experiment with arrangements until you find something you like. Get rid of unnecessary pieces of furniture that are just taking up space. If you have dark colored couches and/or chairs, find some brightly colored throw pillows to catch the eye. Add a little character to your room by finding a unique area rug. Keep wall décor simple, but pleasing. Remove clutter. If you have a lot of knick knacks that you like to display and you just can’t part with them, select just a few to keep out at one time and then rotate them.

Literally add a renewed sense of life to your living room with a new fish or houseplant. Even if you are not good at taking care of living things, there are plenty of varieties of both fish and plants that do not require much attention or care. Do your best to keep the room clean. A clean room looks larger and brighter than one that is dusty or dirty. And no matter what you decide to change up, your home and living room should be a reflection of you. Allow your creative side to run free for a while and do whatever you feel comfortable with. Your home is a place where memories are made; a place to entertain friends, raise kids and pets, and spend quiet time relaxing.
 

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