Let’s be real, decorating and buying new furniture is expensive, we can’t do it every couple of months. Most of us have neither the time or the money to do so. So when we decorate, we want it to last. I have been looking at how to create a living room with longevity.
Our living room has needed redecorating for a few years now, but various life events and curve balls keep putting it on hold. It’s been on hold so many times that I’ve changed my mind on the design at least 4 times. And I’m starting to feel the pressure.
Does anyone else feel that pressure when it comes to decorating and buying new furniture? The pressure to get it right. The perfect paint colour. A sofa that is comfortable and indestructible. Armchairs that are cosy and stylish. Because if you get it wrong you have to live with it for ages.
I blame feeling the pressure entirely on my Mum! For as long as I can remember she has spent ages picking out paint and wallpaper and furnishings, only to complete the room and declare she hates it, and continue to declare she hates it for the next 5 or so years until they re-do it!
I’m trying to design a living room where elements can be changed easily to give a fresh look without having to change the entire room.
I have three ways of create a living room with longevity.:
- Colour Palette
- Furnishings
- Styling
Colour palette
My main colours are grey and blue with an accent colour of pink. Mustard yellow also looks great with the blue and grey, so if I get soft furnishings such as pillows and throws and artworks with my accent colour, I can change this to my alternative choice for a new look when I get bored!
Furnishings
We are not opting for the traditional 3 piece suite that I grew up with. Instead we will chose a sofa, and then pick accent chairs to compliment the sofa and the room as a whole rather than match it. I think this gives us more longevity as we can change the accent chairs or the sofa without having to purchase an entire suite. It’s also a great space saver as we could opt for a big comfy sofa and smaller more formal accent chairs, or the other way around.
In research carried out by Furniture Village, accent chairs have seen the biggest rise in internet searches. It’s risen 149.7% between 2019 and 2021. I guess that means my idea is not unique!
Who doesn’t love an armchair? I think I associate it with time to myself. Curling up to read a good book. Settling down with a blanket and a chocolate bar to watch a chick flick. Hoisting my legs over the side and having a long chat with my friends on the phone.
It doesn’t make choosing any easier though, there are so many I love. These are just a few armchair styles from Furniture Village that I really like…
Styling
Whilst the sofa and armchairs are often the biggest item in a living room and the focal point, styling in something that can easily be changed and updated without huge costs to freshen up a room. I love a good print. So much so that we have no wall space left for any new artwork. So with the living room I am opting for picture shelves. That way I can change the prints and frames as often as I want without making a mess of the wall.
We will also be having some open shelving for house plants and ornaments which i think gives any room a unique and personal touch.
I hope my design ideas give longevity to the room by freshening it up with small changes when we want to. So watch this space. New living room coming soon. ish.
In the meantime you’ll find me on Pinterest pinning far to many ideas to implement!
This post is sponsored by Furniture Village. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Leave a Reply