Your living room is much more than a place to sit; it is an environment that should nurture and inspire you. Taking the time to create a space that reflects your personality can have a huge impact on your daily life, turning an ordinary room into a personal sanctuary.
When the design feels dull, it can dim your own shine. This guide offers a collection of ideas to help you turn the lights back on and create a living area you truly love spending time in.
Yeah baby: Jump on the retro trend
Is your living room feeling a little too serious lately? I think we can fix that! It’s time to bring back the pure, unfiltered joy of the 60s and 70s. I’m talking about creating a space that’s all about fun and good vibes.
Think Austin Powers, but with a modern twist that feels fresh and exciting. Getting that playful energy back into your home can make such a big difference.
1. Oh, be-have.
YEAH BABY: Combine a retro Austin Powers decor with this cheeky pop art ‘I’m just not sure’ print to attract some sexy times.
2. Put the ‘grrrr’ in swinger baby yeah!
GROOVY: Nothing screams ‘love shack’ better than a shag carpet, a nature mural and psychedelic art.
Create a sanctuary to inspire well-being
Our homes should be a place where we can recharge and find a little peace. I’m a huge believer in creating a living space that feels like a true sanctuary.
It’s all about designing a room that encourages quiet reflection and meditation, but in a way that feels beautiful and inviting, not like a chore. You deserve a personal zen zone!
3. Find the calm
TRANQUIL: Create calm with neutral tones and this stunning print from Wall Arts Prints’ Zen Collection.
4. Get a piece of peace
From Interior Designipedia.
CALM DOWN: Add earthy tones to a neutral urban decor to create a living space that’s rich with peace.
Be a cool cat: Go monochrome all the way
Do you ever feel like you just need to turn down the volume in your life a little? If you’re feeling overstimulated, a monochrome design scheme can be an absolute game-changer.
Decorating with a simple black-and-white palette can soothe your senses without ever feeling boring or dull. It’s such a chic and calming approach!
5. Calm your spirit
FIND BALANCE: Go large and monochrome with a ‘Snowstorm in Central Park, New York City’ print within a minimalist interior.
6. Appropriate different shades of grey
By DecorDots.
UNITY: Greys, whites, blacks and tans cleverly meld to make a small living space appear larger than life.
Get funky with the ultimate contemporary space
Ready to kick that funk to the curb and get a little funky instead? I love this idea! Sometimes the best way to clear your mind is to declutter your surroundings.
If you have some room in the budget, think about doing something really daring. A bold new piece of art or a stunning gas fireplace can totally transform a room. The sky’s the limit!
7. Deliver dynamism
IMAGINE: Bring a contemporary living room to life with this ‘Dynamic Dreaming’ print.
8. Make friends with metal
MAGIC: Turn a modernist space into a land of make believe with an internal slide.
Shout it out: Embrace bold colours
There’s a lot of talk about the psychology of color, and it’s fascinating, but I think the real secret is simpler. Choose colors that make you feel genuinely happy, and then go all in! I’m talking about being fearless with your choices.
Painting your walls a vibrant color can be the shock to the system you need to shift your whole mood. It’s a powerful thing!
9. Be bold, fearless and modern
BE BOLD: Don’t be afraid to go crazy with colour with this ‘Mask Of Emotions’ print, a bright wall and a mad chair.
10. Spread flower power
By DecorDots.
YES: Accept positively into your life with flower upon flower of colourful stylings.
Be brave: Let your personality shine
I think it’s so important to remember that it’s more than okay to be different. You should absolutely own what makes you unique! Don’t be afraid to lean into what you love, even if it feels a little unconventional.
Give your friends something exciting to talk about! I’ve found a couple of ideas that I hope will get your own creative ideas flowing.
11. Party on
CELEBRATE: Transform an otherwise conservative decor into a party palace with this ‘Ready To Party’ watercolour.
12. Don’t look back
ALL THE FUN: Who needs to even leave the house when you’ve got a skate park in your living room?
Get your vintage on: Take inspiration from yesteryear
If the hustle and bustle of modern life is getting to you, why not create an escape? Inviting a piece of the past into your living space is such a beautiful way to do it. I’m thinking of romantic, feminine touches with a little bit of French chic.
It’s a wonderful way to soften a room and make it feel like a gentle retreat from the noisy world outside.
13. Enjoy a French twist
FRENCH TWIST: All it takes is a chic sofa and this ‘Vintage Blue Butterflies’ wall art print.
14. Try shabby chic
By Lulu Tapp.
REVIVE YOUR LIFE: A few white throws and rustic timber add ons will give your living space a fashionable ‘shabby chic’ look.
Scratch those itchy feet: Celebrate multiculturalism
For anyone who loves to travel and connect with different cultures, bringing those elements home is a fantastic way to lift your spirits. I love the idea of creating a space that’s a celebration of people and places from all over the world.
It’s all about layering textures and patterns that tell a story and fill your home with warmth and acceptance.
15. Discover the best of Islam
LIVE AND LEARN: This stunning ‘Turquoise Tiles’ Islamic art print melds beautifully with modern furnishings, giving a room a rich, almost art deco feel.
16. Mix in Morocco
By Justina Blakeney.
ETHNIC HUES: Bring a melting pot of cultures to your home, with textiles and textures from Morocco and Turkey.
Spark romance: Ignite a little fire
Maybe you’re tired of being single, or perhaps your relationship could use a little spark. I think people often underestimate how much our surroundings can influence our mood.
Don’t dismiss the power of art and decor to inspire a little passion! Creating a romantic atmosphere in your living room can make a world of difference.
17. Get the heat on
STEAMY: This ‘Embrace’ print will heat things up in the living area. But what will you hang in the bedroom?
18. Bring back old romantic
By Shabby Fufu.
WHIMSICAL: You don’t have to be in a relationship to create a place of love and romance.
Awaken your soul with some citrus zing
You need a reason to feel energized in the morning, right? If the world outside feels a little gray, one of the best things you can do is bring some life indoors. I’m talking about fresh, citrusy colors that just feel like soul food.
They can instantly wake up a space and make it feel so much more vibrant and alive. It’s an amazing combination!
19. Splice up your life
ZING: Nothing looks better with the oranges, lemons and limes in this ‘Citrus Slices’ print than natural browns and tan tones.
20. Get into the lime light
By Jonny Valiant.
IRRESISTIBLE: Lime and white (or apple and eggshell) give this living space a fresh, modern feel.
Be eclectic: Mix and match like your life depends on it
If you’re really looking to shake things up, stepping outside of your design comfort zone is the way to go. I love an eclectic look, but it’s not about just filling your room with random things.
It’s a more thoughtful process of choosing a few special pieces that you really connect with and letting them tell a unique story about you.
21. Explore dot paintings
ECLECTIC: Combine a dot painting like ‘Intersection’ with classic interior styling
22. Create some eye candy
WOW: Organised clutter is not clutter at all, with a careful selection of choice cushions, artworks and floral arrangements.
Ready for a change? I hope there was something here that inspired you. Start your creative journey now with a new piece of art!
