From an interior design point of view, the living room is arguably the most important room in the house. This is the case for a simple reason: it’s the place you’ll be spending the most of your leisure time. As such, it’s got to look and feel the part. Your choice of furniture, colours and lighting will all be crucial, and 2020 should see some particularly interesting trends arrive in the living room. Let’s take a look!
Novel Storage
If you’re trying to relax, or to concentrate on what’s on the TV, then clutter should be considered enemy number one. It takes up space, it looks untidy, and it prevents light from flowing naturally from one part of the room to the other.
In the living room, as in most spaces, you’ll find there’s quite a bit of wasted space underneath sofas, coffee-tables and tv cabinets. To get the best possible use of this space often calls for a bespoke solution. You can get these made to order, or, if you’re feeling creative, you can even build one yourself. Gas struts for furniture are perfect for preventing heavy doors from slamming, and thus they’re fantastic for ottoman-style chests. You’ll be able to save money on timber by upcycling another, unused piece of furniture.
Bear in mind also that storage space in other parts of your home will also have an impact on your living space, so even if you don’t decide on extra furniture in the room itself, you might find that things are improved by reorganising the home elsewhere.
Blocks of Colour
Bold geometric patterns make a refreshing change from intricate floral ones. When colours are put together in this way, they can create a vibrant, punchy effect. Your choice of colours will matter a great deal, here – look for pairings and trios that are muted and pastel. That way you’ll avoid creating sensory overload.
Animal Prints
Most Australians love animals, and so the idea of having a small piece of one in the living room probably doesn’t appeal to many. Prints represent a great way to get the natural world into your interior – a tiger-print rug is cruelty free, and will add instant personality to just about any living space.
Contrasting Texture
Now, you’re not going to be touching everything in your living room, but still the texture of different materials will effect the way light interacts with them, and thus the appearance of the room. So, you might have a glossy cushion and a furry one, each of the same colour, but which look entirely different. Throwing several layers of texture into the same space can be an effective way to add interest. Decorative items like dried plants and prints can also help do this.
Chintz
2020 may well be the year that chintz makes a comeback. For the uninitiated, this is a form of printed fabric that’s been glazed over. You’ll be able to tame the retro look by pairing it with a few hyper-modern items of furniture. This is a brave move – but if you do it right, the rewards will be more than worthwhile!
Maximalism
For some time (and largely thanks to the influence of a certain popular furniture store) Scandinavian design has had a massive influence on the way we think about our interiors. But sparse minimalism isn’t the only option available, and braver homeowners are increasingly tempted to go in the opposite direction, and throw everything together in a single space. There are risks to doing this, but you’ll find plenty of guidance online. Good luck!
