We have a very special guest today on OMSY, her name is Jody and she hails from the UK. Jody Jones is a graduate of Journalism in the UK, loves travelling and writing about interior and exterior design on her journeys. She can be contacted through jody@ellieparker.co.uk
Handy Tips For Interior Design
When they think of interior design, many people think of modern neutral colours, coordinated accessories and expensive furniture. However there are many different trends that can bring a new lease of life to any living space, and on any budget.
Colour
Of course, soft neutrals are a timeless interior design trend, and can help to create a lighter, more spacious feel in any living room; this is why they are so popular. They work well alone or with bursts of strong colour, for example feature walls, which can be achieved with paint or wallpaper. Another way of incorporating colour is with furniture or accessories – those who are more daring might choose a brightly coloured, space-age shaped sofa and egg-shaped chairs, or the more traditional might select from a good range of leather sofas, supplemented with brightly coloured cushions, rugs and picture prints.
Minimalism
A very popular current interior design trend is the modern, minimalistic look. Fresh, plain wall coverings and carpets, plus laminate flooring can be teamed with glass or plastic furniture with straight lines, for example, black coffee tables with straight edges and perfect corners. Sofas that suit this trend are usually square – fabric or leather corner sofas in neutral colours work extremely well, especially with neat, square cushions in contrasting neutrals. Photographic canvas prints, perhaps of city skylines or breathtaking landscapes help to finish off the modern look.
Shabby Chic
Although the modern look is very popular, an even more current interior design living room trend is vintage shabby chic. Traditional leather or fabric sofas can be swapped for vintage style day beds, scattered with cushions covered in pale stripes and floral prints. Traditional photographs can be swapped for English fete style pastel coloured bunting, and ordinary wooden furniture can be swapped for distressed, pastel painted versions.
The Hollywood Look
Another historic interior design trend that is making a comeback is the elegant Hollywood, 30’s and 40’s look. Built-in dark hardwood bookcases and display cabinets, bold fabric sofas and rugs, over-the-top curtains and coving, and deluxe furniture pieces in gold and crystals can bring a sophisticated look to a living room.
Plants
A relatively simple and inexpensive way to improve living room space is to incorporate plants. Free standing pot plants in decorative pots to suit the style of the room, silk flowers in decorative vases, and small plants in windowsill-sized pots can make a trendy addition to any living room.
There are plenty of things you can do to improve the look of any space and the above few tips, when used alone or together as part of a whole room’s look, can really spruce up any living space on a shoestring budget; proving you don’t need an unlimited bank account to echo the look of a bygone era, make your home look like a showpiece, or just spice things up around the house and try out something a little bit different.
{Photo credits – Stock.XCHNG}
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Oh, that Hollywood look sounds divine! Though I think most of our house is currently more “shabby chic.” At least now I have a name for our haphazard style! LOL
Ohhh! I would love my entire house to be minimalist!! *sigh*
Love the tips! Interior design is definately not my strong suit.
We’ve always rented, so I’ve never thought that much about our interior design. I do admire homes that look nice when you walk in – where someone has clearly put thought into the design. It’s so welcoming, whether that design is modern or shabby chic or whatever else. It’s just clear that the design was important to the person and that makes it feel warm, if that makes sense. :)
My mom is so darn good at designing a space it blows me away. These are some fantastic tips. :)
I LOVE the Minimalism look but am so far away from achieving it!!!
I Love the shabby chic style!.. I would have my WHOLE house like that except my hubby chose some really modern furniture in our main living area.. so I’m trying to toss in little bits of shabby chic into the mix.. so we will have a “modern shabby” style lol
That sounds like a great compromise Jennifer!!
Is country out now??? Just kidding, I think dusty rose and hunter green should be outlawed from the colour deck… Loved your post
I hear you Margarita…when we first moved into this house it was all hunter green and burgundy :)
I always thought that going for the minimalist approach is a way to be simple but elegant at the same time. And the photos you’ve shown did just that.
Dana recently posted…Wood and its Different Uses in Construction
Thanks Dana, I feel the same way about minimalist decorating. Simple but elegant!
Minimalist look all the way.. second would be plants.. nothing like some real life growing right inside the house..
GREAT post.
Gorgeous! Some day I would love to have a home to decorate – for now we are just surviving. {dreaming}