So you’ve decided to give the living room a makeover, but you’re not sure where to start. You might even want to tackle your dining room and bedroom at the same time. Well, here are a few simple guidelines to help make your project a success. They’ll work equally well for any room in the house.

Colours

Of course, colour breathes life into a dull environment, but be careful! Combine more than three in one room and that elegant look you’re after can quickly degenerate into something more akin to the kiddie corner at McDonald’s. On the other extreme, unless you’re an experienced colorist, too many tone-on-tone hues can lack contrast and brightness and take you down the path to 50 shades of bland.

If you’re interested in knowing more about how to use colours in a room, read this useful blog 10 Color Theory Basics Everyone Should Know from Tara Mastroeni on Freshome.com.

Patterns

Patterns are wonderful. When used judiciously, they can bring contrast and character to an otherwise non-descript décor. But just like with colour, too much of a good thing can wreak havoc so restrict yourself to no more than two patterns in the same colour palette.

For the living room, you could match trendy and colourful throw pillows with a baroque style wallpaper in the same colour scheme. Looking to live dangerously? Why not let different pattern styles collide and see what happens? The resulting big bang in your living room could yield something totally unexpected and exciting or a visual migraine, but it’s worth a try! Check this article on Better Homes & Gardens if you want to Learn How to Mix Patterns like pro.

Materials

Wood, metal, glass, stone, ceramic…when it comes to materials, more is definitely not more. The golden mean is usually a selection of no more than two. Plus, some combinations seem to work better than others, like wood and stone or stone and ceramic; together they create a feeling of warmth. Wood and metal make a great match for their opposing traits. While metal is cold and impersonal, the warm qualities of wood create a stimulating counter-balance. An outstanding mix of contrasting materials!

Source: Freshome

Themes

Mixing disparate styles successfully requires skill. Let’s say you like a sleek, Zen-like environment, while also being fascinated by the warm colours of an African-inspired interior. If this is the case, choose one single theme per room and pick only a few accessories that will add a subtle exotic touch to your home. Each of the styles you select must blend well together without necessarily having one more dominant than the other.

Source: Freshome

Source: Willman Interiors

With this simple rule as a guide, you can express yourself with the themes you like in every room of the house and they will add up in a brilliant interior. Go for neutral colours, display a few decorative elements that reflect the theme chosen and enjoy a unique and harmonious interior.

Patrick, Your Furniture Expert

Main image source: Marchi Cucine