Is your home lacking that high-end feel you’re craving? The good news is that adding a touch of luxury is easier than you think, and your living room is the best place to start.
Often the most used space in the home, it’s a place for relaxing with family, socialising with friends and curling up with a good book, and should thus be a haven in which to relax and unwind after a busy day. And, by changing up your layout and making a few simple swaps, you can easily create the opulent aesthetic and ambience of your dreams.
Create open space
The first step in creating a stylish and luxurious living room is to prioritise open space. Think about the pictures you see of luxury homes online and in magazines – you will rarely see a living room that is packed full of clutter. The key is to keep things simple, with only key pieces of furniture and accessories taking up floor space, so if you’ve got too many personal items overflowing from every corner, then it’s time for a clear out.
Clearing out your clutter can feel like an overwhelming task, but with a few simple guidelines, it doesn’t have to be. Take a look at some decluttering tips online to help you get started. If you struggle to part with your belongings, invest in some smart storage solutions like space-saving furniture to keep disorder at bay.
Play around with textures
Layering different textures around your living room can be a great way to add depth to the space. There are plenty of ways you can achieve this – start by thinking about the fabrics you already have, and choose some interesting contrasts; for example, if your sofa is velvet, pick a silk or chunky woollen-knit covered cushion or two to add variety and interest. Don’t fall into the trap of relying on one type of fabric for all your soft furnishings, or thinking that everything has to match perfectly, as this can actually cheapen the space.
It’s worth noting that layering textures is not just achievable through updating your soft furnishings, as artwork and ornaments are also effective ways to play around with texture. It may take you a few attempts to find a style that works for you, but that’s all part of the fun. Textures are constantly interchangeable, so even if you change your mind on something further down the line, it couldn’t be simpler to switch out your accessories for something fresh and new.
Choose hardwood over carpets
Hardwood flooring may not be to everyone’s home interior tastes, particularly if you like a cosy feel – but they are one of the best ways to add a touch of luxury to your living room. Choosing a quality hardwood floor over a carpet will make cleaning up any spillages easier and look effortlessly beautiful, too – and comfort can be added with the help of a large, thick-pile rug.
Carpets can start to look worn over time and pick up pet hair, but this is something you won’t have to worry about with a hardwood floor. Choose a trusted professional to install it, as any lumps, bumps or misalignment can quickly detract from the luxury feel you’re trying to create.
Bring nature indoors
To inject some instant modern glamour into your living room, bring nature indoors. Houseplants are a great way to add vibrancy to your space and add a pop of colour to a neutral colour palette – as well as instilling a sense of calm and relaxation into the room.
The great thing about houseplants is that you can choose some luxurious pots to put them in to further enhance your aesthetic – giant rattan, textured or hand-painted pots are all a good way to go. Visit a website like The Stem, which has an extensive collection of indoor plants, to learn more about the best types of plants to keep in your home and get some savvy plant care advice to ensure they thrive. You can find out more here.
Go big with artwork
Nothing screams luxury like an extravagant piece of artwork, and as a general rule of thumb, the bigger, the better. Make it a statement piece and allow it to do all of the talking, keeping the rest of your walls bare to ensure it stands out. Although a gallery wall can be a great focal point, they also tend to make the area look much busier, which is to be avoided when looking to create an opulent feel.
A huge and unique piece of artwork can be a great conversation starter amongst your guests. Visit your local art gallery – or if you’re the artistic type, you could even try making a one-of-a-kind piece for yourself. Just ensure it’s one you love, and will be happy to look at each day when you settle into your living room.
Use a neutral colour palette throughout
Because colour and texture play a key role when it comes to adding a touch of luxury, keeping your walls neutral will provide the perfect backdrop against which to get creative without creating overwhelm. Beige tones and shades of white and brown are a great place to start.
If you are struggling to find paint shades that fit into this colour scheme, do some research online and find inspiration in interior aesthetics you love. You’ll be able to find a list of the best neutral paint shades in a matter of minutes to take down to your preferred paint store with you and can get some testers to try out before you commit.
Update your hardware
If you are not a fan of substantial DIY projects and are looking for a simple way to add a touch of luxury to your living room, then focus on hardware, as this alone can be enough to transform the space.
Changing your light switches and the handles on TV cabinets and other pieces of furniture for sophisticated gold alternatives is a small change that adds an easy dose of high-end flair, and will mean you don’t have to purchase new pieces of furniture in their entirety. You’ll find plenty of hardware replacement tutorials online to help you get started if you’re planning on doing the work yourself.
