5 (Not Impossible) Ways to Amp Up Your Living Room
We went to the experts for advice on how to update with ease.
By Abbe Wright
Give Your Fireplace the Silent Treatment
"To transition from winter to spring, I like to rearrange the furniture in the living room to create a connection with the outside. Focus your furniture in a way that lets you take advantage of the view outside."—Tim Clarke, author of
Coastal Modern: Sophisticated Homes Inspired by the Ocean
Hang Ghost Frames
"To add faux architectural interest in the living room, cover one blank wall with a collection of cheap frames—find them at discount stores or flea markets. Paint the frames the same shade as the wall color—it's an effect that mimics texture. Choose a high-gloss paint finish on the frames to add shimmer and sophistication and to make them pop from the wall."—Janet Lee of
LivingInANutshell.com and author of
Living in a Nutshell: Posh and Portable Decorating Ideas for Small Spaces
Self-Burglarize Your Space
"To make a big improvement in the living room, I'd suggest minimizing accessories. Take everything out of the room—picture frames, stacks of books and knickknacks—and then place some, but not all, back. [The remaining objects] will look less like clutter, and the room will be more inviting."—Phoebe Howard, author of
The Joy of Decorating: Southern Style with Mrs. Howard
Photo: Zach DeSart, designed by Celerie Kemble
Play the Same Game
"Do you have two mismatched lamps on either side of your couch, or one standing lamp and one tabletop lamp? Forget that. To get a big impact, get two matching lamps and place them on each side of the sofa."—Susanna Salk, author of
Be Your Own Decorator: Taking Inspiration and Cues from Today's Top Designers
Paint Your Walls Like You Paint Your Nails
"An easy way to update your living room is to change the color of the walls. A turquoise or an icy blue are beautiful colors, or try a pale gray with crisp white trim. Instead of painting just one wall in a room—which confuses the architecture—keep the background pure with the same color on all four walls and add unexpected pops of color using pillows."—Steven Gambrel, author of
Steven Gambrel: Time and Place
Next: 5 small ways to give your bedroom a big boost
Published 04/01/2012
