When it comes to giving your home a makeover, doing just a little bit can go a long way. Embark on a decorating adventure without straining your pockets: MsT gives you a list of five living room essentials that can help you spruce up even the dullest of spaces. Happy redecorating!
Lighting: According to professional interior designer, Shaazma Hussain, “Any space can look dramatic with soft, indirect lighting. You can add the warm lighting with an antique lamp or a colourful, vintage shade that throws a splash of light onto the ceiling.” Mubashir Hassan, lead designer and owner at Contradictions, agrees. “Personally, I prefer subtle, diffused lighting so lamps are always a yes. If there is not enough space for lamps then install soft lights onto the ceilings.”
Wall Art: “A living room should always have a few paintings,” says Asma, an interior planner at Talent and Taste, Karachi. “If not a few then one single, large one can definitely do the trick.” According to Shaazma, “Big frames and large frames juxtaposed together can add an artistic touch to any wall but make sure you coordinate the colour scheme of the art with the furniture lest the room look over decorated.” Additionally, Mubashir prescribes wallpapers as they are convenient, economic and offer lots of variety. “I use plenty of wallpaper and textured paints to create a focal wall in my designs,” he says. “Make sure you contrast your wall with the colours of the other items in the room. One can also install wall-to-wall mirrors to make small rooms appear bigger.”
Antiquities: Shaazma suggests adding an antique to your living room, no matter what it is. “It is always wonderful to have a conversational piece in the room, regardless of how modern the rest of the decor is. A good antique adds oodles of glamour.” Seema Irfan, a home decor enthusiast suggests intricate bookshelves, wooden cases and tapestries from vintage bazaars and claims that, “Nothing can parallel the look of an antique piece as it can speak volumes about your taste and leave a lasting impression on visitors.”
Flooring: “This is the first thing I look at when redecorating,” shares Mubashir. “Fancy carpets, wood laminates and even plain white tiles, all give a nice clean look.” If time and finances permit, refurbish the flooring in your lounge to give the room a new feel and adorn it with colourful, textured rugs that contrast with your furniture.
Consoles: According to Asma, “A good console can add elegance to any room and there is a large variety to choose from.” These are ideal for filling up empty places around the lounge that are too small for big furniture and too big for simple wall hangings. Place matching pictures, candles, decoration pieces and frames, etc to boost the appearance of the room and make it look fuller. A console also has the added benefit of a mirror which not only covers empty wall space but also breaks the monotony of a large wall.
Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, June 1st, 2014.
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If these are ideas for a home....they just don't work. To me the pictures cry.....2-3 star hotel lobby. Your home has to have personality, charm the feeling of being lived in, that's basic.