Who doesn’t love a timelessly stylish living space! Top tips to update yours ready for the summer…
It’s a dilemma most homeowners encounter: you always want your home to look on trend, but you don’t have the time (or the budget) to redecorate every few years. Interior fashions change with the seasons, which can make it tough to pick colours, furniture and accessories that won’t date very quickly. But, on the other hand, you still want everything to look à la mode. So, how do you create a living space that is functional, versatile, and timelessly stylish?
Trends come and go but, by picking a few staple investment pieces and being clever about which modern accents you use, it’s possible to create a stylish living area you’ll still love in years to come.
So, if you want to give your living room an overhaul, read on to learn our three top tips for timeless interiors.
Pick classic sofas and armchairs that won’t date
You’ll want to make sure that the most expensive items in your living space will stand the test of time. So, you’ll need to choose a sofa in a classic shape and long-lasting fabric: the Chesterfield style has a classic shape that will still be in style for years to come. And, even in a neutral colour, it will never fade into the background. Just be sure to choose a quality design from a reputable supplier, so you can be sure you’re getting a piece that will last. Sofas by Saxon has been crafting furniture by hand for over 35 years, so you know that their collection of Chesterfield sofas will go the distance.
If you want to inject some contemporary colour into your furnishings, opt for pieces that can be replaced affordably. If you love the brightly coloured velvet finishes we’ve seen on a lot of statement sofas lately, consider going for an ottoman, footstool or pouffe with this upholstery, and keeping your sofa in a more neutral tone.
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Future-proof your style with affordable accessories
When decorating, it’s easy to be tempted by trendy accent colours, wallpapers, and accessories. But, while those bright yellows, blush pinks and pricey copper accessories might be oh-so-stylish right now, you may regret choosing expensive items in these shades once fashion moves on.
It’s best to keep your key furniture items neutral, and then add colour with a few affordable accessories that you can easily replace if you get tired of them. There are plenty of easy ways to do this: rugs, throw cushions, and lamp shades can all be easily replaced without breaking the bank should you decide that you’d prefer another colour or style. The Range has a huge selection of affordable lamp shades in a choice of colours and styles, so they’re perfect if you need to give your room an instant update in the future.
Go for neutral paint colours or classic, understated wallpaper
Using statement wallpaper and fashionable paint colours may seem like a good idea now, but a few years down the line, it could seem more like a garish mistake that will be expensive to fix. So, when choosing paint colours and wallpapers, it’s best to stick to versatile, understated colours and patterns.
Neutral paint shades like white, light grey, magnolia and beige will create a timeless, airy feel in your space, and you won’t need to worry about them dating quickly. They’re also versatile enough to work with almost any accent colour, so you can change your furniture, artwork and accessories without the need to repaint. If you’ve got your heart set on a bold paint colour, limit yourself to painting the smallest wall in the room. This way, it will be easier to redecorate when a new interior trend comes into fashion.
Tell a personal story with your décor
While affordable accessories and decorative pieces offer a great way to add a new colour or style to your living space, it is possible to go overboard. If your accessories and artworks are purely decorative and don’t have any special significance to you, you’re likely to grow tired of them much more quickly.
Instead, it’s a much better idea to limit yourself to decorative objects that you have an emotional connection to. This will allow you to build a home filled with objects that you love, rather than meaningless decorations that will need replacing as soon as a particular style becomes passé. This could include photographs of family and friends, unusual souvenirs and objects you’ve collected on your travels, or even elegant editions of your favourite books: anything that stirs a special memory. These sorts of treasured possessions will only become more valued over time, so you can be sure you’ll still enjoy them for years to come.
Invest in a few antiques
When creating a timeless interior, it always helps to add a few antique pieces. Old furniture and accessories have already stood the test of time so, unlike trendy modern pieces, you know they won’t be going out of fashion anytime soon. They’ll also provide a great counterpoint to your neutral paint colours and décor.
If you’re new to antiques buying, begin your collection with a smaller, more affordable item: a side table or small cabinet is a great place to start. If you’re still uncertain about making an expensive investment, consider visiting antique shops to find smaller decorative objects like vases, statuettes and lamps. Salvage yards are also a great place to hunt for more unusual accessories, and they’re often a brilliant place to bag a bargain, too.
The living room is the heart of the home, so you’ll want to make sure that you’re still in love with yours a few years down the line. By keeping your décor neutral, investing in quality staple furniture, and using affordable accessories to incorporate trendy colours and styles, you can future-proof your living area and create a timelessly elegant space.
