If you’re a regular reader of the blog, I can guess that you love looking at photos of beautiful interiors just as much as I do. I regularly share a lot of home and interior tips on my little corner of the internet because quite frankly, I’m a bit home obsessed to say the least.
Whether it’s a celebrities home tour video online or a stylish living space on Pinterest/Instagram, there’s something all of those impeccably decorated rooms have in common which I love. No matter the design style: they look polished and pulled together.
You know it when you see it. However, that perfectly pulled-together feel is sometimes hard to pinpoint, especially when you look at your own space and think how do I get mine looking all modern and stylish?
If you can, the best thing to do as a first step is to plan a small renovation. There may be parts to your home which need a slightly bigger renovation project, so if this is you, address these first and try to have them ticked off before moving on to the smaller design updates, For example, roofs or complete garden landscaping can be big jobs in themselves. Always invest in professional companies for these, check out projects 4 roofing homepage for proper help. For example, houses where the front lounge flows into the dining room all open plan always look more spacious and modern. So if time and budget allows, look at opening up your downstairs space if you need a home improvement which instantly gives ‘more room’.
Conservatory and little summer houses extended onto homes have also been reported to be on the biggest return on investments, making the value of your house go on. The options what you can do with this extension in endless – a home office, children’s play room, a dining room?
For any larger improvement project you undertake, it’s best to plan to have somewhere else to live while the project takes place. Ideally you would use a reputable moving company, to transport the items you need and stay somewhere else for a week while work is done. It’s also worth noting you would benefit from need using a roll off dumpster service to remove all of your junk during the project. It’s best to use a local service, so have a search in your area for roll off dumpster rental Atlanta (or wherever you are located) to find a reputable company near you
However, this isn’t always as easy as it sounds. A lot of us have tight budgets, and have to turn to small, cosmetic updates to freshen up our homes.
First, it’s important to point out that most homes you see photographed for a magazine or popular social media account are staged and professionally styled, so don’t get all beat up about why your home doesn’t quite look like a replica. Many people turn to interior designers and specilaists, so if you’re wondering why you can’t think up these incredible ideas or create them yourself, remember that a lot of people don’t do it on their own either! If budget allows, an interior designer is a great idea if you need extra help and you feel stuck in a rut. Have a look in your area to find someone fit for the job. For example, if you are updating your London home, a search for a London based interior designer will take you to those who carry out this service in your area. You can then check out their portfolios and, if you find you like one designer’s work, enquire about a consultation.
Whether you’re a minimalist or a maximalist, here’s 7 ways to update your home to reflect that beautiful, pulled-together living room look we’re all obsessing over…
1.Get the centre piece right
When you have visitors in your home, they tend to gather in the living room, and the fire place is the first area they’ll be drawn to. It’s usually the key feature of the room, and in today’s modern world, the more sleek and slimline, the better.
For those who love a chic, minimal look, a wood burning stove is now all the rage. The designs from Jøtul are based on Norwegian cast iron craftsmanship and functional, modern design, giving that touch of stylish innovative yet providing effective heat and light too.
You’ll possibly see these in newer homes that reflect that Scandi vibe, and they blend in perfectly with clean, clutter free rooms with a fashionable feel.
2. A large statement rug
Any apartment interior designer will tell you that an appropriately large area rug is one of the fundamental elements of any room. Saying that, it’s especially the living room where these act as the ‘wow’ point.
A rug that most of your furniture can at sit on top at least halfway will create a sense of unity in the room and make it feel larger. Rugs can be quite expensive, so if you can only afford a smaller 5’ x 7’ size of the rug you love, try layering it over a larger plain throw-over that acts as a sheer rug, which are typically more affordable.
Trust me when I say this is one of the most important factors of a well-designed and pulled-together room.
3. Invest in greenery
I’m truly in the belief that every room should have something alive in it, as of course, plants make you happier (or so experts say!). Although people often tend to ‘leaf out’ their kitchens, your living room is a great place to star to give it that calm, fresh feel.
Small plants are the perfect accent for your coffee table or shelves, and taller plants and trees are the ideal solution for bare corners. Plants add color, texture, and literally life to your space, all of which bring out that pulled-together feeling. Floor plants can also fill in that awkward corner that looks a bit open and ‘bare’.
4. An interesting coffee table
Alongside a fireplace, a coffee table can be one of the main focal points in the lounge. The fun with coffee tables is that they aren’t just a bog standard table – they are interesting because of they can inherent design or set a theme for the room.
You can go for wooden and cottage style vibes, or geometric and minimal. Or, you can even inject a bright colour via a stylish coffee table. If you have a wide-open surface you’re not sure what to do with, try adding a tray that fills a third or half of the tabletop — both for a layer of visual interest and as a way to corral whatever items you choose in a way that looks intentional.
The same design principles apply to outdoor spaces too. Just as a coffee table can anchor a living room, a thoughtfully chosen piece can do the same for a patio or garden. Whether you’re creating a cozy nook or a more polished entertaining area, browsing outdoor furniture collections from companies like Madbury Road and similar others, can offer both inspiration and functional style to help complete the look.
5. Multiple lighting sources
Having the right amount of light when and where you want it is another key element of a well-designed space that is often overlooked. Sometimes, you just can’t light up a room correctly and with the right ambiance if you rely solely on the overhead light that came with your apartment or home.
Create an atmosphere by adding lamps (both floor and tabletop) and wall fixtures where needed to create cosy, well-lit areas within your living room. Plus, the light fixtures themselves can contribute to the overall design of your room.
To make these lighting choices work together more seamlessly, you may also benefit from working with professional interior designers who understand how to balance comfort, functionality, and aesthetics within a space. Designers from reputable HAUS Interior Design firms (or similar companies) can help you create layered lighting arrangements that complement your home’s layout while enhancing the warmth, style, and overall atmosphere of each room.
Ultimately, modernising your home does not always require a complete renovation. With thoughtful design choices, layered lighting, and a few stylish updates, you can create a space that feels polished, inviting, and effortlessly put together.
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