With winter fast approaching and that chill in the air becoming more noticeable we will be retreating inside to hide from the elements very soon. During the winter months the living room should be a safe haven so your family can spend the cold nights indoors. Why not take the opportunity now to redecorate before the winter frost is truly upon us.

 

Living rooms are a very personal space. For many families it is a shared space where people can relax, watch some television or mull over the day’s newspapers. Creating a contemporary yet cosy living room can be challenging but you will reap long term benefits if your design is right.

 

There is a myth that exists around contemporary design that it can be stuffy, cold or even too masculine. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. When choosing a colour scheme for a contemporary room you aren’t confined to stony grays or bland whites and there a wealth of colour options open to you. This winter look to jewel tones to create a fabulous contemporary living room with a touch of romance. Deep purples, jade greens and citrine yellows are the colours to incorporate into this design.

 

Try the Crown Classic Collection to source these beautiful jewel tones. Colours such as Modern Organic, Modern Design and Modern Radiance ooze sophistication. If you are daring why not paint all four walls in your chosen shade including the skirting boards. For a more demure approach, just choose one wall to feature the colour. To keep the look sleek and contemporary, limit the accessories in the room. If you want to introduce a pattern or print keep this minimal by using it in one piece of furniture or a printed rug. If you are using patterns in a living room, introduce them via cushions or rugs but don’t try and do both at the same time.

 

The fireplace is a main feature in a lot of living rooms and should be utilised to make the most of its potential. Fireplaces are great for creating a cosy atmosphere and are perfect for warming up on the chilliest of winter evenings. To give your fireplace a new lease of life, why not paint it. Many fireplaces are hard wood with a wooden base that can both be painted easily.

 

If you decide to decorate the room with jewel shades, choose a full black or off white tone so that your fireplace will really stand out. Little Black Dress or Cream White are good examples of both of these colours. Even if you don’t use your fireplace you can still make a cosy feature out of it by decorating the hearth and base with holly or other winter berry bushes and candles.

 

To complete your family living room think about what the room is used for most. This may be watching TV or reading a good book. If your family enjoys watching television together in the evening, make sure you have dedicated storage for DVDs and that all of your unsightly wires and additional appliances are cleverly concealed. If you have a family of bookworms, create an area in your living room with book cases and a comfy armchair that fits in to your design. A bookshelf in its own right can be a great feature and a personal way to add colour to a room.

 

Happy Decorating,

 

Neville