How to style/accessorise my living room

[InferiorDesign]

I’m trying to up my game, and perhaps find my style, in interiors.

I’m late to the party at this, given I am in my 50s!

Anyway, there’s no budget for redecorating as it was done fairly recently, but it is a bit blank.

i have oak floors and oak tables. I have a few more wooden pieces arriving soon.

i have a three seater and a two seater burgundy leather couch, and my walls are a sort mushroom/neutral. From memory, the colour was whippet.

there’s an (enormous) telly that my husband loves, and to be fair I like the big size now i am used to it.

but my walls are bare and there’s no ornaments or soft textiles to speak of.

how on earth do I choose or even know what will work?

I'm not the best at this but sure feck it I'll write what I do and then someone else will come along.

Sounds like you need something on the walls, take your time picking stuff you love rather than just mass produced stuff that looks fine but isn't "you".

Hard to tell without photos, but do you need a rug?

I love cushions and throws to bring in other colours and make a living room seem cozy.

Also a plant or two and then lots of photos in frames on tables, mantle piece etc.

Oh and I read years ago to have a 70/20/10 colour scheme, so I had biscuity colours on the walls and for the sofas, purple check curtains and then cushions with those colours and some green.

I don't do that any more as my approach to colour is MORE but it was actually a good strategy.

Are you planning on adding any wall art/paintings? If you find one that complements or contrasts with your colour scheme, then pick out the colours of the painting that ‘pop’ and use that colour for cushions or rugs. This will make the whole room feel more put together.

Another tip is to carry one or two colours from each room to the next, so that there is a flow through the house.

To me different people do it different ways. I know friends who theme their living rooms with ornaments, styles and prints that fit in with the general decor.

Then there’s my DB and his DW who are more themed now but it’s a mish mash of what they have plus storage for their DS toys.

I tend to do a bit of both, I have a “theme” but then have things around that theme, so it’s quite fluid and I can change eg cushion covers, prints, throws so it still looks good.

I’m not overly keen on plants and they die on me so only have 3 low maintenance ones.

Actually you’re right there. In DM’s house she has a living room/bedroom which is DB’s and is filled with DB’s paintings and some family bits but plus a blue leather chesterfield sofa and a metal and black leather chair (both being stored there). It’s quite good though as the rug, cushions and throws (all bought by SIL and DB) tie in with the room.

Thank you all x I’ve spent today moving some things around and bought a couple of new lamps which vastly improve it already.

next to think of wall art or photos, and perhaps a nice throw.

i forgot to mention I had a rug which works with both couch and walls. And kind of brings them together .