When selling your home, prospective buyers will envisage themselves in the property, and the two areas that make the biggest impression are the kitchen and living room. These are the rooms where we relax and unwind, spend time with family, socialise and entertain. With that in mind, it’s essential that you make them as appealing as possible.
A kitchen can be difficult to make over – you can’t cheaply replace cupboards, worktops and appliances. Still, the living room can be given an update far easier and on a budget, especially if you’re willing to do the decorating yourself.
You can also make the living room look expensive and high quality without breaking the bank.
Vintage chic
Homeowners have embraced the vintage look – purchasing one-off vintage, upcycled or second-hand items that don’t match. This is a great way to make your home look unique. Choose items that aren’t mass-produced if possible. You can also pair more antique pieces with modern furniture to create contrast.
Wall art and panelling
Bare walls can make the room feel empty, so add colour, texture and interest with pictures on the wall. Posters in a mounted frame can look great – you don’t have to have original artwork. You can also add panelling which has risen in popularity in the last few years. This can add value to the space and create depth and interest. It also looks great to break up the colour by using a different colour for the panelling.
Texture
Different textures can be brought in via soft furnishings such as surface finishes, curtains, and cushions, as well as furniture, including comfy beanbags, armchairs and sofas. Your flooring can also add interest, for example combining colourful or natural fibre rugs with hard flooring. These elements bring people through a tactile journey inside your home, creating an atmosphere of luxury and elegance.
Lighting
This can have a significant impact on the space, adding warmth and dimension to every area. Rather than using a large light on the ceiling, use lamps, candles, fairy lights or light up trees or plants. These can make the room feel warm and cosy. Consider the tone of the light bulb and the type of light used; choose warmer tones rather than bright cold lighting.
Consider your colour scheme
Colour plays a huge role in determining how we feel in a room. Rising in popularity, opulent colours such as dark charcoals, emerald greens and metallics can make your space feel cosy and unique. Plum and violet are interesting colours and is associated with opulence, as they used to be an expensive colour to produce. Vibrant reds can look old-fashioned. Dark navy and grey are also popular as people move away from soft grey and beige.
