Making over a room doesn’t always necessitate getting rid of everything. Once you’ve decided on your look, consider what can be retained then use it to inspire your decorating choices.
When you’re setting up home for the first time you’re typically faced with a jumble of old hand-me-down furniture and accessories, not to mention a living room that’s often short on space and storage. It’s usually further restricted by the need to function as an entertaining/dining area and more often than not as a guest room. It can tend to look like an unholy mess but it doesn’t have to. With neutral walls and flooring and a determination to have a ruthless clear out, you can turn this singularly uninviting space into a room that’s pretty amazing.
Here’s a smart solution for a small space that functions as an all-in-one living, guest and dining room:
The retro style draws inspiration from the 1950’s, 60s, and 70s. It’s an uncluttered look - essential in tiny spaces - and, together with creamy-white walls, white ceilings, pale flooring and grey accents, makes the room appear spacious. And it allows you have splashes of bold colour and pattern. So if you love that gorgeous red sofa and dotty cushions and just have to have them, feel free.
One of the best tricks for making the room appear larger is to angle the furniture. Keeping your space clutter free is another, so bring in furniture that caters for storage or that is multi-purpose.
Choose furniture and accessories with clean compact lines that complement each other. Note how the curvy sofa echoes the curves of the wall lights as does the circular rug and lamp. And choose pieces that do double duty such as a coffee table with storage that turns into a low dining table when stools are pulled up around it. When not in use, the stools can be put to one side and act as side table. Also you can save on floor space with stacks of floor cushions that take the place of conventional seating, conveniently storing them under side tables until needed.
So if you have a small space and you’ve been ripping your hair out trying to work out how to make it work as a living/dining/guest room combo, this makeover should give you a head start. Just choose a style and colour scheme that works for you.