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From selecting wall art to revamping entire homes, Yoko Chow and Elimar Lobo Sáenz are accomplished interior designers with a knack for spotting trends and curating modern spaces. They both recognize the growing demand for a stylish living room, especially since the dawn of the pandemic.
Yoko Chow explains:
“The importance of the living room during the pandemic has increased since it is a space dedicated to relaxing and gathering with family members. Many homeowners have refined their approach toward [decorating] this space, and [took to] researching how to enhance the level of comfort.”
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Neutral with a Pop of Color
ElephantStock's interior design expert Elimar Lobo Sáenz shares her tips for crafting the perfect family-friendly living space and color palette:
“Starting with a neutral color scheme allows you to customize your space as your tastes and needs change. Also, you can easily add in the trending color of the moment and switch it out when you’re ready for something new. Always make sure to select an eggshell, satin, or gloss finish, as they are ideal for high traffic areas, since they're easy to wipe down and clean off all those little fingerprints. Additionally, a neutral palette gives the room a more serene atmosphere — a welcomed respite from the chaos of family life. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t add some fun pops of color!
Neutral furniture is a smart choice for the base of any living room. Layer on throw pillows in a variety of textures and colors, and you've created a stylish space for the whole family to enjoy! Look for fabrics that are nubby or woven, as they're more likely to hide stains and smudges than smooth, flat upholstery. Use wall art or colorful throw pillows as the focal point of your living room.”
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Textural Tricks
In Chow’s opinion, elevating your living space doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. In fact, there are several ways to upgrade your living room without breaking the bank.
“It is not always necessary to go through an extensive remodel to reach your goal. Often, you can play with colors and textures to enhance the ambience and uplift your [living space]. If I had to pick the top five affordable ways to upgrade your living room, the first would be painting the walls. It is not only [about] the color, but the texture and sheen level [as well]. Traditionally, walls used to have texture such as knockdown or orange peel, and high sheen to stand up to traffic. Today, if you’re after a modern look, removing this rough texture and reducing the sheen level should update the room and make it contemporary.”
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A Splash of Style
For another easy and affordable upgrade, Chow emphasizes the impact of a single bold wall.
“Another tip is to [focus on] one accent wall. You can finish it with a wallpaper or natural material such as wooden panels. These [techniques] have become easy to install for DYIers today.”
The internet has provided a plethora of resources for homeowners looking to complete their own projects, rather than shelling out for a contractor. View more accent wall ideas that you can execute yourself.
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Wall Art that Wows
The easiest way to give your living room a face lift is undoubtedly investing in wall art. With a low cost and minimal effort, a vibrant print can take your living space to another level. Chow is an enthusiastic advocate for hanging a well-positioned canvas.
“Instead of working on an entire surface, you can simply look for a piece of wall art in the right size and color palette. If you want to [focus] on wall art instead of an accent wall, it may be fun to install something large and impactful. If you feel one wall is [lacking something special], a medium-sized print (or a few small ones) will work effectively. Please be mindful to pick a color palette to [complement] the rest of the space.”
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Start Small
As Chow shares her final tips for simple living room upgrades, she stresses the importance of starting small.
“Two other tips one should consider for long-term investment [and impact] include: adding (or replacing) lights, and having indoor plants.
[For first-time decorators,] I would suggest though to start working with one element and build upon it.”
Whether you choose to create an accent wall or add an eye-catching piece of wall art, there are plenty of easy ways to elevate your living space. View more inspiring living room ideas here.
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