A colourful London homeEclectic Living Room, London
What Houzz contributors are saying:
Tidy your bookshelvesClutter can often make a room appear grubbier than it is. So if your shelves are looking distinctly messy, it may be time to employ some vigorous tidying strategies. Line up book spines, ensure stacks are orderly, and remove any stray papers, toys or magazines that have inadvertently been shoved in. The result: a room that looks cleaner, even if it isn’t actually cleaner.Browse a range of bookcases in the Houzz Shop
Let luxe ruleThe sheer scale of a large rug will instantly bring a sense of decadence to a space. And, as this lovely living room proves, an oversized rug shouldn’t be restricted to big areas. In fact, where a small rug might make a room feel choppy and therefore small, a large design will have the opposite effect. And just think how a rug like this will protect you from floorboard draughts over the winter. Bliss.
Tone it inCan you spot the TV? It’s been positioned in a larger recess of the existing alcove shelving. To prevent it from impinging on the design of the space, the owners have cleverly camouflaged it. The shelves have been painted black so that the screen merges into its background and doesn’t distract from the rest of the room. Simple and effective.How have you stored your television? Share in the Comments section.
Don’t be afraid to pick a vibrant pieceA large, colourful statement artwork is the perfect partner for a more subdued fireplace, since it has no colours with which to compete or coordinate.This space is also an example of a more eclectic interior. Compare it with the previous room and its comprehensive coordination: here, the artwork doesn’t tie in in the same way, and the space has a far more bohemian feel as a result.That said, the white in the artwork links to whites around the room, which helps to tie things together, but it’s the artwork, not the fireplace, that’s the star of the show.Styling a vibrant statement piece with a black fireplace? Try using a black frame to harness the artwork and boost the character of the fireplace.Like how the TV is blended into this room? Check out more ways to disguise your screen
Cleverly camouflage your tellyRather than not having a TV in your sitting room at all, you could shift the focus, as shown here – at first glance, it’s difficult to locate the screen. Investigate pre-made shelving units you can paint black, or have bespoke dark shelving fitted to accommodate your screen and watch it blend into the background. If you prefer your walls to be light, check out the various coloured televisions now available on the market, such the Bouroullec brothers’ Serif design, and see which you could potentially match to your favoured paint shade.
Get eclecticWhile grey can provide the perfect backdrop to highlight one accent colour, there’s no reason why you have to stop there. If you fancy more of a mixture, go right ahead. As you can see with this artistic living room, variety really can be the spice of life.
Go big or go homeIf you love prints, why stop at one? There is so much going on here, from the contrast of the sofa against the rug to the in-your-face artwork and a bursting library, but it works thanks to the solid background colour of the bookcases and the muted walls.
Photos in A Colourful London Home
Turner Pocock