living room Archives - Page 2 of 31

3 best colours for a chic rustic living room

If you thought the idea of rustic style was something that really only belonged in a quaint chocolate-box cottage, then you might be surprised. When executed properly, with the right rustic furniture, colours and, of course, accessories, the rustic style can be applied to any type of living room. It can work in homes ranging from the more traditional to a contemporary apartment building. But how do you make it work for you? And what colours should you pair with it?

What is rustic style?

The modern rustic look is one that offers a somewhat soothing quality to your home. It is a look that is built around the use of raw edges, natural materials, such as reclaimed wood furniture and stone, along with soft colours.

Our top 5 reclaimed wood furniture picks

The key to creating this type of style is informal elegance and in the modern home that can also mean open floor plans, preserved natural architectural details and plenty of light. It’s also important to get the colour right to keep the rustic look fresh and modern. With this in mind let’s take a look at three palettes that complement a contemporary rustic living room.

1. Neutral

A neutral (think off-white, beige, light grey or magnolia) colour scheme can give you a fantastic backdrop against which your key pieces of rustic furniture can take centre stage and create the perfect rustic living room. For example, a cosy brown leather sofa beside a rustic coffee table – these are great pieces of furniture to build your rustic decor around. Whilst a neutral palette is a fantastic colour for your walls and floors, without the right touches it risks looking cold and lack the rustic charm you are striving for. The extra touches that you can add by way of accessories offer the perfect opportunity to add a bit of warmth that will help bring the rustic look together. Muted tones, such as grey and dusky pinks will ensure you don’t stray too far from your neutral pallet, but will add some much needed warmth; think rugs, cushions with textures and even artwork.

3 colours that complement a brown leather sofa

2. Bold and Dark

There is something about a smaller living room that works really well with bolder darker colours. Darker greens and deep blues are a great combination with reclaimed wood furniture, helping to create a warm and welcoming space that invites you to relax. The key is to be subtle and not overdo things – less is more when it comes to dark shades and creating the perfect rustic living space. Use a splash of colour to create feature walls or with accessories, such as rugs, throws and cushions, as well as cosy lighting to create a rustic glow at night.

3. Natural colours and textures

Our final colour scheme, and one that works particularly well in a rustic living room, brings natural earthy colours together to complement the textures of rustic furniture. Colours that you should consider here include a range of browns and muted tones like sage green. These colours work wonderfully well with brown leather sofas and standalone pieces of furniture like a wooden side table and lamp combination. They also bring a fantastic contemporary contrast against natural exposed brick work and wood panelling – both raw or painted – to create a contemporary rustic look. Continue the natural theme throughout the room to create a cohesive rustic look with some well placed foliage; a plant or a stone vase of grasses would work really well.

Fresh home interior trends

Are you considering mixing up your colour scheme to fit around your rustic furniture? If so, what colours are you considering? Leave a comment below and share your ideas.

6 super stylish ways to decorate a bay window

The bay window is a classic piece of British house design. Dating back to the English Renaissance period, the word ‘bay’ comes from the French word ‘baee’, meaning open. Typically found in grand houses and mansion full of decadent furniture, the bay window is now a wonderful feature found in many homes, both period and modern. If you’re lucky enough to have a bay window, you’ll want to make the most of it. And, although a bay window comes with a host of benefits – more natural daylight, a greater outside view and more space, to name just a few – they can be a tricky area to work with.

Here we look at 6 stylish ways to style a bay window, whether that’s in the living room, dining room or bedroom.

1. Build a window seat

A bay window is an excellent spot to create a window seat. This will naturally be a lovely bright area with daylight streaming in from all angles. Perfect to sit and bask in the sun, watch rain or snow falling, catch-up with friends or just relax, a built-in boxed seating area is a classic way to make the most of the space. Add a seat cushion and pile up some scatter cushions for comfort and colour.

Tip: make the most of the space under the seat by adding some hidden storage.

credit: @aconstantdreamer

2. Create a social seating area

If you want your bay to have flexibility, you can create a seating area using a couple of charming small armchairs in an accent colour or even a small 2 seater sofa. This way you can move the chairs and rearrange the space quickly and easily. You can create this no matter what size your bay is or whether it’s in the living room, dining room or even the bedroom. Simply add a small side table and other accessories, such as a plant or table lamp to help pull the look together.

Credit: @maxinebradystyling

3. Make a dining nook

In a kitchen, a bay window gives you the perfect opportunity to create a dining area. To make the most of the space, let the size and shape of the bay dictate what table is best – a small rectangle table or a small round dining table should fit. Add four upholstered dining chairs or a small wooden dining bench and you can make good use of the area as a cosy dining space.

4. A space for eye-catching window dressings

You can really go to town to dress the windows especially if you want to create a beautiful frame for a gorgeous view through your bay window. You can use a mix of blinds and curtains – keep with the colour scheme the same as in your room or use the opportunity to introduce an accent colour. Alternatively, white shutters are a classic way to frame a bay window and a look that will never go out of style.

Credit: @bellwayhometorhead

5. Add a reading nook

Whether your bay window is in the bedroom or living room, it makes an absolute perfect spot in which to create a reading nook. You can either arrange an armchair and a small wooden side table for a reading lamp or make a window seat with shelving for books below to make good use of the space.

6. Put nothing in it!

You can just leave it empty – this will give the impression that your room is bigger than it actually is – keep the curtain and blind colours neutral to make the space feel as bright and airy as possible. If you feel it would look better with just a little something there then add a houseplant at the edge- this will help to tie in any greenery outside.

Check out more of our home styling tips and inspiration such as…

How to mix metals in the home

mango wood sideboard

Gold, brass, silver of black steel, we show you how to get heavy on the metal in your home.

Read here

How to style chairs with your industrial dining table

Do you stick with an industrial theme and go reclaimed wood or soften with velvet dining chairs?

Discover more

Broken-plan v Open-plan: What’s the difference?

Four wooden bar stools in front of a kitchen island in an open plan home

We’ve all heard of open-plan living. It became the architectural style of choice in the 1970s when the trend for building homes with fewer interior walls became a thing. It resulted in a surge of knocking down walls and joining rooms in period homes to create a better space for the way we live today and is still one of the most popular designs to dominate interiors. For some, it is the epitome of style and luxury, but the latest buzzword in interiors is broken-plan. Have you heard of this? Is this a style that could suit you?

We absolutely love open-plan living as a nation, but it is not always the most practical option bearing in mind the various activities that have to take place in this space. So, in came another option which is the “broken-plan” space.

What is broken-plan living?

A buzz-word that has been around for a while, broken-plan is the clever use of space in which the open floor is zoned into areas by the use of various floor finishes, split levels and semi-permanent partitions such as a display unit or bookcase.

These subtle divides give a sense of division to a room without closing down the open space. It gives a semi-private feel to some of the zones, something that can be important for families today.

Why did people fall in love with open-plan living?

Modern lives are busy and multitasking is an everyday necessity. Light and spacious, open-plan living promotes flow and fluidity in a home, but also allows us to perform different tasks at the same time. Preparing supper while supervising the kid’s homework or being part of the conversation when friends are over and sat around the dining table, rather than stuck in the kitchen alone.

But, some people find open-plan living too ‘open’ with a lack of privacy. It also tends to be noisier. Contrary to what you may think, dressing and styling an open space can be hard too; even gargantuan sofas can look timid and lost in such a cavernous space. A completely open-plan room can look devoid of character and be hard to make cosy and inviting. Most people want their living space to be relaxing and cosy. This is were broken-plan living has emerge as a compromise.

How broken-plan living differs

Broken-plan attempts to retain all the good things about open-plan – fluidity, light and space – while bringing in elements based on a room-by-room basis. For example, you can retain a large open-plan seating area, but use various pieces of reclaimed wood furniture, ceiling pendant lights and an accent armchair to create a small nook for reading or listening to music.

No doors or walls

Just like with open-plan living, there are few doors and permanent walls in a broken-plan living scheme because it relies on semi-permanent structures instead. In other words, when the need for change arises, you can move the items of rustic furniture to create new spaces and zones.

What can you do to achieve this?

Different floor levels – this is a great way to instantly define different zones of a room. Create a step up from a seating area into the dining space to it a more intimate feel or add a floating floor to denote a different space. you don’t have to use a rustic bookcase or display unit as a partition on their own. You could use them in tandem with a change in floor level. A floating floor is simply a step up but instantly denotes a different space.
Half walls – partitions don’t have to be full height. If you find open-plan living too noisy or soulless, a wooden sideboard makes the perfect alternative. Place a rustic sideboard at the back of your sofa with some tall plants or dried grasses to create a natural division as well as extra storage and privacy.

Is there a future for open-plan living?

There will always be a place for the open-plan style, just as there will be fans of the new way of doing things, broken-plan living. We’re in favour of both. What do you prefer? Leave a comment below or start a conversation @modishliving.

Create a cosy reading nook for World Book Day

For many of us, there is nothing more relaxing than getting cosy and stuck into a good book. If that’s your thing then creating a space using your favourite rustic furniture where you can sit back, relax and enjoy your favourite read should be high on your home wish-list. This month we celebrate 25 years of World Book Day and so what better time to create an area that is as personal as your beloved book collection?

Ideas to create a cosy reading nook for World Book Day and beyond

The great thing about a reading nook is that it doesn’t have to be a big space – just somewhere that’s in a quiet part of the house with some good lighting. If you have a window with the sun streaming in then that may perfect for some, but not everyone likes to sit in a bright sunny spot so an alternative darker space will be better suited. If you are short on space you can make a window seat your reading spot, the landing might have a spare corner to make use of or put a comfy armchair in the corner of your guest bedroom or home office and combine the two – this would be perfect if you read a lot as part of your work.

Sitting comfortably

Comfortable seating is important for your new reading nook, however, you may be restricted by what space you have available. Decide what type of seating suits you best – if you like to sit and read with the kids then we love the idea of bean bags and cushions on the floor – wonderfully cosy to stretch out and lie down on. Or if reading is a moment of ‘me-time’, choose a seat that is comfy for you – maybe you want a Oswald Armchair and leather footstool combo to put your feet up on, a chaise long or a small armchair and a blanket to curl up.

The best seating for modern rustic living rooms

Add a bookcase

Book storage is also important for us bookworms! If you like your books on show then consider an open rustic bookcase. As well as being the perfect display place for your favourite tomes, a wooden bookcase is also a great room divider, helping your zone an open-plan space and create the ideal reading nook.

If you prefer for your books to be safely stored away and not on show then a wooden sideboard with doors is worth considering. You can use this reclaimed wood furniture to make your reading space personal by adding some wall prints, a house plant and some of your favourite photos of family and friends on the surface.

Keep a side table at your side

Aside from having somewhere to sit, the next most important consideration for a reading nook is a spot to place a lamp and cup of tea or coffee (or wine!) whilst you escape into your story. An industrial side table like the Mitcham Industrial Oak Side Table is a great choice – it doesn’t take up much space and can be easily moved around to your desired reading area and tucked away when not in use.

Mango Wood – How suitable is it for furniture?

Where do you like to sit when you read? We’d love to hear how you make your reading nook special. Leave a comment in the box below or join the conversation @modishliving.

Quick ways to transform a room over the weekend

It’s that time of year when we tend to get many jobs around the house ticked off the list and a perfect opportunity to get stuck into a few quick indoor weekend DIY projects before spring is upon us. From dusting down your wooden shelves or reclaimed wood furniture to updating cushions and decorative accessories, see our tips on how to give your home a refresh in no time at all.

We are a proud nation of DIY’ers and spend millions every year on projects to personalise and improve our homes. This became even more of a thing during the lockdown months when home improvements were about the only thing we could do! There’s always something needing refreshing, from the hallway to the bedroom, so if you have some weekends free over the next month take a look at our handy ways to transform a space.

How to give your home a weekend makeover

1. A splash of paint

A lick of paint brightens a room in an instance and it can completely change the atmosphere of the room whether in the living room, dining room, bedroom or kitchen, and it doesn’t have to take weeks. When you choose your colour you can pick a different shade of what you already have in the room or go for a bold contrasting colour if you’re really wanting to switch it up.

Little final touches make all the difference here – hang some new pictures or family photographs on the wall, place a new plant pot on an industrial coffee table with a houseplant and get some new scatter cushions for the sofa and your living room will feel fresh and new.

2. Move your furniture around

Moving the furniture around is a good excuse to have a declutter and deep clean. In the bedroom make some space for a new solid wood chest of drawers or wooden dressing table for some extra storage – maybe even a blanket box at the foot of your bed? You can bring in a reading chair near the window to make yourself little space for some quiet relaxation – maybe add a new throw and scatter cushions on the bed and a new rug – your bedroom will feel as good as new. The same applies in the living room. Move a velvet armchair and wooden side table into a bay to create a new zone that can be used anytime of the day.

3. De-clutter and rearrange the cupboards

This is mostly for a kitchen makeover. The kitchen is always one of those places where clutter seems to accumulate. Have a sort out and sell or give away kitchen items you no longer need or use. Move everything off any open shelves to give them a good wipe down and clean any items you’re putting back up there. For a change of scene, buy a couple of new decorative pots, jars or storage containers to go on your shelves and don’t forget to add a houseplant – this always makes a room look brighter. If you need extra storage and don’t have room for a kitchen dresser add some open shelving or a small sideboard to create more space.

4. Hallway makeover

Here is one area of the home that is easy to refresh and one that will have a big impact to everyone stepping into the home. Give the right first impression by clearing away and tidying up any shoes that don’t need to be in the hallway. Give any shoe-scuffed walls a wipe down and clean or even a quick lick of paint and look at refreshing the styling on the tops of your hallway storage furniture, such as an industrial console table. Add a houseplant, table lamp or fresh bouquet of flowers or dried flowers to add a new colour. For an instant transformation, hang a mirror on the wall to not only change the look, but bounce light around your hallway.

Reclaimed wood furniture is great for heavy traffic areas in the home – salvaged wood already has marks and undulations so it really won’t notice if someone bags a heavy school bag into it as they’re rushing out the door. Finally, add a new doormat to for a fresh new feel every time you walk through the door.

Get more makeover ideas here

Tips and tricks to create a pet friendly living room

Did you know Sunday the 20th of February is National Love Your Pet Day? It will come as no surprise that we are truly a nation of animal lovers with around 59% of UK households estimated to have pets in 2021. That’s quite a jump from 45% back in 2011. Our lovely pets are part of the family and share our homes, but what with them having four legs, a lot more hair (and fur!) than most of us and a tendency for muddy paws, sharing our living spaces needs a bit more consideration. In this blog, we look at a few ideas to create a harmonious living space that works for both you and your pampered pooch…

Help make your living room people and pet-friendly

1. Choose fabrics carefully

Ideally you need fabrics that are tough and durable – leather, faux leather, smooth synthetics and microfibers as well as outdoor fabrics like canvas are ideal and can look stylish when styled well. A tan leather sofa or a faux leather couch is a good choice as it can be easily wiped clean of mucky paws, plus they’re strong enough to withstand small scratches – a weathered 2 seater sofa vintage brown leather may even look more at home with a few lived-in marks and scratches. Another great option is to have removable covers on your sofa that can be machine washed along with cosy blankets and cushions – just make sure to steer clear of cushions made from delicate fabric, such as silk.

Now, you may think velvet as a fabric is a definite no-no when it comes to pets, but don’t be too quick to discard it. Some velvet is not as delicate as you might first assume! It can actually be very resistant to wear and tear and animal fur can easily be brushed off – so a velvet armchair is a good choice for both you and your pet to curl up on!

If you really don’t want your pets on the sofa, but want them close to you, how about placing their bed on the sofa? Or maybe a large footstool with a blanket or throw that be washed? This way they can be part of the family movie night without any risk of making a mess in the living room. Cats and dogs love to curl up in front of a fire, so this is an obvious place to add a pet bed to your living room – they will get used to lying on it pretty quickly!

Preston Footstool- Mineral

2. Think about flooring

The type of flooring you have in your living room is important if you have pets in the home. If you have a small dog and usually walk them on pavements then you will most likely get away with a carpeted floor possibly with a rug or two where they walk across to their bed. However, as a rule, carpet is best avoided when cats and dogs are part of the family.

Tiled floors are best when it comes to being washable but can feel a bit cold for pets and humans alike, especially in a living room in the UK. A hardwood floor or engineered wood are best options – with some washable rugs for added warmth. Another flooring worth considering is vinyl. Durable, waterproof and cost effective, vinyl has come a long way since the orange incarnations of the ’70s and can be purchased in planks to replicate a wood or tile floor, as well as a range or different styles and patterns. You can even get antimicrobial vinyl flooring that hinders the growth of bacteria.

3. Pick furniture best for two and four legs

Furniture style is also an important consideration and not just when you factor in scratching and chewing. If you have a larger dog with a waggy tail think about the height of your furniture. Your gorgeous rustic coffee table with books, ornaments and a small vase expertly styled on top may look perfect in the centre of your living room, but one swipe from an excited tail and it’s ruined. Wooden side tables are generally a bit higher than coffee tables, so a couple of these at the ends of your sofa may be a better solution. Or you can position a wooden sideboard or rustic console table against a wall in your living room to use as a spot to add your stylish ornaments and drinks on – the higher surface is a safer bet to prevent any four-legged accidents.

4. Industrial furniture – a pet-friendly solution

Reclaimed wood furniture is a favourite in the living room, but its tactile quality is also admired by claws and fangs! If you don’t want to worry about your pets scratching or ruining your rustic furniture, solid industrial style furniture is a sturdy and perfect compromise as it mostly features wonderful powder-coated steel legs and feet that are less interesting to pets. They are very unlikely to get much satisfaction from scratching (or chewing) metal legs and less likely to knock it over in moments of excitement!

Cosy up your living room for a romantic Valentine’s day

A romantic living room is all about upping the cosy-stakes and Valentine’s day, today is the perfect day to give it a go! Making a room extra cosy helps it feel so much warmer too, so with the last month or so of winter (hopefully) upon us we can see out the last of the season in our super snug living space. If you are lucky enough to have reclaimed wood furniture in your space then you already have a great foundation to build on – natural rustic wood always look warm and homely without even having to try.

Layering textiles

Soft tactile cushions and throws are so lovely and comforting to sink into, but mix in other warm textures, such as velvet, corduroy or wool and the cosiness is taken up to another level. Blankets are also wonderful to snuggle under when you’re cuddled up on the sofa…..there’s no such thing as too much cuddling on Valentine’s day! Even if you already have carpet, you can still add a rug to help make your floor feel even softer and extra warm, it’s also a great way to bring in some additional colour into your living space. Place under a rustic coffee table and make it a centrepiece.

Ditch bright lights

Bright lights are a definite no-no for Valentine’s day – it’s dim lighting only! Whether that comes from table lamps on a wooden side table or rustic console table to a floor-standing light in the corner of the room. Obviously, candles should feature in your room – stand some on a wooden sideboard and also on the coffee table, you can even scatter them on the floor if you’re careful! Candles provide warm, romantic and flattering light and help to set the right atmosphere in the room. A win, win for the day of love.

Romantic aroma

We think about lighting when we want to set an atmosphere in a room, but scent is just as important. Fresh flowers on the mantlepiece or a wooden sideboard are the natural choice for this but you should also consider scented candles and diffusers to help set the mood. For a romantic scent, choose vanilla, rose & jasmine all of which are said to have aphrodisiac properties.

Cosy colours

Bring in colours that will make your living room feel romantic. Natural hues with warming colours such as reds, oranges and golds will really warm up your room and give it a touch of romance. You don’t have to do a whole room makeover – that would be a romantic gesture too far, but by bringing in some warm coloured accessories you can set the mood. If you have dark furniture or warm honey-coloured mango wood furniture like the Farnham collection, a very romantic range featuring glittering brass accents within the furniture, the candlelight will reflect and bounce beautifully around your living room.

Not feeling the love? Discover more inspiration here and let cupid’s arrow bring some romance into your home…

3 colours that complement a brown leather sofa

Brown leather sofa with floor lamp and dark green walls

The classic brown leather sofa is a timeless piece of furniture that is found in thousands of stylish living rooms up and down the UK, if not the world. There’s a good reason for this – it’s such a versatile colour that can be styled in many different ways with many different colour schemes and furniture, including rustic furniture or modern furniture. If you’ve invested in one of these interior classics, to help you make the best decision for the colour scheme of your living room, we’ve picked three of our favourite looks that we think complement a brown leather couch beautifully…

Best colours for a brown leather sofa

1. Glorious Green

Green and brown are the colours of nature and work so easily together. We’re not talking bold bright greens here, but a subtle shade that could used as an alternative to bright white walls. Sage green is a popular hue this season as is a darker more moodier shade of green. This can be introduced as an accent wall in a more neutral colour scheme or if if you’re feeling bold, cover all the walls, skirting boards, coving and even the ceiling in a dark brooding green! For more subtle pops of green, large house plants are the perfect accessory, along with layers of green cushions, a lamp shade or rug. If you want the room to appear brighter, consider a lighter tan leather sofa paired with an accent piece of furniture like a modern armchair to add an extra eye-catching feature to the room.

2. Beautiful Blue

A brown leather Oswald sofa and pale blue work so beautifully together – reminiscent of a classic Wedgewood blue. This pale elegant colour will not only brighten your room, but will allow the beauty of your sofa to stand out, let’s face it, a gorgeous Oswald sofa is one that you really want to show off. Whilst pale blue is a lovely soft shade to pair with a leather couch, it would be shortsighted to not also consider a rich peacock or navy blue. These hues work well with reclaimed wood furniture as well a brown leather sofa by adding depth and balance to the scheme. Bring in a contrasting accent colour via accessories or furniture, especially if you have chosen a modern leather sofa.

Talking colour with Little Greene Paint Company – discover how to use colour in the home

3. Devilishly Dark – Grey or Black

If you’re fond of the boho style, a dark grey or black colour scheme with leather furniture is a win. It can also work if you’re wanting to achieve an industrial style living room – what doesn’t feel more NYC loft style living than a brown leather sofa paired with an industrial coffee table featuring black metal legs and exposed steel beams in the ceiling. For a more boho take, pair your sofa with natural materials, such as jute, rattan and rustic furniture with black or dark grey accessories, such as a Berber style rug and a wooden side table with black steel legs. If you’re wanting to create a cocooning space then a brown leather sofa with dark painted walls, such as Farrow & Ball Railings, will make a statement. The brown hue of the sofa will soften the darkness adding instant warmth. Black as a colour scheme is always popular and is re-invented time and time again as interior decor trends change, as does a brown leather sofa. By marrying these two classics together, you have a timeless scheme that will stand the test of time.

Relevant articles

5 of the best unique coffee tables for a modern rustic style

Without a doubt, a coffee table is one of the most important furniture pieces in your living room. It’s usually the centrepiece of your sitting area, so although coffee tables generally aren’t as big a purchase as a sofa, they can be as important by helping to centre and liven up the room – not to mention provide an opportunity to introduce some of your personality and style into the room.

We love a unique rustic coffee table for adding a style statement to a living room. It brings an instant warmth and individuality to a room no matter if the overlook look is contemporary or classic. Let’s dive right in and take a look at our edit of 5 of the best unique coffee tables for a modern rustic style.

5 of the most unique rustic coffee tables

1. Oasis Coffee Table

This gorgeous wood coffee table is a surefire way to make a dramatic impact in your living room. The table top is crafted from rustic wood that has been sand blasted clean to showcase the natural beauty, grains, shakes and splits of the wood, whilst the highly polished steel crossed leg adds a wonderful contrast. A beautiful blend of modern and rustic all wrapped up in one statement piece of living room furniture.

2. Cadagan Glass Coffee Table

If you want some pops of glamorous gold in your sitting space then you should seriously consider this industrial coffee table. Beautiful in black set in an on-trend parquet design, this large square coffee table sits on glitzy gold industrial style legs. With the right centrepiece sat atop this table you have everything you need to create the perfect unique feature piece in your living room.

3. Eastwood Rustic Oak Coffee Table

An environmentally conscious purchase doesn’t have to be overly rustic or reclaimed. Whilst reclaimed wood furniture is a great eco-choice, other sustainable options include woods such as mango wood furniture. Mango wood features a rich honey colour and although it is a hardwood, it’s malleable and easy to work with. The Eastwood Rustic Oak Coffee Table is a perfect demonstration of how unusual and eye-catching sustainable furniture can look.

4. Serenity Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table

An ideal choice in a smaller living room, the rustic wood and curves present an attractive piece of industrial style furniture for your living space.

5. Derby Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table

The Derby reclaimed wood furniture collection is a timeless classic with each piece being authentically unique and one-of-a-kind.

Which one is your favourite? Now that’s you’ve picked your unique wooden coffee table for your modern rustic living space, read our style tips to transform a coffee table into an Insta-worthy centrepiece.