living room Archives - Page 23 of 31

How to style stainless steel to love it in your home

Stainless steel is an ideal choice for adding a zing of detail to any room, so no surprise that we turn to it as the must-have metallic finish.

But it can be tricky to handle, soon tipping from chic to a cacophony of silver finishes. And so, using it sparingly but well is the key.

Use it as an accent

Many interior designers use stainless steel as an accent colour in a space. This allows it to be introduced in a way that is controlled and without it being overpowering. It works with a variety of other materials, such as reclaimed wood furniture. The smoothness of the stainless steel works well with the roughness of the wood, an ideal combination.

Devil in the detail

Exquisite pieces with stainless steel detailing are also a serious option for introducing stainless steel into any room. For example, this rather easy-on-the-eye console table is the perfect fit for any hallway. Note how the silver accessories bring a note of cohesion to the whole look, a plus in our book of hallway decorating ideas.

Perfect for any sized room

From the smallest room in the house to open plan living, the versatility of stainless steel is such that it suits all sizes and dimension of rooms. In smaller rooms, stainless steel can really shine but this doesn’t mean opting for larger-than-life furniture. This bijou piece is perfect as a modern TV unit with understated stainless steel legs is perfect.

Workhorses can shine too

There are many items of reclaimed furniture that can be described as essential in any room, from the sideboard in the dining room to the display unit in the living room. All of these items can stand out, with stainless steel being the ideal detail. Take a look at a reclaimed wood coffee table, for example, complete with simple, yet striking stainless steel legs, perfect for pulling together the industrial style with a hint of sumptuous luxury.

Mix it with the traditional too

There are many iconic shapes and styles that we love for our homes, and there is nothing wrong in ringing the changes by marrying the sleek modern, cool appeal of stainless steel with stylish leather.

Mix the modern and the old can produce exciting eclectic pieces. And we think the RetroSit brown leather armchair is a perfect example of the stunning results of mixing two materials such as stainless steel and leather together.

Likewise, the iconic styling of the leather Chesterfield armchair is perfect sitting alongside the elegance of stainless steel legs.

All that glistens…

… could be stainless steel. Or gold. Or both. There is nothing in the rulebook that says you must only just one metallic finish and never mix metallic. There are stunning examples of chrome and brass, or stainless steel and gold metallic finishes working harmoniously in one room.

Our tip would be to decide on one ‘main’ metallic finish but using the other in a supporting role, such as brass tack beading on chairs or a lamp base.

Stainless steel is beautiful. Smooth and cool to the touch how will you bring stainless steel into your home?

Amazing coffee tables that will help you have a clutter free home

When it comes to storage, there is no doubt that, at times, it presents a real headache. We all need and in every room too but sometimes, we can feel that the choices of storage solutions are limited.

Thankfully, there are solutions, from stylish sideboards to elegant display units and dressers. But, there is one item that we feel never gets the fair crack of the whip when it comes to providing storage solutions: the coffee table.

A coffee table with storage doesn’t have to be large and cumbersome, neither does it have to be a ‘box’. There is a growing range of coffee tables in all shapes and sizes, that offer extra accessible storage.

Open storage

Shelving is a versatile addition to any room and in the living room, you can open shelving with stunning display units. Accessing items, from books to magazines is simple, quick and easy. It is also the ideal space for showing off sculptures and other accessories.

And an open shelve on a coffee table can work just as well too. This modern style coffee table with ladder shelf won’t swamp a room and sits well with both a sofa and fabric armchairs to frame them in a space.

The box

Sometimes, the best solutions are the simplest which is why we love the box coffee table so much. Unpretentious in design and style, this upcycled coffee table brings a fantastic level of detail into a space. It chunkiness is welcome in many different kinds of interior design styles, but if you like the story that upcycled, or reclaimed furniture brings, then you will love what this coffee table offers.

The drawers have it!

The best storage for many people or so they feel is to have drawers in the coffee table. And why not? It is a universal solution that works for all.

Again, styling it out is important and there is something delightful and very tactile about the button drawer handles on this rustic styled coffee table. The rustic style is simple, yet beautiful: it retains the warmth of the farmhouse style but refines many of the details hence, the beautiful drawer handles on this piece.

Following the same lines is this exquisite piece also leaning towards the rustic, but there are edges and angles to this coffee table with drawers that could align it with the contemporary style too.

But if you have storage needs that would spill out of two drawers, take a look at what this drawer and shelving combination coffee table would bring to your room. Delightfully solid and robust, this piece is satisfyingly robust looking, without being too boxy or angular.

How will you style it?

Coffee tables deserve your attention. And yet, so many time we simply opt for one based on its price tag alone.

Invest a little more and you will find that when it comes to maintaining a clutter-free home, that it provides a lot of help in the shape of storage.

But how will you style your coffee table? Will it be the sleek lines of the modern style or the reliability of the refined rustic approach?

Luxurious coffee tables for every style & budget

Whether you enjoy a latter or the depth of an espresso coffee, Coffee Break day celebrated across the globe on 4^th March and is the perfect excuse to indulge in something extra special.

We all know how important breaks are, whether we are hard at work or completing tasks at home. And although excessive intake of caffeine impacts on our bodies, the occasional cup of coffee is a welcome treat. The better the quality of coffee bean, the richer depths you will enjoy in your chosen coffee. But do you like yours?

Do you like the milky undertones of a cappuccino or do you prefer the velvet smoothness of a latte? Or maybe, the jolt from an aromatic espresso is your secret treat…

How do you enjoy yours?

Of course, coffee, like a fine wine or a rich chocolate bar, is meant to be savoured and enjoyed, not sipped from a cardboard cup through a plastic lid as you run for the train!

Creating the perfect corner in your home to relax and savour any beverage or break is the ideal solution to enjoying a break.

And thus, the humble coffee table comes into view. But is it ‘just’ a coffee table or something more?

Something More…

A coffee table plays an important role in the living room, the office, or any space where there is informal seating like sofas and comfy armchairs. It is the platform on which you will place your artisan coffee, your favourite paperback or magazine when you kick back and relax.

It is a piece of reclaimed furniture that adds depth and detail to a space and thus, it makes sense to spend some time on getting the right coffee table in terms of style, as well as price.

Shape – there are square ones, rectangle ones, oval ones and round ones from which to choose. The shape is a personal choice. Some people prefer the large rectangle coffee table as it frames the sofa in its position, whilst others prefer the curves of the round coffee table. Which suits your living room?
Style – reclaimed wood coffee tables are popular, simply because they offer style with aplomb but also because we fall in love with the romance of where the wood has been, the life and drama it has silently witnessed. Reclaimed wood is perfect for any style, including the brusqueness of the industrial style, to the warmth of the farmhouse styled living room.

Storage – of course, the humble coffee table is an important item in any living room but in the busy family home, it can be a furniture item that provides storage. A coffee table with storage is perfect for any home, but it can still look slimline, just in case you were worried about chunkiness that would not sit well alongside your chosen style.

The Coffee Table Budget

And finally, the cost of the coffee table reflects the quality and the style that it brings. And there is a reclaimed wood coffee table with your name written all over it, and within budget too. Why not take a look?

Round coffee tables and how to style them at their best

Luxe Kensington Reclaimed Wood Round Coffee Tables

It may ‘only’ be a round coffee table, and you may not give much thought to where or how it is placed. After all, you just need it to be within reach of the sofa and armchairs.

But by not paying attention to this piece of furniture, you are missing an important styling trick. To help you out, we have some fantastic styling tips for all coffee tables, from a large to a small round coffee table.

Create a ‘visual reference’

We often talk of a focal point in rooms, as its inclusion helps the eye to make sense of the space. In effect, a well-placed round coffee table can do the same thing. It may not be the focal point but by being in the ‘right’ place is emphasising the space.

The beauty of a round coffee table is that its circular shape is naturally inclusive and can act as a point around which the seating options in the room can gravitate to. Ensure plenty of distance to walk around it to gain access to your sofa and chairs though!

Add detail

Adding detail to a room is done in many ways and a coffee table is just one way of doing it;

Vary heights – varying the height of furniture in a room stops it looking flat and one-dimensional. Coffee tables are great for adding height. The nest of reclaimed wood coffee table from the Kensington range can come with a glass top too, perfect for adding a hint of luxury to the industrial style living room.
Cluster – another way to add detail is to use matching or complementing side tables alongside the coffee table. For a quirky look, you could add square side tables alongside a roundtable but to promote a sense of cohesion, opt for complementing round side tables. This pretty Elm recycled wood table is perfect for acting as a small side table to frame the sofa. Team it with the beautiful Edale cream sofa, with exquisite button detail, for a stunning look to the living room.
Materials – cohesion is one thing, but it can soon tip into monotony. And so, if you don’t vary the height, consider varying the materials used instead. The rawness of the reclaimed wood top teamed with the elegance of the stainless steel leg detailing on the Kensington Luxe reclaimed wood round coffee table is simply stunning. Contrast the roughness of the top with the smoothness of a glass vase or another sculptured object. Alternatively, the super-smoothness of the marble top of this minimally designed Kensal round coffee table would be a stunning surprise in the industrial styled landscape of a living room.

Size – it is important! A large table works well where there is ample space to accommodate it, but if space is tight, don’t swamp the space. In effect, a well-placed coffee table that shines in the spotlight is as much about dimension as it is about the material. A small glass coffee table will dispatch its function just as well as large round coffee table, complete with a vast expanse of table top.

A round coffee table ticks so many boxes. How do you style yours?

Plan a wonderful atmosphere for the two of you this Valentine’s Day

The origins of Valentine’s day that we celebrate on 14^th February each year are shrouded in mystery. For centuries, February has been seen as the month of romance. But this doesn’t just mean celebrating the love, passion and romance between you and your ‘significant other’. It means revelling in the love you have for others too.

And that’s why this Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to get together with all your loved ones and celebrate the relationships and friendships you share. We’ve come up with some great ideas that work just as well for family time or for a romantic interlude between the two of you.

And better still, you don’t have to leave the warmth of your own home…

A Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt indoors is a great way to hide small gifts for your special ones to find. Valentine’s Day is not about giving expensive gifts but about showing people that you care. So, whichever gifts you choose to hide, put plenty of thought into them.

Personal gifts are the best, especially ones that have been made for the person in question. How about these as ideas…?

Create individual IOU notes to completes a pleasant task on their behalf at some point in the next few months, such as breakfast in bed on a Sunday morning.
Make your own presents such as a stack of cookies in their favourite flavour or a pretty box filled with delicious sweets.
Personalised gifts bought online can be expensive but are the type of gifts that people treasure for a long time.

Eat Together (but with a twist!)

You can always create a romantic ambience with a well-set reclaimed wood dining table and pristine upholstered dining chairs, serve up steak and oysters… but again, it isn’t about the expense but spending time with your significant other or others.

So, spread out on the warmth of a large sheepskin rug, serve up nibbles at your living room Valentine’s picnic, choose a film and relax, enjoying the chatter and the love in the room.

Board Games Bonanza

Consider this, when was the last time you played a board game together? The digital age has meant most of us have become welded to our phones and thus, there is a whole generation missing out on learning the rules of Ludo, Monopoly, Mousetrap and not developing dexterity to complete the buzzer game, Operation.

Now is the time, so hop on down to your local toy store, buy a board game and introduce your kids – and reintroduce yourself too – to the fun of a board game. How else can this digital generation learn to really argue with their siblings over fair play?!

Get Out and About

From a hike in the hills (check the weather) to a trip to a local museum or art gallery, to create the perfect atmosphere this Valentine’s, all you need is love and laughter.

The hero of creating extra space in the living room

Are there times when you wish you had more storage space in the living room? And yet adding another piece of furniture makes no sense, it’ll just crowd the space you have.

And so, it is a logical conclusion to this argument that you maximise the storage space in key items of the room, from the industrial display unit to the fetching, rustic appealing coffee table.

But there is one other item of furniture, the unsung hero of storage in the living room: the TV stand.

How to maximise Space with a TV Stand

TVs are flatter, lighter and bigger but if you are not one for mounting it on the wall, a TV stand is an essential piece of kit. Ditch the modern, plastic stand they come with and opt for beauty and hidden history of reclaimed, wooden TV cabinets.

With a story of their own to tell, they are available in a range of finishes and styles, thus there is something to suit all tastes, styles and budgets, from the angular pleasing lines of the industrial style to a home boasting all kinds of reclaimed wood furniture.

But, how does a TV cabinet work best? With drawers or without? The majority of people on Houzz in one of our polls opt for drawers as being the perfect storage solution, whilst just over half of those who responded liked the idea of shelves.

With one decision made – drawers or shelves? – you can now move on to incorporating the TV cabinet into the living room décor.

# Fits small spaces

Not everyone wants the TV as a focal point and so quite often, it is placed in a part of the room that is ‘out of the way’ in many respects. TV cabinets are made to in differing styles and so a corner cabinet with additional store is perfect for most people.

# Multi-tasking versatility…

In many respects you don’t have an either/or decision between drawers and shelving – why not have both? There are exquisite pieces such as the Sorio reclaimed wood media and TV unit that has both and we have many others that work with any kind of interior design style too.

# Great for other rooms too

We assume that because something is described as TV cabinet it must only be in the living room with the TV on it. Or the sideboard can only really fit the dining room and so on.

BREAKING NEWS: the TV cabinet, in all its multi-tasking glory, is perfect for any room in the house, from additional storage space in the bedroom to a fantastic addition to the home study.

# Injecting something different…

And by this, we don’t mean opting for a gaudy coloured item or one made from a synthetic material to act as a modern foil to the living room’s brown leather sofa. We mean that its detailing (or lack of), the colour (or lack of), the iconic shape and design so often associated with various styles, such as that found in industrial furniture, can be a standalone piece that stands out just enough to be noticed, but not jar on the eyeline.

Can you tell we think that the TV cabinet is an understated addition to the home? Isn’t it time you looked again?

How to improve your open-plan living space

You may have come across our polls on Instagram and Houzz, and you may have contributed to the debate too. If not, why not take a look and be part of a community that enjoys discussing trends in interior design?

We asked a question that we thought would elicit a lot of response – and we weren’t wrong! Possibly one of our most controversial questions yet: is it over for the open plan living room?

We Asked, You Answered

The answer was no, it is not over with the majority of people still in support of an open plan living room as a great solution for the modern home. But, there were a significant group of people that said yes, it is over for the open plan living space.

What surprised us was the lack of ‘don’t knows’ or ‘unsure’. And we think that this shows the love or hate relationship we have with this style of living. With this in mind, we take a look at an open plan living room and how to create a cohesive space with industrial style furniture that works.

Styling an Open Plan Living Room

Open plan living spaces can be fantastic IF they are styled well, but can look and feel cavernous and characterless if not. Great styles to use with this kind of open living are the farmhouse style – no chance of large farmhouse furniture pieces swamping the space – or the industrial style, one that is synonymous with loft living.

So, what hints do we have?

Define spaces – just because it is open plan living doesn’t mean that you cannot define spaces within it. But instead of walls, use room dividers such an industrial style display unit. This open shelving unit allows for light and vision to pass through, but zones an area at the same time.

Think big – an open plan space can accommodate some of the larger pieces of furniture that catch our attention, and do so with ease. For the farmhouse style, there is no denying the importance of the dining table. The heating heart of the home, a large farmhouse dining table works well as it too can be an object that denotes the use of the area. In other words, it is a piece of furniture that allows you and your guests to ‘make sense’ of the open plan living space. (HINT: industrial dining tables work just as well too!)
Create a focal point – any room, open plan or otherwise, can seem cavernous and featureless if there is no focal point. They can be a fixed object, such as a splendid fireplace or, for an open living you may want to introduce something else that acts as the defining statement of the room. Living room décor can provide the semi-permanent focal point you are looking for;

Expose the beams – paint metal ones black as use these are a frame to the room
Be creative – use old windows are a room divider
Create a feature wall – and create one that really stands out! From large print wallpaper to super-bold colour, the feature wall can be even more gregarious in an open plan living space

Open plan living is, admittedly, not for everyone. BUT, we think with the right reclaimed furniture and style, it is a space that is cosy, practical and uber-stylish.

Is a Oswald sofa the one for you?

There are many items of furniture that boast such a recognisable shape and design, that no matter what style touches it, it is iconic. No matter what you do the Oswald sofa, there is an unstated class and elegance, a nostalgic touch of yesteryear about it.

It has remained an option for consumers for decades and it seems, this is not going to change anytime soon. But we wanted to know what our fans on Houzz and Instagram thought.

We Asked, You Answered

We presented you with two images, one of the Oswald Sofa and the other of the Napier sofa, itself boasting a fairly iconic, modern shape – and we asked: “is the Oswald sofa reappearing in home interiors?”

Faced with a choice of two fantastic sofas, our poll clearly presented our followers with the toughest choice yet. On Houzz, the majority of voters agreed that Oswald was a piece making a comeback but there was a strong showing for Napier, a sofa that can be completely customised with Harris tweed to your exact requirements.

On Instagram, our followers made the opposite choice. The unfussy shape and finish of the Napier Harries tweed sofa pipped the Oswald sofa to take the crown – and by a considerable majority too.

But, are these two sofas so very different? How can we use them in our homes, no matter what our style?

Industrial Style

Some of the comments alluded to the fact that as a modern sofa, the fact that you can customise the Napier sofa was the clear reason why it was favoured. For many of us, this is essential.

In order for it to ‘fit’ perfectly, you can choose your own shade and pattern of tweed or moon wool, and throw in some leather too.

This means that no matter what your style, your sofa can be the standout piece or it will seamlessly meld with the rest of your home.

For example, take the industrial look – a fusion of the raw brick and natural materials, with a slice of the practical and functional – is a growing trend, timeless and classic. The Napier sofa would suit perfectly, wouldn’t it, in leather and plain wool framed by an industrial coffee table, such as the Oldham Coffee Table?

Modern Style

The modern style takes components from other design schemes and combines them to make a practical style, with an understated impact and function to it.

But here’s the thing: drop the leather Oswald sofa into a modern design scheme and hey presto! It looks just as much as home as it did in a stately home.

And so, what now? Choose your shape, choose your fabric and love your sofa for years to come, whether it’s Oswald or Napier.

How to find the best living room furniture arrangement

On the face of it, it doesn’t look too difficult. After all, it is a square or rectangle room (or it might be an awkwardly shaped room!) and all you need to do is place the chosen items of furniture in it. Job done.

But then, it doesn’t look right or feels right. There is something missing, or there is too much packed in… it feels cluttered and disconnected. Since when has it been so hard to put furniture in the living room!

Help is at hand…

Use what is already there

What features are in your living room? From the fireplace to the sweep of the bay window, work with what features you have rather than working against them.

Think connections

This is a great tip – place the sofa and the armchairs like they are having a conversation with each other, just like you will when you spend time with friends in the living room. Connect the items with clever bridges such as luxury rugs that act as ‘pathways’.

Create a ‘centre’ to the room

This isn’t about the centre of the room being the spot around which all else revolves but finding or creating a natural spot in the room around which life circulates. Highlight this with the use of furniture around this ‘centre’ and create pointers so that the eye can make sense of the room. Hanging modern pendant lighting, for example, is a great way of drawing attention to and defining the ‘centre’.

Don’t put things against the wall

Leave a gap behind the sofa and pull the armchairs away from the wall. This stops that look of everything following the boundary of the wall. You may think this takes up space but with a well-chosen armchair, your living room can seem more spacious with gaps around and behind key items.

Don’t let the TV and fireplace compete for attention

On one hand, the fireplace is a natural focal point and yet, the cinematic TVs we are purchasing are the actual focal point of many a living room. Resolve the dispute by placing the two side by side, or wall mounting the TV on the chimney breast.

Use a coffee table as an ‘anchor’

As well as a focal point, the room needs an anchor, a piece of furniture that allows the eye to make sense of the room. A stylish coffee table is an ideal choice for this role. Choose one that complements your chosen style, from the rustic to the uber-modern, and why not be a little more daring in your choice…?

Add a rug

An under-used accessory, we always think, but that may be because you are unsure how to use the rug. The right size is essential and so carefully measure the floor space and decide on how much of this you want the rug to cover. It can frame the room well, especially if the rug finishes at or just under items of furniture, like the sofa.

And finally, wooden shelving is an addition that is practical and understated, essential for so many living rooms. And for hard to dress corners, the floor standing mirror is not just for the bedroom, you know…