Use creamy colours, fresh florals and streamlined storage to turn a bland space into a grown-up lounge with room for dining.

DARK AND CLUTTERED
Some effort had been made to bring order to this living room, but it just was not working! The storage baskets were overflowing with books and magazines, and the all-white soft furnishings looked bland and boring rather than harmonious. The doors and picture rail were painted in dark maroon which did nothing to lift the scheme, and the scuffed laminate flooring made the room feel cold and drab.
The room also has to serve as a dining room with a table and chairs tucked into a corner at the opposite end of the room. Dual-purpose spaces can be tricky to decorate and furnish as both areas need to be defined, yet work as a whole. This room needed a definite theme to unify the space, as well as some practical storage to create a more calm and welcoming atmosphere for relaxing and dining.
Finally, bright accessories and soft patterns were needed to freshen up and modernise the whole space.

Rearrange the furniture
In its original position, the sofa dominated the room, so it was moved to sit neatly under the window, creating more uninterrupted floor space and ensuring the dining area at (more…)

WELL TEAMED
The setting incorporates several classic elements ideal for a contemporary living space. A soft camel-toned couch terms surprisingly well with an armchair upholstered in an animal print fabric, which is echoed in the pop-art print on the wall. The natural tones of sisal flooring and timber blend together and complement accessories in stainless steel and trendy wrought iron.

PERSONAL TOUCH
A living room is the ideal place to display collections and treasures. In the cosy room, family snaps on a coffee table are a central focus against a mainly neutral background. Exotic treasures sit on top of an oriental-style cabinet and a colourful mix of cushions adds a touch of fun to the settee.

Have fun mixing furniture styles. Cover each chair in a different fabric or team antique pieces with modern.

BORDER LINE
The border detail in the timber floor adds visual drama to a monochromatic living space. By positioning the couch against the back of the kitchen bench, the two areas become cosily linked and no space is wasted. The cushions add a splash of colour.

FROM THE ‘60s
A feature wall in brilliant scarlet peps up the room. A popular decorator trick when the ’60s-era apartment was built, it has been revived to give the room personality. Black leather and chrome, softened by a cowhide rug, give a richness of textures, while the china and retro-look lampshade add further touches of colour.

SOFTLY SHADED
Colours are kept neutral in the living room of the Federation semi, there by highlighting the polished floorboards. The deep blues of the sofa are an ideal foil for the warm timber tones. Comfy armchairs in blue and yellow co-ordinate well and an antique trunk serves as a coffee table.

JUST CHARMING
Pretty cushions and floral plates are the keynote in the charming cottage-style sitting room. The country-style dresser provides display space and storage for books and magazines in the cupboard beneath and an old-fashioned chest doubles as a sturdy coffee table.

What does your living room say about you? Of all the room in the house, this is where it’s essential to get the mood right, creating a space that suits your personality, tastes and lifestyle.

A FRIENDLY FIRESIDE
A casual approach to winter style comes up trumps in a NSW country home. Even on the coldest days the inviting room captures the winter sun through recycled windows and doors. The deep honey tones of the refurbished kauri floorboards provide an attractive backdrop for a collection of sofas and chairs. The hot pink upholstery adds a surprising touch and a fascinating collection of accessories gives the room personality.