6 Ideas to Modernize Your Living Room

Fresh colors, more light, furniture rearranged or updated... Here are 6 decor tips to modernize your living room without major investments.

Refresh the living room walls

The first step to modernizing the living room is to review the wall covering based on light and freshness. If the surfaces are flat, simply repaint them or apply new wallpaper. Choose chic and trendy shades like iced brown, lime green, or sky blue. You can also hide damaged walls with wall shelves or mirrors that will increase brightness.

 

Modernize colors for a contemporary living room

Refresh the living room colors for a modern decor. For a bright and sleek setting, opt for a dominant color and combine it with two or three shades.

White is the contemporary color par excellence. A favorite of minimalists, it is warmer in ivory or off-white. Use it for walls or furniture, but avoid an all-white living room which could appear too cold. Gray is a timeless color, available in several shades, from light gray to anthracite. A gray sofa, a gray rug, or a wall painted gray will bring an always trendy elegance.

 

Modernize the living room with decorative objects

Choose a few objects to modernize the living room decor, after removing lampshades, old-fashioned trinkets, and framed prints:

• A modern pendant light instead of a chandelier;
• Abstract paintings or black and white reproductions as wall decor;
• A collection of metal vases to reflect light and highlight your floral arrangements;
• Origami statuettes for a zen spirit on the coffee table.

 

Restore living room furniture at a lower cost

No need for a big budget to modernize your living room, simply restore your furniture at a low cost.

• With paint: repaint an old shelf or dresser in lacquered white or elegant gray to give it a new look.
• With wallpaper: sand the surface to be papered so the glue adheres well. Opt for paper imitating concrete or with a graphic design for a modern effect.
• With fabric: make a new cover for your sofa or armchairs. For more style, choose a colorful or Japanese-patterned fabric.

 

Review the furniture layout

Moving your furniture can also modernize your living room. The idea is to open up the space and promote harmony between the furniture pieces.

• Forget the rule that the sofa must be against the back wall. Place it in the middle of the room to energize the decor and facilitate the flow of energy.
• Arrange the armchairs next to the sofa to create an open conversation area.
• Clear the windows and openings. Place a dresser or console against a tall wall.

 

Add storage for a modern living room

Cleaning and decluttering are sometimes enough to modernize a living room. The accumulation of objects creates dust traps that give an old-fashioned air to the decor. Multiply storage: hide your DVDs and CDs in lockers, install doors for shelf niches, store cushions in a storage bench. Your living room will be neater, brighter, and therefore more modern.