‘Tis The Season
Interior Design Tips To Beautify Your Living Room
Depending on where in the United States you live, you could have anywhere from 0” to 4’ of snow by the end of the holiday season. When temperatures plummet and flakes fall, when the weather is frightful and all you want to do is curl up by the fire, your living room decor is going to set the mood.
The kitchen is the heart of your home but odds are the living room is where you spend most of your spare time. Once the holiday season ends and you strip your home of the dazzling lights, the trees and tinsel, it can leave your rooms looking bare. One of the best and easiest ways to transition your decor is to swap holiday themed wall art, knick knacks, and rugs with pieces that create warmth.
Lighting
Everyone talks about “natural light” but in the winter when the days are short, you rely on artificial light. Exchange cool white fluorescent light bulbs or LEDs for warmer tones.
For homes with a fireplace, rearrange your furniture to face the hearth and transform your fireplace into the room’s focal point.
Color Matters
Color theory is relevant in more than just art class. Every color, and its varying hues, evokes a range of emotions that have the potential to heavily influence your mood. Bright, sunny yellows encourage happiness and positivity. Pastel blues create peace and serenity. Vivid oranges inspire creativity and energy. In the winter months, we tend to lean towards a very narrow color palette: blues, whites, and grays/silvers. These cooler tones encapsulate winter landscapes but too much can lead to lethargic, depressed moods. (Hence the nickname for seasonal depression, the “winter blues.”)
Counteract the blues and revitalize your decor by accenting with red and green. Red is a hot, energetic hue that seizes your attention and evokes energy and passion. Even bright yellowy-greens can translate as warm when used correctly. Ways to add pops of color using decor:
- Accent lamps
- Candle sticks / holders
- Bonus: Add scented candles such as pine or evergreen to create a “woodsy” atmosphere or combinations of cinnamon and apple to warm up your spaces through smell.
- Table place settings (napkins, placemats, table runners)
- Wall art
- Accent pillows / throws
- Bonus: Swap thin, lightweight summer fabrics for heavier ones like wool, faux fur, velvet, or shag.
- Area rugs
- Pine needle decorations / wreaths
- Picture frames
The best part about adding color through decor is that you can easily swap these pieces to reflect the season!
Comfort Underfoot
No one enjoys stepping foot on ice cold hardwood floors the moment they get out of bed. Your hardwood floors act as both a statement and an investment, bringing a touch of nature to your home while also dampening ambient sound and reducing the number of airborne allergens. Warm up cold floors and provide comfort underneath with an area rug!
Area rugs come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, making it easy to find a piece that compliments your existing decor. Place a long, narrow runner in a hallway. Try a round rug under curvy furniture or beneath a chandelier. Lay a rectangle rug alongside a bed or sofa. Place an oversized rug beneath your dining room table to create a designated eating space. The design potential of the right rug is practically endless.
Create Your Own Winter Wonderland With McQ Interiors
From working at home to schooling at home to your day-to-day tasks, you have more than enough on your plate. Cross one more thing off your to-do list when you let the interior design professionals at McQ Interiors bring the outdoors back into your interior spaces. Whether decorating one room or the entire house, let us revitalize, rejuvenate, and re-energize your home!
Contact us today at info@mcqinteriors.com or (716) 880-6882 to schedule a consultation. Or visit our About Page to learn more about the McQ duo.
