The living room is not just confined to one room any more: it has now sprawled into the kitchen and to the outdoor areas. This evolution is representative of how general home living has become less formal than years ago, giving us even more areas for relaxation…
Getting Back to Nature
Earthy colours are becoming more popular in modern homes and look fantastic against a white, cream or grey wall. With the whole eco-revolution taking place at the moment, the Earth tone is very contemporary and calming.
These kinds of tones are flat and muted and are derived from a colour palette of browns, tans, warm greys and greens. They are representative of natural colours found in soil, moss, stones and trees and come from clay earth pigments such as ochre, umber and sienna.
Though earthy colours are generally dark, the living area can be instantly lightened up with a large wall mirror or mirrored table to reflect natural light and make the room feel larger than it is. A crystal lamp or chandelier is also advisable, to add to the look as well as provide some opulence.
Natural materials such as recycled wood and stone are seeping into the living areas, providing a trend-setting and unpretentious look that is timeless. The new trend in vertical gardens, which have suddenly sprung up in many kitchens, terraces and even some living rooms, is testament to our infatuation with wanting to get back to nature.
Adding a Sparkle of Wall Art
Wallpapers with prints of nature such as plants, trees and flowers can look stunning. If you choose wallpaper with a bold print, keep it to just one main wall, leaving the other walls bare to avoid making the room look too busy. Complement the wallpaper colours with cushions that match and some real plants and the room will feel coordinated and fresh.
Artwork is very important in living spaces as it gives that extra personal touch. Choosing art for your home can be fun as you can really explore your creative side and enjoy it for many years.
Once you have established what kind of artwork you like, you then need to work out how it will fit into the rest of your interior design. The size of the artwork must also be considered, because if it is too large, it can overwhelm a room and if it is too small it can get lost in the room.
If the artwork is particularly bold, the room needs to be large and airy. There should be good space around the artwork so that the painting does not appear squashed into a wall space.
Also, when choosing a painting, think about how the colours will fit into the room. It is always best to select a couple of prominent colours in your room and look for artwork that has similar colours within it. This will make the painting look like it belongs properly within its surroundings. A painting should be hung so that its centre is at eye level, while a sculpture, depending on its size, can be placed on a pedestal, floor or table.
A Touch of Pizzazz
For a luxurious look, perhaps consider adding metallic accessories to give the room a bit of shine and glamour. A metallic sculpture made of copper, silver or brass is an attention-grabber as well as a talking point.
Less is most definitely more so a few metallic touches are quite sufficient – make sure you choose well.
Living spaces should be free from clutter to calm the mind and give a sensation of space.
Also, you may want to consider achieving the regal look, as there are many brands that have recently brought out collections with a modern twist on royal exuberance that is at the same time unostentatious.
Deep rich tones such as royal blue, vibrant purple or ivy green topped off with a glitzy chandelier and luxury leather sofas and chairs can really give a living room the wow-factor.
The Benefits of Leather
A leather sofa is like a fine wine and improves over time, adding sophistication to a room. Years ago, leather was considered a material exclusively available to the rich, but the cost of leather has become much more affordable – while at the same time it 
has not lost its reputation.
Now you can buy leather sofas and chairs in a wide range of colours, making it much more versatile.
As leather is a natural material, it adjusts to temperature changes. It breathes, so that makes it cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and it becomes softer with age and even more comfortable.
Go Cultural
According to Leatrice Eiseman, director and colour forecaster of the Pantone Colour Institute, “Bringing updated colour into your décor is all about adding that unexpected ‘aha’ with an accent wall or cushions, rugs and other accessories”. So why not try some ethnic colours?
As we have become more travelled, ethnic fabrics, prints and upholstery have gained popularity in people’s homes, giving an exotic look that can make a real splash in a plain room. If a piece is authentic and has a story to tell, it can be a real talking point of the room.
Cushions, sofas and chairs can all look great with ethnic designs, so long as it is tasteful and not overbearing – as too much can clash and make the room look overcrowded.
Minimalist Living
As minimalism is still popular for those who have the need for more simplistic living, monochrome colours have powered through at the same speed. However, it is nice to complement black or grey furniture with a soft pale coloured rug or a delicate 
lampshade to break up the uniformity and add balance to the room.
Merging Interiors with the Outdoors Through Glass
As interiors are blending more than ever with the outdoors, windows are becoming extremely important to blur the two areas into one. Floor-to-ceiling patio doors are ideal to maximise on natural light and offer the ultimate panoramic view of your surroundings, whether they are the mountains, the Mediterranean Sea, a golf course or the town centre.
Consider your orientation when installing expansive windows as, depending on your lifestyle and requirements, if you are facing westerly (for example) you may not appreciate summer sun blasting through your home in the early evening.
Many modern homeowners choose windows without mullions to give completely unobstructed views, while more traditional houses have individual panes of glass to give a more classic look.
However your house is designed architecturally, you should try to pick windows that are in-keeping with the overall style of the building and that are also practical for your home life.
Glass curtains are an innovation that has become extremely popular on the Costa del Sol and in Gibraltar, allowing you to lounge on your terrace or patio area no matter what the weather while being able to enjoy your full view.
Glass curtains are an ideal option for a home as they are made-to-measure and easy to clean, reduce outside noise and add value to your home.
Lounging is definitely “in” and there are many innovative design ideas to allow us to enjoy it to the full these days. From a statement beanbag or a flamboyant chaise-longue to the latest technology in chairs and sofas that provide the ultimate in comfort, quality and originality, there is something for everyone’s taste and requirement.
