Some are chosen for the love of the work and hung to be admired and enjoyed, others are placed to tie together the colour or design elements of a room. Either way, the placement, colours and form of these 19 artworks -– and how they complement their surroundings – show just how intentional art can become the perfect finishing touch for a space.
Some are chosen for the love of the work and hung to be admired and enjoyed, others are placed to tie together the colour or design elements of a room. Either way, the placement, colours and form of these 19 artworks -– and how they complement their surroundings – show just how intentional art can become the perfect finishing touch for a space.
Some are chosen for the love of the work and hung to be admired and enjoyed, others are placed to tie together the colour or design elements of a room. Either way, the placement, colours and form of these 19 artworks -– and how they complement their surroundings – show just how intentional art can become the perfect finishing touch for a space.
Some are chosen for the love of the work and hung to be admired and enjoyed, others are placed to tie together the colour or design elements of a room. Either way, the placement, colours and form of these 19 artworks -– and how they complement their surroundings – show just how intentional art can become the perfect finishing touch for a space.
Some are chosen for the love of the work and hung to be admired and enjoyed, others are placed to tie together the colour or design elements of a room. Either way, the placement, colours and form of these 19 artworks -– and how they complement their surroundings – show just how intentional art can become the perfect finishing touch for a space.
Some are chosen for the love of the work and hung to be admired and enjoyed, others are placed to tie together the colour or design elements of a room. Either way, the placement, colours and form of these 19 artworks -– and how they complement their surroundings – show just how intentional art can become the perfect finishing touch for a space.
love this look
They layer up the lighting You can use lighting to add a feeling of depth to your small living room. “Strategically placed lamps and wall lights will add a wash of light to different parts of the space or focus on a specific feature,” says Dorsch. “This draws your eye around the room, as it creates depth and shadow. “Hidden LEDs in ceiling coving are another great way to achieve mood and grandeur in a smaller living room,” she says.
hey pay attention to details Elevate the impact of a small living room by giving it a high-quality feel, our experts suggest. “One of the most important factors that makes any room stand out is the quality of its finishes,” says Ronnie Hill. “It’s amazing how sometimes the perception of beauty in a space comes down to details, such as whether the corners are well-finished and sharp,” he says.
They add a feature Dorsch recommends bringing in a focal point. “That way, the living room’s smaller proportions won’t dominate and you’ll give the room its own identity,” she says. “Try a large piece of art or a fabulous chandelier to create a sense of indulgence.” Ronnie Hill agrees. “Add a built-in eccentricity that will give a personal touch to a small space,” he says. “It could be an oriel window where you can curl up and read a book, or a built-in seating space that ends up being used as a table by the little ones. “By taking a leap and introducing something bespoke and unexpected, you’ll bring up surprises,” says Ronnie Hill. “Each user will find a different purpose for it, making the room more personal and dynamic.”
Designers look at the space beyond the walls “It’s important to think about how a space is perceived, rather than focus on its dimensions,” says Ronnie Hill. “When designing a living room, especially a small one, we have to assume there’s little scope to change its shape or extend its area without compromising other parts of the home.
colour
colour
This hue can be used to anchor warm colour compositions. Sometimes it appears contrasted by a cooler shade, as in this image, where the green sofa is highlighted by terracotta, pink and mustard yellow.
Combined with sage green or muted vegetal hues, these shades can warm up a cold palette without being too aggressive or taking away from a soft overall effect.
carpet
ture: Most designers recommend introducing tonal variations of a colour, but not here. The singular, saturated shade of blue sets the space awash with drama.
Notice how this room and the previous two use a mix of small-scale patterns with chunky solids? Each piece either carries many diverse hues, just one colour, or one shade mixed with a little white. Keeping each piece to this rule of extremes isn’t necessary, but it does make it easier if you’re not confident about mixing colours. The very colourful pieces combine well because they don’t have one single hue that stands out (and might clash with another), and the solids are drawn from the art so they have something to relate back to. Tip: When pulling colours from art to use as wall hues or solid fabrics, it’s generally safest to pick slightly greyer or paler versions to keep them from looking overly vibrant. However, some of these looks ignore that rule and, if you’re feeling bold, you certainly can too.
9. Celebrate your home’s quirks From wiring casing, awkwardly placed walls and brickwork that’s seen better days… older homes often have features you’d rather wish they didn’t. If you’re not in a position to alter them, why not change your mindset and celebrate your home’s eccentricities instead? Here, the owners have made a feature of the exposed wire casing along their living room ceiling, opting for attention-grabbing cherry red to harmonise with the rug.
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