By Lauren Flanagan
Family & Living Rooms Expert
There are certain building blocks that go into making a good living room – a sofa, chairs, coffee table,
etc. But a living room can’t be made complete with furniture alone. In
order to really bring a room to life there must be some accessories. And
while accessories vary greatly depending on the people who live there,
there are five items that no living room is complete without.
Throw Pillows
Throw pillows
are important for a couple of reasons. The first is comfort. Even the
most comfy sofa and chairs can be made more so with some extra pillows.
Sometimes your back might need extra support, or you might want to take a
nap and have a pillow to rest your head on. Whatever the reason, a
couple of pillows either on the sofa or chairs are worth having. The
second reason is decorative. Pillows offer a wonderful opportunity to
bring in different colors, textures and patterns without making a large commitment. Pillows can be changed with the seasons, or just whenever the mood strikes.
A Stylish Throw
Much like pillows, stylish throws serve
multiple functions. They’re practical because you can curl up in them
when you’re chilly, but they’re also great for adding a pop of color to a
room. If you find that your sofa is looking a little dull, you can give
it an instant lift by draping a throw over it. They’re also great for
seasonal uplifts. In the winter consider adding a cozy faux fur or cable
knit throw, and in the summer try something lighter and brighter. You
don’t need to spend a lot of money, but good quality goes a long way in
upping your décor ante.
Something Living
Every living room
needs to have something that’s alive in it (other than you). If you’re
on a budget then plants are probably the way to go, but if you don’t
mind spending a little money on a regular basis, fresh flowers are
fantastic. Floral arrangements, no matter what their size, breathe
instant life into a room and look stunning on coffee tables and mantles.
(Tip: if you’re placing an arrangement on a coffee table keep it low so
as not to overwhelm or block sight lines). The other thing that’s great
about flowers is that they’re good for experimenting with colors that
wouldn’t normally go together. You can add flowers of any color to any
room and they’ll pretty much always look great.
Candles
Nothing
sets a relaxing mood like candles so it’s important to always have some
on display. If you have a mantle you have a great opportunity to
display a variety of candles and their holders. They’re also great on
coffee tables but be cautious that no one will lean into them. Don’t be
afraid to have fun with candle holders and displays, and be sure to
change them up with the seasons.
Something Personal
The
most important item you should have in your living room is something
that’s personal and meaningful to you and whoever else lives in your
home. It can be a piece of art, a photograph, or some other type of
special accessory. The idea is that it not be something that anyone can
just go to a store and purchase. This is what will define your living
room from everyone else’s and make the room unique to your home.
source: about.com
