Interiors: Simple Additions to Give Your Living Room a New Look

Autumn is a time for new beginnings – the kids are back at school, sunshine gives way to rain and wind, and soups are preferred over salads for lunch. DIY work is no exception, with September providing a good excuse to bring out those warmer colours and more comfortable soft furnishings. The starting point for any home improvements is the living room, but does it involve drastic work such as tearing up the floor and installing new windows? Not a bit of it! We have listed a few simple additions to help transform your living room without having to hire a handyman or learn complex DIY tasks.

Storage Boxes

If you have a lot of paperwork or something like a magazine collection to keep in one place, you might think “oh god, I’ve got to buy a bookcase…”, but that’s not true! To keep it all organised without worrying about complicated assembly instructions, cardboard storage boxes will come to your rescue, costing very little to boot. They are available from a number of stationery shops and can come in a number of colours. Why not get boxes in different colours to liven up part of the living room?

Plush Rugs

Another easy way of jazzing up the lounge is adding a rug. A plush sheepskin rug from Cox and Cox will add a touch of class and comfort to your living room. Whether it’s in a muted cream colour or something much brighter, it provides an extra place to sit down when you have family or friends over. Rugs manage to combine the convenience of placing a doormat with the comfort of a carpet, whilst the sheepskin varieties can come in all sorts of unusual shapes, adding character to any lounge.

Comfy Cushions

Staying with furnishings, cushions take even less effort to place. The great thing about cushions is that, if you see some in a furniture shop but don’t like them, you can make your own! If you are a dab-hand with a sewing machine, all you need is one of those, some cotton wool and a fabric of your choosing. You’ll be surprised at what you can do with some old curtains, a dress you don’t wear or unused tablecloth. Find out how to make one here.

Floating Shelves

In place of bulky bookcases that take an age to put together, floating shelves add storage without taking up precious floor space. In a small living room, they can make a big difference, providing space for your favourite books, photos or any trophies/certificates you want to show off. A plank of wood, brackets and screws are all you need.