Take inspiration from the natural world
If you find decorating your home hard work and you don’t find interior design easy, take inspiration from nature and you will rarely go wrong. As a starting point, look for colours that pair well together in the natural world (flowers are great for this). Paint colours in muted, earthy tones such as [rusty reds] and sage greens are really on-trend right now, while [wallpapers with a nature-based theme can feel soft and inviting.
Multi-functional reigns supreme
With space at a premium for many of us, our living rooms often double up as workspaces, homework rooms, playrooms - even gyms. If you work from home, rather than basic shelving, install a multi-functional system where a pocket desk area can be created or removed when not in use. [Slimline ladder shelving] with a thin integrated workspace built-in can be moved easily and works well to keep the living room a relaxing area without a bulky, large desk. Alternatively, the Shelving system from Swedish brand String Furniture is modular, allowing you to include or remove a tabletop for working on.
For living rooms that double up as play spaces, make sure that there is enough clever storage in the room to deposit toys at the end of the day. Footstools and ottomans with secret storage lids as the seat are great options, while large wicker baskets look appealing and add a natural texture - all while storing a large array of items.
Bring joy through colour
While minimalism with its neutral tones has its place, so do brighter colours that are bursting with personality. Rather than sticking with soft pastels and muted tones, consider painting your walls in bold and bright colours or opt for a colourful, focal-point rug.
Colour is known to be emotive, with different tones evoking different feelings. This can be highly subjective; one person can be invigorated by an on-trend yellow while another finds deep blues calming and restorative. Take some time to figure out what brings you a hit of dopamine and use it to freshen up your living room