You’ve pinned and pinned. You have a theme or color scheme picked out. You’ve created it in your mind. Your Pinterest-inspired dream living room is very nearly a reality. All that’s left to do is actually create it. When transforming a living space, it can often be difficult to know where to start.
Image credit: photostock | FreeDigitalPhotos.net
These three simple steps will get you started:
First, color
Once you have decided on a décor and/or color theme, it’s time to get some of that color on the walls. If you own your home or have an understanding landlord, you have a plethora of options to choose from.
Create an accent wall. Choose a statement color that will echo throughout the room in smaller décor items and textiles, and get to work. A good rule of thumb is to go one shade darker than you are comfortable with.
Add texture to your paint with a sponge or crumpled paper, or use a clean straw broom to create pinstripes by drawing the broom in a straight line from top to bottom while the paint is still wet.
Chalkboard paint is a really fun alternative for an accent wall. If you feel it will be too dark, paint a small area to start with. Chances are you’ll find the dark color to be restful to your eyes, and you’ll just end up smothering it in fun sketches and notes anyway.
If you rent, or aren’t willing to commit to paint, there are other fun options that require a lot less commitment but still make a big impact. Vinyl wallpaper can be a tad expensive, but placed on the right accent wall can be visually stunning.
Frame wallpaper samples or large pieces of vintage or fun wallpapers to bring in pattern and color. Vinyl decals, or vinyl wallpapers cut into large circles or other geometric shapes and placed in a pattern, can be just as effective without requiring a long-term commitment.
Create a gallery wall
The next step is to create a visual focal point that will also set the style tone for the room. This is where you can be very creative.
If you have plain or old-fashioned furniture, consider framing artwork, papers and textiles, family photos, and simple hand prints or sketches on white paper in matching black frames to modernize the room.
Complement ultramodern, minimalist furnishings by a colorful collection of eclectic prints and collectibles on the gallery wall. There is no need to spend top dollar on frames or art.
A dozen or more frames from a dollar store can be visually effective when placed close together. Turn flea market or thrift store art into a modern collection by spray painting all of the frames the same bright color, such as turquoise or ruby.
Remember, several items grouped closely on one wall is more visually appealing than the same items spread throughout the room.
Textiles and DIY pillows
Finally, search your local thrift and discount stores for throws, blankets, and pillows that will complement your new style.
There are also many online tutorials for simple, handmade pillow covers, so if you have existing pillows or find some inexpensive ones in fabrics you dislike, you can easily and quickly transform them to suit your tastes.
If your living room doesn’t have too many patterns in the textiles, pillows are a great way to add life and texture by using patterned fabric. Your walls, furniture, and other décor elements might be plain colors, or just solid colors without design.
Pillows are small enough that you can add and mix patterns without distracting from other elements, or without making the room look overwhelming.
Congratulations! You are now well on your way to having the Pinterest-inspired living room you have envisioned. After all the time you’ve spent pinning, you’ve got to make your Pinterest board come to life.
We all know that Pinterest projects don’t always turn out perfectly, but you’ll never know until you try. The great thing about Pinterest is that it can give you ideas to start with and then you can make something similar, adding your own style to it.
Not everything you create has to look just like it does on the Internet—get some ideas from the pictures you see and then make it your own.
About the Author:
This article was written by Dixie, a freelance writer who loves to write for business, women’s interests, and the home niches. Dixie lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters who are the inspiration for her writing.
Some pinners have used pieces of Mackenzie Childs furniture, or pieces from the Mackenzie Childs décor line to create an interesting focal point for their living or dining room. Products from this line are the perfect conversation pieces.
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