Quick Style Updates - July 2020

Getting the designer look can be a tricky and time consuming, that’s why here at GLAL we’ve put together our top tips on how to quickly and easily transform your room. The designer look is all about harmony and cohesion in the elements you use, and this can be achieved with a few simple additions- so let’s take a look at them.

Coordinate your colours

This one is at the top of our list for a reason, before you can start adding and taking away from your room you need to get a clear idea of what you are trying to achieve.

Now we are not saying you’re going to have to repaint your walls or change your sofa, it is just a matter of looking at what colours you already have going on in the space.

By choosing the right colours to pair with what you already have, a few simple additions and tweaks can have a massive effect on your room.

Want a more lively and interesting space? Then pick out some items that add contrast with what you already have.

Do you want to chill things out? Go the other way by choosing colours that create less tension together.

Getting a clear idea of what you want to achieve when starting out will really help with each decision of your makeover.

The Power of Accessories

Though often mistakenly dismissed as dust gatherers or clutter, the well thought out use of just a few accessories can have a massive impact on your room. By sticking to your chosen colours when accessorising, they serve to bring harmony to the space as a whole and this is the main ingredient for a stunning room. Here we can use vases, candles, plants, cushions, throws, artwork or any number of other decorative accessories.

And they don’t all have to be new, an excellent way to give character to your look is to bring in items you already have. By throwing in your older items into the mix and using them in different ways you will give them a new lease of life and create a lived-in depth to your aesthetic.

An example would be using a photo dear to you and then adding a frame which brings in the colours you are using to create your own unique style. The only limit here is your imagination.

Using Additional Lights

Although we are all rather good at getting our main lights of a room in place, the benefits of using additional lighting is commonly overlooked.

By bringing in lighting that gives off a soft defused light you can create a cosy and inviting atmosphere. Lighting in dark corners is also key to creating a sense of space and make your room feel larger. Table lamps and floor lamps are excellent for this because they can simply be plugged in and moved around to wherever they are needed most.

Spruce Up Your Lighting

Being the brightest points in your room, well at night anyway, your eye is naturally drawn to your lighting. This means how they look makes a big difference. Luckily there are ways we can give a new lease of life to your existing lighting.

A shade can not only update its look but can also change the atmosphere and colour of the light created. You can use a darker fabric shade to soften and colour the light produced or go with a lighter shade for a fresher brighter light. You can also go big and bold using patterned shades to draw interest and make a real statement piece out of your old lighting.

Decorative bulbs are also another way you can easily update your lighting.

Changing your shades is one of the best ways to quickly tie your lighting into your colour coordination plans for the room. Size is also another factor to consider, with tall narrow shades excellent for tighter spaces such as hallways, while large and wide shades are brilliant for open spaces where a smaller shade might look a little lost.

 

Creating Focal Points

A well-planned focal point can immediately change the feel of a room.

This could be a pre-existing feature that is highlighted using directed lighting to draw your attention or you could introduce something entirely new to serve as a focal point.

Artwork makes a great focal point and can be used to bring in patterns and textures to produce even more interest to the room.

 

 

Using Pillows, Cushions and Throws

Ramping up the cosiness and elegance of your soft furnishings is another quick fix made possible using throws, pillows and cushions.

Big statement pillows and cushions are the way to go here along with plush, deep throws.

You can also inject those colours you are looking to introduce here to further bring the room together.

And they make things comfier for you and your guests, what is there not to like?