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The Most Overlooked Aspect Of Decorating A Living Room

The Most Overlooked Aspect Of Decorating A Living Room
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You agonized for hours over the perfect stain color for your hardwood floors and the exact right shade of "greige" to paint your walls. But be honest: How much time did you spend thinking about color of your ceiling? Interior designer and Decorate Fearlessly author Susanna Salk says showing this often overlooked room element a little love can breathe new life into your home.

"We tend to forget about the power of that fifth wall: the ceiling," Salk says in the above #OWNSHOW video.

Painting your ceiling a slightly different color than your walls can make a huge impact, she says. "So I don't mean suddenly going crazy and making it a super dark color if you have light colors on the wall, but just another shade that's different, that kind of draws your eye up," she says. "And it also makes the room feel bigger and it gives that sense of whimsy that every room needs."

If you don't want to paint your ceiling, Salk says a fabulous new light fixture could be just what your room needs. "It gives instant personality, it's like an exclamation point to a room," she says.

"Go to a flea market, get something with a lot of personality and then you can rewire it and bring it up to the present," she suggests. "But a lighting fixture is so, so important."

Adding a pattern to your ceiling is another great way to add style to a room, but Salk warns to play it safe. "If you do a pattern ceiling, you just have to make sure that pattern and color is somehow echoed in pattern of the fabric or the rug or the colorations that you use below, so it doesn't stand out so much that it detracts from the rest of the room," she says. "It has to harmonize somehow while still bringing your eye up and calling attention to itself."

More: Easy tricks to upgrade an outdated sofa.

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Before You Go

10 Living Room Mistakes And How To Fix Them
Hide The Clutter(01 of10)
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In a small or large space, clutter creates a visual (and physical) mess that is distracting and disrupts all décor. Invest in some smart storage (chic side tables like this compact design from Kelly Hoppen, bookshelves, media centres with closed doors). This is also true for unsightly wires – keep them concealed. Fight any hoarding instincts and get rid of items you don’t use and be disciplined about cleaning regularly and storing items where they’re meant to go. (credit:Kelly Hoppen Interiors)
Letting Stuff Overwhelm The Space(02 of10)
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While it’s tempting to put all of your favourite objects on display – beloved photos, stunning cushions, plush throws – not everything needs to be piled on top of itself in the living room, at the same time. Edit down the mementos and knick-knacks and let a few key pieces stand out – it will make more of a visual impact and you’ll actually have room to sprawl on the sofa. (credit:Alamy)
Forgetting A Focal Point(03 of10)
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Especially in smaller spaces without a fireplace or dramatic view to look onto, it’s easy to forget the importance of having a focal point to centre your living room layout. Whether it’s your TV or your favourite work of art, make sure your space has one and cluster your furniture in a way that highlights it. Also, although it sounds like a no-brainer, a common mistake is creating a layout that’s not that convenient - make sure yours makes sense and there isn't any furniture obstructing doors or windows. (credit:Alamy)
Getting The Proportions Right(04 of10)
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The balance between scale and proportion is crucial when decorating. If you want your living room to look stylish and feel cosy, the proportions have to be right – a too-tiny rug in the middle of a large space or an overstuffed armchair dwarfing a little table can throw off the entire look. This doesn’t mean you can’t have furniture of different heights; just check everything marries well and works together. (credit:Alamy)
Falling Into The Matchy-Matchy Trap(05 of10)
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From focusing too heavily on one era to relying on one shop for all of your furniture (hello, Ikea!), not having any variety in the room might feel like the easy option in the short term but will be the boring, soulless option down the line: it feels impersonal. Also, watch out for too-coordinated textiles and having fabrics that are the same colour as your walls, which can also come across as either a bit blah or totally OTT. (credit:Alamy)
Don't Shove Furniture Against The Walls(06 of10)
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This decorating plan might seem like a crafty way to give the illusion of more space, but really, it just looks strange. Not to mention that it makes it impossible to hold a conversation without shouting across the room. Aim for intimacy and create a living room that encourages entertaining and effortless chitchat – while ensuring you have easy access to bookshelves, drawers and doors. Walk around the room and get a sense of how traffic will move before you plan the layout. (credit:Alamy)
Lighting Issues(07 of10)
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Garish overhead lighting can destroy a living room’s ambience (and forever be a source of unflattering mirror reflections). Invest in dimmer switches and soft white bulbs instead. Also, a designer’s trick is to include lighting from sources at different levels (ceiling, table, floor) to create soft pools of light in the space. (credit:Alamy)
Be Careful With Colour(08 of10)
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Injecting a room with a bit of colour is a good idea: try wallpapering one wall or investing in a bright furniture piece. Just don’t go overboard on the wild paint only to find that you’re having issues matching it with textiles or it’s simply too overpowering. Mix brights with neutrals, and opt for contrasting neutrals (beige with white and black) for a stylish (read: not boring) atmosphere. (credit:Alamy)
Remember To Decorate(09 of10)
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In an effort to keep spaces looking spacious, some people opt for an unadorned living room with minimal furnishings and no wall art. This will not look like a style statement, it will look like you just moved in and won't tempt you (or anyone) to hang out in the room. Invest in personal touches, like favourite art prints, framed photos or even houseplants - imbuing the space with things you love will make you want to spend all of your time there. (credit:Alamy)
Let Yourself Evolve(10 of10)
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Committing to a living room layout doesn’t need to be a five-year sentence to the same surroundings, day in and day out. Get creative and flexible and shake up your style every few months, whether that’s trying out a new piece of wall art or shifting around your couch and armchairs for a fresh look. (credit:Alamy)
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