QUICK DECOR FIX: 4 WAYS TO DECORATE A SOFA YOU DON'T LOVE (No Slipcovers Required)

Not everyone is in the position of tossing out the old to make way for the new (or DIYed). If you're stuck with a couch that doesn't exactly excite you (whether because it came with your partner or you don't have the funds to replace), consider a quick fix, instead: Disguise it with one of these ideas.


Now, in all fairness, the couches featured in the photos of this post are hardly unattractive. But they still illustrate principles you could use on your not-as-attractive couch to try and make it seem a bit better (if at the very least a bit different).



Make it blend into its surroundings more






If you don't love your couch yet its shape or color makes it contrast and stand out, fight against that. Spread the color in the couch somewhere else. DIY a piece of art that features that color predominantly or even use a wall color that will be similar to it or complement with it. Paint a furniture piece in a similar color. Or find a piece of furniture that mimics the shape and place it in the same room. It might seem counter-intuitive to put more of whatever couch element is annoying you the most into your space, but it'll actually take away that element's power, or at least make it seem less potent.













Upgrade the texture






Drowning your couch in a new texture — like a sheepskin or two — will distract from the couch's own material and give your seat a softer sensation to enjoy. It doesn't have to be sheepskin, though; you could use a really textured knit blanket or throw pillow to work the same effect, or perhaps even a cowhide.









So many pillows you can't even



If you're not into the bohemian look, you might want to stay away from this idea. However, one of the easiest ways to disguise a couch you don't adore is to cover it up with some of your favorite throw pillows. Bright colors and patterns are great, but if you want to disguise your sofa without overwhelming your room, just consider a set of uniform or monochromatic pillows arranged neatly.


















Use throw blankets to alter






The thing about throw blankets is they tend to be, well, casually thrown on couches and chairs a lot. And while that can definitely make a difference to the look of a couch, something that can be even more powerful is using blankets with your couches with intention. Unlike a slip cover that goes over the whole couch, using a blanket to create a tight stripe like the above photograph, or to only lay across the bottom cushions, or to only fold on the armrests, approaches the aesthetics of your couch in an intentional way, altering the shape and pattern of it, and maybe even altering the look. You can stick to solid colors, or play with pattern to create an even larger visual impact.

-ADRIENNE

INCORPORATE BROWN INTO DECOR WITH THESE TRICKS

Here are our favorite ways to work this dramatic but undemanding neutral into your home decor.




1. Pair brown with lighter, brighter colors.


Pair brown with lighter, brighter colors. Create a palette that is perfect for a living room, dining room or bedding ensemble using fabrics featuring browns, creams and pops of warm reds. Switch the red for navy and you have the same stately look.


Brown also looks great mixed with brighter, bolder accent colors. In a mix of fabrics, add in a liberal amount of cream, then threaded in a bit of sage and celadon. I also love turquoise, apple green, fuchsia (any pink, actually), orange and yellow with brown.


2. Bring brown alive through pattern.




The secret to keeping a focused palette interesting and alive is to swirl the colors together with lots of different patterns. The mix of patterns in the furnishings is the key to success.




3. Use brown to spotlight lighter accents and artwork.


Great artwork can get lost on a light wall if you are not careful. But when you hang lighter pieces against a moody, dark canvass of brown, it pops!






4. Add brown to make spaces soothing.


Warm and wonderful, brown pillows on a comfy cream sofa look ready for your Sunday nap.


5. Pair brown with earthy accents.


The color of bark and soil and fall leaves, brown is a natural when paired with earthy accents.


A rustic wood table is a perfect celebration of brown in all its many shades and finishes.

RENTING? UPDATE YOUR DINING ROOM WITH THESE SUPER-CHIC IDEAS!

Dingy bathroom. Poky lounge. Carpet that’s retro in all the wrong ways. Welcome to the world of the renter… There’s nothing more depressing than living in fifty shades of beige. Sometimes it just feels like one long #livinthedream moment.

But wait! It doesn't have to be this way! You don’t need to own your space for it to feel like home.

If you’re waiting until you've saved enough money to buy everything new, arrête!* Décor is like happiness. It’s a journey, not a destination. (Ah, poetry.) In our Rental Sweet Rental series, we’re taking it room by room. Here are 8 tips to giving your dining room/nook a make-over.

*It’s French for stop. We thought it sounded less didactic. And a bit more posh.

Clean your carpets

Professionally. Do it. It will lift your look. Free yourself from the microbial legacy living within its pile. (Yuh-huh. Revulsive.)

Invest in a rug

If you have polished floorboards, a rug softens noise. This way your impromptu-dinner-party-turned-karaoke-marathon can continue into the wee hours without risking any neighbour-wrangling.

Also, in cases of ghastly carpet, a large area rug is the best paper bag you’ll find. It should be big enough so all four legs of your dining chairs are still on it when everyone is sitting down. Not sure what we’re on about? Read this. Love jute? Look here.

Switch out your light fixtures

Say no to archaic light fittings doubling as insect graveyards. Define your style with a replica lighting design. This is an investment for the long term. No way you’re leaving it when you hit the road, Jack.

Combine table + floor lamps for adaptable atmos

So you’d love a mismatched-but-modish pendant lighting installation above your dining table but your dragon-lord won’t let you fiddle with the electrics? (P’raps not such a bad thing…) Enhance the mood with overlapping light sources. Host a romantic morning tête-à-tête then switch it up for a reserved business luncheon.

Give your windows some love

We don’t like to be prescriptive ordinarily, but Venetian blinds? It’s a no. Relegate those eyesores to that shelf at the top of the pantry that you can’t properly reach and leave them to gather (more) dust. Replace them with floor-to-ceiling curtains (these are space-enhancing due to their vertical lines) or Roman shades (uber-cool).

If you’re handy on a sewing machine you can DIY-it-up Martha Stewart style like this. If you’re more likely to stitch your finger into the mix, best to outsource.

Accessorize

Yep. Whether it’s ornaments, table runners or tropical fish, vases, vibrant cushions or DIY wall art, your decorative accents will set the tone.

Make an impact with your colour choices

Experiment with colour to discover the combinations you like. Try before you buy. Pinterest the heck out of your look. We’re a bit old-school. We love a good mood board. The smell of the Clag glue, the cutting and pasting of pictures from alllll the homemaker mags. Heaven.

Add a duct tape feature wall

Yep. You read that right. If black is still the new black in your book + you’ve got a little time on your hands, check out this quirky DIY feature wall. Change up the colour with different coloured duct tape. And remove it seamlessly when you leave.

Here’s to making a little haven for yourself in your rental home!

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIZE RUG FOR YOUR ROOM

Rugs are the perfect way to finish a room. They inject texture, pattern, warmth and colour into your home. Whether it’s kilim, shag, contemporary, jute, or animal hide, the right rug draws together all the elements of your room. It defines different zones within the one space and creates a sense of harmony within your design-scape.

Whether it’s a feature or an anchoring element, a rug can establish your colour scheme or accent your existing palette. It can turn up the visual heat instantly or just as easily tone it down.

Selecting the right size can be tricky. Not surprising, really. Principles of proportion are vital to realizing effective design and if you get it wrong your room can look off-kilter. Here are five tips to help you on your way.

Map out your space

Get the grey matter chatting before you spend your hard-earned cash. Sure, large rugs can be expensive but a rug that’s too small can come off looking like a bathmat that lost its way. And then you’re back raiding the piggy bank again in search for a better solution.

A floorplan can help you consider your options. Measure out your seating area. Draw your room with furniture as close to scale as you can. Or, if you’re super-keen, get crafty and create a newspaper version of the size(s) you are considering and lay them out in your room to gauge their effect.

What size is ideal?

The contemporary trend is for over-sized rugs. So if you’re spoilt for space (and coins), cover all the floor beneath your seating area. Opt for a rug that’s large enough to have all four legs of all of your furniture on it. This works particularly well for floating furniture in larger open plan rooms.

However, if your sofa is against the wall you can get away with just having the front legs on the rug. Don’t pay for the rug real estate if you can’t see it. If you do this, be consistent and have just the front legs of your armchairs on the rug as well.

The more traditional look with your rug floating (not touching any of your furniture) also works to link your furniture collection. But the scale of your furniture to the rug is important. (See below.)

Furniture to rug ratio

For dining tables, a rug works best when you allow approximately 60cm extra around each side. This means that all four chair legs are on the rug even when your guests are seated. A rug beneath a coffee table operates on the same principle.

In your lounge area, ensure that your rug is approximately 15cm longer than your couch on either side.

Orient your rug to your room

Look at the shape of your room and lay out your rug to match its orientation. If you have a long room – align your rug lengthwise. If you have a short squat room, turn your rug to suit. If you have different zones within your space, you can use rugs to define these spaces. Select rug designs that work in together for an ensemble feel.

The layered look

So you have a rug that you love but realistically it’s too small for your space. Layering is the answer. Pair it with a larger jute, sisal, seagrass or other natural fibre rug. These are generally a cheaper option and they do the job of linking your furniture.

All this cosy talk has left us with an irresistible urge to indulge in the sordidly sweet and delicious. Maybe some ice cream would make the perfect accompaniment to endless episodes of the Newsroom (or Game of Thrones if you will)

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