Living Room Decor: The Basics Of Minimalist Design

Article by Bill McNeil
If you are looking for a living room that is calm, serene and clutter-free, you might want to consider designing in the minimalist style.
You will feel much more relaxed and comfortable in a living room that is designed in the minimalistic style. Because of its streamlined look and aversion to clutter, this style will make cleaning your new living room a breeze. You will absolutely love the look and feel of your new living room. There are some basic elements that you should include when redecorating a living room: * Select pieces of furniture that are very basic and simple in their look and construction. Make sure to only purchase pieces that are required, leaving out extra elements such as occasional tables or chairs, footstools and plant stands. * Choose chairs and couches that are plain that embrace a basic traditional rectangular shape or classic curved Chippendale style for this new room. Ignore your tendencies to choose throw pillow that are fringed, lacy, embellished or covered in flounces or just skip the pillows all together. * Choose end tables and coffee tables that are basic and understated as well. Metal tables that are topped with stone or glass, basic wood cubes or subdued tables made of clear acrylic or laminate will work well here. * Use designer wall treatments and decorative floor coverings sparingly. You best bet is a basic Berber-style or sisal area rug thrown over a hard-surface floor such as wood or tile – never layer a rug over carpeting. * Walls should be painted a single, soothing neutral color – remember to think minimally. * Forget fancy crystal or Tiffany-style lamps, choose instead lamps and shades that are basic and simple in design. Wrought iron or basic ceramic lamp bases that are designed in a simple contemporary style will work best in this situation. * Indirect or ambient lighting that comes from canister or other types of recessed fixtures is a good choice. This eliminates the addition of fussy or over-designed shades and chandeliers that can detract from the minimalistic design. * Leave windows bare or hang basic coverings over them. Roman shades, wooden blinds that are 2-inches apart, plantation shutters or a basic wrought-iron rod with neutral tab-topped curtains are all excellent choices.
Stone Coasters Add Extra Glamor to Your Living Room Decor

Stone coasters can play an active part in your homes decor. They primarily serve as the protective materials that sit between hot liquids and furniture surfaces, and protect the former from heat but they can also add glamour to your tables.
The long term effect of hot objects such as a cup of hot coffee on unprotected furniture surface can be profound. Over time, heat can cause discoloration on furniture surfaces. It can also cause warping. Leather surfaces can have scratches or cracks if they are not protected from the hard bases of glasses or cups. Sofas can be stained or damaged with heat from hot cups or dripping water from condensing lemon juice glasses. So stone coasters serve fundamentally protective functions for the home. But they need to be bought with care because the color, design and shape can impact on the decor of the room.
Every home has a fixed decor.
The furniture, the color of the walls, the color of the ceiling and the type of rug used need to be matched with complementary colors or materials. Anything odd will diminish the beauty of the already existing furnishings.
Stone coasters are small objects but they are very conspicuous. They are placed on tables so they easily add to the decor of the room. One cannot easily dismiss the design or shape of the stone coaster in a living room. For these reasons, it is essential that you take particular note of the type of coaster you are buying.
Try to buy stone coasters that match the decor of your living room. Look at complementary colors so that the room furniture or the coaster fits right. Again, take note of the material from which the coaster is made. For an elegantly decorated room, single colored stone coasters will be suitable.
A room with fanciful or casual theme will require colorful stone coasters to complement the furnishing.
How To Incorporate Art Pictures Into Your Living Room Decor

There are many ways to incorporate framed art pictures into a living room design. The furnishings, colors and accents can be all designed to compliment a focal point of a bold and bright and eye-capturing print. On the other hand, the overall theme and design scheme can assimilate a landscape painting that raises interest in viewers. Wall art can be very important in living room decor. This article will provide you with some useful tips for intergrating art pictures into your living room.
Framed Art Pictures as Focal Points
Many people choose to design their living room around a single print or series of art pieces. In this case, the wall art becomes the focal point of the room, and the rest of the room is designed around it. If you choose to go this route, look for a print that’s bold and compelling, such as Tony Saladino’s Red Cloud II. Here the rich colors and decisive geometric forms of this abstract art print can dominate a room and would work well in a modern, art deco, or contemporary design scheme.
Or you might go with a vintage fine art print featuring a brightly colored advertisement from another era, such as Leonetto Cappiello’s Parapluie Revel. In this case, choose a more neutral color scheme for the room and then throw in coordinating red and yellow accents to pull the whole look together.
If you want your print to serve as a focal point, pay particular attention to size. After all, a 24 x 36 framed print will be much more likely to catch the eye than an 8 x 10 one. If you’ve fallen in love with a smaller print, try finding several others that will complement that piece and hang them in a series on a single bare wall. If you go with a larger print, display it on an otherwise empty wall or in another prominent place, such as above the fireplace or sofa.
Other Ideas for Living Room Art
If you want your wall art to blend in with your living room decor rather than dominate it, then you need to take a close look at your decor first before you purchase your wall art. In this case, the framed art picture should serve to accentuate the design scheme and add to the overall feel and look of the room. If your living room is decorated in country-style, then go with a simple but colorful print, such as Jo Moulton’s Red Cupboard. Or for a more traditional decor theme, choose a classic landscape like Monet’s Chemin Dans Les Bles A Pourville.
A great wall art option that lends an elegant yet subtle feel to a variety of design schemes is black & white photography. For instance, Harold Silverman’s Black and White Morning, with its black silhouetted trees and barren landscape, can add interest and balance to a rustic decor. On the other hand, if your living room reflects an Old World style, accenting the theme with sepia celestial charts and maps will round out the look.
Whether you want your art to dominate or accent your decor, framed art pictures add interest and depth to any design scheme. Consider your approach before you choose wall art for your living room, as this will help you create a cohesive look that you can enjoy for years to come.
Handy Living CAC1-S8-AAA19 Cabo Living Room Convert-A-Couch Microfiber Sleeper Sofa, Black With 2 Decorative Black Circles Throw Pillows
Handy Living CAC1-S8-AAA19 Cabo Living Room Convert-A-Couch Microfiber Sleeper Sofa, Black With 2 Decorative Black Circles Throw Pillows
- Transitional sleeper sofa with track arms from the convert-a-couch collection
- Converts into a full size bed with the touch of a hand
- Allows two people to sit, lounge or sleep comfortably
- A 10-inch pillow top seat cushion and no bar in the back for extra comfort
- Made from 100-percent polyester high performance black microfiber
- 10-inch pillow top seat cushion and no bar in the back for extra comfort
- 100-percent polyester high performance black microfiber
- Allows you to sit, lounge or sleep two people comfortably
- Very versatile piece of furniture that converts into a full size bed with the touch of a hand
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