Trying to figure out how to brighten up your living room is all about ensuring your space has some natural interplay between light and shadow. As the sofa is one of the key furniture pieces in your living room, cleverly placing decorative living room accessories in the surrounding space will create highlights and lowlights which positively appeal to the eye.
Here are a few inspirational living room accessory ideas to help you answer the question on how to brighten up a living room.
Finding the right living room lights
This may seem like an obvious recommendation, but lighting is a hugely effective way to brighten up your living room. A single ceiling light in the centre on your room will only add a small amount of light to your living room.
So as a starting point, consider adding one light fixture to either side of your sofa. These can be wall lights, floor lamps or table lamps. You have the freedom to create an atmosphere, depending on the purpose of your living room, by playing with shadows created by the shape of your sofa.
Different lights create different atmospheres. So, you can suit your lighting to compliment your lifestyle. Adding wall lights around your sofa will create a great space for work or entertainment. On the other hand, placing a low lit floor lamp next to your sofa will create a calming atmosphere to read, unwind and relax.
Lights hold huge influence over atmosphere and moods. You can explore different decorative living room accessories to find the best solution to illuminate your space!
Sofa throws for brightness and comfort
It may seem like a minor addition, but finding the right coloured and textured throws for sofas can really brighten your living room. They make simple but effective living room accessories ideas.
Depending on the colour scheme of your space, compliment your sofa with a bright, pastel or neutral coloured throw. These can add a dash of personality to your room.
Consider living room accessories, such as throws and scatter cushions, just as you consider extra components to your day to day outfits. For instance, jewellery, bags and hats etc. Apply the same style thinking to your sofa by adding a textured layer with a throw. As a bonus, they’re great to cosy up to with the family on a relaxed evening in.
Bright rugs for living room floor space
Certain types of flooring can make your living room appear dark and more confined. These include dark coloured carpets, dark hardwood or laminate floors. Although these flooring types are a common staple for contemporary accessories in the living room, they can drain a lot of light from your space.
Lightly coloured modern rugs infuse character and individuality into your room. Meanwhile, patterned runner rugs are a simple way to add texture and break up the dark coloured flooring.
Rugs accompany your sofa by framing the surrounding space and cementing it as the foundation of your living room. So, as you plan your next design steps, explore how rugs can influence the airiness, space and light in the room to create a bright and fresh space to suit your style.
Make a statement with occasional chairs
Bring vibrancy and luxury to your living room by accessorising your sofa with a companion. Brighten your living room by placing an occasional chair in the darkest corner of the room.
Occasional chairs are inviting living room accessories. When browsing for the right chair for your space, go bold with colours, consider styles that compliment your sofa, and then think outside the box for textures like velvet or wool. These three elements combined into an occasional chair will add personality and flare to your living room, giving it a new lease of life.
Add a homely touch with scatter cushions for sofas
Cushions are staples when it comes to living room accessories. They have the same effect as artwork does when it is hung on a wall. Cushions add life and personality to your living room, turning your house into a home. With such a broad range of cushions available, there’s no doubt you’ll be able to find the best cushions to brighten up your living space.
Mix a variation of sizes, styles, fabrics and patterns to add drama to your sofa. Just ensure they all meet the same colour scheme. To add focus to your sofa, mix cushions of different colours with patterned cushions, such as jewel tone cushions or botanical cushions.
No matter your style, cushions can showcase your personal tastes. Scatter cushion arrangements are very unique since you can pick and choose the right collections for you. When you add a throw and scatter cushions to your sofa, you’ll be surprised by how much it transforms your living room. You’ll wonder why you hadn’t added them sooner!
Add space with mirrors for the living room
Positioned correctly, mirrors are a golden gem, and these living room wall accessories add space and light to whatever room they're placed in. Create an open feeling to your living space by positioning leaner and cheval mirrors around your sofa. These large contemporary mirrors add texture to your room, since the position of the mirror will reflect the existing objects in the living space. In this case, a mirror can reflect your sofa with the cushions and throws.
However, this does depend on which angle you place the mirror at. If you are unable to place a mirror in angle of the sofa, try placing a wall mirror above your sofa. This will dress your sofa and emphasise its frame and position in the room, again cementing its position as the staple furniture piece.
Introduce an element of nature with faux plants
Create a sense of freshness in your living room by including the beauty of nature in your interior.
Enjoy the appearance of fresh flowers all year long with a selection of faux plants placed around your living room. While faux plants won’t smell like the real deal, their lifelike colours and textures will give your home a brightening boost. Balance out other colourful and unique living room accessories that you have already added to your living room by positioning neutral indoor plants on the side tables next your sofa.
Have you been inspired by our tips to brighten up your living room? We love seeing your photographs and interior designs, tag us and share them with us on X and Instagram, or comment below on what types of trends you’d like to see next!
