# 91 Makeover Your Living Room

 

Master the art of symmetry to create a polished look in your wall art and accessory arrangements. In this living room, the same display of plates appears on both sides of the window, and identical side tables and lamps flank the couch. The arrangements act as a "visual border" so the eye is drawn to the beautifully dressed couch and windows.

 

Jewelry for Walls

Artwork, whether it's prints, paintings, or photos, can complete a room, just as jewelry can complete an outfit. Buy smaller, more affordable pieces and place them in larger frames and have mats custom-cut. Bigger frames will give the artwork a larger presence on your walls. White mats and frames are no-fail choices, as they allow the artwork to shine. When determining how to hang your artwork, look at the space you want to fill and determine whether a vertical or horizontal arrangement would work best.

 

Coordinating Versus Matching

Rather than precisely matching everything within your room (which can be daunting), give yourself a little breathing room and focus on coordinating. "Matchy-matchy tables are a no-no. Varying finishes is the key.

 

Repeating Colors

Using the same color more than once is also a smart decorating principle that will help your room to flow. But don't discount a piece just because it doesn't perfectly match. This lamp was chosen to repeat the hue on the pair of green chairs, but there is a slight difference between the two colors. The pieces aren't next to each other, so the variation is hardly noticeable. Also keep in mind that matching colors that appear on different types of surfaces can be challenging. A solid, shiny surface reflects light differently than a linen fabric. Rather than looking at objects side by side, look at them separately, and note what undertones you see within the colors. Both the lamp and chairs have yellow undertones, making the objects a perfect example of coordinates, not matches.

Pattern Mixing

Patterns add visual texture and can capture an of-the-moment trend. No matter what types of patterns you are mixing -- from traditional stripes and florals to geometric designs and motifs -- a few basic principles apply. Vary the scale of patterns throughout the room -- whether they're on draperies, artwork, or pillows. Mix large, medium, and small patterns so they don't compete with one another.