Living room ideas to lift your mood

PROPERTY NEWS - Living rooms are made for relaxation, so it is time to update yours with a fresh new look that's ideal for laid-back living during the summer months.

Fresh white walls are the epitome of summer style and will allow you to experiment with different colours and themes against a works-with-everything backdrop.

A simple way to transform a cosy winter den into a summery sanctuary is to replace heavy fabrics, such as curtains. Voile curtains will let sunlight stream through your windows into your room, or, if you'd prefer more privacy at night, choose a roller blind that won't block out any natural light when it's rolled up during the day.

Using a muted palette of stone and pebble grey alongside natural textures that are reminiscent of the coast will instantly make a living room feel summer-ready.

Distressed wooden furniture, wicker armchairs, jute baskets and seaglass accessories will all add that chilled-out seaside vibe.

The beautiful blue skies and uplifting sunlight of summer can serve as inspiration to add bright colour to your home. Just one piece of furniture repainted or reupholstered in a vibrant shade could completely change the mood of your living room.

Balancing actImage credit: Joanna Henderson/Ideal Home

Keep flooring neutral; bare floorboards, engineered wood or a pale carpet will work with any scheme and leave you plenty of breathing room to add a colourful rug or upholstery.

Add rich bright accent colours to lift a neutral space. Take your living room from spring to summer by simply changing your accessories. Go for a vivid, rusty orange to bring about a cheery scheme that is sure to keep you smiling all summer long.

Choosing a different accent for the finishing touches is an easy way to change the look and feel of the room.

Add rich bright accent colours to lift a neutral space. Take your living room from spring to summer by simply changing your accessories. Go for a vivid, rusty orange to bring about a cheery scheme that is sure to keep you smiling all summer long.

Choosing a different accent for the finishing touches is an easy way to change the look and feel of the room.

Create a classic scheme with laid-back, accommodating sofas in warm biscuit tones and layer up soft whites and watery blues in simple country patterns. Small-scale stripes, checks and hand-blocked florals work well together on cushions, blinds and chair covers to lift the look.

Two-tone natural linen curtains keep the windows soft and a trio of roller blinds can be lowered or raised to keep the summer sunshine filtered as it moves around the room.

A couple of starfish, a boat picture and a textured rug evocative of a pebble beach all add a touch of seaside fun.