Posted By Robert Anthony on June 18, 2009

When you think about your living room, what’s the first word that comes to mind? Cozy? Fun? Family-centered? Well, if the answer is “boring”, then it’s time to do something about it. Don’t just sit around in a blah space, bring some life into your living room.

One of the most popular and effective strategies for adding interest to a somewhat plain room these days is an accent wall. Pick a color that makes a statement—I tend to use the next darkest shade on the paint chip—and paint one wall that color. But don’t just randomly pick one wall, think about which one would make the most impact. Lots of people choose the wall around their fireplace, or the wall facing the door. Whichever wall you choose, make sure that your furniture is arranged accordingly; that is to say, that the accent wall truly becomes the focus of the room.

I also love adding interesting artwork to turn up the wow factor in a room. Lots of people are afraid of the word “art” because they think it’s out of their price range. But I’m not talking about a Monet or a Picasso here, just an attractive, attention-grabbing feature. Regardless of what all the elitists out there have to say, it doesn’t have to be one of a kind to be art. Some truly affordable ideas for gorgeous art include framed mirrors (small mirrors in wrought-iron openwork frames are a great way to get a lot of bang for your buck), groupings of smaller items (I have a great set of three filigree crosses I found from the Casa Cristina collection), or even decorative trays. Mounted in the right spot, just about anything, old or new, can become the artistic focal point of your room—and kick boring right out the door.