Fresh Decorating Ideas for an Old Living Room

Old homes are often filled with charming architectural details and unique design elements.  The appeal of a home with a history is often great for prospective homeowners enchanted with the story behind the home they choose to buy.  The charm of an older home often comes at a cost, however, since most older homes are built with limited storage and small, enclosed rooms.  This is quite a contrast from today’s modern construction homes with free flowing, open floor plans and ample closet and storage space.  Making the most of your small space means knowing a few basic rules and creative use of the space you have. 

The Power of Scale
The most important rule for decorating a small space is to keep every piece you add in scale with the rest of the room.  Small rooms don’t necessarily need tiny, delicate furniture – but make sure you match pieces based on size.  A medium sized chair with arms will look odd next to an oversized table or a tiny one.  Keep scale in mind as you add each piece to your design, from wall art to furnishings to area rugs, keeping your elements in scale will make a beautifully balanced room.

Scale also applies to patterns – a smallish upholstered chair will look odd and out of place with a large pattern, just as a tiny print will be lost on a wall sized drapery or in an oversized room.  Avoiding unsightly scale mismatches is easy with a little planning and careful thought.
   

Work with Existing Elements
If your old living room has a fireplace, built in bookshelves, ornately carved moldings or clever panel doors, bring these unique and old fashioned elements front and center in your contemporary make-over. A coat of paint or a refinish job can bring wood features back to life, as a new façade can do for an old, soot stained fireplace. Sanding and refinishing hardwood floors can make them glow and restore the original color.

Refinishing molding can be tricky, especially if the trim is highly detailed. Stripping the old finish with sandpaper and steel wool can help reach deep crevices in intricately carved wood. Apply the fresh finish with a tiny paint brush for best results.

Make the New Work with the Old
Find elements in the architecture and details of your home you can copy when purchasing new pieces. For example, your arts and crafts style home may have dark walnut floors – try adding a few pictures in walnut frames or a piece of decorative metal wall art featuring rich, dark chocolate brown. Or copy the shape of a window with divided lites or stained glass.

Using classic fabrics in new ways can also give a nod to your home’s past without forsaking the present. Old fashioned upholstery brocades and velvets can make beautiful pillows or art pieces. Sturdy, practical cotton canvas can be dyed any color and makes a fine, structured drapery material. Also consider higher end fabrics such as silk, linen and cashmere which were staples of past fashion that have stood the test of time.