Five Quick Steps to Refresh Your Living Space

This time of year is so blah: the thermometer swings back and forth like a pendulum, warm one day, and snowing the next.

Spring isn't here (yet) but winter has worn out her welcome with a lot of us. If you're like us, you're itching to get outdoors. But since that isn't an option, let's focus on freshening things up indoors. Here are five of our favorite ideas for re-inventing your living space in just a few simple steps.

1. Color block your bookshelves.

How do you sort your books - alphabetically by title? Genre? Maybe by author? How about by color? Even if the thought makes your inner librarian cringe, try it - the result might make your aesthetic sensibilities very happy. Rearrange your other objects so they'll complement your newly color-coordinated shelves.

If you look throughout our shop, you'll see examples of us color-blocking in many areas. It's a time-tested way to create a cohesive look with punches of color. If you just can't bear the thought of your books being arranged in such a disorderly fashion, you can always turn them backwards and let the neutral page edges create a soothing backdrop for other objects on your shelves.

2. Revamp your sofa pillow lineup.
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How many pillows are on your sofa? What size are they?. For most sofas, 20" pillows are the perfect size. Sleek modern sofas may look better with smaller 18" pillows, while larger scale sofas can handle 22" pillows (which are generally also more comfortable.)

Have you heard of the 2:2:1 ratio? It's pretty straight forward: two pillows on each end of the couch and one in the middle (or nestled closer to one side or the other if you're not a strictly symmetrical person. You can choose different pillows that coordinate, or have two sets of matching pillows, plus one complementary pillow for the middle. Your couch, your rules.

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3. Update your coffee table top

After the holidays are cleared away, it's easy to neglect refreshing this important piece of furniture in your living space.  Or maybe you're a magazine or book stacker, and this space has become a catch-all for all that reading material. Now's a great time to make it a fabulous focal point without overloading the surface space. (After all, you may want to actually set your coffee cup on it.)

• flowers or foliage, whether faux or for real.
• a tray that complements your table in style and color
• a simple stack of books

4. Baskets for the win!

Life is messy. Your living room doesn't have to be.
​Use baskets to hold all the things - from blankets to dog toys to remote controls and charger cords.

​Somehow corralling these necessary items sweeps away the clutter and makes everything seem more organized and coordinated. The good news is, you can find a basket for any purpose and style, from big roomy baskets for blankets and pillows, to shallow baskets for corralling small items.

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5. Put a plant in that corner

We all know nobody puts Baby in a corner, but a lush green plant will instantly liven up any lonely nook of your living room. Look for plants that can handle low-light indoor conditions - here are three favorites:

• sansevieria (snake plant),
  
• ZZ plant, 
  
• sago palm
  

All are excellent choices for low-maintenance, low light plants. Or invest in a realistic faux foliage plant if you lack a green thumb.

With these five easy steps, your living room will look and feel updated and refreshed...and ready to keep you comfortable through the chilly, gray days ahead! So what's your favorite trick for revving up your living space?