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| If your house needs a serious update but | | | | One drawback to all this openness is a lack of |
| renovations just aren't in the cards, try and seek | | | | concealed storage. Most contemporary storage |
| out some new modern furniture and completely | | | | units are open, and it is necessary to arrange |
| change the feel of your living room. It really | | | | possessions attractively. One way to do this is to |
| won't take much and you won't even recognize | | | | follow the rule of thirds: an open shelf should |
| the room when you're done! In the wake of | | | | display 1/3 books, 1/3 decorative accessories, and |
| economic challenges, more people are spending | | | | leave 1/3 of the space open. Storage pieces are |
| more time at home. You start to notice thing, as | | | | nothing like traditional bookcases or display |
| your living room may seem dark, crowded, and | | | | cabinets; many feature graceful sweeping curves |
| overpowering. You can’t afford to move, | | | | or dramatic angles, as well as sleek or shiny |
| so you begin to think about remodeling. But | | | | finishes. |
| remodeling is expensive, and often messy. | | | | Modern furniture brings simplicity to the functional |
| One way to instantly update your home without | | | | TV stand. Gone is the bulky unit offering media |
| messy and expensive structural renovations is to | | | | storage behind closed doors and providing a way |
| update your furniture and décor. The sleek lines | | | | to pretend the TV isn’t there by providing |
| of modern living room furniture can make your | | | | convenient doors (which are probably never |
| home look larger, feel friendlier and even boost | | | | closed, anyway). The modern TV stand is a |
| your mood by eliminating dark, overpowering | | | | simple pedestal that displays the TV simply and |
| pieces. | | | | gracefully. |
| Start by deciding whether you want to purchase | | | | Yesterday’s media center is |
| a complete room set, or choose your own | | | | today’s wall unit. Again, the storage for |
| individual pieces. A set will save time, but may not | | | | media and components is most often open. |
| offer the exact combination of styles you prefer. | | | | Shelves are wall-mounted, maximizing floor space |
| It may include pieces you don’t need or | | | | and making the room look larger. |
| want, or may not include all you want. Choices | | | | Modern furniture can instantly update your home. |
| may be limited. | | | | However, a few finishing touches can finalize your |
| It helps to know the measurements of your | | | | project with style. |
| room, as well as doorways into the room and any | | | | The essence of contemporary style is the light, |
| challenges to access from outside. If there are | | | | open feeling. Making sure there is adequate lighting, |
| architectural features that limit how you can use | | | | especially at night, is essential. Wall- and |
| the room, you need to be aware of them as well. | | | | ceiling-mounted fixtures add light without cluttering |
| By being aware of these facts, you can avoid | | | | tables or taking up valuable floor space. |
| purchasing pieces that don’t fit and let | | | | Heavy, dark window treatments may also need |
| delivery people know what to expect. | | | | to be replaced with systems that let in more light |
| One of the hallmarks of contemporary design is | | | | without sacrificing privacy. |
| an open, friendly feeling. By placing large pieces | | | | While modern style features clean, simple lines, |
| such as the sofa on the shorter wall, the room | | | | too much simplicity can create a sterile, |
| will seem larger. Seating that faces the entry is | | | | institutional environment. To avoid that feeling, |
| another way to open up the room, while seating | | | | accessorize your modern living room furniture |
| that faces away from the door is more intimate | | | | with personal touches such as family photos, |
| and private. As a rule, placing large pieces parallel | | | | artwork, or handcrafted conversation pieces. |
| to the walls keeps more floor space open, while | | | | Pillows and afghans add warmth and texture. |
| placing it at an angle, while visually interesting, | | | | Instead of traditional granny square or ripple |
| tends to make the space feel smaller. | | | | afghans, opt for solid colors and interesting |
| Modern furniture doesn’t all have to have | | | | textures. Area rugs are another source of color, |
| matching upholstery. In fact, modern living room | | | | pattern and texture. |
| furniture often includes an ultra-modern chair or | | | | When choosing your modern living room furniture, |
| two in bright colors or an interesting patterned | | | | choose neutral colors and tones for large, |
| fabric. The massage chair takes grandpa’s | | | | expensive pieces. Save the trendy colors and |
| recliner to a new level with new shapes, a lighter | | | | patterns for small pieces and accessories. That will |
| feel, and contemporary colors, as well as providing | | | | make it easier --and less expensive--for you to |
| a soothing massage at the end of a long day. | | | | redecorate in the future when there’s a |
| Smaller pieces, such as coffee tables and side | | | | different trendy color or pattern. |
| tables are often made of glass or Plexiglas. The | | | | By adding modern furniture, you can add the |
| clear materials add a light, open and airy feeling | | | | feeling of light and space to that dark living room |
| typical of contemporary décor. Console tables | | | | and make it more relaxing and enjoyable to spend |
| are narrower and smaller than past versions, but | | | | time at home. |
| retain their practicality in narrow walkways or | | | | |