One of the easiest ways to refresh a living room is with a fresh coat of paint or wallpaper.

White is easier to live with in the long run, but black could be dramatic.

Nonetheless, if you go for wallpaper, especially in white, consider a textured surface for some added interest or even a textured wall treatment like stucco for more dimension

A statement piece is effortless to refresh a living room, whether it’s a coffee table, side table or chair. Materials like marble or granite can be found in monochromatic shades, making for visually exciting tabletops or choosing pieces with beautiful sculptural lines.

Slight differences in tones are immediately apparent in a monochromatic scheme.

Avoid ending up with a mismatched look by sticking to only warm or cool tones for the walls and accessories.

Do not underestimate the power of a good cushion or grouping of cushions.

If it’s a solo cushion, there’s a lot of appeal in cushions with repetitive motifs or stylised prints.

However, if you want to fill more space, a group of cushions will do the trick.

Again, vary colours but keep it in a harmonious palette and go with an odd number.

Artwork adds flair, character and a personal touch to a living room; nothing is more personal than hanging up a piece of your artwork.

But if painting sends a chill down your spine, consider keeping it abstract or minimalist.

Start with a plain white canvas, then express your inner artist with bold brush strokes. It’ll be one of a kind, that’s for sure.

Installing floating shelves is an excellent way to create a decorative corner and get some extra storage into the bargain.

They are space-saving, and their clean, minimal look is ideal for monochromatic living rooms.

You can also install them in various configurations as the wall or space you have dictates

The feeling of softness underfoot is one of the many reasons a good rug will change up a living room, not only visually but sensorially.

A right-sized rug will also focus the furniture arrangement and make it appear more of a cohesive group.

Whether shaggy or flat weave, choose one that creates the vibe you want to evoke.

When choosing an area rug, make sure it is large enough to partially extend under key pieces of furniture.

Is anything cosier than having a throw draped around the sofa or armchair?

It’s an easy way to freshen up a seat or hide a stain you haven’t been able to tackle.

Moreover, they come in so many materials that adding textural contrast is easily achievable. Not just that, the next time you’re feeling chilly, it’s readily available

For a monochromatic living room, black-and-white photography or artwork is a natural fit.

However, if you want maximum impact for minimum spend, a good idea is to frame a group of black-and-white postcards or source a print of black -and-white artwork from artbooks or magazines.

A monochromatic living room is chic and sleek, but a plant or floral arrangement is a surefire way of adding life to it.

The trick is to choose the right plant or floral arrangement, so pick those with sculptural shapes like the Fiddle Fig and flowers like lilies.

Also, remember to place them in the appropriately hued vessel to complete the picture.

Even though a black-and-white palette sounds simple enough, you shouldn’t be using it willy-nilly.

Use one as the primary colour throughout your home, and the other as an accent to create or highlight graphic elements.

Since contrast is high, the eye will be drawn immediately to these accents, so use it carefully.

Our favourite?

Using black to highlight ceiling beams or stairs, visually increasing the height of the space.

You can also use this technique to create a striking gallery or wall mural.

Lighting matters in a living space.

How dim or bright it is can affect its mood, especially in a monochromatic interior where the colour contrast is sharper.

Consider changing a lamp shade to diffuse the light from your table or floor lamp, and pick one which gives you the best effect.

An all-white or all-black space will look boring if all the surfaces reflect the same amount of light.

Use different textures to engage the eye – experiment with wood grain, marble, tinted glass, or fabrics in the same colour family to create an interesting space.

Alternatively, fluting or panelling a matte surface can add subtle texture without overly complicating the look.

Surfaces that reflect light help to break up the monotony of the colour palette. Apart from marble and glass, consider adding metallic accents to your space to liven it up.

We prefer gold, brass, or copper over silver, as they add a touch of luxe plus much-needed warmth to a monochrome colour scheme.

These can be added in fixtures such as your lampshades, drawer pulls, or even light switches.

An all-white palette serves to visually expand a space, while an all-black one creates a cocooning effect.

With this in mind, consider the function and size of the space: for rooms that are meant to be a retreat from the outside world, like a bedroom or bathroom, a dark palette might work.

Make sure these rooms are large enough, though, and have sufficient lighting to counter the receding effect of a dark palette.

A black and white palette by itself is muted, so adding a pop of bright colour is an easy way to style the space.

This is the perfect opportunity to introduce a statement furniture piece or iconic work of art as a focal point, or even tropical wallpaper for a dash of the wilderness.

Variety and nuance are key to making a space look more refined.

When choosing furniture and homeware, opt for varying shades of grey and white to add visual interest instead of the usual stark black and white.

This helps to soften the contrast of the overall look and make a space feel more welcoming. Wood is another great way to add a warm, neutral accent.

Text: Melody Bay/Home & Decor

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