Beige living rooms can start to look dated and dull over time. Modernizing a beige living room is a great way to give the space a fresh, updated look without a full remodel. There are several easy and affordable ways to inject color, texture, and personality into a bland, beige living room. With some new decor items, strategic pops of color, and clever styling tricks, you can transform the space into a stylish, contemporary living room that feels current and inviting.
Change Up the Soft Furnishings
One of the easiest ways to modernize a beige living room is by changing out the soft furnishings like pillows, throws, area rugs, and window treatments. Solid beige pillows and throws can be swapped out for patterned, colorful textiles. Look for pillows in bright, saturated hues like emerald green, coral, or cobalt blue. Abstract prints, global-inspired patterns, and bold geometric designs are all great modern options.
Area rugs are also an impactful way to inject color and pattern into a space. A distressed Persian rug or colorful Moroccan-style rug would pair nicely with a beige sofa. Custom window treatments like roman shades in a colorful fabric, or sleek bamboo blinds also help a beige living room feel fresh and contemporary.
| Beige Living Room Soft Furnishing | Modern Color/Pattern Option |
|---|---|
| Solid beige throw pillows | Pillows in saturated jewel tones with abstract prints |
| Beige area rug | Brightly colored Moroccan-style rug |
| Beige roman shades | Patterned roller shades in colorful fabric |
Paint an Accent Wall
Painting one wall in a vibrant hue is an easy DIY upgrade that can completely transform a bland beige living room. Try using a rich ultraviolet like Benjamin Moore’s Grape Vine for a dramatic pop of color. Or opt for an energetic shade of orange, chartreuse, or coral to liven things up. Painting the wall behind the sofa, flanking the fireplace, or opposite the entryway are all good accent wall locations. Finish off your colorful focal wall with some modern art or prints for a pulled-together look.
Update the Lighting
Outdated overhead and task lighting have a way of making a room feel dowdy. Replace an old beige ceiling flush mount with a sleek pendant light or sparkling chandelier. Swap out table lamps with creamy lampshades for ones with colorful bases and crisp white shades. If your living room lacks statement lighting, consider adding a modern floor lamp in a sculptural shape or material like acrylic, marble, or brass. The right lighting upgrades can make a beige living room look instantly modern.
| Outdated Beige Living Room Lighting | Modern Lighting Upgrade |
|---|---|
| Flush mount ceiling light | Brass pendant light or beaded chandelier |
| Table lamps with cream lampshades | Colorful lamp bases with crisp white shades |
| No statement lighting | Acrylic or marble floor lamp |
Incorporate Metallics and Lacquer
Metallic finishes like brass, gold, and rose gold pair beautifully with beige. Swap out any outdated brass light fixtures or hardware for brushed gold or oil rubbed bronze alternatives. Bring in gold side tables, rose gold vases and decor accents, or a large brass mirror for lots of contemporary metallic glam.
Glossy lacquer furniture and decor in shades like navy blue, emerald, or magenta also feel fresh and modern against a beige backdrop. Look for lacquer coffee tables, storage chests, trays, boxes, or ottomans in high-gloss colors to amp up the drama.
| Traditional Beige Living Room Items | Modern Metallic/Lacquer Swap |
|---|---|
| Brass light fixtures | Oil rubbed bronze pendant lights |
| Brown leather sofa | Navy blue lacquer sofa |
| Wood end tables | Brass or gold side tables |
Add Contemporary Sculptural Pieces
For a beige living room that feels truly modern, incorporate sculptural furnishings, lighting, or decor pieces. This could include a woven leather or acrylic pendant light, an acrylic media console, a marble topped coffee table, or abstract metal sculptures. These types of statement pieces feel right at home in sleek, contemporary living rooms. Pair sculptural furnishings with other modern updates like an accent wall and colorful accents for a bold, design-forward space.
Organize with Modern Shelving
Built-in bookshelves, media units, and wall shelving instantly make a living room look neat and contemporary. If you have an empty nook or underutilized wall, consider filling it floor to ceiling with clean-lined shelving in a finish like white, light wood, or black metal. Style books artfully, display decorative objects, and incorporate geometric or abstract accessories like vases and trays for an organized, modern aesthetic. Free-standing shelving units like a black metal étagère or multi-level walnut bookcase also tidy up rooms beautifully.
Add Pops of Colorful Art
Nothing livens up a neutral beige palette quite like bold, colorful art. Look for vibrant abstract prints, modern graphic designs, or eye-catching pop art to hang above the sofa or flank the fireplace. Black and white photography featuring bright subjects like flowers or graffiti are another fresh option. For serious artistic flair, commission a local artist to paint a custom mural on your accent wall. The vivid addition of contemporary art in any form adds both color and modern style to a formerly beige living room.
Green Up with Lush Plants
No modern space is complete without some greenery! Potted plants instantly boost a room’s style quotient and are an easy DIY addition. For contemporary flair, opt for tropical plants like philodendron, banana plants, fiddle leaf figs, or palm trees. Floating shelving filled with succulents or a vertical garden also adds fresh modern texture. Place plants in colorful ceramic or concrete planters on the floor, on shelves, or mounted on the wall for a dose of living color.
Add Modern Geometric Style with Mirrors
Mirrors open up and brighten any room, and they are an essential element in modern design. Replace a traditional rectangular mirror above the mantel with an oversized round or oval beveled mirror for instant flair. Cluster small hexagonal mirrors together on a wall for cool geometric style. Lean an elongated cheval floor mirror near an accent wall or drape a round mirror on a cord from the ceiling. The reflective light and angular shapes of bold contemporary mirrors give life to dull, beige living rooms.
Warm Up with Wood Decor
The natural look and feel of wood never goes out of style. Incorporate carved wood bowls, trays, vases, or sculptures for an earthy textural element. Floating wood shelves, woven wood wall hangings, and warm wood furnishings like sideboards also provide modern appeal. Try pairing rich wood tones like walnut and mahogany with colorful accents and cool metals for a perfectly balanced beige and wood color scheme.
Conclusion
With strategic additions like metallic finishes, sculptural furnishings, lush greenery, colorful artwork, and some new soft decor, it is entirely possible to transform a dated beige living room into a fresh contemporary space. Modernizing treatments like accent walls, abstract prints, and contemporary shelving also lend style and visual interest. Focus on adding color, angles, curves, and artistic flair to give a tired beige living room new modern life. With a little creativity and these decor tips, you can easily breathe new life into a beige living space.
