While the kitchen may be the heart of the home, the living room is a close second. It's often the main gathering space for at-home activities — which is especially true in square-footage-starved apartments — and that's why Brady Tolbert, creative director at Bobby Berk, decided the living room in his Los Angeles apartment needed a refresh.
"[The living room] is really the only room in the entire apartment that we have to hang out," Tolbert says. "So no matter what it ended up looking like, first and foremost it had to be a space that served multiple functions...Everything had to have a purpose here."
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Of course, the overall look and feel of the room got an update too (more on that later), but overall, the refresh allowed Tolbert to make some practical changes: namely, increasing the number of people he could seat in his living room by reorienting the room and bringing in a second sofa.
"With this new furniture arrangement we basically doubled the seating that we have in the living room," Tolbert said. "And while we aren't currently entertaining due to everything that is going on in the world, it makes for the perfect place for me and my boyfriend to hang out without feeling [crowded]."
The best part of the whole project? Tolbert found everything he needed to bring his vision to fruition at The Home Depot®, which meant he was able to bring home high-quality pieces that reflected his style, all at affordable prices.
"Their selection is so vast," Tolbert says. "I really dove into a rabbit hole looking through everything that they offered and was pleasantly surprised to not only find so many amazing pieces, but at really approachable price points with fast shipping times. They curate a collection that feels timeless but fresh and can work for so many styles."
As for his favorite addition to the room — the Chesterfield sofa — it fit Tolbert's neutral color palette while also adding new texture to the room. "I've been a fan of [Chesterfield sofas] for as long as I can remember," he says. "They're classic, timeless, but have just enough of an edge to keep them feeling fresh. In my opinion, every room needs a heavy dose of leather, and this does just that."
Keep scrolling for more of Tolbert's tips on what to keep in mind when refreshing your own living room.
1. Prioritize colors and textures when shopping online
"Shopping online can be hard, but by going in with a defined color palette and selecting pieces that stylistically could be mixed due to their materials, I love the way that it turned out," Tolbert says. "Of course, with any decorating project there will always be some unexpecteds, but that can be part of the fun. After all, it is just design…have fun with it and enjoy the process."
Rug, pillows and throws: Tolbert's own
2. Keep it seasonal
"I swap out [textiles and art] all the time, and by just changing a few pieces you can really change the entire look of a room," Tobert says. "Whether that is a few pillows or a throw or a just rearranging the art you have on your walls, a seasonal refresh can be done so easily."
Sideboard table, decorative accents: Tolbert's own
3. Stick to your palette when mixing styles
"Think of the pieces you are using in a room much like the pieces you'd put on your body," Tolbert says. "If you bring in every color, print and pattern and try to make it work in one outfit, you could end up looking like a crazy clown. The same goes for a room. Select your color palette (for me that is neutrals and earth tones) and stick to it. Not only does it help you make better choices when you are shopping, but it also allows you to mix many different styles together — both vintage and new."
Kate and Laurel Hover Sylvie "Modern Circles" by Teju Reval of Snazzyhues Framed Canvas Wall Art Set, $99.99
Rug, sofa, pillows and throws: Tolbert's own