Weird and wonderful living rooms

There’s no reason why you can’t have a little fun when decorating – after all, your home is a place where you can unleash your imagination and create an interior that reflects your personality.

If you love the great outdoors, for example, it’s possible to bring a garden-room feel to your interior. Ever thought of using astro-turf as flooring? Team this with a white bench instead of a sofa, paint walls white, and add some silk ivy garlands and indoor plants such as ferns for a fresh, summery look.

A large mural or super-sized canvas painting is another way of creating a unique look. Choose a woodland mural to give your living room an ethereal quality and add luxe accessories, such as faux fur throws, to continue the woodland theme. Opt for an abstract watercolour canvas as a backdrop to a neutral sofa for maximum impact.

Get creative, with modern takes on traditional wooden furniture set against zesty backdrops – think white and lime green or chartreuse.

Use lighting to dramatic effect with a group of globe lanterns in unexpected colours such as deep blue – hang several together in different sizes for a striking look. Statement lighting can be used to great effect in rooms with high ceilings.

Always loved the spotlight? Why not add Hollywood glamour to your living room. Set the scene with a moody lilac and cream colour scheme and add sumptuous soft furnishings and eyecatching pieces such as a film-set style standard lamp.

And, if you have a beautiful period property, create a room perfect for a murder mystery weekend party with rich colours and dramatic lighting.

Be inspired by these eclectic decorating schemes and put together a truly unique living room design.

1/10 Garden-inspired living room

Love the great outdoors? Bring it inside with an astro-turf carpet and creeping greenery. A garden bench doubles up as a sofa in this ultimate alfresco living room.

2/10 Optical illusion living room

This dreamy living room allows you to wander into the woods courtesty of a full-sized wall mural. The snowy white rug and tree-like floor lamp add to the illusion of not knowing where the photograph ends and the room begins.

3/10 Supersized watercolour

When a conventional painting just won't do, supersize a canvas instead and cover an entire wall with it. This pastel canvas brings a new spin to traditional watercolour painting, creating an abstract statement.

4/10 Eccentric, zingy living room

We don't know exactly how to describe this chair but we know we like it. The same goes for the zingy lime / yellow / chartreuse wall colour. It's quirky and offbeat, but in a good way. Like an uber-cool hotel lounge.

5/10 Dramatic lighting

When one pendant light's just not enough...suspend a host of lanterns for an etherial, dramatic feel. Just mind your head when you stand up.

6/10 70s style living room

The organic shaped lighting in this double height living room makes a bold statement which ties in perfectly with the 1970s style decor. Far out.

7/10 Sleek, contemporary living room

Floral chintz not really your thing? No one will doubt that when they walk into this uber contemporary living room. Sleek, chic and a little bit eerie, the X-ray images projected onto the walls make a striking statement.

8/10 Hollywood glamour

Calling all film buffs. The indigo and lilac colour palette creates a moody film-noir atmosphere in this living room whilst a striking floor lamp, covered screen and gramophone add an old-style Hollywood feel.

9/10 Quirky, eclectic living room

Always wanted your own drinks trolley? And a stuffed goats head? That's what your own home is for - expressing your personality so don't hold back. We think the owner of this urban living room would throw great parties.

10/10 Mysterious Victorian living room

This living room ramps up the drama by playing on the heritage of a period property. Rich colours, dramatic lighting and a hint of intrigue make it the perfect room for a murder mystery party.

Still looking for decorating inspiration? Take a look at our dedicated living room channel. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest homes and interiors news and trends.