How To Turn Your Living Room Mexican

Today, January 25th, is reported to be the most depressing day of the British year, so what better time to bring a little sunshine and good cheer into your home? With this handy guide, you'll soon be able to transform your living room into a delightful, Mexican inspired space that is filled with warmth, character, colour and style.

The basis for Mexican style is found in a colour palette comprising of cactus-like greens, adobe red and desert-toned neutral hues, with accents provided by bursts of bright yellow, dusty orange and deep turqoise or teal.

Check out how the colour of the walls
brings out the warmth of the wood

One of the best ways to get that spicy Mexican feel is through the use of distressed wood. If you have any exposed wooden features, such as beams or panelling, in your living room, then strip them back and gently abrade the surfaces until they are rough, and then rub in some dark pigment wax to bring the unusual shapes of the wood into relief. Wipe off excess wax with a dry cloth. You can also use a little sandpaper to abrade the highest points to provide highlights.

The distressed theme should be continued to the furniture - you can buy beautiful hand distressed wooden furniture, or, for more ecological brownie points, furniture that has been made from reclaimed timber, to give your room that glorious lived-in feel.

Leather chairs and sofas, especially elegantly worn ones, really help to bring the relaxed, organic feel of a Mexican room to life. It looks especially good if it has an exposed wooden frame, which can match the rest of your furniture, bringing your sofa into close style proximity with your coffee table.

Mexican style rooms can take colour
combinations that would clash elsewhere

The Mexican look is all in the details - hang striped fabrics from the walls, and find Mexican or South American designed vases and ornaments. There are many little projects you can do to help with your Mexican theme - if you have a fireplace and a bit of spare time, why not check out hgtv.com's guide to creating a Mexican-style fireplace screen, perfect for bringing your new look together.

These antique Mexican vases
make great accent pieces

If you've been bitten by the Mexican style bug, why not check out Donna McMenamin's book on traditional Mexican design, available through Amazon.

So take a fresh look at your living room, and decide whether it might benefit from a bit of spicing up!