8 Delightfully Casual Common Spaces
Speak the laid-back language of summer all year round with social spaces that are infinitely comfortable and relaxed
We're well into summer in the Northern Hempisphere, and our homes are likely hosting more guests for playdates, sleepovers and family visits. It's got me thinking: How do we create social spaces at home that are impeccably styled yet reflect the dressed-down needs of the season? Let's take a look at a few inspiring spaces and see what we can learn from them.
This Ontario, Canada, cottage setup is a great example of a casual sitting room that transcends seasonality. The gray hue of the Ligne Roset "ottomans" is classic and refined, yet the form of the chairs — all inspired by Moroccan footstools — is completely laid back.
Lesson from this room: Choosing classic and neutral colors extends the life of furnishings and decor and opens the door to endless accent color possibilities.
Lesson from this room: Choosing classic and neutral colors extends the life of furnishings and decor and opens the door to endless accent color possibilities.
Who needs a couch when you've got a nest to burrow into? This nest prototype from Israeli creative group O*GE looks to the birds and uses everything we love about oversize pillows and poufs. First-time guests may feel uneasy about jumping in at first, but I'm sure once they're inside and comfortable, laughter and conversation will start to flow.
Lesson from this room: Nature always has the best design solutions and inspirations.
Lesson from this room: Nature always has the best design solutions and inspirations.
Backyard tepees like this trio in California combine what we love most about camping and the outdoors. Kids of different ages can retire in their own tepee without feeling isolated from one another, and the fun can last well into the night.
Lesson from this room: There's no need to reinvent the wheel. Tepees are always a hit.
Lesson from this room: There's no need to reinvent the wheel. Tepees are always a hit.
The absence of walls in common areas ups the casual sensibility of this modern "Nest House" in Japan.
Lesson from this room: A good way to tell if your space is accessible and comfortable is if your pets, kids or guests gather there with ease.
Lesson from this room: A good way to tell if your space is accessible and comfortable is if your pets, kids or guests gather there with ease.
This Chicago upper-level living room was built with the kids in mind and is situated right outside of their bedrooms. The modular floor seating arrangements can be reconfigured to form smaller or larger clusters.
Lesson from this room: Varying the seat options with ottomans, floor pillows and everything in between tells people that they can sit back and relax.
Lesson from this room: Varying the seat options with ottomans, floor pillows and everything in between tells people that they can sit back and relax.
The traditional living room in Vancouver, British Columbia (previous photo) and this eclectic-contemporary playroom in San Francisco show how a gathering space can please both kids and kids at heart. Plush furnishings, beanbags, ottomans and chairs for the little people in the house go the distance in making everyone comfortable.
Lesson from this room: Children's art, accessories and decor can add that perfect punch of color to a space.
Lesson from this room: Children's art, accessories and decor can add that perfect punch of color to a space.
Lesson from this room: Plush cushions that encourage guests to hug them and a casually placed throw all speak the easy language of summer, yet can be applied to a space any day of the year.