Think Like a Designer: 5 Steps to Get the Most Out of Your Living Room
Make your living room more than just an area where you flop and watch the TV...
Karyn McRae
9 October 2014
Houzz Australia Contributor. Interior Designer at McRae & Lynch Design.
The living room by definition is “a room in a house for general and informal everyday use”. So it would make sense then that the basic components of a living room consist of comfortable seating, a coffee table and perhaps a sound system and television. However, it’s the ‘not so obvious elements’ and careful planning that truly contribute to the success of creating a versatile space for a variety people and day-to-day activities within your home. The following steps will help you discover these elements so that you can create the versatility necessary to get the most out of your living room space.
STEP 1: Nut out the brief
Before you start planning anything, you really need to establish how you wish to utilise this room. This will give you a clear idea of what elements you need to include in your living room that will support your family’s needs and moods. Think about your lifestyle and make a list of all the possible day-to-day activities you can see happening in this room. For example, there is the obvious: relaxing, reading, watching television and casually hanging out with friends and family.
The room’s versatility may need to extend to include a place where school homework gets done (or doesn’t!), board and/or video games are played, laundry is sorted and clothes are ironed. And its ambience may need to adapt to a setting for a quiet romantic evening for two, family movie nights as well as the occasional wild party.
Before you start planning anything, you really need to establish how you wish to utilise this room. This will give you a clear idea of what elements you need to include in your living room that will support your family’s needs and moods. Think about your lifestyle and make a list of all the possible day-to-day activities you can see happening in this room. For example, there is the obvious: relaxing, reading, watching television and casually hanging out with friends and family.
The room’s versatility may need to extend to include a place where school homework gets done (or doesn’t!), board and/or video games are played, laundry is sorted and clothes are ironed. And its ambience may need to adapt to a setting for a quiet romantic evening for two, family movie nights as well as the occasional wild party.
STEP 2: Become spatially aware
Avoid costly mistakes by guessing what furniture will work in the space. You will find that the shape of the room, along with the position of windows and doors, will pretty much dictate the general layout of your living room. Let’s not forget the fact the living room often flows on from the kitchen and dining area making it the main thoroughfare within a home.
With all this to consider, getting an Interior designer to draw up a scaled floor plan will definitely help. This way you will have the advantage of playing around on the plan with scaled furniture in a variety of shapes, sizes and combinations until you find the best possible layout for your space.
Avoid costly mistakes by guessing what furniture will work in the space. You will find that the shape of the room, along with the position of windows and doors, will pretty much dictate the general layout of your living room. Let’s not forget the fact the living room often flows on from the kitchen and dining area making it the main thoroughfare within a home.
With all this to consider, getting an Interior designer to draw up a scaled floor plan will definitely help. This way you will have the advantage of playing around on the plan with scaled furniture in a variety of shapes, sizes and combinations until you find the best possible layout for your space.
STEP 3: Maximise your storage
Whether you have a lot or very little space within your living room, you can always manage to create extra useful storage space. Stay on Houzz and save stories into Your Houzz showcasing clever storage solutions that relate to the activities listed in your brief. These could be anything from an ottoman or coffee table that doubles as a storage box to house your board games or remotes for your video games, to TV cabinets and bookshelves. An interior designer can custom design storage specific to your needs which could also end up being a feature piece in your living room, such as the large storage wall in this house.
Whether you have a lot or very little space within your living room, you can always manage to create extra useful storage space. Stay on Houzz and save stories into Your Houzz showcasing clever storage solutions that relate to the activities listed in your brief. These could be anything from an ottoman or coffee table that doubles as a storage box to house your board games or remotes for your video games, to TV cabinets and bookshelves. An interior designer can custom design storage specific to your needs which could also end up being a feature piece in your living room, such as the large storage wall in this house.
STEP 4: Set the mood with lighting
Your living room needs to be the most versatile room in the home, and a great way to achieve this is through lighting. Provide a variety of options – bright lights for activities or tasks and soft lighting for quiet, relaxing moments. Dimmer switches are perfect for providing flexibility for all needs.
Decorative or ambient lighting, such as lamps, candles, and even a fireplace, can change the mood and add another dimension to the look. Try LED lights in display cabinets to show off special pieces. Or add fairy lights for that festive or party feel. Don’t forget to consider the natural light in the room, either. Make the most of it, however be mindful of any glare from the sun when positioning the chairs and TV. Choosing the right window covering such as curtains, blinds or shutters will enable greater control over daylight.
Find out more ways to get your interior lighting right
Your living room needs to be the most versatile room in the home, and a great way to achieve this is through lighting. Provide a variety of options – bright lights for activities or tasks and soft lighting for quiet, relaxing moments. Dimmer switches are perfect for providing flexibility for all needs.
Decorative or ambient lighting, such as lamps, candles, and even a fireplace, can change the mood and add another dimension to the look. Try LED lights in display cabinets to show off special pieces. Or add fairy lights for that festive or party feel. Don’t forget to consider the natural light in the room, either. Make the most of it, however be mindful of any glare from the sun when positioning the chairs and TV. Choosing the right window covering such as curtains, blinds or shutters will enable greater control over daylight.
Find out more ways to get your interior lighting right
STEP 5: Make it personal
Now that you have the practical and functional side of your living room sorted, you can start to think about what style best suits your living room plan and lifestyle.
Just remember, the living room is usually the central part of your home from which the rest of the rooms flow, so be mindful that the style you choose is consistent with the rest of your home. If you like a change now and then, keep your wall colour and lounge fabrics neutral and add colour through artwork, cushions and rugs. Soft furnishings can be changed effortlessly seasonally or whenever your mood desires.
More: 6 Steps to Find Your True Home Personality
Now that you have the practical and functional side of your living room sorted, you can start to think about what style best suits your living room plan and lifestyle.
Just remember, the living room is usually the central part of your home from which the rest of the rooms flow, so be mindful that the style you choose is consistent with the rest of your home. If you like a change now and then, keep your wall colour and lounge fabrics neutral and add colour through artwork, cushions and rugs. Soft furnishings can be changed effortlessly seasonally or whenever your mood desires.
More: 6 Steps to Find Your True Home Personality
TELL US
How have you made the most out of your living room? Share your tips in the comments section.
MORE
8 Living Room Layouts That Work
5 Easy Steps to a Lovelier Living Room
Living Room Love: 9 Cushion-Picking Strategies That Work
8 Mesmerising Colour Palettes For Living Rooms
How have you made the most out of your living room? Share your tips in the comments section.
MORE
8 Living Room Layouts That Work
5 Easy Steps to a Lovelier Living Room
Living Room Love: 9 Cushion-Picking Strategies That Work
8 Mesmerising Colour Palettes For Living Rooms
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