The living room is arguably the most hard-working room in the home. Watching TV, chatting and chilling out with family and friends, reading and catching up with emails are just some of the activities that take place in here, so good planning is vital to ensure it’s up to the job.
By Andrea Dean
Think about how you’ll use the room, and exactly what needs to be included within the confines of its size and shape. For example, if it’s going to be the main family and entertaining area, you’ll need a good seating arrangement, plus storage for the TV and related kit. Or maybe you’re planning a dual purpose room, which means incorporating a work or dining area into the design.
Make the proportions of the room work to your advantage. A long, narrow room lends itself to being divided into separate zones, perhaps for watching TV and relaxing, while the shorter part of an L-shaped room may be perfect for a home office or dining area. On squared paper, draw a scale plan of the room and items of furniture that need to go in it, then play around with layouts until you find one that works.
It's also worth doing the same with furniture - spend some time moving it about until you get the best arrangement for your needs. Sometimes, the least obvious layouts work better than those that look good on paper.
Living rooms - large or small - work best when planned around a focal point – the fireplace, TV or great view, so arrange your seating to make the most of this. If there isn’t a natural focal point, create your own, perhaps by wallpapering or painting a bold shade on the main wall of the room, or group sofas and armchairs round a coffee table or to show off a favourite painting. Make sure access from the doorway or patio doors isn’t obstructed, and you can move easily round the room. And, if space allows, don’t push furniture flush against the wall, as being able to see behind it will create the illusion of extra space.
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