DESIGN MASTERCLASS
It’s one of the most important spaces in the house for enjoying your home, so getting the design of your living room just right should be high on your list of priorities — this space is meant for family relaxation and enjoyment, so don’t leave it as an afterthought
By taking a thoughtful approach to living room design, you can create a space that provides the perfect ambience for relaxing and coming together with family and friends. Whether you’re looking to transform a small space or if you’re keen to discover how you improve on a lack of natural light, investing time in how to think about how you will be using the space can produce tangible results. Consider which members of your household will spend the most time in the living room and think about how you’ll deal with its idiosyncrasies — such as alcoves, low ceilings, awkward angles. Forward planning will ensure you’re really able to make the most of the space you have.
DESIGN ESSENTIALS
Before you start buying furniture and selecting acolour palette, create a list of everything you really want from the space and determine what you’d most like to achieve. Begin by asking yourself the following preparatory questions ahead of you starting any work.
● Who will be using the room? Will it be a mainly adult space, or is it a room to be enjoyed by the whole family?
● Will you be using the room for entertaining guests?
● What kind of feel do you want the space to have?
● How much natural light does the room get? Look at where light enters at different times of the day.
● What shape and size is the room? Very large living rooms need just as much thought as smaller layouts.
● What activities will be going on in the room? For example, will it be used for watching TV, playing games, working from home, playtime for young children, gaming?
ACHIEVING THE RIGHT LAYOUT
One of the first things you need to think about when designing your new living room is its layout. This is particularly important in awkwardly shaped rooms –such as those that are long and narrow – as well as in small spaces and those that are very large.
Your main priorities should be how to ensure you are making the most of your particular room and how you can ensure it feels comfortable, relaxing and somewhere you look forward to spending time in.
