Seating
Furniture that is upholstered with fabric or leather is the
most comfortable, but mixing in some non-upholstered furniture, such as a
wooden arm chair or rocking chair, will create a more eclectic room. Seating
can include:
Sofa (sectionals
and modular sofas are versatile pieces)
Loveseat, chaise
lounge, settee and chair-and-a-half (perfect balance for a sofa or use several
instead of a sofa)
Armchairs (wooden
or upholstered in fabric or leather)
Ottomans and
benches (use as seating, foot rests, or coffee tables)
Tables
All seats should have arm-length access to a table surface
for drinks, books, magazines, remotes, etc. Also, tables are a foundation for
lamps and accessories.
Types to consider:
Coffee table or
ottoman with a tray.
Side tables or end
tables.
Consoles or sofa
tables.
Lighting
Task lamps
(required for proper reading light in the room).
Ambient or general
room lighting (this should be on a dimmer or adjustable so you can go from soft
low-level to brighter for parties).
Window Treatments
These should be in
keeping with the theme or style of your living room furniture. Many custom
fabric draperies will feature fabric that complements the upholstered pieces in
the room.
Depending on the
decorative and functional needs of your room, hard and soft window treatments can
be used alone or in combination with each other. Hard window
treatments include blinds, shutters, screens and specialty glass applications. Soft window
treatments involve the use of fabric in draperies, curtains, shades and
valances.
Color and Texture
Add color and texture to your living room with:
Wall treatments
(paint, wallpaper, f aux finishes).
Fabric on your
furniture or pillows.
Flooring or rugs.
Accessories and
artwork.
Window treatments.
Basics of color
design include choosing monochromatic, analogous or complementary color
palettes.
Focal Points
Fireplaces
Many living rooms feature a fireplace as a built-in focal
point of the room. However, this architectural feature is often ignored with
poor furniture placement or by placing large items in front of the fireplace.
If you have a fireplace, arrange your furniture with this focal point in mind.
Placing your sofa or largest furniture piece so that it faces the fireplace is
a traditional classic.
Entertainment Centers
Most living rooms are comfortable spaces for family members
to gather and watch their favorite television programs. Options for supporting
and housing the television range for simple carts to elaborate armories and
wall units with bookcases attached. As with any focal point, your furniture
arrangement should focus around this entertainment center.
Views of Nature
Those who are lucky enough to have an incredible view from
their living room windows should consider allowing nature to be the focal point
of the room. In order for the outdoor view to be a focal point, the living room
will require large windows, preferably floor to ceiling length. If privacy is
not an issue, the windows can be left bare so the view is always on display (a
cityscape view is especially nice at night).
Conversation Areas
Stimulating social interaction and conversation is vital for
family members and for visitors as well. Therefore, creating a comfortable
conversation area is probably the most important element in interior design for
living rooms. This is easily accomplished by placing furniture near each other
instead of having large distances between pieces. An arrangement of sofa and
chairs in a U-shape or L-shape is a great start. A pair of chairs can be placed
in a corner or off to one side for an additional conversation area.
Tie It in to the Home
Remember that no matter what type of living room your are
designing, to keep it tied in with the rest of your home's design. A room out
of keeping with the rest of the home's style can be jarring, so remember to
work toward a unified look for both your living room and your whole house.
Partitions for
Privacy
Partitions can
be used to give a space a sense of privacy. A drawn curtain or decorative
screen can be used for a sleeping and dressing area to separate it from a
living area.
Dividing for
Purpose
Quarters can make a home more relaxing. For example, if you
are able to see your cluttered desk piled with work from your bed, it may be
difficult for you to relax at night and get to sleep. A divider for this
purpose can be made by hinging wooden panels together and painting them in a
favorite color with a special picture or design.
Styles
Styles can
range from contemporary to international. A screen can add a decorative flair
and reflect a theme. For example, a divider with an Asian design can set the
theme for a room. A photo divider, similar to a collage picture frame, can make
a statement sharing family memories through special photographs
Hanging Screens
Old window
screens and windows can make dividers by hanging them from the ceiling with
large chains. They can have pictures or designs painted on them to create a homier atmosphere
Rearranging
Dividers with
three to four sections can be very portable for changing a room's arrangement
and appearance. Attaching casters to the dividers can make rearranging an
easier task.
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