Written by Val Nehez
Many of our customers are doctors. I noticed that they tend to arrange their living rooms like waiting rooms. Push shallow chairs around the perimeter of the room so there’s no air left between the walls and the chairs.
We don’t subscribe to the “waiting room” aesthetic. We aim to create a cozy and inviting space that is perfect for conversation, reading a book, or doing puzzles.
The trick is to create a space where you can take a break from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Think about the kind of comfort you want in your daily lifestyle, not what the occasional attentive guest will think.
It also depends on what you’re dealing with. Large rooms can be more difficult than small ones. A small room is much easier to make intimate and cozy. Large rooms often need to be divided into zones, ostensibly creating smaller rooms within a larger room.
make a plan
Always start here. There are many computer programs that do spatial planning. I like Sketch Up because it offers a free trial. It’s also very easy to just use graph paper.
I like to use four squares to represent one square foot. Don’t be afraid to tape the pages together. Also, instead of drawing the furniture on a paper mockup, you can measure the furniture, cut it out from a separate piece of paper, and actually “move” the paper furniture around the room as you experiment with layouts.
Features and focus
Next, consider how you will use the room and what the existing focal point of the room is.
Often it’s a fireplace or a TV. Sometimes it can be a beautiful bay window. If you’re especially lucky, you can get a great view.
Are you mainly in this room at night? Or is it off the kitchen and always used? Face-to-face seating welcomes conversation, while focal seating faces a focal point, such as a fireplace or television.
flow
One common mistake when planning furniture layout is thinking about how people will move through the room. Where are the doorways and case openings? What route do I need to take to get from point A to point B?
The more entrances and exits a room has, the more difficult the layout will be, since there will be more passages for people to walk through.
If you want more “balance” in your room, removing doorways or adding windows can make a big difference.
Scale and strategy
It may seem counterintuitive, but one large piece of furniture in a small space can add unexpected interest. For example, a very large painting or an oversized chair.
The sofa you choose also has a big impact. If you decide to use one large split sofa, it’s more suitable for a puddle for the family to snuggle up in than for entertaining. Armless sofas help create a sense of unity with the other seating in the room.
If you have a particularly beautiful rug, a glass or acrylic coffee table will highlight it and make the room feel larger. And when it comes to rugs, bigger is always better. A smaller rug can make a room appear bare or underwhelming. And you don’t want to see the edge of your rug in the middle of a traffic path.
Of course, when it comes to coffee tables, young families always have to worry about sharp corners.
lit
The biggest mistake people make in living rooms is installing semi-recessed ceiling lights or ceiling fans with lights. These are very disappointing and completely take away the charm of the room.
Too many large can recessed lights are also “no bueno”. If you have a condition like this and it would be too expensive to remove, leave it unchecked. If you’re renovating, use recessed pin spotlights to illuminate your art.
Don’t rely on ceiling lights to illuminate your room. For the living room, lamps are always the best choice.
