Does your living room need a redesign? Whether you’ve plans to invest in new furniture or looking to rejig what you have, highlight features or give it a style boost, there are plenty of designer tricks that can help you make the most of your living room’s potential. We asked our favourite experts to share their tips…
I’M ARRANGING MY LIVING ROOM, WHERE DO I START?
‘I’d always start with what the actual lines of sight are when using the room and how you use the room,’ says TV presenter Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. Charlie Marshall, founder of Loaf, agrees: ‘It’s all about understanding how you’re going to use the room. You may use yours for watching telly, the kids doing homework, reading a book as well as entertaining friends. This will help you understand what seating, lighting and storage you need.’ Design director Lisa Mitchell starts with the main pieces – the sofas. ‘My pet hate is designing a layout around the TV, unless it’s in a dedicated cinema room.’
HOW DO I CHOOSE THE FOCAL POINT?
‘One of the big problems is that most people tend to have two focal points in a living room – the fireplace and the TV,’ says Laurence, ‘and somehow want to accommodate both within the same axis.’ Charlie explains: ‘In a family room, a TV will likely be the focal point. But the furniture itself can also be used – a statement armchair could add a wow factor when people enter the room.’
WHAT ABOUT THE TV?
This story is from the August 2021 edition of Ideal Home UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2021 edition of Ideal Home UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A luxe look for less
BARGAIN BUYS, DIY AND CLEVER TRICKS HELPED KAREN AND PHILLIP MOSELEY CREATE THEIR KITCHEN ON A BUDGET
A CLEAR Winner
WHEN MARINA AND TIM CALLAND RENOVATED THEIR PERIOD FAMILY HOME, THEY DID SO WITH A SUCCESSFUL BLEND OF OLD AND NEW
"I CALL MY STYLE modern rustic"
ALICE LANCASTLE BREATHED NEW LIFE INTO AN OLD FARMHOUSE, AND FILLED HER LIGHT, BRIGHT HOME WITH FLEAMARKET FINDS AND UPCYCLED TREASURES
Breathing SPACE
CLEVER RECONFIGURATION AND CONTEMPORARY DESIGN TRANSFORM AN OLD AGRICULTURAL BUILDING INTO A STYLISH FAMILY HOME
A LASTING legacy
BECKY AND BEN INSHAW'S RENOVATION FOCUS WAS TO RETAIN PRECIOUS MEMORIES - AND MAKE A DREAM HOME FOR NEW ONES
Modern classic workspace
FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE DESIGN INGREDIENTS FOR A HOME OFFICE THAT'S AS STYLISH AS IT IS FUNCTIONAL
Weekend decorator
CLEVER TRICKS TO MINI DECOR PROJECTS... WE ROUND UP THE SIMPLEST, QUICKEST WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE BEAUTIFUL NOW
Wood flooring
WOOD OR WOOD-LOOK? THERE ARE PROS AND CONS OF BOTH, AS OUR EXPERTS SHARE
Peach
THIS MONTH, OUR COLOUR EXPERTS PRESENT THIS CHEERFUL SHADE THAT'S BOTH BRIGHT AND WARMING
"The new way of mixing old with new...
BIG TRENDS ARE FEW THESE DAYS, WITH MICRO TRENDS TAKING THEIR PLACE. WE EXPLORE THE LATEST LOOK: ECLECTIC GRANDPA