What is a living room?
To me, a living room is where we come to think, to slow down the world for a second. It is also a place to gather and enjoy each other’s company…and make memories! This is what a lived-in living room is to me.
With this in my mind – I think the most important aspects of a living room are: comfort, aesthetics, practicality and openness.
If you could only see what my living room used to look like – and what it looks like today… You would understand why I love it so much!
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So let’s talk a little bit about the aspects I mentioned for a lived-in living room…
Comfort
Nothing beats a living room with comfortable furniture. And then also elegant placement of said furniture. There is nothing worse than walking into a living room that just feels akward!
In my living room I chose two classic armchairs as well as a Chesterfield couch. I absolutely love Chesterfield couches – I love the fact that they are timeless and classic…and have buttoned details!
My living room has a lot of wooden furniture – coffee table, side table and mirror above the mantle. The wood adds warmth to the room and ties in beautifully with our wooden window frames and the Tudor style of our home.
Practicality
Because a living room is designed to accommodate more than one person – it is important that it is not only beautiful, but also practical. If your armchairs face away from your couch, or there is a large piece of furniture in the way – conversation won’t flow and space will be wasted. You want to think about creating a space where people are comfortable and want to put their feet up, relax and have great conversation – and this is where keeping the room as open as possible comes in!
Openess
Planning the layout of your space is arguably the most important part of the design process. I find it helps me to draw a picture of the space (to scale). Of course you can do this online too! But I just like to be able to “see” where each piece of furniture will fit and what the options are for layout. It is also important to allow some open space – and make sure that your chairs are placed in such a way that people sitting in them can have conversations with each other without any obstructions!
Aesthetics
Obviously for me, as a lover of all things pretty – this one is probably the most important to me personally! (And could it also secretly be because I am obsessed with styling spaces?)
I have added things that are personal to me – my love of ceramic bunnies as well as vintage pieces and some metallic ones. These pieces help create the feeling of warmth and comfort that I was after.
Some of my favourite things in my living room
These are just a few of the things that I love in my living room…
- Family photos – these are always great conversation starters for guests (and family!)
- Bunnies – this is really where I can add my own personality, quirks and all! And because I can never have too many bunnies… (wink)
- Coffee table books – Well, because who doesn’t love picking up a book and flipping through it? I also think that coffee table books go along way towards defining your own space and style.
- The piano – This piano of mine is over 100 years old and although it sometimes feels a bit cumbersome in my living room – I wouldn’t change it! As a piano needs to be placed on an interior wall in your home – this is literally the only spot in my home where it can go! But there is nothing nicer than having people come over and play a piece or two on it – or have the children and cousins put on little concerts when they come over!
- The rug – Because you just can’t go wrong with a beautiful rug to anchor your space and pull a room together, can you?
Currently in my living room: My favourite coffee table books
- The Inspired Room – Melissa Michaels
- 36 Hours – 125 Weekends in Europe – Barbara Ireland
- Domino – The Book Of Decorating – Editors of Domino
- Domino – Your Guide To A Stylish Home – Editors of Domino
- Paris In Bloom – Georgianna Lane
- Loveable Liveable Home – Sherry And John Petersik
- Where Chef’s Eat – A Guide from the Real Experts – Joe Warwick
- Simple Decorating – Melissa Michaels
- Simple Organising – Melissa Michaels
- Eat Pretty – Jolene Heart
And there you have it – this is my lived-in living room which I love so much! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading, and maybe even picked up a tip or two along the way for your space!
I’ll leave you with this quote… “Decorating golden rule: Live with what you love.” —Unknown
Enough said…
