When your living room stops working
Have you noticed that the longer you’ve lived in your home, the less useful the space has become? Maybe that two seater sofa Now is too small for your growing family, or large Coffee table Takes up a lot of space between your belongings. While there’s nothing outwardly wrong with these pieces, it may seem like they don’t serve your space the way they once did.
‘It’s rarely that they’re objectively awful, it’s more that you don’t really want to spend much time with them yourself, or that they stop working for the people who live there,’ he says. Interior designer Lucy Cunningham.
‘Before starting a major overhaul, I’ll start by moving things around. If the room feels too formal, pull the seating closer together, create a functional reading corner, or rearrange furniture to make better use of natural light. Sometimes a larger coffee table, an extra chair, or simply removing pieces that no longer serve a purpose can completely change the function of a room. ‘
Creative Director of VSP Interiors, Henriette von StockhausenAgrees: ‘If the room no longer works practically, I always start with the layout. Often it’s not about buying more, but about rearranging furniture, improving lighting and adding sensible storage. I love pieces that are both beautiful and useful; Upholstered ottomans, antique cabinets and generous lamps always make a room feel calmer and more livable.’
When your interests have changed
Like our taste in clothes, it is very likely that the interior items you bought ten years ago may not be the ones you appreciate today.
‘A good living room should tell you something about the people who live there’, says Lucy, recommending accessorizing with sentimental or meaningful items before updating interiors. ‘The rooms I like best aren’t necessarily the most formal or the most perfectly decorated, they’re the books that have actually been read. artwork It means something to the family and treasures and things that have their own story.’
While it can be tempting to make a new purchase, updating an existing piece will also scratch that itch. ‘Often a room doesn’t need a complete redesign, it just needs a fresh eye,’ says Interior designer Anna Haynes. ‘The sofa can feel completely different with new upholstery or by swapping out the cushions, a wooden side table can be refinished and built-in. bookcase Or the cabinet can be painted with a contrast color added to the interior shelving, for example, to fit in with the updated design.’
When the living room feels too dark
Remember when it was fashionable to drench your walls Navy? just barely While dark hues may be necessary to make large, high-ceilinged rooms feel a little cozier, they may not have the desired effect when the temperature outside is rising.
‘When it comes Paint colorsTry to avoid harsh cold whites and use warm yellow-based neutrals instead. A light-filled living room is very beneficial, it creates a sense of openness that positively affects how we use the space,’ says Anna. ‘It’s not about creating a white, bright room, but about maximizing the available light and creating a room that feels welcoming and balanced.’
