After quoting £30,000 for the extension, Homebuilding’s content director, Laura CrombieShe decided to get creative by changing her entire downstairs plan to make the space work better for her family.
As their old living room became a kitchen-diner, the redundant formal dining room was “meant” to become the new living space. Despite being around 3x4m, he was “confident” he could make it work, and it has now become a “warm and cozy space” where his family spends most of their time.
Below, she walks us through how they achieved it, along with the best products she chose to make her dream come true. Living room design for life.
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Before and after photos
Before
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then
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How they did it
To begin with, the old serving hatch was blocked with plasterboard and wooden studwork covered with aluminium. Bi-fold doors were added to maximize the beautiful garden views. Since the doors were the same width as the old window, they did not require new lintels, but the floor needed to be strengthened to withstand the weight of the doors.
“We chose two-pane Bifolds from Kloeber Because they look like patio doors, with a minimal frame, but open to the right to access the garden and frame the view,” she says.
As for the flooring, Laura chose Karndean’s herringbone LVT in ‘Savannah Oak’which flows seamlessly into her kitchen. To add a cozy touch, the floor was covered with an extra-large Berber-style rug, picked up at the La Redoute sale.
They also chose to paint the walls Tikkurilla Anti-Reflex White – Laura’s all-time favorite emulsion, which is ideal for high-traffic areas because you can “touch it up constantly without any telltale signs.”
“I still like it feature wall In the right setting, so I chose Lady Bug from Earthborn Paints, which is a really rich burgundy. I love the fact that it’s washable and virtually VOC- and odor-free, making it perfect for a family home,” she says.
Shop for Laura’s favorite paint
Stick with anti-reflex white
Crowned “the best whitening you can buy” by Laura, this lotion provides great, even coverage and works well for touch-ups.
Earthborn Claypaint Lady Bug
This eco-friendly clay paint comes in a gorgeous, rich burgundy shade – the perfect choice for a cozy statement wall like Laura’s.
The next big decision was choosing the right sofa. After previously buying a Swift The sofa and “absolutely loved it”, Laura chose another space, choosing the largest sofa that could fit in the space, as it is an area that is often used for sitting, relaxing and hosting.
“Swyft is the pioneer of the ‘sofa in a box’, which means it comes in pieces and can be easily transported into difficult spaces. We opted for installation, which meant the delivery drivers built it for us and did all the packing, which was very easy,” she says.
If you want to recreate Laura’s look in your home, she bought two three-seater sofas from Model 10 and a footstool in teal velvet, which she praises as being easy to clean and ideal with children and pets. She says the mid-century feel meshes perfectly with the style of her 1960s home.
Shop Laura’s Furniture
This three-seater sofa has a luxurious teal velvet finish, and Laura confirms that it’s easy to clean.
Available in a variety of fabrics and colors, this ottoman is ideal for putting your feet up while storing any clutter.
When it came to decorating her Small living room ideaLaura chose a print by Georgia Elliott – an artist she discovered on Instagram, whose work she “loves” and hopes to one day afford an original. Some of his prints are now available Available at John Lewis.
Laura bought her cushions DunelmFrom ceiling light WayfarerAnd from the wall lights La Redoute.
He didn’t seem to need many Living room storage ideasSo Wayfair’s TV unit proved the perfect compact solution – especially as it has a similar feel to a mid-century style sofa.
“The fact that it’s on foot and you can see the floor below, it makes the space feel bigger,” she says. “From this glass bookcase unit JUSK It has the same effect as you can see through it – it’s also very practical as it prevents anything inside from getting dusty.”
See before and after floorplan
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“Now the space is warm, cozy and proof that small living rooms are not boring. As a family, we spend more time in this room than anywhere else,” she concludes.
If you enjoyed this small living room transformation, you’ll also love Laura’s photos. £350 built-in pantry from Amazon. Alternatively, if an extension seems more suitable for your needs, take inspiration from these A low-waste home designed with the planet in mind.
