This is the second installment in a series offering tips and advice to help maximize your living room’s potential.
Last month we began this series with several tips on creating your perfect living room. We offered all kinds of advice including where to place furniture, choosing the right sized rug, how to hang artwork, and using light to maximum effect. We have many more tips and ideas for you in our second blog of the series, so read on to find out more.
Sofa so good
Probably the most important furniture purchase you can make, besides your bed, is a sofa. This is a big decision and it takes time to really work out what is best for your home. Just like when looking for a new mattress, the try-before-you-buy test is crucially important when finding the perfect sofa. First, consider how you like to sit on your sofa. The average sofa has a seat depth of at least 60cm. Do you curl up with a glass of wine and a book? Do you often sit forward to work on your laptop? Do you need support for your back and shoulders? Your new sofa should suit your needs, so think about what you really require in terms of seat depth. Seat height varies too, so try a few styles to see what is most comfortable.
Yours and your family’s lifestyle is also a consideration. How much daily use will it receive? A large L shape sectional in the den will probably see more action than a chesterfield in the office. This should influence your fabric and color choice. A creamy white sofa wouldn’t last too long with children’s sticky hands and pets’ muddy paws, but it would be great in a reception room where you have coffee with friends.
Our beautiful showroom in Thao Dien has an extensive range of sofa styles and fabrics for you to choose from. Contact us today to make an appointment.
Layers upon layers
We’ve written about texture before in our blog, but it’s worth mentioning here again, as it’s so important. Using a mix of different materials and textures, such as wood, metal, glass, wool and silk, will make your room look much more inviting and interesting. The living room is where many of us spend most of our time, so it’s vital to ensure the room is comfortable, inviting, and simply an enjoyable place to be in. Wood is an especially warm material, so be sure it use it generously. Be creative – wood can be used in all sorts of ways. Instead of opting for a typical wooden coffee table, have one made from glass and metal and then add some wooden paneling to your walls. Wooden screens are a beautiful way to add texture, style and a touch of glamour to a living room, so consider those, too.
Cushions are another great way to add color, pattern, and texture to a living room. There is such variety that you can have fun with them. Try some bolder designs if you have a plainer sofa. Bold cushions will draw the eye yet they are small enough to not be overpowering. Remember – while sofas are a long term investment, cushions are not, so don’t be afraid to try out a few different styles and colors and see what works for you.
Purchase with a purpose
Curating your gorgeous living room should take time, and that’s okay. Once you have the main pieces of furniture sorted, there’s no need to rush to a store to find all the little trinkets and ornaments which complete the room. Each piece should be chosen with purpose. Many of us like to decorate our living rooms with special purchases made on memorable holidays or day trips. Some art from Italy, those candles from that trip to Marrakech… your living room should reflect your family’s life and experiences. So delay buying that pretty paperweight from the local store – you might find something better and more meaningful on your next holiday! A family takes time to build, and so does their living room.
