Sometimes it is difficult to strike a balance between the fashionable, sophisticated living space that you want, and the functional, practical space your family needs. But we don’t think you need to compromise on style, so here are our tips on how to design your living room so it’s just right for the whole family, whilst still giving you the luxury you deserve.
Stylish Storage
Try looking out for pieces of furniture that have more than one purpose. Seating that also has storage possibilities is a win win situation. A comfy stool or a side table that has a shelf beneath (left and below) gives you space to hide away magazines, TV remotes and endless colouring books. It’s a stylish piece of storage but practical for hiding your everyday clutter, especially if teamed with stylish baskets or vintage suitcases.
It will also encourage children to tidy their things away into the correct spot. Plus that’s extra seating for the children when you want the sofa all to yourself. A coffee table with a shelf below may offer an alternative if you’re limited on space for extra furniture.
Fresh Flowers and Faux Plants
Photo by dcondrey
Let’s not forget that this area is a living room, so bring some life in to the lounge by adding some fresh flowers. It might sound pretty simple, and it is, but something bright and colourful will instantly add some class and style. They’ll be grown up enough for you and vibrant enough for the children. And if caring for fresh flowers is too much, pick up some faux plants. No watering necessary and absolutely no chance of them dying! They’re hassle free and they’re very realistic.The design of faux flowers has come on leaps and bounds in the last few years: with some of the good quality ones, you really won’t know the difference!
If you have quite a neutral colour scheme, then simply changing the flowers on display could change your room completely. Treat fresh flowers like an accessory that you can change on a regular basis. And just imagine how great they’ll smell. They’ll be a treat for you and your living room, and bring a ‘pop’ of colour to a neutral space.
Customise and Personalise
You still want your living room to look homely and lived in, so keep some knick knacks and photos around to add your personal touch. To give it that more grown up feel, add some decorative ornamental pieces such as vases, bowls, candles and trays. You can store all your odds and ends in trays and bowls whilst adding some style to the room. And if the scent of flowers isn’t really your thing, opt for a scented candle to relax you once the children are finally asleep, instantly turning it into that grown up space you’re craving.
Photo by Blue Isle
Photo by katjasv
Photo by Wicker Furniture
Our Furniture Pick
For a functional yet fashionable living room, we think this Soleil Weathered Oak Coffee Table with serving trays is ideal. It’s a little bit different in design which is why we love it. Again, it’s got multiple purposes. We might not like to admit it, but we all like to sit and eat dinner on our laps, in front of the TV from time to time. Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with us. The serving trays are practically telling you to eat your dinner here. Or why not use them as separate storage areas to separate your things from the kids. OR, remove the trays during the day to turn it into a play-friendly table. We’re not saying let the kids run wild with their crayons but there’s the space available to lay out some activities and make them feel like it’s theirs. Or just use it to display books and found objects, and let everyone in the family contribute their special shells and beach treasures.
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