12 steps to living room serenity
FOLLOW OUR EXPERT ADVICE TO KEEP YOUR LOUNGE ROOM ETERNALLY ORDERED
As the place where you snuggle or sprawl, celebrate, and catch up and cosy up, the living room is one of the most welcoming spaces in the home. But to preserve the calming and comforting effect, a sense of store and order is essential. “The living area is now a place for multiple activities, from eating and relaxing, playing and entertaining,” explains interior design leader Christine Gough of Ikea. “This increases the demand for smart storage, which is important, because knowing that things are tidy creates a sense of wellbeing.” Read on for our expert tips on how to keep the clutter under control.
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CHOOSE A STORAGE UNIT which encompasses a mixture of open shelving and cupboards and drawers. “The open shelving allows you to create personality by showing off favourite books, pieces from your travels and sculptural items that add visual interest,” says national visual lead Ebony Quaid of Pottery Barn. Meanwhile, the drawers and shelves will keep unsightly items – such as board games and children’s toys – well hidden.
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a coffee table LACKING IN STORAGE OPTIONS IS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY. “IT COULD BE AS SIMPLE AS DRAWERS, A SHELF OR A POP-UP MECHANISM,” SAYS NATIONAL VISUAL LEAD RHYS DUGGAN OF WEST ELM.
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built-in cabinetry LETS YOU USE EVERY LAST MILLIMETRE IN A LIVING AREA. “AS WELL AS UNDER THE STAIRS AND ON EITHER SIDE OF A FIREPLACE, CONSIDER THE THRESHOLD BETWEEN TWO ROOMS,” SUGGESTS MELISSA KOCH OF MELISSA KOCH INTERIORS. “IN MY OWN HOME, WE’VE INSTALLED FLOOR-TO-CEILING SHELVING BEHIND PANELLING WITH A TOUCH LATCH.”
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EMBRACE THE SPACE below a window BY BUILDING A SEAT that has storage LYING UNDERNEATH. “WITH A SEAT PAD IN A STYLISH FABRIC, IT LOOKS INTENTIONAL, DECORATIVE AND FUNCTIONAL,” SAYS MELISSA KOCH OF MELISSA KOCH INTERIORS.
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USING A MIXTURE of clear plastic tubs in cupboards and then more decorative baskets on shelves will clear your clutter and keep your belongings under control. “Label the tubs so everything has a dedicated home and also use them as a measuring point – if it’s full and you’re trying to add to it, you should probably get rid of something first,” suggests Erin Boyce of Your Organised Life.
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motivate the kids TO KEEP THEIR TOYS UNDER CONTROL BY ALLOCATING THEM A DRAWER OR A CUPBOARD IN A LARGER STORAGE UNIT. “GIVING THEM OWNERSHIP OF THEIR OWN SPACE WILL ENCOURAGE THEM TO PUT THEIR TOYS AWAY BEFORE BED,” SAYS CHRISTINE GOUGH OF IKEA.
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CONSIDER multi-functional PIECES OF furniture THAT CAN ALSO DOUBLE UP AS STORAGE, SUCH AS OTTOMANS, SOFAS AND FOOTSTOOLS. “KEEP A TRAY ON TOP OF THE OTTOMAN SO YOU CAN EASILY PICK UP AND MOVE ANY ITEMS ON DISPLAY TO ACCESS THE STORAGE AREA,” SAYS MANAGER SIMONE ROSE OF XAVIER FURNITURE.
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IF THE BUDGET IS TIGHT, CONSIDER repurposing THE UNUSED PIECES YOU HAVE IN OTHER ROOMS. “A DRESSER WITH DRAWERS COULD HOUSE A TV, OR A trunk could become a coffee table,” ADVISES EBONY QUAID OF POTTERY BARN. “INCLUDING ITEMS THAT HAVE A BIT OF HISTORY ALSO HELPS TO CREATE YOUR OWN UNIQUE LOOK.”