San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
The living room reimagined
Time to better utilize the formal, special occasion space
Previously the designated domain of tea par ties, quaint conversations, traditional family gatherings, pipe-smoking and reading a book by firelight, the living room has undergone a dramatic transformation over the decades. What used to be the “showof f” space in a home, boasting your finest furniture and spiffy decor in need of regular dusting, has evolved into a flex area surprisingly capable of quick reinvention, say the exper ts.
Which begs the question: Is it time to remake your living room into something completely dif ferent — a contemporar y interior that better accommodates your family’s needs and preferences?
“Our homes are a reflection of ourselves and respond to societal changes,” said Samantha Kreindler, a Bethesda, Mar yland-based interior designer. “In the 1980s, the living room was still quite a formal spot in the house, used for work and social visits to flaunt your art and furniture collection, for example. It was the showpiece of the home in a booming economy. But by the early 2000s, the recession, burst of the housing bubble, increase in technology, and an increased focus on the family has had massive impacts on society, which the living room has reflected. Now, the living room is often used as a space where we can feel comfor table and happy and engage in desired activities, conversation, and laughter.”
Instead of a stuffy reserved
zone where the kids should steer clear, the modern living room has become the central point of many abodes.
“People are spending more time at home today streaming movies, working and learning remotely, and multitasking. Most people want a comfor table yet well-decorated space that can be used for multiple purposes,” explained David Dynega, CEO of Detail Renovations in Great Neck, New York. “Consequently, the living room has become the movie room, the home office or the space where kids can play nearby while parents work. It’s still the go-to place to host events and gatherings with family and friends, but it’s often a more open space tied to the kitchen and dining room. Homeowners are increasingly knocking down walls between living rooms and adjacent spaces to create a more open feeling.”
Tamara Day, an interior designer based in Prairie Village, Kansas, and host of HGTV’S “Bargain Mansions,” recently converted her formal living room into a combination home office/homework room.
“I reused and repainted some old cabinets from a previous project and above them placed a beautiful walnut top I had built that spans the entire length of the room. Now we have two separate workstations for my kids to do their homework,” she said. “I put in a fantastic light fixture, hung some beautiful drapes and wallpaper, and reused pieces to give it a lived-in luxe kind of feeling. The result is a reinvented room that we all love and absolutely use ever y day.”
Sarah Nelson, an interior designer with S.J. Janis in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, said most homeowners today can’t afford to leave the living room sectioned off as a stodgy “sitting” room.
“Homeowners need more space, and they seek to utilize ever y room to its full advantage. That’s why many of them have converted their previous ‘nice’ rooms into dens, TV rooms, offices and playrooms where the kids can hang out, and their toys can be housed in an organized way,” Nelson said.
Before you commit to change your living room, consider your family’s needs, long-term versus short-term goals, and budget, recommended Ricky Gonzalez, an interior design exper t and creative director for Value City Furniture in Columbus, Ohio.
“It’s always smar t to test the space you have before you commit to adding new things,” he suggested. “But there are no rules today you have to stick to, and each family drives how they use a room based on their requirements and desires. For instance, if you have kids who play instruments and like to practice and perform, the living room can become a music room.”
Ultimately, the room should feel comfor table for all occupants.
“If you enjoy watching TV or playing games, consider a more relaxed space with a couch, chairs, and a large coffee table with the television as your focal point in the room. Or if you prefer reading, good conversation and drinks with friends, eliminating technology for the room and centering your seating area around the fireplace or among bookcases with lamplight will create a more intimate and inviting environment,” Kreindler said. “Alternatively, if you yearn for all of the above, setting up two different seating areas can be a good strategy. Just be sure to measure and plan out any seating arrangements carefully before purchasing furniture or décor.”