It’s easy to assume that designing a living room is reliant on that most mysterious of commodities: good taste. But have you ever wondered how the designers really do it? Jane Drew reports
1. Do the math
First off, measure your room and draw it to scale on graph paper. Mark down anything that will affect the furniture arrangement. Outlets for phone and cable; light switches; windows; the height of the window sills; and doors that open in — all need to be measured and noted.
2. Create a virtual room
Make scale paper cut-outs of your furniture and use them to arrange and rearrange the “virtual room” until you are satisfied with the result. Arranging your room on paper allows you to experiment with new looks, new combinations and new ideas before you bring in the furniture itself.
3. Think out of the box
Often an unexpected placement, which sees the furniture laid out in the middle of the room rather than to one side, can provide the professional finish you seek. Allow plenty of space for traffic lanes, and keep the sofa and armchairs sufficiently close together so that people can converse.
4. Adhere to guidelines
Sticking to a couple of tried-and-tested formulas also makes room-design that much easier. Did you know, for instance, that you should always leave 14 to 18 inches between the coffee table and the sofa (for comfortable legroom) and that side tables should stand not more than 5 inches below the arm of the sofa?
5. Provide focus
Every room needs a focal point, with the remaining furniture and the lighting oriented to highlight it. But avoid focusing on the TV… even if yours is a 50-inch, wall-hung plasma. For best results, draw attention to a fireplace, a set of bookcases or even the sofa.
6. Use the space well
Of course designing a stylish and welcoming living room isn’t solely dependant on where you place the furniture, particularly in a room that is destined to serve a number of purposes. How much room do you need to set aside for additional leisure activities?
7. Work with what you have
Staying practical takes the mystery out of devising a coordinated colour scheme (and style). Consider the furniture you currently own, what you like and what you dislike. List pieces of furniture, fabrics or finds that will provide the basis of your colour scheme.
8. Create a moodboard
Create a file of clippings and samples that shows the style and colours you would like to use in your living room. See what works together and be ruthless — get rid of anything you don’t want, to make room for what you do.
9. Facilitate TV dinners
Never watch television without background lighting. The extreme brightness of the screen in contrast to the darkness of the room will damage your eyes. Place a light behind the television set where it won’t reflect onto the screen or deploy light sources elsewhere in the room.
10. Add task light
Supplement the general light level with other light sources that will glow in the background. Directional fittings, such as spotlights, are not suited to comfortable, relaxed reading; traditional table lamps, positioned beside or somewhere behind the reader, are the best option.
