Today a client invited me over to her lovely home to figure out what to do with the living room. It was 75% done–she had the basics: 2 matching sofas, rug, coffee table, art. But it was missing that SOMETHING to make it feel warm and cozy.
When I sat down on the sofa I knew exactly what was required to make the room inviting:
1. Furniture arrangement. The sofa was so far away from the coffee table it felt like a distant island far far away from ever putting a glass on it. And the other sofa was so far away to have a conversation you’d have to shout to carry on the thread of dialogue. Here’s a rule: furniture should be grouped close enough to have an easy time talking or to place a glass. You don’t want to stretch or have to get up for a drink. Solution: we moved the sofas closer together, centering the coffee table in between.
2. Lack of side tables. There were none which makes entertaining in this room a challenge. Solution: I’ll select two side tables and a console to go behind the sofa.
3. Lighting. The light source in this room was overhead lighting & beautiful natural light which is great for a sunny day but on an overcast day or for evening function it’s very limited. Solution: I’ll select a table lamp & a floorlamp.
4. Decorative accessories. The throw pillows were very formal silk which made the room feel very buttoned up & stiff. Solution: select new pillow covers for the summer, something fresh to add texture and make the sofa feel more cozy. A few coffee table books & vases will also create personality in the room.
The result is that with the few tweaks we were able to create a more inviting space. I’ll be selecting a few items for Jessica to purchase & the room will be complete!
living room after: sofas closer together, coffee table is an arm's length away, dead plant is gone... happy Jessica!!!
living room before: the sofas were far apart, dying plant in the corner.
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