I’m often asked, “How do we decorate our living room withouth having the new TV be the centre of attention?”

via Queensland Homes

These days the television seems to have found a permanent place in the living room. Fortunately, although the flat screens are oversized, they are thin and don’t take up as much space as the older style TVs. In fact, they are so slim that they can be hung on the wall.

via Australian House and Garden

However it’s not just the screen that needs a space in your living room, it’s all the paraphernalia that goes with it:- Wii’s, stereos, playstation consoles, DVD players, VCR players, iPod docking stations. The list is endless. And then you can’t have a big TV without surround sound. All that equipment means lots of cables too and games and discs for them all.

Beyond Furniture have this solution

The trick is not to let the television be the dominant piece in the room. Hard I know, when they command attention. Living rooms combine all sorts of usage. Families get together with children and friends or it can sometimes be used by just one person for reading or a couple for conversation.

via Australian House and Garden

Give the room a flexible floor plan and furnish accordingly. Soft furnishings like rugs, curtains and fabric covered chairs will absorb the sound. A comfortable armchair in a corner with a lamp and side table will satisfy the reader and a clear floor space with cushions will please the kids. If there is electronic gaming equipment then space needs to be left for that action or at least an area that can be converted into what is required.

via Australian House and Garden - great use of island bench

Draw attention away from the screen by creating another focal point. It might be a stunning piece of artwork or a glorious coloured glass vase.  Entertainment cabinets and sofas are low-line so don’t forget to include some taller pieces like long vases with ornamental grass or twigs or a standard lamp to balance the horizontal view of the room rather than just concentrating on the floor space.

Mixing other artwork around the screen "hides" it's true purpose

The big screen can live harmoniously with your décor and accommodate everyone for all occasions.

Alternatively you can instal a hydraulic lift system for your tv

With the press of a button, you can watch TV

If you would like assistance creating the perfect living room for you family, contact us for an online or in-person consultation.

I’ve had this image saved in my files for a number of years. It was designed by Shaun Jackson and appeared in October 2007 issue of Elle Decor. I find the room quite dramatic.

via Elle Decor

I love the mix of period decor, the dramatic artwork and windows, the perfect balance, as well as the seating arrangement. I always feel it’s important to lay out the seating so the room can be used for a number of guests.

I could imagine the homeowner sitting on the chair near the window having a telephone conversation, or reading. Perhaps when there’s two people in the room, having a quiet conversation, they would sit in the single chairs in front of the fireplace. Or those times when there’s a number of guests the room would be full of laughter and chatter.

The large mirror above the mantle bounces around the light coming in from the windows, as does the glass topped coffee table. There’s the stunning pendant light featuring in the middle of the room and a couple of lamps for ambient lighting as well.

This room seems to tick all the boxes. What about you? Does it appeal to you?

If you would like assistance creating a harmonious living room, contact us for an on-line or in-person consultation.

I am currently sourcing a sofa for clients who are renovating their home. They have a formal lounge room in the front of the house but are adding a family living area that will open to the outside terrace and pool.

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Like most things today, there are just so many choices when it comes to sofas. Finding one that suits the purpose can be a slow, time consuming task. However, the sofa in the family living room could be THE most used piece of furniture in the entire home so getting it right is paramount. This sofa will be a place for family to gather after a busy day. It will be a place to watch countless hours of television and movies. It will see numerous conversations of friends and family. With a family of five, the sofa needs to be large enough to accomodate everyone at one time and yet be comfy for just one or two.

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I thought I’d share a few things I consider when choosing a sofa for my clients. The first step is to establish the size of the space the sofa is going into. A sofa may look fabulous in the showroom but how will it look in your living room? Mark out the space in your living room with cushions or boxes to give the full impression of the bulk of the sofa.

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Next comes the style. There are sofas with arms, without arms, modular that wrap arounds corners, chaise so you can stretch out, removable cushions or upholstered backs, metal legs, timber legs, hidden glides…..the options are endless. The right decision depends entirely on how the sofa will get used. If it’s mostly for watching television, choose a style with deeper seat cushions so you can stretch out in comfort. In rooms designated for entertaining, choose styles with narrower seat cushions, which will facilitate conversation as your guests sit forward. It’s also wise to opt for a longer sofa keeping in mind that people rarely like to sit too close to each other on a lounge. Small areas call for a couple of two-seaters rather than one large three-seater.

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For a sofa that will last, you need to invest in a quality frame and suspension. The most durable are made from either steel or kiln-dried hardwood or at least have hardwood on the joins. Test out the sofa in store. If you can easily lift it at the corner, less hardy wood has been used. A good-quality sofa will feel heavy and solid.

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Fabric choice can make or break a sofa too. Colour, texture, fabric composition, durability will all depend on how the sofa will be used, the colour scheme of the room and the style of the room or home.

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A good manufacturer should have a model on display to show you which materials have been used for the frame and how they work. For the seat, coil springs or steel-sprung suspension give superior support, while the best cushions are usually made from a dense, high-quality foam with a fibre wrap. Feather-filled cushions give that luxurious softness but can be hard to look after because you’ll continually have to re-fluff them.

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Work out how the sofa will be used and take the time to test it out in the store. Buying a sofa can be a bit like buying a bed, you need to sit or stretch out in it the way you would at home and stay there for an extended period, just as if you were watching a movie or entertaining.

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Here’s my tips to choosing the perfect sofa.

• Ask yourself how your sofa will be used – watching TV, entertaining big crowds?

• Who will use the sofa – adults, small children?

• What kind of warranty is being offered?

• Will your sofa be in direct sunlight? Choose a lighter fabric to hide fading.

• Get all the measurements of the sofa you are considering and check how it will work in your space. Don’t forget to check that will fit through your doors or up your stairwell.

• Will it be easy to clean? Should you have it stain proofed?

• Is it high enough to support your back?

• Is the padding sufficient?

• Does it need a lumbar cushion added for support?

• Is the back sloped or straight enough?

• Is the padding sufficient, is it too soft or too firm?

• Is it easy to get on and off?

• Is the sofa too low?

• Is there the right amount of height for your legs?

• Is the depth comfortable, is it too deep or too shallow?

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Happy sofa shopping!

If you are confused by the myriad of choices in sofas or other furniture, contact us for an on-line or in-person consultation.