How to style a living room: neutral colours, ambience lighting and focal points are key in a living space redesign
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When John Lewis quizzed 3,500 of its customers about their home furnishings earlier this year, more than half said the living room was the most-used space in their home.
“Nowadays this really is a full-on room,” says Pip Prinsloo, head of design, home at John Lewis. “It has changed its use dramatically from just five years ago.”
From watching TV (96 per cent) to spending time with family (82 per cent) to eating a takeaway (33 per cent) to painting nails (21 per cent) and even singing karaoke (two per cent), the retail giant plotted 25 things we do on or around our sofas.
Planning your living room makeover
The sofa is the linchpin in a redesign — at the very heart of living rooms. But first “zone” your room on a rough plan, for sitting/watching TV, eating, paperwork/studying, children playing and so on. That shows what furniture you need. Measure up carefully. Use masking tape on the floor to see how a sofa will fit.
Large families with space shouldn’t be afraid of a bigger, deeper sofa, says Charlie Marshall, director of Loaf (Battersea, Notting Hill and Spitalfields). “But avoid chipboard frames. Solid beech with screws and dowels are better.”
Jo Butters, creative designer for old-established Parker Knoll, says: “Shapely curves, rolled arms and turned legs suit period homes, while square shapes and corner groups are crisp and modern.” An upholstered velvet footstool now tops the John Lewis customer wish list.
A focal point can pull a room together. You still can’t beat that fireplace, “but how about a rug or favourite piece of art or furniture?” says John Sims-Hilditch, co-founder of Neptune furnishing stores (home design service at Fulham, Chiswick and Wimbledon).
He adds: “Or frame a view with floor-length curtains or a Roman blind in linen or velvet, with seating to enjoy it.”
Walls and furniture are the first layer. Then add colour splashes and texture contrasts — antique wood and white ceramic, for example, or brass and basketware, or velvet and chrome.
Nature's neutrals
As for colours for walls and furnishings, think natural, for happiness, comfort and warmth, says Dulux creative director, Marianne Shillingford.
“Wood, wicker, clay, leather, fleece and linen are the familiar materials we have used for our homes for millennia. These days, we call them neutrals, and they work effortlessly together and with every other colour.”
Enhance space with harmonious colours and light-reflecting surfaces. Dulux Light & Space paints in 10 delicate colours “expand” small, darker rooms.
Research some clever storage — adjustable/stacking shelves, cubbyholes, boxes, baskets — cannibalise “dead” spaces under sofas and sideboards. Go dual-purpose with sofa/chair beds, extending tables and stools-cum-storage.
Lighting is crucial. Make a statement with your central ceiling point and put it on a dimmer.
“Then layer your light,” says Sally Storey, director of John Cullen Lighting, London’s leading lighting store with great demos and workshops in its Chelsea shop.
Add task lights for reading, sewing etc, and table lamps for ambience. Place uplighters in corners and under windows, while LED strips can highlight shelves.
Express yourself with colour
The GoodHome Report was published last month by Kingfisher, owner in the UK of B&Q. Its first “concept store” opened in Wallington in May.
The report features findings of the Happiness Research Institute of Denmark, revealing five “core emotional needs” for happiness at home: pride, identity, comfort, safety and control.
“So fill your living room with pieces you love,” says Emily Dunstan, home buyer at Heal’s (Tottenham Court Road, W1).
“Express yourself with cushions, throws and art, with pops of favourite colours and patterns.
Experiment with room layouts. Use nature for an easy refresh — glass vases of flowers or hanging baskets.”