No one wants their living room to look cold or unfriendly. Here are a five mistakes I've seen that are very easy to correct.
Mistake 1: Placing all the furniture against the wall waiting room style. Furniture placement should encourage conversation. If it's flat against the wall, people have to turn in their seats if they want to talk.
Solution: Furniture should be pulled away from the walls and slightly angled towards each other. This way people can sit back comfortably without having to turn in their seats to talk to each other. This arrangement actually encourages conversation, which is always makes a room feel more friendly.
This room would totally not work if the furniture were pushed up against the walls or if the chairs weren't angled in towards the space. It has taken rather formal looking furniture and made the room feel welcoming and casual just by encouraging conversation.
Mistake 2: Choosing a rug that's too small for the room. When a rug is too small and furniture is floating around it, the room looks disconnected. The space between the rug and the furniture is like a void, and it makes people feel as though they have to sit forward on their chair to talk to each other.
Solution: When selecting a rug, go bigger. If you can't go bigger with a bigger rug and you have the space, pull your furniture in closer. The front legs of your furniture should be on the rug. This makes conversation feel easier.
Love this room! If I were single and didn't have pets, I could see myself living in this room. But that's not why I chose it. Do you see how all the furniture is on the rug? If the rug had been any smaller, it wouldn't have felt connected.
Mistake 3: Not having flat surfaces (tables) near each seat. People need a place to set their drinks down. So when there isn't an end table, stand, or coffee table within reach, people feel uncomfortable. Uncomfortable people do not feel welcome. And people should have to get up out of their chair to set down their drinks.
Solution: Make sure there is a table or something solid near every seat that people can use. A large coffee table will work for people sitting on the couch, and a small table between two chairs can be used by both people sitting in them. (If the tables are wood, don't forget to provide some coasters. I know I worry about setting my drink down on wood tables when I visit friends, because I don't want to ruin their tables.)
This crate caught my eye immediately, especially in this all white room. The juxtaposition of it adds the perfect foil to the room. The nice thing about this particular idea is I bet your guests will not be worried about setting their glass on it without a coaster!
Mistake 4: Improper lighting. Lighting that is too bright is not relaxing, and it's no fun squinting to see someone in a room that's too dark.
Solution: Try to have some kind of lighting source for every seat. A table lamp, a floor lamp... It doesn't matter, but make sure they are all on dimmers. That way you can control the light and the mood in the room.
I thought this light was soooo creative. It looks as though it was a successful DIY project, and goes to show that lighting doesn't have to be formal. It can be quirky and creative, which adds a little personality to the room too!
Mistake 5: Having a dead room. By that, I mean having a room that doesn't have any life in it. A room always feels more friendly when there is something living in the room.
Solution: Add some plants to the room. If you don't have a green thumb, then get some high quality artificial plants or flowers. But make sure you dust and clean them, because there's nothing worse than fake flowers that are dirty and dusty.
I love lilacs, and I am so ready for spring, that when I found this picture, I knew it had to be included with this post. Just bringing in some cut flowers from outside in the spring and summer can make a huge difference. And in the winter, there are always inexpensive bouquets at the grocery store that you can put in a vase for a bit of life in the room!
There you go... Five mistakes and five solutions. If you follow the solutions to these mistakes, your home will be much friendlier and your guests will feel more comfortable.
If you are looking for some fresh, unique art for your home, please check out my store
Moments of Art. You'll find lots of different, original pieces that will work with any design you're interested in. If you don't see what you're looking for contact me, and I can probably create what you want!
You can find links to all my sites at my website:
Moments with Loribeth!
