A lovely living room

Furniture, decorative accessories and electrical equipment should go together harmoniously in the living room, has numerous functions for family members and their guests.

By TALI HERDEVALL
Living room 311 (photo credit: Courtesy/Betili)
Living room 311
(photo credit: Courtesy/Betili)
In many homes, the living room is where the family members spend the most time. This space is used for relaxing, playing games, family gatherings and hosting guests. It often serves additional needs such as reading, doing homework, studying, listening to music, watching TV or practicing yoga. Sometimes it also includes a dining room.
For this reason, the living room should be arranged in a way that will fulfill the needs of its many functions.
When it comes to design, it’s important to make sure there are no “islands” where guests may feel isolated, such as a sofa that’s too long. And the furniture should not get in the way of other activities such as watching television or listening to music. Sofas or armchairs should not be placed with their backs to the TV, as this arrangement requires moving the couch or TV around on a regular basis.
A well-planned living room should contain focal points around which you can place furniture and auxiliary equipment. These points will determine the color, size and Furniture, decorative accessories and electrical equipment should go together harmoniously in the living room, which has numerous functions for family members and their guestsarrangement of the other furnishings.
In the past, the focal point was the fireplace. Today, the television has inherited that role. You might want to incorporate other points of interest such as a statue, an art object or a collection. Another possibility is a structural element such as an arch, a pole, a bookcase or an illuminated niche.
When planning your arrangement, leave room for prospective changes such as alterations in the placement of furniture, pictures, lamps and end tables. Therefore, it’s best to install electrical outlets and television plugs in several parts of the room.
A patch of color can also be a focal point. An old piece of furniture painted red or a strong light focused on a certain item will create depth and interest.
Furniture and accessories There are two major types of furniture in a living room: a. Basic furniture: sofas, armchairs, tables and fixturesb. Secondary furnishing: coffee tables, cushioned seats and table lamps.
You can avoid disorder in the room by selecting the two types in a parallel way and creating a harmonious and uniform look. Add accessories to the room, such as curtains, pictures and decorative items, which will contribute to a personal atmosphere.
When choosing the sofas, remember that two- and three- seat sofas are good for lying down, napping or reading, as opposed to armchairs, which do not afford maximum relaxation. Whether you are incorporating a sofa or an armchair, it’s advisable to choose ones that have armrests for maximum comfort.
To tone down the arrangement of the room, multipurpose low tables can be effective.
In regard to electrical equipment, the television should be positioned so that everyone can watch it. And it should be far from windows that could blur the image. As for speakers, set them up far from each other and away from walls so the sound can be heard without any interference.
Decorating tips
- To create interest, place furniture at an angle rather than in a straight line parallel to the wall.
- For a dynamic look, use a combination of shades from two different colors for walls and accessories.
- Take advantage of space: Build a sofa from concrete blocks or plaster and place it in a corner in an “r” shape, with lots of big pillows. The corner will serve as a side table.
- Use what you’ve got: Put colorful pillows with interesting designs on ordinary looking sofas.
- Paint the walls a bold shade.
- Use glass-topped tables so you won’t hide your beautiful carpet.