We live in all the rooms of our home, yet we only distinguish one room with the title “living room”. Why???
Well, Historically, the parlor (or front room), was actually an important part of funeral rituals as the place where deceased family members were laid out for final respects. During World War I death moved out of the home as most Americans started receiving their health care in doctor’s offices and hospitals. End of life gatherings began happening more and more in funeral homes at the newly created “funeral parlor”. So, by the end of the 19th century, the front parlor of private homes was rechristened as a “living room” in a direct opposition of its roots. Now, most living rooms are the center of family life.
Balance
Harmonizing yin and yang elements quiets the “too much” of a space. This can be achieved by mixing materials, having a combination of warm and cool colors, and utilizing artwork to compliment elements. Consider size as a key factor when choosing artwork. For example, when hanging a picture above a couch the width of the art should be shorter than the furniture. Neutral colors are calming and blend well. Bright colors and mirrors can wake a room up by adding light. Landscape paintings are perfect for rooms lacking a view, as they add dimension and depth. I like to follow my intuition about a space by noticing anything that strikes me as “too much” and thinking about how to balance it.
Furniture Arrangement
When placing furniture, start with a focal point. Ideally, all focal points in a room will be on the same or adjacent walls, instead of directly across from each other. Plan for “fixed” obstacles such as fire places, doors, and windows. Most furniture is used to provide a comfortable seat, and the positioning of furniture significantly impacts comfort. The “confrontation position”, where people are directly across from each other, is the least desirable way to socialize. Humans instinctually like to stager or turn slightly away from each other to have a relaxed interaction, so furniture can be arranged accordingly. Also, conversational seating works best when seats are within 8 feet of each other. Avoiding sharp corners helps provide a feeling of safety. If you already have furniture with sharp edges, try placing it in corners at an angle to soften the look.
Television
We gave up TV almost 3 weeks ago. We cancelled our cable and Netflix and only have a DVD player now (with no remote control- lol). I could go on a long tangent about this decision, but basically, we decided TV was not good for us. I knew I needed to control my environment (as I used to binge watch like a professional), so getting rid of TV was the answer. Truthfully, I don’t even miss it. As a result of this change, I rearranged our family room to have a “play” focal point with the TV (now used occasionally for movies) as an afterthought. I realize most people have television as a central point in their living space, so here are some tips… Optimal TV placement has the center of the screen at eye level when seated. If you choose to hide your TV with furniture, make sure you balance the other side of the room with a similarly sized piece of furniture. Hiding cables and wires makes any room feel better. TV is easier on the eyes if it is in a dark area. Finally, a TV can almost disappear in a space if another nearby focal point is highlighted.
Playful Décor
Objects with an element of interaction fit well in living rooms. Based on your preferences, games, books, electronics, and toys can all serve as beautiful entertainment pieces. As always, I recommend avoiding clutter by eliminating anything without a use or high enjoyment level. In our great rooms, I rotate objects frequently and limit things to shared items. Personal objects find their home in bedrooms. Plants, lamps, pictures (family photos are perfect), and scents (I use an essential oil diffuser) can all provide wonderful ambiance.
And remember, if your living room is ever looking sad, just be thankful we don’t mourn the dead in the front room anymore. In other words, it can always be worse.
Happy great family living!
Love Always,
Meg
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