The lounge is likely one of the most regularly used rooms within the dwelling, an area that’s each social and personal – a spot wherein to entertain visitors, or to make use of for quiet rest with a great guide or for watching tv, listening to music or enjoying video games. As such, the lounge is an area that wants cautious consideration in relation to decor and furnishing.
Earlier than you decide to a redesign, or perhaps a minor overhaul, it is price asking your self a number of questions. Do you employ your lounge largely within the evenings, or do you discover that it is the room you select as your base on days when you find yourself working from dwelling? Does your lounge have to double up as an occasional spare room, or is it a small and cosy spot used solely for watching tv?
Use the time of day that you just use your lounge as a information for the color palette. In case you spend most of your evenings in your lounge, a darkish and cocooning color can work brilliantly. However one thing vibrant and dramatic is perhaps simply the ticket in case you use your lounge as a sociable area for entertaining.
The aim of the room is a key consideration in relation to selecting furnishings – a great sofa bed is crucial in case your lounge can be going for use for visitors staying over. In case you do business from home then a great desk, or a cupboard that may maintain your work recordsdata will guarantee you can hold some separation between working life and residential life.
Lighting is one other consideration – task lighting for desks, temper lighting for aspect tables, and a great overhead gentle for when you’ll want to prep the area for the arrival of buddies of household staying over.
Dwelling Room Concepts
Hold it easy with blended neutrals
Adorning with neutrals is a unbelievable technique to create a cohesive and calming area, and it is a intelligent technique to construct a scheme that may be prolonged to different rooms to realize a way of circulation all through your private home.
Extra like this
Pale neutrals, such because the shades in Will Fisher’s 18th-century home are a wonderful alternative for monochrome shows of architectural particulars and sculptural friezes.
Will used the lightest slate shade obtainable from Paint Library, describing it as ‘a type of colors that works in shade and in addition in robust gentle and contrasts fabulously with stone reliefs.’
Add distinction to your lounge by mixing previous and new
Nothing provides character to a property like mixing previous with new. In Owen Pacey’s converted Victorian pub, the lounge is an thrilling and chic showcase of antiques alongside modern gadgets – the witty « Elvis fan » embellished with neon lights faces a powerful Nineteenth-century Italian fire reverse. This strategy offers a recent twist to a extra conventional aesthetic guaranteeing that nothing feels dated.
Make your lounge really feel greater with gentle paint colors
Interval houses, constructed and designed for easier occasions, might be difficult to adapt to modern dwelling: low ceilings, wonky partitions and awkward corners are frequent issues, and when mixed with small cottage home windows, rooms can typically really feel small and darkish.
In case you’re tasked with adorning a small, oddly-shaped room otherwise you’re battling low ceilings and a scarcity of sunshine, a simple repair is to color your lounge in shades of white. In Sheila Wallace’s Regency villa, the lounge is a masterclass in the usage of white as an excellent backdrop for fascinating antiques, enlivened with pops of color to create additional curiosity.
Darkish and pleasant
Householders usually draw back from darkish colors fearing that such shades will make a room look small and unwelcoming. However the truth is, darkish colors may give your lounge heaps of character and persona, and truly make the area look bigger.
This plum purple tone from Annie Sloan is an ideal instance, the color has been used on partitions, cornice and ceiling to create a way of quantity and area, the partitions seem to drift away moderately than shut in. The hearth and skirting boards, painted in one other darkish shade, near black, create a delicate distinction and floor the area.
Play with paper
In case you’re fortunate sufficient to reside in a Victorian dwelling with excessive ceilings, you have got loads of wall area to experiment and get artistic. In the lounge of Louise Convert’s Victorian home, wallpaper has been used within the part between the dado rail and the image rail, to create a band across the centre of the room.
With clear white partitions above and beneath, the sample takes centre stage. Not solely does this daring strategy provide an fascinating design characteristic, but it surely additionally attracts the attention in direction of the window, emphasising the gorgeous environment.
Add storage with built-ins
Dwelling rooms are sometimes one of many largest rooms within the dwelling, and as such, you usually end up with lots of wall area, which, when left empty, could make the room really feel chilly and unwelcoming.
Turning this area over to built-in cabinets for books or show is a trendy and sensible resolution. Not solely does cabinetry look good, however cabinets will cover the ugly requirements usually present in a lounge, and cabinets provide you with an area to get artistic and create shows of your favorite books, ornaments and antiques.
Again to black
Portray your complete lounge black would possibly really feel like a daunting prospect, however when it is achieved proper, you possibly can really make your lounge really feel cosy and well-considered.
On this lounge, black partitions are contrasted by white woodwork and pops of yellow within the textiles, together with an announcement blind from English Blinds. This can be a significantly good resolution for small rooms that do not profit from a lot gentle and that are largely used within the evenings. The area will instantly really feel heat and cocooning.
Go daring with a hand-painted mural
For a extremely distinctive characteristic, a hand-painted mural is tough to beat. By incorporating a number of architectural particulars from elsewhere within the room – a excessive skirting board as an example, which might then be used to create a trompe l’oeil wall that may lead the attention into the phantasm.
Make a characteristic of fascinating particulars
In Katie O’Sullivan’s former malthouse dwelling, the lounge advantages from architecturally fascinating ceilings, so encouraging individuals to search for as they stroll in is smart.
To do that, Katie has experimented with scale, utilizing oversize planters with spectacular architectural greenery that leads proper to the highest of the room, naturally drawing the attention upwards.
Fill the partitions with artwork
Any wall might be remodeled with some rigorously chosen art work. These works may aid you determine in your color selections for the partitions. In Nikki Tibbles’ country house, the palette of various shades of blue displays the dominate colors within the giant portray above the console desk.
These shades have been mixed so as to add depth to the lounge: gentle blue paint has been used on the partitions from flooring to ceiling, whereas chairs have been upholstered in brighter blue hues all of which mix to make the area really feel welcoming and fascinating, whereas additionally reflecting the proprietor’s tastes and passions.
Embrace unique options
Interval houses are sometimes full of quirky, unique options that guarantee your private home feels visually fascinating with out even making an attempt! On this pretty instance, the uncovered wood ceiling beams and unique brick flooring have been cleaned up however not over-restored, giving the lounge heaps of character.
Vintage furnishings has been chosen to enhance the normal aesthetic of the area, and a impartial color palette permits the gorgeous of the structure to essentially stand out.
Lean into maximalist interiors
In case you’re a lover of all issues shiny, daring and exquisite, a maximalist lounge would possibly simply attraction. In Helen Ward’s Edwardian home, the lounge has been painted deep blue, the right foil for the brilliant pink upholstery and the basic white marble fire and an ever-growing assortment of vigorous home vegetation.
Create a comfortable studying nook
In case you love to curve up with a guide within the evenings, why not create a comfortable studying nook within the nook of your lounge?
Choose a favorite armchair – or simply probably the most comfy one – after which select probably the most appropriate nook, ideally away from the distraction of the tv.
An alcove bookshelf and a low aspect desk on which to settle books and a drink are just about all you want. You probably have the area, a window seat can be a stunning technique to calm down and benefit from the pure area that surrounds your private home.
Strive colour-drenching
The concept of single color interiors would possibly provide you with flashbacks to the Nineteen Seventies avocado toilet suites, however when achieved proper, a lounge embellished – drenched – in a single color, together with skirting, ceilings and all woodwork might be actually efficient.
On this lounge by Ercol, an orange color palette has been used from the partitions and ceilings to the furnishings and ornamental gadgets. With some minor shade variations and completely different areas benefiting from completely different quantities of pure gentle, this lounge appears something however bland!
Combine and match sample and color
Layering prints and patterns of various sizes and types is central to basic English nation home fashion. It suggests an inside that has developed over time – items added through the years, introduced again from travels or acquired right here after which as and when wanted.
This type of look is of course relaxed and full of attraction, it’s not trend-led, however moderately the type of look you possibly can put collectively as your tastes evolve and alter, although nothing is thrown away.
Let the antiques take centre stage
In case you are a collector, your antiques will naturally type a part of the aesthetic of your private home – informing color selections and the general fashion of your furnishings
However moderately than holding gadgets in show cupboards, why not set them inside the room as fascinating focal factors, as right here, the place an historic statue sits on the mantelpiece with elegant jars on both aspect, creating a way of steadiness and concord.
Select curved furnishings for a softer area
Too many onerous strains and sharp corners in a lounge could make the area really feel chilly and medical.
To keep away from this, attempt introducing curved furnishings – rounded sofas have turn into more and more standard in recent times as have round espresso tables, or in case you aren’t seeking to put money into giant gadgets, attempt a spherical mirror, rug or cushions as a substitute. Right here the look is extremely fashionable and funky, however Deco-style furnishings is a wonderful alternative if you’d like one thing that has a extra classic really feel.
Create a social area with loads of seating
In case you’re a frequent host of get-togethers, give your lounge a club-like really feel with loads of comfy spots to take a seat down and socialise in massive and smaller teams.
Select seating, from sofas and arm chairs to smaller chairs, that may be moved round and reconfigured or maybe even put away when not wanted – campaign furniture is a wonderful alternative in case you want versatile, adaptable items. This fashion, you possibly can guarantee that the area feels tidy and sensible with out having to compromise on fashion.
Go for a vibrant couch
Textiles are an necessary aspect of inside design – the materials you select can change the texture of the area, leaning from cosy in areas reminiscent of dwelling rooms and bedrooms, to extra utilitarian in kitchens and loos.
In Rose Hanson & Josh Widdicombe’s Victorian home, a inexperienced velvet sofa takes delight of place of their lounge. Set in entrance of the colour-coded bookcase and interval fire, softening the white partitions and impartial ornamental parts.
Add a bookcase to present a library-feel
A big bookcase or a set of built-in cabinets throughout a whole wall from flooring to ceiling will create a powerful library impact, with out dominating the entire room. You may both get artistic with the colour-coding of the spines or go for a extra relaxed strategy with no specific order.
On this dwelling, the books are echoed in a characteristic wall above the fireside created utilizing pages from an previous guide.
Experiment with completely different materials and prints with a shared palette
Your lounge is a superb place to have enjoyable with materials and sample. There isn’t any have to make every thing match – suppose dainty florals on the curtains, and bigger floral on a foot stool, and one thing fully completely different on the cushions!
In case you persist with a single color palette, as on this lounge the place blue is the dominant color, the design will nonetheless really feel cohesive and as if each aspect belongs collectively!
Carry life to an area with home vegetation
In case your lounge is feeling a bit flat or boring, you possibly can simply remodel it with houseplants. Cling them from the ceiling (we love these macrame-style baskets), pop them on a aspect desk or go for bushy vegetation and bushes to fill a whole nook.
Merely be certain the vegetation you select thrive within the lighting that comes into your lounge, and in case you have pets, be certain the vegetation aren’t toxic!
Create a gallery wall
A lounge gallery wall is the right technique to show your favorite images and artworks in a single area the place it is possible for you to to take pleasure in them usually.
Combine and match body sizes and styles for a extra eclectic look (we might advocate in search of some at your native antiques fairs and vintage shops), or in case you’re after one thing extra linear, dangle the identical sized frames in a rigorously measured rows.
Benefit from alcoves
Anybody who lives in a interval dwelling most likely has alcoves both aspect of a fireside or chimney breast. Though at first look these would possibly really feel like a hinderance to your total design, they’re really actually helpful.
Dwelling rooms are usually low on cupboard space, however in case you fill your alcoves with a bookcase you’ll have a sensible and visually interesting area to show books, antiques or perhaps a beloved vinyl assortment.
Have enjoyable with color
In case you’re feeling artistic, why not flip your wall right into a canvas and experiment with color? On this lounge by Annie Sloan, a enjoyable, geometric sample has been utilized to the wall and panelling, creating a really distinctive area.
Make an announcement with lighting
Lighting not solely units the temper for a room, however it could possibly additionally make or break an area. In the lounge, an announcement gentle becoming might be an efficient technique to centre the area and make the room really feel extra intimate and cosy.
This chandelier from Authentic BTC hanging above the seating space, successfully creates a social zone, giving the room a way of glamour and event – excellent for entertaining.
Experiment with trim work
There actually are not any guidelines in relation to adorning your lounge, so have enjoyable and get artistic together with your plans. We love this design by Annie Sloan, that includes Piranesi Pink on the partitions, completely complimented by the scallop-style trim work added instead of conventional cornicing.
Go daring with color
In case you’re a fan of daring tones, take it to the max with a extremely vibrant shade. We love this scheme by Jonathan Adler, created utilizing a beautiful inexperienced on the partitions and enjoyable, monochrome patterned curtains to distinction. The impact is each stylish and enjoyable – the right occasion pad.
Play with scale
Play with scale and create a focus with an oversize accent reminiscent of a lamp, vase or, as on this case, a mirror, and group it with furnishings that shares an analogous aesthetic.
This smooth mid-century-style armchair is a recent spin on basic designs reminiscent of Bruno Mathsson’s Eva chair and Hans Wegner’s JH512 Folding chair. It’s complemented by the simplicity of the round, wood-framed flooring mirror and the retro color scheme.
Vibrant and folksy
Janice Issit’s lounge is full of fantastic jewel shiny colors and wealthy patterns that evoke conventional Jap European folks artwork.
Vibrant turquoise partitions are the right backdrop for her assortment of vibrant textiles, which she has layered on her couch for a unusual tackle the maximalist aesthetic.
Gray scale
Jim & Chloe Learn’s home is full of a beautiful mixture of antiques and classic equipment. The attraction of their eclectic strategy to gathering and adorning might be seen of their lounge.
By choosing a restrained gray and white color scheme, the couple have ensured that their treasures stand out moderately than jostle for consideration, from the Jap European instructional props to the classic needlepoint cushions that fill the couch, each piece has its probability to shine.
Basic restraint
The straightforward magnificence of wood-panelled partitions is tough to beat. In case you’re fortunate sufficient to have unique panels in your house, benefit from them by holding furnishings pared again and minimal. Nevertheless, replica panelling is straightforward to put in and can add sophistication to any room.
Texture and distinction
The important thing to the attraction of this conventional scheme lies in its contrasts. The formal, symmetrical association of the vintage furnishings and equipment is softened by the textiles: daring checks, slub linens and uncooked silks are layered with fairly chintzes and opulent trims for added curiosity and a delicate sense of luxurious.
Play and show
Helen Linfield’s home is stuffed with sensible concepts, from her intelligent use of color by way of to her lateral considering in relation to show.
Although you would possibly usually discover a plate rack within the kitchen, Helen has made it a stunning characteristic in her lounge, the place it’s used for displaying vintage ceramics which might be maybe a bit of too good for use day-to-day, however that are good to have readily available for particular events.
You may experiment with other ways of displaying ceramics like this: attempt overlapping and layering contrasting items for a extra relaxed impact or if you wish to make extra of an announcement depart it sparse, with just one or two platters. Alternatively, replenish gaps with trailing vegetation, collectable figures and different curios.
Folks please
Vintage portraits are a stunning manner so as to add curiosity to your lounge partitions. They’ll simply be purchased at public sale or at flea markets, and provide a way of nostalgic, romantic thriller when one is uncertain who the topic is perhaps.
Work of various sizes, colors and types usually work greatest collectively – particularly when hung at random to make a advantage of their variations. It is a sure-fire technique to carry persona to your lounge.
Good symmetry
These framed Oriental wall hangings lend a way of gravitas to this conventional lounge scheme.
As a pair, they flank a powerful full size sash window, and the red-trimmed cushions and curtains assist to round-off the look. As an alternative of bespoke hangings, you may additionally body wallpaper fragments or vintage textile for the same impact.
Inexperienced scene
Ferns had been standard among the many Victorians, so sketches, pressings and prints of the leafy fronds had been extremely sought-after. This glorious show of c1870s designs in matching brass frames appears neat and refined, particularly with the lounge wall behind painted in an analogous verdant tone. A classic couch in good houndstooth print give the scheme a recent spin.
International zoning
For significantly giant dwelling rooms, dividing up the area utilizing a display screen or stud wall may also help to create nooks and dwelling ‘zones’.
On this giant loft-style area a room divider which has cubby holes on one aspect and a flat again on the opposite, supplies area for an unlimited map of the world in addition to a helpful ledge on which to show curios reminiscent of these vibrant vintage globes.
Flower energy
Large, daring florals are a love of detest alternative, however no matter you are feeling about them there is no denying they do make an influence. Select accent colors that echo the main points within the design to make sure the look is cohesive moderately than overpowering.
Make artwork the star
An exquisite unique print will not be solely an uplifting addition to your lounge, however it could possibly present a novel and strange point of interest above a mantelpiece, an excellent various to a mirror.
Right here a easy association of basic turned wooden obelisks, candlesticks and a pedestal bowl present a pleasant basic distinction to the joyful fashionable print above. A relaxed and restrained palette of impartial greenish gray on the partitions holds all of it collectively.
Panel present
Integrating a low shelf on the top of dado rail when designing and putting in panelling will provide alternative for visible curiosity within the type of small preparations that may be modified round and swapped out because the temper takes you.
This easy trick will mean you can clean up a scheme with out having to go all out and redecorate. The linear shelf ensures that the room feels balanced by slicing throughout the rectangular panels.
Extra adorning content material from Properties & Antiques
Signal as much as our weekly newsletter to take pleasure in extra H&A content material delivered to your inbox.