Top Tips to Create a More Flexible Living Space

Your living room is an important part of the home and probably one of the areas that you use the most. It is often used for a wide range of purposes, such as relaxing, playing, studying, entertaining and eating, so the layout and design are important factors. These can alter the atmosphere of the room and make it a more flexible space that you can alter slightly for different purposes.

Use the Right Light

The lighting that you choose for your living room might seem like a simple feature, but it can actually make a big difference to the feel of the space, and you can use it for a particular function. For instance, you can have individual layers that can be used for different purposes, such as spotlights for tasks, table lamps for reading and working and dim lighting for relaxing and watching television. The lighting can also be helpful to soften features, such as a metal staircase that comes into the living space or a large fireplace.

Don't Clutter the Space

Often we try to fill our homes with as much furniture as possible and cover every eventually, but this can just make the space feel cluttered and untidy. Instead, select furniture based on a purpose, and choose items that complement each other. Have a focal point that defines the key purpose of the room.

More Than One Use

One way to get more out of your living space is to choose furniture that can be used for a number of different purposes or that can be stored away when not required. For instance, if you only have space for one table but need to work and eat at it, try to incorporate both into your choice or buy a dining table that can be folded away after use.

Go for Neutral Colours

If you don't have one main colour that stands out in the room, it is far easier to swap accessories if you want to alter how the room is used. It's a good idea to go for neutral shades for the main pieces, like sofas and flooring, and then accessorise around this to add a splash of colour.

Have Practical Storage

A living space can become cluttered if you don't plan adequate storage into the layout, but this doesn't have to take up extra space. You can think about putting shelving units in an alcove or adding storage units below a metal staircase so that you have places to keep everything without it getting in the way.

Think About the Flooring

Living rooms quite often have carpets to add warmth and a homely atmosphere, but this doesn't give you as much flexibility as hard flooring, and they require maintenance to keep them clean and looking good. Tiled or wooden floors are far more practical if you use the room for entertaining or have children, and you can easily put a rug down to create more comfort and then take it away if necessary.