TODAY’S FAMILY LIVING SPACE WORKS FOR EVERYONE, AND STRONG COLOURS AND HARD-WORKING TEXTURES MEAN IT LOOKS GOOD, TOO
A family living space that’s practical, organised and dare we say… stylish? Yes, it is possible with careful planning and zoning of your space, plus a confident use of colour. Family living spaces often mean open plan, where one space has to fit all – from watching TV to schoolwork, mealtimes to play, working from home to cooking, and of course relaxation. But this hard-working hub of the modern home can look great, too. Style is combined with function, storage is smart and adaptable, while hero pieces give this space as much personality as its family.
CHOOSE A FAMILY-FRIENDLY SOFA
Use a large velvet sofa, like the Belgrave Large 3 Seater Velvet Sofa in Harriet Mustard, to provide a big colour hit. With its Aquaclean protective finish, it’s designed to survive most spills, meaning there’s no need to compromise on style in a family space. You can have that dream velvet sofa – and in a fabulous colour.
Mustard yellow is a great choice for a family space, and works well with both light and dark furniture. Choose a practical, washable paint finish for the walls – Little Greene Paint Co’s Intelligent Matt Emulsion in Yellow Pink adds warmth to an open-plan space.
EAT, PLAY, SOCIALISE
A family dining table needs to work and play hard. From family mealtimes to space for the kids to work on school projects; supper with friends to children’s birthday parties, our Santino Dining Table in Oak is ideal for the job. Team it with a set of refectory-style chairs like these Hay Result Dining Chairs, which are sturdy yet lightweight enough to move around where needed.
Make the most of available light, positioning your dining table next to sliding doors or French windows, with the sofa moved into the middle part of the room where it feels cosy and inviting. Positioning your sofa away from the wall means it can help to zone the space.
FIND COLOUR CONFIDENCE
We used mustard yellow to unify the different zones of our space, with hero upholstery providing big hits of colour. Yellow and grey are always a winning choice, but here, shades of lilac add a contempoary twist that feels fresh.
Cushions are another easy way to incorporate accents of lilac – here, textured ones are mixed with fun, geometric designs. ‘Our family room feels inviting, with the darker shades adding warmth,’ says Fionnuala Johnston, Partner & Senior Designer, Home Studio. ‘It’s stylish yet very family-friendly.’
ADD PLENTY OF TEXTURE
From velvet cushions to jute rugs, woollen throws to natural woods, there’s plenty of opportunity for texture. Layering is key, whether rugs over rugs or colourful cushions and throws to snuggle with. Add accessories in different finishes, like high-gloss ceramics and vintage artwork. Look for an oversized print or poster to really fill the wall space.
‘Just because you have a family room, it doesn’t mean you can’t maintain your style credentials,’ says Fionnuala. ‘You can still have the design and fabrics you love.’
