THE CLUTTER CLEANSE (PART FIVE)

The Living Room

How many of you spend very little time in your living room? Have you set it up to be a showcase but not a living space? The living room is the one room in the house that we spend the most money on expensive, beautiful furniture for entertaining and then we never use it for fear we’ll ruin our nice things. How crazy is that? It’s a living room. Hence, it should be used for living. It usually has the best views and the most beautiful architecture too. Why have such a beautiful space and not use it?

A well-organized living room can be used every day if we design it for living rather than as a showplace. If your home is casual, then your living room should reflect the same casual style. If the rest of your house is formal too and you’re comfortable in elegant surroundings, then your living room should be formal as well.

The most important considerations in designing your living room are: Furniture that is functional, art and collections on display and easy entertaining features. The living room is certainly no place for clutter.

Furniture that functions well in the living room includes tables, tea tables, nesting tables, library tables and even game tables.? A desk can add additional function to the living room; you can use it as a writing table, computer desk or for added storage. Desks can also double as sofa tables; this is nice to have a child doing homework or computer work who require minimum supervision. Parents can pop in and out of the room as needed. The desk can also double while entertaining, as a surface for serving after papers (and clutter!) have been cleared. Benches, ottomans, and stools add versatility in seating.

Furniture placement should be more functional than aesthetic. Arrange your space to encourage conversation when you have guests over. Consider movable furniture so your guests can create their own seating areas. This prevents wallflowers, ensures everyone is comfortable and allows for your guests to mingle on their own terms comfortably. Cluster areas for standing and visiting are also important. You don’t have to have all your furniture as one large circle for visiting.? ou can have two or three or even four conversation areas in a large living room.

Collection Display

• Decorate with books.
• Don?t just line things along the back of a furniture piece. Group small and large objects together onto a platter or shelf. If you’re not the creative type, look on Pinterest to get some ideas.
• Just because you’re out of wall space does not mean you can’t display a lovely art piece,. Use an easel on top of a chest or a standing easel in the corner of the room.
• Drape art or decorative textiles, like scarves or blankets on furniture or screen dividers.
• Mirror the back wall and add glass shelves to display Lladro, Hummel, or other figurines, sculptures, pottery and collectibles.
• Fill a bowl or cylinder with small items, like Christmas balls, colorful bracelets or even seashells and coral.

I hope these tips are helpful. The most important thing to remember is to make your space pleasing to you.

If you need any help with getting started or what to keep vs. throw away, feel free to ask in our Facebook group.

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