How to Make Your Living Room a Stylish, Sociable Space
From family film nights to full-on entertaining, here’s how to ensure your living space scores on sociability
Jo Simmons
18 July 2021
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
Living rooms can sometimes be overlooked now that so much of our at-home socialising takes place around a table in an open-plan kitchen space, but nothing beats being able to sit comfortably with friends and family, to talk, enjoy a drink or watch a movie.
Comfort is key to creating a relaxed, sociable living space, so concentrate on getting the style and position of the seating right, then build up from there, adding fun touches, handy side tables and just the right lighting.
Comfort is key to creating a relaxed, sociable living space, so concentrate on getting the style and position of the seating right, then build up from there, adding fun touches, handy side tables and just the right lighting.
Source different types of seating
If sociable means entertaining friends and family of all ages, work in a variety of seating like the team at Rebecca Hayes Interiors have done here.
While squashy sofas may suit those who want to kick off their shoes and snuggle down, elderly visitors may prefer the support of an upright chair. Children, meanwhile, often appreciate the simplicity of a floor cushion.
If sociable means entertaining friends and family of all ages, work in a variety of seating like the team at Rebecca Hayes Interiors have done here.
While squashy sofas may suit those who want to kick off their shoes and snuggle down, elderly visitors may prefer the support of an upright chair. Children, meanwhile, often appreciate the simplicity of a floor cushion.
Face each other
Sofas that face each other, rather than the TV, promote conversation. Make sure they’re positioned close enough together that you and your guest aren’t shouting at each other across the divide.
Just because you’re squeezing in two sofas doesn’t mean you need to scrimp on size, either. In this room, By the riverside positioned two sizeable couches opposite each other, and using a smaller coffee table the rest of the space feel lighter.
Sofas that face each other, rather than the TV, promote conversation. Make sure they’re positioned close enough together that you and your guest aren’t shouting at each other across the divide.
Just because you’re squeezing in two sofas doesn’t mean you need to scrimp on size, either. In this room, By the riverside positioned two sizeable couches opposite each other, and using a smaller coffee table the rest of the space feel lighter.
Provide several surfaces
Tables on which you can pop a mug, glass or bowl of snacks are essential to a sociable living space.
In this scheme, Studio Ruh decided to choose smaller tables rather than a larger central surface. These help to maintain the light, airy feel of the room and are easier to move around.
Ready to find a professional to renovate your home? Look no further than the Houzz Professionals Directory, where you can see past projects and read client reviews for pros in your area.
Tables on which you can pop a mug, glass or bowl of snacks are essential to a sociable living space.
In this scheme, Studio Ruh decided to choose smaller tables rather than a larger central surface. These help to maintain the light, airy feel of the room and are easier to move around.
Ready to find a professional to renovate your home? Look no further than the Houzz Professionals Directory, where you can see past projects and read client reviews for pros in your area.
Consider a corner sofa
Nothing says sociable like a corner couch. This flexible, space-efficient form of seating works particularly well for big families with modest living rooms. It provides a large expanse of comfy seating, which encourages teens to lounge and tiddlers to cosy in.
To make this type of seating even more functional, consider a coffee table that doubles as a footstool. The extra surface will provide even more opportunities for everyone to stretch out.
Nothing says sociable like a corner couch. This flexible, space-efficient form of seating works particularly well for big families with modest living rooms. It provides a large expanse of comfy seating, which encourages teens to lounge and tiddlers to cosy in.
To make this type of seating even more functional, consider a coffee table that doubles as a footstool. The extra surface will provide even more opportunities for everyone to stretch out.
Get the lighting right
A sociable living room needs lighting that creates a warm atmosphere, but without being too dim. You want to be able to see your guests, after all. Weave in a flexible mix of lamps and ceiling lights to create a soft, layered look.
If you prefer a calm aesthetic, go for recessed lights, as K2India has done here. These give a more diffused light than the central pendant without the need to add lamps to other surfaces in the room.
A sociable living room needs lighting that creates a warm atmosphere, but without being too dim. You want to be able to see your guests, after all. Weave in a flexible mix of lamps and ceiling lights to create a soft, layered look.
If you prefer a calm aesthetic, go for recessed lights, as K2India has done here. These give a more diffused light than the central pendant without the need to add lamps to other surfaces in the room.
Install sliding doors
If you’re considering completely remodelling your home, how about this for an idea. In this Edwardian house, Nick Taylor of IMBY3 Architecture & Design designed sliding barn doors between the kitchen and living space. When closed, the living room feels cosy and intimate…
If you’re considering completely remodelling your home, how about this for an idea. In this Edwardian house, Nick Taylor of IMBY3 Architecture & Design designed sliding barn doors between the kitchen and living space. When closed, the living room feels cosy and intimate…
When the doors are open, the living room flows into the kitchen, making it part of a larger, flexible and super-sociable space.
Read more:
11 Styling Ideas for Tiny Living Rooms
Tell us:
Do you have any tips for creating a sociable living space? Share them in the Comments.
Read more:
11 Styling Ideas for Tiny Living Rooms
Tell us:
Do you have any tips for creating a sociable living space? Share them in the Comments.
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The first tip I always see is do not put the tv over the fireplace. All of these living room designs places the tv over the fireplace.
Do not place a TV in the living room. Especially if you have children. It attracts their clutter items (toys, games, etc) and can distract guests when you're trying to have conversation.
For Kellie,
For years, I stood firm that there would be no tv over our fireplace. We hired a decorator who thought that would be the logical place, over the fireplace. Truly, it was the center focal point. My husband and I each have swivel rockers with high backs. We love our furniture arrangement with the television above the fireplace so much that we just duplicated that look in our new house. Our new tv is a Frame, so we don’t have a blank screen when it’s off. Try it. You may like it.