living
Add some mystery with a false wall In this cosy cottage, a fireplace provides the focal point in the small living room. To keep the rest of the room neat and uncluttered, Philippa Thorp of Thorp Design devised an ingenious way of hiding the TV. A false wall of books conceals a rise-and-fall mechanism that brings the television out when it’s needed.
Lighten up This house in rural Melbourne shows how country can also be light and airy, as well as cosy. Put together by Six Pieces Interior Design, the living room maximises light with huge garden doors and layers of pale paint, textiles, wood and natural details. The dark sofas anchor the room and add to the contemporary mood.
Fill a gap In this 16th century home, a doorway had originally led from the drawing room into the hall. As it wasn’t needed anymore, the team at Sims Hilditch decided to repurpose it as a drinks cabinet. The process was meticulous, as the building is listed, but the result is both stunning and practical
Lesson 5: How to banish the TV screen If you don’t like your television on show, this room’s storage wall, which conceals the TV when it’s not in use, could tickle your fancy. “We designed this custom-made joinery unit around the flatscreen,” says designer Jess Lavers. “The cupboards either side of the gas fire are for extra storage and the shelves are back-lit to display beautiful objects.” Prefer not to build in cabinetry? Invest in a painted TV cupboard with doors, so the big, black screen doesn’t dominate your living space.
Rather than squeeze a conventional sofa or armchair into your small living space, consider having simple benches made with lift-up lids. You can top them with comfy padding and cushions, as shown in this snug room.
Just add a flash Even an otherwise minimal, modern space can work a Moroccan mood. Here, an all white and pale wood Scandi scheme gets a shot of North African colour in the form of a colourful kilim.
fireplace
fireplace
Toys are inevitable if you have children in the house. Unfortunately, this often translates into messy bedrooms and toys overflowing into common living areas. Apart from being unsightly (hello life-sized Elmo on the couch), having toys scattered all over the place can be a trip and choking hazard (and stepping on Lego hurts!). Stacks of storage will keep things as much in control as possible, but do ensure toys are accessible and that it’s easy for the kids to put things away when they finish playing.
Fireplace stone
Fireplace
entertainment unit / recessed lighting
Stones
Upholstery
Give a child his or her own fun seat. This playground-like tire swing adds a playful surprise to this open contemporary room.
Doors on floor rails
Think outside the box In a small living space, it can be hard to find a functional layout, particularly when it comes to watching TV. The designers of this room have come up with a clever solution to create plenty of seating without compromising on practicality. Rather than placing a sofa against the wall near the television, they’ve chosen a chaise longue instead. The homeowners can face each other to have a conversation, then turn around to comfortably watch a programme or film.
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