Living room
Exploit underused space This beautiful shelving is probably no more than 500mm or so deep, so it barely eats into the room’s overall space. Nevertheless, it provides a wall of storage, interest and colour, turning what might otherwise be a completely plain, unremarkable surface into a thing of beauty. Continuing the shelving above the door is a clever touch that makes use of every scrap of space. It also gives this wall a more sleek, designed feel, steering it away from looking simply like two bookcases either side of the door.
Update tradition Building storage into chimney alcoves is tried and trusted, but the storage in this beautiful living space updates the traditional approach. It avoids the usual design of shelving above and cupboards below. Instead, shelves painted in Farrow & Ball’s Blue Black stretch floor to ceiling, creating a discreet space for the TV which, thanks to the dark colour, almost disappears when not switched on. The shelves were also designed to sit proud of the chimney breast, providing deep storage and framing the fireplace beautifully.
A few things to keep in mind, no matter what arrangement you decide on: Try to keep 15 to 18 inches between upholstery and the coffee table. Make sure you have 2 to 4 feet of walking space in a main pathway. If you opt to put your furniture on an angle, know that it’ll take up a lot of extra space. Try symmetry first — this often works well in living rooms.
shelves
Q