lounging around.
This is post #2 of our home redecorating series. You can check out our kitchen redecoration here.
A while ago we moved Seth's desk out into the living space so he could work in the same room as me, so that also presented a unique challenge. With so much furniture, only two walls, and a narrow space, how could we possibly avoid pushing everything up against a wall?
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| The really before. |
It was a real problem.
The solution came with the addition of one more piece of furniture, a book shelf that had been passed on to us by some friends then shoved in our storage room to be forgotten. We moved Seth's desk in front of the window, but put it catacorner. We then placed the bookshelf up against the wall, but right next to the desk. Though we lose space with this configuration, the room takes on a more pleasant shape. Just by cutting off one corner, we lost the long-box feeling immediately.
The next step was to section off the lounge from the kitchen. We didn't want to go the privacy screen route as they always cost at least $100 and remind me of my days as a university student. After hours of searching for ideas we eventually settled on a sheer curtain to separate the space. The curtain itself was under $20 from Spotlight and we hung it from the ceiling using two long wooden rods and some thin wire at Bunnings.
This creates a new corner in the room in which another piece of furniture, such as a chair or table might be placed.
The last big change only cost us $24 with the addition of two new throw pillows on the couch. We were originally looking for blue cushions to match the carpet, but later decided that would be a bit much. Instead we picked up two bright green cushions. One is solid, the other has a fancy print. Two days after we brought them home we realised that we had subconsciously picked a colour that perfectly matches the planter that houses our kitchen herb garden. Unintentionally we had made a visual link between the two spaces.
I thought for certain that we were going to have to purchase more items to decorate with, but everything on the bookshelf was already in our house. The most difficult thing I had to do was place my Mary Poppins ornament into a frame with a bright pink piece of paper as a background.
Tips & Tricks: Lounge
Pick pillows and throws that are complimentary to each other.
Don't get too matchy.
You want your home to feel cozy, not like a showroom.
It's okay if your bookshelf isn't entirely full.
Leave some blank spaces to prevent the feeling of overcrowding.
Think of unique ways to stack some of your books to create visual interest.
Pick a few statement pieces.
When I was around 8 I began collecting little cat statues. I can't even begin to guess how many I had, but it was certainly over 20. I would spend hours organising them on my bedroom dresser, creating little groupings that I thought looked visually interesting. I'm sure to look at each individual section it did look quite nice, but overall the really special pieces became lost in the clowder. Don't be like 8 year old me. Pick a few really important items to display and forget the rest.
Mix it up.
Pair many small items along side one taller piece.
Move your furniture off the walls.
Put yourself out there.
I used to reserve shelves for very special items that were to only be looked at. With this project I broke from tradition and included useful items as well. Such items include my camera lens and the board game Cranium.
Don't under-estimate little changes
This room didn't really come together until we brought home the two throw pillows. Such a simple change, but it really made the space work.
Don't be afraid to use bright pops of colour
From here we still would like to get a box to put some of Seth's technical bits and bobs in so they aren't just hanging out on the shelf collecting dust. We also hope to get a nice chair for our faux corner, but it's a difficult purchase to justify since we don't often have visitors over.
