The Living Room
Inviting. Entertaining. Connecting.
As the day winds down we find ourselves in the living room. If the kitchen is where we consume, then the living room is where we digest, both our meals and our days. Commonly positioned at the front of the home near the entryway, the living room demands versatility. It is a central, shared, and public space and the unsung hero of our built environment.
We all need a multi-purpose, jack-of-all-trades space and, more often than not, the living room plays that role. It fills the gaps in the landscape of our homes and is capable of handling whatever we throw at it. It is a space we demand a lot of. The living room truly is the Swiss army knife of rooms. On any given day we may use the living room as our workplace, home gym, dining table, playroom, and home theater. It is a space intended for living and the best ones are full of life.
It is a space that functions as a cocoon, holding us as we process the events of our days. A well-designed living room invites us to linger. Squishy couches, plush ottomans, and cozy blankets radiate warmth, begging us to kick back and relax. It is a space that asks us to slow down, put up our feet, and stay awhile.
As one of the most utilized rooms in the home, it must be comfortable enough for its inhabitants to unwind, but polished enough to effortlessly welcome guests. We usher our guests from the entryway into the living room. When we gather with friends, family, or roommates we inevitably find ourselves in the living room.
Within the home, the role of entertainer goes to the living room. It is both where we entertain and where we seek entertainment. Home to our books, games, and televisions, it is endlessly amusing. When we envision an evening with friends or a relaxing day off, the living room plays a starring role. Whatever we are craving we can usually find it here.
Socializing should be top of mind when designing the living room. If we want to connect with others and form strong, intimate relationships we must be able to converse with one another. A well-designed living room features seating for many and a conversation-encouraging layout. Making sure each guest has an easily accessible spot to rest drinks and snacks goes a long way in ensuring everyone’s comfort throughout their visit.
Connectivity is a central theme here. If we are not connecting in person we are most certainly connecting digitally. Our phones are always within arms reach, easy to grab the moment a question arises or boredom strikes as we lounge on the couch. The television is often the focal point of the living room and it screams for our attention the moment we sit down. From TV dinners to movie marathons to Netflix binges, there is always something to watch, consume, or devour at the click of a button.
Because there is always something to engage with, an undercurrent of escapism can permeate the living room. It is easy to become distracted in the living room and disengage. In the moment a quick scroll often feels like it will solve all our problems. We must remember not only use our downtime to disconnect from the outside world but also to reconnect with ourselves.
In the living room, we allow ourselves to exhale. Keeping a throw blanket or comfy accent pillow nearby makes it easy to snuggle up on the couch. It is easy to sprawl, spread out, and take up space here. Idleness is not only expected but also encouraged. We do not tend to the myriad needs of our bodies here so much as the needs of our souls. If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then the living room is most certainly its soul.
TO CONTEMPLATE:
What is your first impression upon entering your living room? What catches your eye?
Consider the layout. Is the arrangement conducive to conversation? How would you feel entertaining guests here? Is it easy to rest your drink or reach for a snack?
How connected do you feel in the living room? How would it feel to disconnect for a while?
-MRD
