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How to style an awkwardly shaped living room

Leather and Harris Tweed Sofa and Armchair

From L-shaped rooms to large, cavernous open spaces, there are times when dressing a room can be difficult.

But, there are solutions and these tips show you how:

The L Shaped Room

Part dining room, part living room is can be tough space to dress;

Use a moveable room partition for when you want to close off part of the space but open up the other.
Move seating away from the wall to give more of a conversation zone.
Use rugs to create different zones too, such as under the dining table.
Add height with taller display units and wooden shelving, than half-height side boards.

‘Dull & Boring’

On one hand, straight walls and angles are a dream but if you feel the style of the room is dull and more than a little predictable, ring the changes with these tips;

Create a walk way around the edges of the room of at least 36 inches but again, pull the comfy sofa and fabric armchairs away from walls.
Offset the angle of the furniture against the angles of the room. In other words, instead of the rug being laid parallel to the walls, offset it at a jauntier angle.
Use a corner as a study nook, if you have the space but place the desk at an angle across the corner.

The Open Living Space with No Focus

A vast room can seem like a dream but without some stylish tweaks, it can feel like the furniture is lost and that there is little cohesion;

Go large with rugs (the bigger, the better) and use as a platform for the seating area and another for the dining area – the sofa, armchairs and coffee table should fit comfortably on the rug, the same with the dining furniture too.
Use an appropriately sized console table or living room sideboard behind the sofa to help ‘frame’ the space and use a table lamp to help define the space with light.
Add more definition by adding a side table to each armchair too, as well as a wood coffee table as an island in the conversation area.

Nooks and Crannies

They may add character, but nooks, crannies and alcoves can be a nightmare to dress and become wasted space;

Create vertical lines by ‘filling’ nooks and crannies, but not necessarily all of them. However, consider bespoke furniture that fits the space exactly otherwise gaps between wall and furniture gives for an ill-fitting look.
Use curves to soften the angles too e.g. a round coffee table and round-edged wooden TV unit that has few harsh angles but a softer, curvier appeal

Long & Narrow

Long and narrow rooms can look like corridors and so again, you need to shake up the feeling of everything being in its predictable place.

Zone the room, for example, add a quiet reading corner complete with fabric armchairs and a small wood coffee table.
Again, pull reclaimed furniture from walls and create a zone that fills the void in the centre of the room.
Use a rug to pull the sofa, armchairs and reclaimed wood table together but make sure you create a pathway around the room so that it doesn’t look jumbled.

Which of these tips will you try?

Creative ways to keep your desk tidy

Clear desk, clear mind. Whether you work in an office or at home, an untidy working area is never helpful when it comes to productivity. If you struggle to keep on top of mess and let coffee cups and paperwork pile up, try and come up with creative solutions to get organised.

The first step is of course finding the perfect wooden desk to work at and working out how to best utilise this. For example, if you have a simple reclaimed wood desk with no drawer space, try and split the desk with a computer stand. This gives you a handy bit of extra space for storing small items that create the look of clutter as well as more space for spreading out or writing.

If you struggle for floor space, a small office desk is a must, however that leaves little room to get organised. If this is the case, try and get the bulky desk essentials off your desk and put them elsewhere in the room.

A wooden blanket box is a great idea for stacking up box files, lever arch files and even textbooks keeping your room clutter free, and looking stylish all at once. Of course, a desk with drawer or cupboard space will serve a similar purpose – it really comes down to how much you need to store in your home office.

If you are blessed with slightly more space, reclaimed wood shelves or storage units are a great investment. Use the shelves to put labels on files and separate out books and files for a cleaner finish. You could even colour order if you want to add an organised pop of colour that may inspire a bright new idea.

Alternatively, for a slightly less corporate look, you could turn one corner of your room into a more relaxed space with a comfortable armchair and a reclaimed wood coffee table. Again, this allows you to remove some of the clutter off your desk and spread it across another surface. A coffee table with drawers will add further space for tucking away unsightly items for that tidy and efficient office you’ve been dreaming of.

Beyond items of furniture, invest in smaller items like serveware to eliminate clutter and ensure everything has its rightful spot. For example, use dip bowls for storing office essentials like paper clips and extra staples. You could even use baguette bowls for storing pens and rulers.

When it comes to holders such as these, try and keep the number of items on the desk to a minimum. If you have a lot of stationary, prioritise and put the items you use less frequently in places where they are easily accessible but don’t take over the entire desk.

To get the dream reclaimed wood desk have a look at our bespoke Oldman desks and for more inspiration have a look at our office themed blogs.

Spoil your mum by offering her a Lazy Day

On Friday 1st September, it is Lazy Mum’s Day. Even on Mother’s Day, mothers keep cooking, cleaning and working hard to look after their families which is why Lazy Mum’s Day is a day where they are encourages to simply be lazy.

There’s no need to buy your Mum a present, just give her some peace and quiet!

Start the day right with breakfast in bed – perhaps even get the kids to prepare breakfast! In a cosy haven of a white wooden bed with lots of scatter cushions and luxurious throws, your Mum can relax with a cup of coffee and her current book rather than rush around getting breakfast and getting everyone ready to leave the house.

If breakfast in bed isn’t an option, once the kids have got to school, if you don’t have to work, take the day to put your feet up. Relax in a comfy armchair reading the newspaper with a hot drink.

Alternatively, for a bit of luxury, invest in a leather chesterfield sofa. The winged arms of this sofa give an elegant twist to this icon of British furniture design and creates an opulent look in any living room. Hang a couple of knitted throws over the edge of the sofa so you can get comfortable and settle in for the long haul. You could even save yourself the hassle of dinner by getting a takeaway and just spend time with family.

Make sure you have the perfect reclaimed wood coffee table to pop your drink on. Sumptuously stylish, this British made rustic coffee table would make the perfect centrepiece to your living room. Stack the shelf with magazines and books so you can spend the day taking a well-earned break with some time to yourself.

To find the perfect living room furniture, take a look at the Modish Living website or get in touch with one of our team members for any enquiries.

The every day look of your dining table

Even when not in use, the dining table is still a feature of your dining room or kitchen. A space primarily used for dining and entertaining, a dining room table is also the perfect space to add personality to your space.

In the dining room

In a large dining room, play up the glamorous setting with a reclaimed wood dining table and accessories to match.

The simple table top of this reclaimed elm dining table paired with the shiny stainless steel legs is perfect for any modern dining room. With a slim design, the elegant table keeps any room bright and open, creating an illusion of more space.

To create a coordinated space, match the accessories to the stainless steel legs. The Bud Candelabra would look stunning with the Maddox dining table, with the moulded base and tall design adding depth and interest without creating a cluttered space. If you go for a table with a unique base, keep accessories minimal such as these simple candlesticks and a simple potted plant for a splash of green.

Alternatively, go for a more classic look in the dining room with a rustic dining table. This table even comes complete with drawers on the edge perfect for stowing away dining accessories and even that special cutlery set. Add a couple of different sizes lanterns for a modern contrast against the more traditional style of the table.

In a light airy space

In an extension, or a room with lots of windows, match the style of the room with a contemporary dining table. The angled trestle style and modern concrete resin top of this table creates an architectural design. Keep it simple with matching wooden chairs for a sleek finish and go for ultra contemporary accessories.

A more modern style table lends itself to colour with accessories. It could be something as simple as dressing the table with a bowl of citrus fruits, or a fresh bunch of flowers.

This room style also suits an oval dining table. The classic, elegant style of this white dining table creates a wonderful contrast against the modern style of the room. Go with elegant decor to match such as the Bramble collection available on our website. The Bramble Flower Caddy Dip is great as stunning serveware for dinner parties and a matching Bread Board completes the look.

For a farmhouse look

Oak dining tables look stunning in any dining room or kitchen. Paired in a wooden kitchen or simple white dining room, this luxurious farmhouse table has been handcrafted with solid oak and is perfect for hosting large dinner parties. Pair with elegant upholstered dining chairs and simple glass candle holders for the ultimate farmhouse look with a touch of glamour.

Alternatively, go for a table in a combination of white and dark wood with plenty of character to create a magnificent focal point in any farmhouse style room.

To find the perfect dining table for your home, take a look at the Modish Living website or get in touch with one of our team members for any enquiries.

How to measure for the right bedroom furniture

Louis de Poortere Atlantic Ocean Waves Rug

The bedroom is an important room – it is the place where you end the day, falling into a restful sleep and the place where you rise and shine, refreshed and ready to face another day.

What is not a great end or start to your day is stubbing your toe as you trip over things to try and reach the bed.

And this is why you need to measure the bedroom and choose bedroom sets, bed and décor that suit the dimension of the room.

The Bed

Clearly, being a bedroom, the main item of furniture should be the bed. From single to bunk beds, double beds to super king size, the bed should be the focal point of the room.

You can give the illusion of space by playing with colour, choosing bedroom furniture that compliments the space.

A low bed is great for any bedroom but the lower level of the bed gives the illusion of swallowing more floor space.

But as soon as items of bedroom furniture have notable gaps between the underside and the floor, it can help to give more illusion of space in the room. Higher beds can also be made to look sumptuous too, with oversized duvets and plump pillows.

How else can you arrange furniture in the bedroom for maximum space?

Storage is clearly a priority in the bedroom too and we have some great ideas;

With a higher bed, use under-the-bed storage drawers for a neat look and ample storage
A wooden blanket box is also ideal and if you have the space, place it at the end of the bed – this is ideal for framing the bed as well as being easily accessible. Choose a simpler design so that the overall style is not too cluttered, such as the Savannah blanket box.
Chests of drawers provide valuable storage space in terms of drawers but also a surface for essential items and accessories. Taller drawer sets can swamp a smaller room and too broad and they will take up too much floor space. Look for a bedroom chest of drawers that has a smaller footprint and in term of height, always make it is in keeping with the rest of the room. Whilst a small chest of drawers can seem like the logical alternative, ‘small’ furniture can completely throw out the dimensions of a room.
Bedside tables are also essential and can be useful not only in terms of practical storage but also in framing the bed. Choose bedside tables that are slightly lower or the same height as your bed – too tall and they will make the bed seem smaller than it is. Again, keep the design of the bedside table simple yet stylish and light.

Other bedroom ideas for increasing the sense of space is to choose bedroom décor that is light and reflective.

Also helpful is the correct bedroom rug placement. Again, use a rug to frame the room or an item of furniture. A large rug under the bed that leaves a collar of rug around the bed is great for opening up the floor. Or use smaller rugs on each side of the bed.

Your bedroom may not have acres of space, but it will certainly feel spacious, yet restful with these great ideas.

The small bedroom and how to decorate it

The smaller bedroom always presents a conundrum when it comes to decorating – do you opt for the cosy feel with reclaimed furniture or try to expand its walls and space with clever tricks on the eye?

What complicates the situation is when the small bedroom is occupied by a young person. Complete with a raft of GCSEs under their belt, they ‘lodge’ at home as they complete A Levels or an apprenticeship. They may still be ‘lodging’ at home whilst completing their degree too.

Thus, decorating the small bedroom is not just about a pot of beige paint, but about injecting character, warmth, style and texture that the ‘student lodger’ will love for years to come.

Here are top tips to decorate and style the small bedroom into a fitting place for the maturing student…

Nest of Tables

Ring the changes (and introduce a note of stylish functionality) with a nest of tables instead of a bedside table. It may be an item you associate with the 1970s lounge, but for the modern student, extra surfaces are ideal when you have phones, tablets and laptops to charge.

Console Table

We are tempted in a smaller room to add ‘smaller’ furniture. This can have the opposite effect to what we want and so rather than considering the dimensions of the piece, look at its footprint.

Even though a wooden side table may be small, it may not be the ideal fit next to the bed and if the nest of tables doesn’t add the storage you want, consider the humble console table instead.

Available in single or double drawer style they are a stylish and ‘grown-up’ piece of any bedroom. (Better still, a console table doesn’t subscribe to being a piece of either a boy’s or girls’ bedroom furniture!)

Customise the headboard

In a small bedroom, adding details can be difficult as there is a fine line between detail and clutter. But anything that adds light and sparkle is welcome. A simple trick is to customise the headboard with fairy lights, of which there is now an amazing range.

Why not artistically drape fairy lights around the frame of a reclaimed wood mirror?

Storage solutions

Clearly, a smaller bedroom may not have the space for a gargantuan reclaimed wood wardrobe and so you need to be creative about storage solutions. Adding too much ‘stuff’ on top of wardrobes and over the bed can shorten the room, making it look and feel smaller.

Instead, opt for custom made under the bed storage drawers. Made to contrast and complement the rest of the bedroom, they are ideal for storing all kinds of bits and bobs, clothes included.

Substitute the bedside table for a small chest of drawers if you want to combine ample storage with surface space too.

The Remainder of the Room…

Ditch the clutter of a sidelight with a dimmable central pendant light that also acts the wow factor in the room
This reclaimed wood wardrobe with its small footprint is ideal as it won’t dominate the room but place it where it can be easily accessed (no excuse not to put clean clothes away…)
And don’t forget that the working space needs to be in good light so that when they are studying, they are not doing so in shadow.

How will you decorate your small bedroom to give the illusion of space?

Are dining tables with drawers in or out of fashion?

For those of us with long memories, the dining table complete with almost-hidden drawers were a common sight in the kitchen dining table.

The ‘everyday’ dining table had the ‘everyday’ cutlery stored in the drawer and other odd bits and bobs. But in the dining room table, the drawer was home to the best cutlery. It was almost hallowed ground, a place that only those with permission could go…

Our use of the dining table and the dining room made be different today and far less formal than in years gone by but the dining table complete with drawers is very much back in fashion. Some of us would argue the farmhouse table with drawers never went out of fashion.

The Appeal of the Farmhouse Style

If you think farmhouse furniture means overly chunky, then you take a look at what this painted farmhouse-style reclaimed wood table would give you.

As well as a farmhouse dining table with finesse and style, it is also perfectly practical too:

Extendable – for when guests arrive, you can simply add an extra length to the farmhouse dining table with an extendable ‘flap’, meaning you can enjoy a meal without clashing elbows with your neighbour.
Versatile – this farmhouse kitchen table would work well in any situation, with the chairs and/or bench enhancing its beauty. Team with upholstered dining chairs or mix n’ match with a wooden bench or two.
The drawer – choose from a one or two drawer style and keep your every day or best cutlery close to hand. Also, a great place to keep placemats, napkins and other must-have items at meal times.
Unique – reclaimed wood furniture is fantastic, no two ways about it. This reclaimed wood rustic dining table is beautiful, smooth and with a warmth all of its own, each item is unique because every pattern and grain is unique…

Function and Finesses

People love the farmhouse look for its solid features, curves and the appeal it has to be able to withstand the rigours that family life throws at it.

But you may want a refined look for the ‘best’ dining room. For those of us that enjoy entertaining, we know how important the surroundings of the dining room are. The setting of the table, the flicker of the candles in the table centre, the feel of the smooth linen napkin all help the taste buds to enjoy the food on offer.

The Barclays reclaimed wood dining table packs a punch in terms of style. And like its Earlier mentioned counterpart, has everything that you need;

Drawer space – cleverly disguised as four small drawers, the end of the table actually has one large drawer, ideal for storing place mats, napkins, cutlery and more.
Stylishly unique – again, there is something beautiful about each piece and that is because each piece is unique. Reclaimed wood tells a story, and far from compromising the table, every undulation and blemish adds to its beauty.
Dine in elegance – shine the spotlight on its elegance further with customisable leather and fabric dining chairs.

Too Many Choices?

There are, of course, dining room sets that take the uncertainty of pairing chairs and benches with a dining table to get the right look for you home, making it even easier to have the dining room style you want.

Does a dining table with drawers appeal to you?

How many calories can you burn in a Lazy Day

Whilst it may be summer at the moment, living in England, the summer is never without its rainy days – the perfect day for a lazy day at home. And now you don’t even need to feel guilty for taking a day to relax and rewind at home, because even lazy day activities burn calories!

Just because its a lazy day doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll want to be in your pyjamas all day. Some simple getting ready activities actually burn calories. For example, burn 68 calories for putting on makeup for 30 minutes and blowdrying you hair burns roughly 170 calories in an hour. Sit on a gorgeous club chair to add a bit of luxury to your lazy getting ready. Even having a shower and towelling off burns calories – 91 calories in 30 minutes to be precise!

And what about lazy day activities? Why not play a game or two with your friends of family – a 2 hour game of Scrabble will burn 200 calories and give your brain a work out too! Pop your game of scrabble on a stunning coffee table with storage to get your whole family sat around. You could even pop a couple of sneaky treats in the drawers so you don’t have to get up to go to the kitchen.

But you even burn calories watching the television, which is good news for binge watching your new favourite TV programme. Lying quietly whilst watching TV will burn 36 calories every 30 minutes but will increase to 60 calories if you are a fidgeter. Make sure you have the perfect TV set up for your TV marathon – a white wood TV unit with storage space for media players and TV boxes means everything is all in one place.

Lazy days for many involve ordering takeaways so you can sit back and relax – so make sure you have the perfect brown leather sofa to do so! But if you fancy cooking dinner, you’ll actually burn some of it off! Making dinner for 1 hour will burn 238 calories and might even burn off enough calories for an ice cream treat after dinner. Singing whilst you cook will burn even more calories, with singing for an hour burning 136 calories. Alternatively, order a takeaway. If you are up for leaving the sofa on your lazy day, you could walk and collect it.

And why not enjoy a lazy day with a friend? Laughing burns roughly 50 calories for every 30 minutes of laughing.

So there you have it – take a day to relax and burn calories all at once!

The best ideas on how to decorate a small dining room

Any small room can be difficult to decorate, especially as you want to make the most of the space you have available. In a small dining room, decorating and accessorising can be even harder.

This is because you need to introduce a dining table that fits the space both in terms of physical dimension, but also in the way it looks.

Of all the things that you cannot compromise on, it is the dining table, its size, style and appeal. And the good news is, you don’t have to.

Two tone dining room

Use a darker colour between the picture railing and the top of the wall, where it meets the ceiling. Use it alongside a white ceiling and a lighter colour on the walls. Offset the whole look with a dark flooring solution.

Fresh and appealing, this two-tone look – try fresh blues, white and cream – works well with a rustic dining table, complete with duck egg blue striped upholstered dining chairs. Or, opt for neutral tones such as grey upholstered dining chairs.

Add depth of colour with the dining chairs and dining bench

If you worry that upholstered chairs and benches won’t last the test of time at the dining table, as well as choosing the right fabric, you could also opt for a patterned or heavily coloured one to give you a fighting chance between upholstery cleaning.

Adding a darker tone to a room also helps to define it, but in a small space, you don’t want to use too much. Dark wood dining benches, easy to keep clean, add a colour dimension to your dining room.

Richness and warmth

Any dining experience, whether it is your usual weekday evening meal together or a more formal dining occasion with friends needs to have the right setting. And for this, you need the right furniture.

Wood brings warmth and elegance to any space and is not to be underestimated in the dining room. As well as saving space with a dining bench, why not ring the changes with this high backed dining bench that will certainly add a sense of warmth and richness to your dining room? Add cushions and throws for extra texture.

A reclaimed wood dining table needs the chairs and benches to frame it perfectly, which is why these leather dining chairs work well.

Choose additional furniture carefully

In any space, but especially a smaller one, every item needs to have a place and a function. An elegant dresser does everything you need in a dining room and more. With our range of solid, handcrafted reclaimed wood dressers, there is something for every dining room, every style and every budget.

To recap…

In a dining room, for maximum practicality and versatility, consider a dining table with bench as part of your dining furniture
For versatility when it comes to hosting small or large dinner parties, there is no doubt an extending dining table and chair set will be the number one choice.
Rustic and reclaimed wood dining table can be the depth of colour and interest you need in a small dining room, especially with neutral walls.

How will you dress your smaller dining room?