Family Lounge Design

Aspiration mood board incorporating a burgundy and green colour scheme as well as some reeded wood panelling and velvet cushion covers

Introduction

Ox-Blood Red was the jumping off point for this project. My client had read a Blog that I had posted about this ‘on-trend’ hue and had fallen in love with it. She could immediately see how it could transform her family lounge into a cosy haven suitable for a movie night or for entertaining guests. The more challenging aspect of the project was to address the layout of the room so that it worked more successfully.

specifics

  • The lounge had two focal points; a widescreen TV and a log-burning stove
  • A number of items of furniture, primarily the two grey leather sofas, would be staying in the lounge
  • A number of items would need to be replaced such as the TV stand
  • A number of new items, such as a mirrored screen, would need to be incorporated
  • A vertical radiator, finished in Anthracite Grey, had been purchased to replace the existing one
  • A chevron oak parquet floor, chosen by the client, would need to be incorporated

Step 1; Exploring Lounge Layout Options

I explored various options to create a scheme that was to be both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Some were more ambitious than others but the purpose was to start a conversation with regards to the most suitable solution for the family.

The client had two sofas both of which are to be incorporated into scheme. I was also given authority to utilise furniture from the dining room and in a number of the schemes I earmarked the existing sideboard to replace the tired T.V. stand.

LOUNGE SCHEME 1

BOTH SOFAS POSITIONED AGAINST THE SAME WALL WITH ROOM DIVIDER CREATING TWO ZONES

In this first scheme both sofas are placed against the same wall with the mirrored screen acting as a room divider. The sideboard from the dining room would be repurposed and modified to act as a surface on which the T.V. would stand. In this scenario the room would be split into two separate zones, one for T.V. viewing and the other for relaxing in front of the fire. If guests were to be accommodated the screen would be folded back and the smaller sofa turned at 90°.

LOUNGE SCHEME 2

SOFAS POSITIONED AGAINST OPPOSITE WALLS WITH ROOM DIVIDER CREATING TWO ZONES

Similarly, In this scheme the room would be split into two separate zones, one for T.V. viewing and the other for relaxing in front of the fire.The sofas are placed against opposite walls with the mirrored screen acting as a room divider.The sideboard from the dining room would, again, be repurposed and modified to act as a surface on which the T.V. would stand.If guests were to be accommodated the screen would be folded back and the smaller sofa turned at 90° and the chair put to one side

LOUNGE SCHEME 3

SMALL SOFA PLACED AT AN ANGLE TO CREATE A COSY T.V. & FIRESIDE SPACE

Scheme 3 sees a development of the two previous schemes and has the sofas placed in a more sociable arrangement.The mirrored screen is mostly decorative but would be instrumental in reflecting some of the natural light from the window around the room. It is placed at an angle to echo that of the small sofa. Again, the modified sideboard is used to to support the T.V. The armchair is included in the circular seating arrangement allowing family and guests to socialise whilst enjoying the fire and the T.V.

LOUNGE SCHEME 4

BESPOKE CABINETRY BUILT TO DISGUISE CHIMNEY BREAST & CREATE A SYMMETRICAL WALL UNIT

Scheme 4 is the most ambitious of the five schemes. Here a bespoke cabinet would be designed and built to accommodate an integral natural flame fire with the T.V. mounted above. The chimney breast would be clad in a ‘reeded’ Naturewall™️ panel and the opening used to house a pull-out bar or a set of drawers. To balance the design a second symmetrical Naturewall™️ clad structure would be built and, again, used for pull-out storage. This arrangement allows for the competing focal points to be viewed as one.

LOUNGE SCHEME 5A

LOUNGE DIVIDED INTO TWO DISCRETE ZONES; ONE FOR DINING AND ONE FIRESIDE

Scheme 5 sees a departure from using the this room as a lounge. Instead it is split into two separate zones with the help of the screen. One zone would be for dining and the other for relaxing in front of the fire. This option would necessitate repurposing the Dining Room as a cosy T.V/entertaining sitting room. (See below for the dining room floor plan). In this scenario the existing dining furniture would be positioned with a view of the garden whilst the two small upholstered chairs would sit neatly in front of the fire for quiet nights in

LOUNGE SCHEME 5B

EXISTING DINING ROOM REDESIGNED TO HOUSE A COSY T.V. & ENTERTAINING SPACE

In this final scheme the dining room is used to accommodate both sofas, the silver metal box and the side table as well as a T.V. Whilst this room is not as spacious as the lounge its aspect makes it ideal for a cosy ‘home theatre’. The sofas are positioned opposite one another which is perfect for socialising with friends but less ideal for watching T.V. with a crowd. Sitting with feet up, and facing the T.V., would be an option and therefore ideal for the family to snuggle up to watch a movie.

Step 2; Aspirational Lounge Mood Board

This Mood Board brings together some tones, textures and materials that would make the client’s lounge sing.

Step 3; Lounge Finishes

The finishes selected were a mix of the client’s own furnishings which were to be integrated into the design, and the desire for a warm and cosy ‘Ox-Blood’ scheme. The chosen wallpaper is central to the overall look and feel of the room. Its deep burgundy background is lit up with a muted palette of pinks and greens. Using this as a starting point, and drawing on some of the foliage as accent colours, would have the effect of bringing in some complimentary shades and to echo the garden beyond. The client’s cool greys and silvers would sit comfortably against this warm, immersive back drop.

Step 4; Lounge Elevations & Perspectives

This set of elevations and perspectives illustrate the bespoke cabinetry built to disguise the chimney breast and to create a symmetrical wall unit. They bring to life the floor plan which, in turn, illustrates the layout of the furniture and furnishings.

The thought process behind this design was to bring together the two focal points in the room so that they wouldn’t be competing with one another for attention. In essence the opening for the log-burning stove would be closed off and a flame effect fire installed to the left-hand side of it to replace it. This would be housed within the new cabinetry along with the flat-screen T.V. which would be mounted above. A storage cabinet, built to the same proportions as the chimney breast, would be constructed to create a symmetrical vista. Both the chimney breast and cabinet would be clad in a reeded wood panel and have identical door/drawer fronts to provide access to the storage built within the voids. A shelf would be incorporated above the T.V. to display the clients silver ornaments. Wall lights and artwork would be added for decoration.

Summary

The above information was taken from a formal presentation that I created for my client and her family. I received some really positive feedback with regards to all of the lounge schemes but the one they chose was Scheme 4. The client said:

We were completely blown away with the presentation and have decided to adopt Scheme 4.

There was clearly a lot of information to digest but it was really satisfying to receive a universal decision from the whole family.

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