Family Reading Room
There’s no doubt an incredible amount of thought goes into designing a home. Each room, carefully thought through, visually realized from paper, to framing, to drywall all the way to completion. That’s where our expertise comes in. Our ability to visualize a space offers insight, creativity and peace of mind as spaces are brought to life.
When our clients came to us with the task of selecting furniture for their new Veranda Custom Home, this particular room stood out. They were uncertain their vision for the space could be achieved based on the shape and size of the room. Concerned about furniture placement their hope was for a cozy family reading room, and just weren’t sure how it would all come together.
Enter the Nyla Free Designs team! Up for the challenge we set out to create a layout suitable for lounging, reading and good old fashioned hanging out. Directly off the upper floor hallway and conveniently close to all bedrooms, this space would be the “pre-bedtime” spot for this family of five to wind down, read and have some family cuddles at the end of the day.
Along the main wall sits an almost 10’ long, extra deep, pale blue/grey sofa. This nearly fills the entire wall providing a lot of space for one or many to hang out in.
Built-ins painted with Benjamin Moore's Witching Hour 2120-30, fill the opposite wall and are packed with books and special memories. Additionally, a bench seat, upholstered in a plaid fabric nestles between the shelves to provide additional space to curl up in.
We added a round ottoman to rest feet, sit on or use as a coffee table and finished off the space with a comfortable and stylish, navy velvet lounge chair in the corner. Walking into the space you’re greeted by the gallery wall showcasing special interests and hobbies along with family photos.
We're sharing 5 tips for designing a small, family friendly space:
Determine Function
Determining how the space will be used is critical in moving towards selecting furniture. Whether for lounging, TV watching, game playing or all of the above, the function of the room should create a clear(er) path to next steps in the process. Other questions to ask include:
How many will occupy it?
What time of day will it be mostly used?
What ages of people will use the space?
Less is More
An automatic thought in a small space is to fill it with small furniture. In fact the opposite is best. Choosing the largest pieces (within the proper scale) that are able to fit in the room will fill the space while keeping things simple and less busy.
Dark Doesn’t Mean Small
In this case we painted the built-in book case dark which grounds the space and adds interest. Offset by a darker ottoman and rich coloured chair, the light sectional provides a light and airy feel while still maintaining drama.
Make It Personal
Create a space your family wants to spend time in with warmth, texture and all sorts of family memories. Whether it be a favourite colour, family vacation or specific sport or hobby, celebrate what makes your people special by infusing this into elements of the decor.
Comfort Rules All
If the furniture isn’t comfortable, no one will use it. Period. If it’s a space you intend to use often and the budget affords it, invest in well built, mid-high end furniture, with durable, family friendly fabrics.
Our clients were over the moon with the result of this room. As are we! What better way to spend time as a family, instil a love of reading and a passion to learn then to have a space dedicated to do so in.
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Interior Design: Nyla Free Designs Inc.
Builder: Veranda Estate Homes Inc.