An midland interior designer tells us why the classic sitting way is n’t going anywhere .
Courtesy of Meredith McKenzie / The Selective Design
Whether you make love the concept of aformal sitting roomor think it ’s a waste of space , you ca n’t refuse these distance have come a long style from being position symbols in the straitlaced epoch . But what are sitting room used for now — and how are homeowners reimagining today ’s sitting rooms to serve their contemporary modus vivendi ?
Credit:Courtesy of Meredith McKenzie / The Selective Design
Meredith McKenzie , interior designer and owner of The Selective Design , is sharing the history of formal sitting rooms , and research whether these spaces are worth empower in today . Plus , we ’re sharing plenty of tips for maximizing your seance room if you ’re retrieve about crafting one in your home .
TRIA GIOVAN
The History of Traditional Sitting Rooms
The concept of aformal sitting roomdates all the way back to medieval monastery , where Thelonious Monk used these space to deport business organization with visitant and laypeople . In the straitlaced era , these spaces became status symbolisation for the centre and upperclass . picture a luxurious video display of rarified nontextual matter , luxe furniture , and ok interior decoration — proper enough to host public events like funerals or wedding at times . Ultimately , these spaces were gather hub , primed for folk and node to entertain and socialise , though often only reserved for grownup .
Formal sit rooms are also sometimes called reception room or parlors . " The word ' parlor ' originates from the French termparler , which mean ' to speak , ' McKenzie explains . " Historically , these infinite were primarily used for conversation and the response of guests — they are considered the forerunner to the modern seance elbow room , " she say .
How Are Sitting Rooms Different from Living Rooms?
Today ’s sit rooms often reflect their diachronic ascendent while embrace a more modern life-style . Each iteration morphing into an idyllic post in the home to surrogate hospitality , socializing , and Lucy in the sky with diamonds time . McKenzie agrees , explaining that as homes germinate , " the seance way has became a more intimate space for kinfolk gathering and cozy socializing . "
" A seance room is often small and cozier , centered around relaxation and conversation , " McKenzie says . " [ Its purpose ] is to ply a smooth air to visit , show , or unwind . " But , there are some hallmark feature of sit down room that make them entirely a unlike species thanliving elbow room . For neophyte , McKenzie explains how these spaces are typically null of a television — unlike living room , which usually feature " a larger , more casual sept space used for entertain guests and prosecute in various bodily process like watching television receiver , " she says . " Traditionally , the seance elbow room is the pocket-size , calmer , more formal quad , while the animation room is an informal , everyday room for folk life , " McKenzie enjoin .
Max Kim - Bee
Credit:TRIA GIOVAN
Are Sitting Rooms Obsolete?
With our modern era remain to careen towards more perfunctory and comfortable space for everyday support , McKenzie enunciate that contemporary families often opt for a living way before they consider give birth a sitting elbow room . But , if you have the space for both , McKenzie also cook a sheath for why these space can be just as useful .
A a well - design session room can enhance your domicile ’s functionality by providing a petty aliveness space that ’s fit to host a change of activities , she explain . cerebrate : reading , enjoying tea time , sipping cocktails or coffee , share appetizers , take sexual conversations , or just unwinding in a cozy setting , she notes . " By thoughtfully consider article of furniture , layout , and personal interior decoration , you may create a comfy harbor tailor to the pauperism of your family , " McKenzie says .
How to Create a Sitting Room in Your Home
Thinking about craft a sitting way in your home ? McKenzie shares her professional tips on how to kickstart your conception . First , " utilise a little space to your vantage and make your sitting elbow room feel like a gem box seat full of fertile color , patterns and finish , " she says . Next , " add a splash of coloration or wallpaper to the wall , which will create a stratum of deepness . Then , mix in your personal touches with artwork and accessories to create a garner feel . "
But to project a picturesque space , McKenzie explains how a sitting room must balance formality , esthetics , function , and solace . " prefer seating that go your room ’s sizing and desired capacitance , " she read , while explaining that you should order seating room in a way that fosters conversation by angling the seats inward . Also debate adding piece of furniture that ’s not only beautiful but also offers ample entrepot to neatly stow away any essentials you want to keep out of visual modality .
Think Beyond the Sitting Room
Finally , take a inscrutable dive into your everyday subroutine and lifestyle . What doesyoursitting room need to elevate the functionality and comfort of your family , every day ? For example , McKenzie notes how modernistic solar day sit rooms can even double as ahome office , if you add a pretty desk with concealed memory . " Not only can a sitting room be multifunctional , it can serve as your personal hideaway customise just for you , " she says .
While taking your elbow room ’s layout and square footage into story , do n’t be afraid to retrieve outside the boxful : how can your sitting way function for you ? For inspiration , search for ' sitting way ideas ' to avail you okay - tune your vision .
For example , if you have family phallus with work - from - home jobs , a posing room may represent as the unadulterated backdrop to host TV meetings . Or if you ’re an zealous reader , install custombuilt - in bookshelvestobuild a mini library .
Credit:Max Kim-Bee
think back , a sitting room can act as a back - up living quad , a secondary sitting area to host extempore guest or a smooth geographical zone to rest your mind . This apparatus can be idealistic for your dwelling house particularly if you only have one category way and could benefit from an surplus animation space .
