These images show the “perfect” living room layout to improve your mood and wellbeing at home – and the mistakes Brits most often make with their décor. A series of digital renders were created after expert insight highlighted the most common front room mistakes people make.
These range from too much furniture packed too close together with little storage, to choosing the wrong colour scheme, or using synthetic air fresheners.
Pippa Jameson, author of The Sensory Home, is working with leading furniture retailer DFS to help Brits create a home that feels good and works for them.
She revealed “flow” is vital when it comes to the sensory experience, with furniture that is too big for a room being something to avoid – as well as pieces blocking walkways, or being closer than 90cm together.
Pippa said: “A mistake people make all the time is following conventions – they see something on social media and think, “I must have it”.”
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Pippa’s advice comes after a study of 2,000 adults, commissioned by DFS, revealed 56 percent don’t think the layout of their living room is perfect – but 36 percent of these aren’t sure what the issue is.
This comes as 64 percent want to redesign their front room for a more calming “vibe”, whilst 72 percent want to feel relaxed in their sitting room.
Pippa said: “We become blind to rooms that aren’t working, and it’s hard to see a problem when you’re in it.
“When people move in, they choose a room and don’t optimise it for their lifestyle, so they sometimes have unconscious stress.
“This means a room isn’t working and they don’t really know why, what they have done wrong, or how to fix it.
“So first and foremost, you must work out what the functionality of the room is going to be.
“Now more than ever, our rooms are multifunctional, so you need to make sure your furniture suits this.
“For example, having modular sofas that you can switch up, or an extendable table that can also be an office and a dining area.”
The research went on to find that having too much stuff in the room (45 percent), and not enough storage (40 percent), are cited as top reasons why a living space isn’t quite perfect – whilst almost a fifth (19 percent) don’t like the colour scheme in their room.
However, a comfy sofa ranked highest as the item which really makes a house feel like a home – with leather and cotton the materials Brits are most likely to turn to provide comfort.
But a third are unsure of which materials to use to achieve a sense of homeliness.
Furthermore, two-thirds believe the layout of a room impacts their mood, and 73 percent feel like their living room is a sanctuary from the stresses of everyday life.
Pippa said: “Our home environment is intrinsically linked to our mental health.
“Lack of storage and clutter is the number one cause of stress, as it’s a constant presence that can make us feel out of control and chaotic.
“One of the biggest mistakes I see people make in their living rooms is not thinking about the power of scent.
“We all know how much of an impact smell can have on us – it can transport us, and is so powerful – but very few people utilise this.
“People have similar issues with light. It’s really important to “layer” your lighting, rather than simply using the “big light” all the time, to have light that can change through the day.
“I use striped LED lighting to regulate the room for sensory reasons, and to introduce colour in a subtle way.”
Lou Petersen, head of design innovation at DFS, added: “Our study shows that many households may not be aware of how our interiors can impact our mood, and that making a few small changes to their homes could make a big difference when it comes to how they feel in the space.
“Whilst 61 percent of households default to white, brown/beige, or grey for the colour of their living room walls, many are missing out on the relaxing properties of colour.
“Our homes are our sanctuaries from the stresses of everyday life, and whilst we tend to prioritise how they look, it’s also important to create a home that makes you feel good – whatever your style “thing” is, or the mood you’re trying to create.”