Sir Terence Conran on living room space-saving

Living rooms are hubs of activity – eating, working, watching television, reading and even sleeping may all go on in one place. Organization is vital to prevent chaos ensuing! Sir Terence Conran, author of ‘Storage – Get Organized’, advises on how best to use this space.

Multipurpose Areas

The more activities a living area has to accommodate, the more critical the spatial planning becomes.

The first step is to decide whether any of the present functions the area serves could be shifted elsewhere to relieve some of the pressure on space.

Decanting a whole category of possessions – books, for example – can make a vast difference to the overall atmosphere and mood.

Breathing space is more conducive to promoting a feeling of relaxation than pieces of expensive furniture or the latest electronic gadget. The living area should first and foremost be a place where whatever is on view is what you truly like and appreciate.

There are various ways you can build in flexibility if you are very short of space –

1. If the living area is the only place you can put up overnight guests, consider buying a sofa bed. Invest in the best you can afford; cheaper versions don’t function well in either mode. Alternatively, folding mattresses such as futons or covered blocks of foam can serve as additional seating during the day and a spare bed at night.

2. Stools double up as occasional tables or extra seats, and can be stacked out of the way when not required.

3. Build in additional storage space in the form of a window seat. The space beneath can provide a useful cache for extra bedding, toys and games, or your DVD or video library.

4. If you need to use the living area for eating, but floor area is limited, consider installing a built-in table that can be folded back against the wall when not in use.

5. Similarly, if you need to use the living area for concentrated work, think about incorporating a pull-out desk or work station within an alcove that can be screened from view at other times.

6. A trunk or blanket box can double up as storage and a low table.

This is an extract from Sir Terence Conran’s ‘Storage – Get Organized’.