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What You Need: Living Room |
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When looking for living room furniture, the
pieces don't all have to come from the same set. They should
complement each other and not look like you scored some hand-me-downs
from your Uncle Gus' attic. Sofa, So Good:
You need to have a place for people to sit when they drop by. A
sofa or loveseat will work as primary seating for most
apartments. Whatever it is has to be in proportion to the
room. If your place is small, get a loveseat (it seats 2).
If the place is big, you may want both. Try several for comfort (some
prefer really soft cushions for Sunday afternoon, others like firmer
ones for, well, we don't know what) and go for something that might
already match or complement either the color of your rug or your walls.
One more option to consider is a sofa with a fold-out beds. If you have
folks crash at your place often, a sofa/bed makes a good option.
Musical Chairs:
You'll want at least one chair, maybe more — you can pull it up to the
sofa to talk to folks — but don't make it a La-Z-Boy. Yes, they're
comfortable, but they also recall Al Bundy of "Married With Children,"
so opt for something with a little more style. It should be simple, and
have a seat comfortable enough to be in for a while. Dining room chairs
will also work in a pinch.
Coffee Table Talk:
There needs to be a place for company to put wine glasses down when
they come over, and for you to put your Cheetos during the bowl games
(other than in your lap). When you look for a coffee table,
you're not just limited to an actual "table". You can be creative about
this by using a trunk or a bench. Something with storage (at least a
shelf on the bottom) is a good idea. It should be in proportion to the
room and the rest of the furniture.
This is the End Tables:
Ideally you would want one end table for each seating area, but if you
have a coffee table for the sofa or loveseat, even having one end table
next to the chair is plenty.
Cuttin' the Rug/Carpet:
If you're renting, many apartments may require you to cover most of the
floors. If not, you probably don't like cold feet, so rugs are a good
idea anyway. Rugs can be really cool pieces for the room, adding a bit
of color and style, and they don't have to cost a bundle (again, this
is why Ikea was invented). You'll need a carpet pad slightly smaller
than the dimensions of the rug, otherwise it will look like underpants
peeking out from beneath.
The Center of Your Universe:
Your stereo and CDs (vinyl for the audiophile), TV, and video player
and DVDs (or VHS tapes) reside here. Any books you want to display
would live here, as well. If you have a lot of books, you may
need both a cabinet and a bookcase, but think about something with
multiple shelving areas that can serve double-duty. Without arguing for
or against the merits of TV in society, if you have one in the living
room then all eyes will go there, so consider getting a cabinet with
doors to keep the TV out of sight for intimate moments.
Lamps/Lighting Unto My Place:
Most apartments have some basic overhead lighting in the living room,
but by adding a dimmer switch to that light or by using lamps you can
give the room some atmosphere and set a mood. For your lamps, please no
cheesy hula girls or bowling pins. If you're pressed for table
space, get a floor lamp. Candles also work, but melted wax is bad for
your furniture and floors so get some holders for the candles.
Ceramics and Coasters Make a Statement:
Speaking of messing up the furniture, Mom was right when she Kirk'ed
out at you about water rings being left on tables by your drinking
glass. Coasters solve this problem, are cheap, and come in a wide range
of materials (anything from plastic to ceramic to metal). Use them for
glassware or beneath vases or ceramics. Get your hands on an attractive
vase or bowl and stick a bunch of flowers in there when you're having
people over. Gerber daisies and alstromeria are cheap, come in lots of
colors, and look great. |
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Your Place 
