Serene Sitting Rooms

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These days we have almost lost sight of the restrained and tranquil sitting room, with a solitary clock marking the time and soothing vistas of green. Either sofas and chairs have been swallowed up into an open-plan living area, leaving no opportunity for privacy, or a separate sitting room is dominated by the TV and - increasingly - the computer as well. While it's impossible to mourn the passing of the formal front drawing room, reserved for 'best' (and full of uncomfortable chairs), there is still a need for a soothing sitting room at home. A good one should offer solace at the end of a busy day and physical separation from kitchen-life in a hectic household.

So even if there is an open-plan living area on the ground floor, try to assign one room as a separate sitting room. In many homes, it has been the practice to have a grown-up drawing room in the biggest entertaining space and a family 'snug'. Think about reversing that trend. Isn't it better to relegate the TV and computer to a large multifunctional kitchen / sitting / dining area and reserve a small room as a peaceful sanctum? Size is not the issue: this is not a room for impressing guests but a retreat to please you. To ensure maximum peace (and privacy), it is a good idea to choose a first-floor room that is close to the bedrooms, or one to the rear of a single-level flat.

Early on, define the purpose of the sitting room 부산그랜드룸. We all have a different notion of a serene space. It could be the chance to replace the TV with a hi-tech music system with 'invisible' ceiling speakers. For some, it gives license to line the room with shelves of books and magazines; for others, a tranquil sitting room is a minimalist's dream - all empty walls and cool colors, with zero reminders of everyday paperwork. In an adults-only sitting room opening onto an enclosed garden you can focus on lying down and contemplating the natural world. Think carefully before installing a computer and ask yourself whether a phone is truly necessary. If this is a chill-out room, then it's OK to remove communications so that everyone can (literally) switch off.

When getting the orientation of the room right, remember that a sitting room planned for contemplation, rather than socializing, requires a whole new set of criteria. Most of us don't have the luxury of choosing between multiple reception rooms, but try to remain open-minded while you mentally review the available space across the whole house or flat. Formal drawing rooms are often at the front of a properly and may boast elaborate architectural detailing, higher ceilings and more generous dimensions. A soothing sitting room, on the other hand, will benefit from more intimate proportions, so you might consider converting a bedroom. The room should be as peaceful as possible, so may be better situated at the rear of the house. While the ideal formal sitting room is south facing, a west-facing room also has many benefits: evening sunshine and shadows fluttering across bare walls are remarkably atmospheric.

Good windows are crucial. Conventionally, we rate them in terms of size (and how much light they let in) and architectural style (grand and simple). Yet in a room devoted to relaxation, the view beyond the window is vital.