Take the Focus Off Television:

7 Simple Steps to Make Your Space More Welcoming

Set up your Living Room/Family Room for Non-Electronic Relaxation. So Many People unconsciously set up their gathering rooms theather-style, for passive television viewing.

Several years ago I did a consultation with a focus on making the TV-free living room more welcoming for family and guests. When I called my client a week later she told me that her 13 year old daughter said for the first time, "I don’t know why, but I feel like hanging out in the living room." Yeah!!! What was the surprisingly simple cure? Read on.

As a home design consultant there are several ways you can make your living room and/or family room more welcoming and comfortable. Your time away from passive electronic entertainment will be more enjoyable, rather than a bitter pill.

Here are 7 Simple Steps to Make Your Space More Welcoming and Relaxing: Using Architectural Psychology and Interior Design.

Move your furniture closer together. Many homes, even small ones, place their sofa and chairs against the wall creating "Shouting Distance." Architectural Psychology knows that face-to-face Conversational Distance is 1 ½ -4 feet. Create a circle or half circle with your chairs. This makes eye contact easier and conversation more relaxed.

Illuminate your space. Move your lamps to where you are sitting. This will make reading, board games and crafts more comfortable. Overhead lighting does not count; it does not meet functional or emotional needs.

Clear off your coffee table and side tables. Your coffee table is the place where people will naturally gather. Make it easy to set up a board game, spread out crafts or rest a book or magazine.

Add a healthy plant or vase of cut flowers. A touch of nature brings so much life and energy into a room.

"Plant" books, games and crafts in the room. Or a bowl of popcorn or some sliced fruit. Don’t be too obvious; the key word here is "subtle."

Background music sets the mood. Or enjoying music can be the focus of your time there.

Go in, relax, enjoy the space and see what happens.

What changes did I recommend for my client? Add 4 floor lamps to replace the inadequate recessed ceiling light. One lamp on each side of the sofa seating area, and one lamp next to each of two reading chairs near the fireplace. It was that simple.