Fun Houzz: Clever Ways to Share Your Living Space Harmoniously
Maintain a happy household with these tips for sharing your living space, whether with a clutterbug, a home worker – or a furry friend
Sharing your main living space with a close friend, a large group of people, a partner or even a pet can be difficult for different reasons, depending on the person (or animal…). It can also be a thoroughly enjoyable experience, especially with a few added measures to make it so. With some clever tricks, tucks and storage tweaks, harmony can reign in your shared living space. Do you live with any of the types featured below? Check out these ways to cope if so…
…with a part-time lodger
Many people are starting to open up their homes to part- or full-time lodgers as housing shortages and high rents become a greater problem in our cities. Even if you only have one bedroom, you can still open up your home to a lodger who is only there for a few days a week by investing in multi-functional furniture. This is also a great way to make a guest room work harder.
A good-quality sofa bed with a sprung base and an easy-to-assemble mechanism is a must. By day it can be used for everyday seating, while at night it can fold out to become a comfortable bed for your lodger.
A nearby built-in cupboard or freestanding storage unit is also essential for stashing bedding that can be accessed simply and quickly.
Check out essential furniture for compact spaces
Many people are starting to open up their homes to part- or full-time lodgers as housing shortages and high rents become a greater problem in our cities. Even if you only have one bedroom, you can still open up your home to a lodger who is only there for a few days a week by investing in multi-functional furniture. This is also a great way to make a guest room work harder.
A good-quality sofa bed with a sprung base and an easy-to-assemble mechanism is a must. By day it can be used for everyday seating, while at night it can fold out to become a comfortable bed for your lodger.
A nearby built-in cupboard or freestanding storage unit is also essential for stashing bedding that can be accessed simply and quickly.
Check out essential furniture for compact spaces
…with a bookworm
Avid readers make for great house buddies, as you’ll have an ever-ready supply of reading matter at your disposal. But they will need somewhere to stash their growing library, or you’ll end up with piles of paperbacks strewn across your home.
Take a look around your place for unused spaces and alcoves, and commission a carpenter to craft bespoke shelving to store those classics in a neat and orderly fashion. For a renter-friendly alternative, try freestanding shelving units propped securely against a spare wall.
And if your housemate moves out and takes their books with them, you can simply start your own library, or fill the shelves with interesting objects and collections.
Avid readers make for great house buddies, as you’ll have an ever-ready supply of reading matter at your disposal. But they will need somewhere to stash their growing library, or you’ll end up with piles of paperbacks strewn across your home.
Take a look around your place for unused spaces and alcoves, and commission a carpenter to craft bespoke shelving to store those classics in a neat and orderly fashion. For a renter-friendly alternative, try freestanding shelving units propped securely against a spare wall.
And if your housemate moves out and takes their books with them, you can simply start your own library, or fill the shelves with interesting objects and collections.
…with a pet
Make your pet feel like a real part of the family by creating a special space for him or her. In fact, a built-in dog nook isn’t as crazy as it might sound, as it means you’ll be free of a pet bed and cushions getting in your way. As a bonus, your furry friend will love being in the heart of the household rather than being tucked away in the kitchen or hallway.
If you’re thinking about commissioning a bespoke piece of furniture for your living room, simply include an integrated sleep space for your dog, so it ties into the design of your room. For furry friends of the smaller variety, such as cats or petite pooches, you can carve out an area in a sideboard for a little built-in bed.
This circular cut-out nook is neat, chic and completely in tune with the living room décor. You can make yours super-cosy with blankets and cushions to ensure your pet loves it all the more.
Make your pet feel like a real part of the family by creating a special space for him or her. In fact, a built-in dog nook isn’t as crazy as it might sound, as it means you’ll be free of a pet bed and cushions getting in your way. As a bonus, your furry friend will love being in the heart of the household rather than being tucked away in the kitchen or hallway.
If you’re thinking about commissioning a bespoke piece of furniture for your living room, simply include an integrated sleep space for your dog, so it ties into the design of your room. For furry friends of the smaller variety, such as cats or petite pooches, you can carve out an area in a sideboard for a little built-in bed.
This circular cut-out nook is neat, chic and completely in tune with the living room décor. You can make yours super-cosy with blankets and cushions to ensure your pet loves it all the more.
…with a bike enthusiast
If you’re sharing your home with a cycle-mad housemate, partner or teenager and don’t have a shed or garage with storage space, then one option is to hang up the bike on your living room or hall wall, as if it were a piece of art.
Obviously this design strategy works best if the bike is beautiful to begin with, but it’s still incredibly practical if not. Check out the large range of bike hangers now on the market.
If you’re sharing your home with a cycle-mad housemate, partner or teenager and don’t have a shed or garage with storage space, then one option is to hang up the bike on your living room or hall wall, as if it were a piece of art.
Obviously this design strategy works best if the bike is beautiful to begin with, but it’s still incredibly practical if not. Check out the large range of bike hangers now on the market.
…with a large family
For me, there’s nothing nicer than being part of a large family unit, as there’s sure to be someone around and about if you fancy a quick chat. It might be that you have several siblings or lots of children, or you rent a room in a big, shared household.
For a big household to remain happy household, be sure you have enough seating for everyone. Invest in a huge sofa, a few occasional chairs and even comfy beanbags that can be brought out as necessary. This way, squabbles over who’s sitting where for film night can be kept to a minimum.
See tips for staying sane while hosting a get-together
For me, there’s nothing nicer than being part of a large family unit, as there’s sure to be someone around and about if you fancy a quick chat. It might be that you have several siblings or lots of children, or you rent a room in a big, shared household.
For a big household to remain happy household, be sure you have enough seating for everyone. Invest in a huge sofa, a few occasional chairs and even comfy beanbags that can be brought out as necessary. This way, squabbles over who’s sitting where for film night can be kept to a minimum.
See tips for staying sane while hosting a get-together
…with young children
A big question parents are asking themselves across the land is how can they keep their living zone tidy and retain the style they’ve taken so long to achieve with little ones leaving a trail of sticky fingerprints and plastic toys in their wake?
Great storage is, without doubt, the key. If space and budget permit, it’s well worth commissioning some built-in units to really make the most of your space. Huge, floor-to-ceiling cupboards in easy-to-clean, hard-wearing materials are a good option. They open up to reveal masses of storage opportunities for toys and crafts, and you might even be able to incorporate a little desk space for homework, as with these designs.
For an added touch, each interior can be painted in a different hue for a little fun while they’re open. And when the day is done, any toys and mess can be closed away.
If this isn’t an option, try a large, freestanding cube storage system fitted with pull-out baskets and drawers, with a designated place for every last felt-tip pen.
A big question parents are asking themselves across the land is how can they keep their living zone tidy and retain the style they’ve taken so long to achieve with little ones leaving a trail of sticky fingerprints and plastic toys in their wake?
Great storage is, without doubt, the key. If space and budget permit, it’s well worth commissioning some built-in units to really make the most of your space. Huge, floor-to-ceiling cupboards in easy-to-clean, hard-wearing materials are a good option. They open up to reveal masses of storage opportunities for toys and crafts, and you might even be able to incorporate a little desk space for homework, as with these designs.
For an added touch, each interior can be painted in a different hue for a little fun while they’re open. And when the day is done, any toys and mess can be closed away.
If this isn’t an option, try a large, freestanding cube storage system fitted with pull-out baskets and drawers, with a designated place for every last felt-tip pen.
…with a clutterbug
If you’re moving in or living with someone who’s messy, your first task should be to draw up some ground rules on cleaning and tidying up, so your messy mate is clear on the bare minimum they need to do.
You can also help to prevent mess mounting up too much by providing as many closed off storage solutions as possible in the living room. Hoarders can then stash their stuff away from view in cupboards, units and drawers. You might have a different section of open shelves and cubbyholes to show off a separate, well-edited collection, but make sure this stays off limits in terms of clutter.
If you’re moving in or living with someone who’s messy, your first task should be to draw up some ground rules on cleaning and tidying up, so your messy mate is clear on the bare minimum they need to do.
You can also help to prevent mess mounting up too much by providing as many closed off storage solutions as possible in the living room. Hoarders can then stash their stuff away from view in cupboards, units and drawers. You might have a different section of open shelves and cubbyholes to show off a separate, well-edited collection, but make sure this stays off limits in terms of clutter.
…with a movie buff
Most of us don’t have the luxury of space for a designated home cinema. But if you’re sharing your home with a film fanatic, you can create a cinematic experience in your living room without compromising your décor.
Mount your TV on the wall instead of on top of a cabinet. This way, the screen is less obvious and can be fitted amid a variety of wall- and floor-mounted storage units to keep it integrated. The units can also be used for stashing DVDs out of the way where they won’t gather dust. All that’s left is to turn the lights down and have the popcorn at the ready.
TELL US…
Do you share a living space? How have you created a harmonious situation? Share any tips in the Comments below.
Most of us don’t have the luxury of space for a designated home cinema. But if you’re sharing your home with a film fanatic, you can create a cinematic experience in your living room without compromising your décor.
Mount your TV on the wall instead of on top of a cabinet. This way, the screen is less obvious and can be fitted amid a variety of wall- and floor-mounted storage units to keep it integrated. The units can also be used for stashing DVDs out of the way where they won’t gather dust. All that’s left is to turn the lights down and have the popcorn at the ready.
TELL US…
Do you share a living space? How have you created a harmonious situation? Share any tips in the Comments below.
As working from home becomes an ever-more common career path, you may find yourself sharing your space with a partner or pal who needs to set up shop in your living room.
A hideaway office area is the perfect solution here – particularly in small spaces. By building in an office hub that neatly folds away at night, you don’t have to give over precious space to a permanent set-up, and the whir and buzz of technology can easily be closed away at the end of the working day. It’s a perfect solution for both you and the home worker you share with.