Signature Living Hotel group collapses into administration owing £113m
Lawrence Kenwright's property group is expected to be dissolved by administrators as it struggles with £113million worth of debt, putting hundreds of jobs at risk
Shankly Hotel in Liverpool is one of the properties owned by the group (
Image: Shankly Hotel Liverpool)
Signature Living, owner of 60 hotels, residential developments and other ventures, has collapsed into administration.
The company runs hotels in Liverpool, Cardiff and Belfast.
A new report published by the appointed administrators has laid bare the scale of the problems at the company, with creditors owed an estimated £113,331,594, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Matthew Ingram and Michael Lennon, of Duff & Phelps, are joint administrators of the parent company and two other group companies - including the Shankly Hotel company, which is also in administration.
They believe that a going concern sale of the company is now unlikely as there are "insufficient funds and assets available to enable the company to be rescued".
Shankley Hotel was one of the first parts of the company to fall into administration (
Image:
Shankly Hotel Liverpool)
The report adds: "Despite the Group's significant property interests, the level of secured and unsecured indebtedness to which the Company is directly and indirectly liable for significantly outweighs the initial expectations of the value of the Company's direct and indirect assets."
The administrators anticipate that 'the Company will be dissolved once all outstanding matters of the administration have been dealt with.'
Signature Living was founded by Lawrence Kenwright and his wife Katie.
Lawrence Kenwright of Signature Living
The coronavirus lockdown has undoubtedly impacted Signature Living, but its problems were well documented before the pandemic - with Kenwright putting his two most famous hotels - The Shankly and 30 James Street - up for sale in May last year.
But the sales never happened and the joint administrators were appointed in April.
The report reveals that during their investigations into the company, the administrators found that shares in both the parent company and all of the subsidiary companies had been transferred to a new legal entity that had been set up by the director, Lawrence Kenwright to form the new parent company of the wider Signature group.
The report explains: "After discussions with the Director and following legal and tax advice, these transfers were reversed and the Company has resumed its role as the ultimate shareholder of the wider group."
The first of the Signature Living groups to fall into administration was the Shankly Hotel, which collapsed on April 16, just weeks after the nationwide lockdown was announced.
This has been followed by the individual companies covering hotels like 30 James Street in Liverpool, the Coal Exchange in Cardiff and Belfast's George Best Hotel as well as residential developments like 60 Old Hall Street in Liverpool.
These assets are now being handled by a range of different administrators.
In terms of creditors and investors and the money they are owed, the administrators believe their plans will provide a 'better result' that would be likely if the company was wound up.
Create a summer look in your living room with these decorating ideas. Every month we present you with a moodboard and decorating scheme to give you some style inspiration.
Theme: Summer blooms
Moodboard
Mix classic florals with subtle geometrics and plains for a stylish, modern room. Ensure a harmonious scheme by choosing accessories in colours picked out from the patterned fabric.
Styling by Kiera Buckley-Jones
Get the look: Jacquard-weave cushion cover, £12.99; red geo patterned cushion cover, £3.99; both H&M. Fabrics Chelsea Rose in Coral/Emerald, £59 a metre, Sanderson. Dune Red Coral, £32.50 a metre; Emin Mimosa and Emin Verdigris; both £35.50 a metre; Esme Blush floral fabric, £50 a metre; all Romo. Yellow journal, £22, Anthropologie. Red bowl, £30, Mud Australia. Green ribbon (in bowl), £3; Kaleido yellow tray, £9; both Smug. Kitu knobs, from £3.95 each, Nkuku. Croft collection pot (with paint in), £4, John Lewis. Coral Essence emulsion, £64 for 3.87L, Benjamin Moore. Wallpapers Fontainebleau (Lavender), £68 a roll; Arlay (Celadon), £59 a roll; both Designers Guild. Chevron ribbon, £4.95 for three metres, The Makery.
Living room decoration scheme idea
Summer blooms: Let the floral fabrics and fresh flowers be the stars of the show – keep the walls and furniture neutral so the colours sing. Add interest with a patterned rug and create depth with hints of grey.
Styling by Hannah Deacon
Rachel Whiting
Get the look: Floor in Oak Chalet from the Kahrs Grande collection, from £104.40 a square metre, Kahrs. Blinds made up in Chelsea Rose in Coral/Emerald, £59 a metre, Sanderson. Iggy three-seat sofa in Egret, £1,340, sofa.com. Free-Range Marble by Blu Dot coffee table, £695; Free-Range Marble by Blu Dot side table, £395; both Heal's. Zyana Chevron Grey rug, £295, Graham and Green. On sofa from left Twill Linen throw in Soft Grey, £145.83; Linen square cushion cover in Blue Grey, £45; Twill Linen square cushion cover in Powder, £41.67; all The Conran Shop. Velvet and linen cushion, £35, Graham and Green. Linen rectangular cushion cover in Soft Pink, £35, The Conran Shop. On coffee table Spot tumblers in Lava Red, £6.95 each, Howkapow. Contrast-edged linen napkin, £15, The Conran Shop. Flared medium bowl in Milk, £32, Mud Australia. Bottle with stopper, find similar for £1.50 at Ikea. On side table White fluted vase, £14.50; geometric vase, £9.50; both Design Vintage. Task Solo table light in Putty Grey, £259, Original BTC
From: House Beautiful magazine
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Growing up all of our dogs were allowed on the furniture, so the sight of a big dog lounging on the couch was perfectly normal. But when I finally moved out on my own I started to realize how much wear and tear my sofa was taking from my own dog Laika.
It was one of those "hey I paid for that!" moments of adulthood, and I suddenly realized why many people have the no pets on furniture rule to begin with.
Instead of not allowing my dog up on the couch I found some ways to help protect my furniture from her claws and all that fur. I also had to teach her to stop trying to bury her toys in the couch cushions, but that's a story for another time. I don't mind her being up on the furniture, but I needed to find a way to keep it protected.
10 Simple Tips to Dog Proof Your Furniture
Do you allow your dog on the furniture? Do you find yourself constantly picking up dog hair and trying to keep things neat and tidy? For certain breeds it's a never ending task; I sympathize with those of you Husky owners, I really do. And remember that accidents happen, so keep a bottle of Nature's Miracle on hand, this stuff is a life saver for any pet owner.
Do you have a bunch of dog hair, drool, odors, and scratch marks on your furniture? Are you looking for some simple ways to dog proof your couch? I was tired of cleaning my couch and chairs every other day so I bought myself a few throw blankets – and I'm happy to say keeping my furniture in decent shape has been much easier since.
Over the past few years I've come up with a few simple ways to cut down on my weekly cleaning routine. From using throws on the sofa to getting Laika her own comfy bed, these are my favorite tips for keeping your furniture protected from pets. Here's a list of 10 ways to dog proof your furniture:
1. Dog Proof Your Furniture By Using Covers
The best tip of all, and probably the most low effort, is to keep your furniture protected from your dog by keeping it covered. The sound of that might bring memories of plastic covers like grandma used to do, but there are a lot of modern options. You can cover your furniture with washable blankets, slipcovers, or throws.
Your dog has probably has a favorite spot to lay, and often times that's right on the couch. Make sure that spot on the couch is nicely covered with something that's easy to maintain and wash.
I use a lot of blankets and throws in my home. It's much easier to just toss a blanket in the wash than it is to vacuum your couch every other day. If you like more of the polished look you can buy some slipcovers. They come in virtually every color & pattern imaginable. If your crafty you can even make some covers of your own in the fabric of your own choosing.
Want to protect your couch from your pets? Keep it covered up with a blanket or throw; it doesn't much any easier than that.
2. Avoid Bare Wood If Your Dog Chews
Avoid the frustration of coming home to chewed up chair legs by avoiding wood furniture. Not all dogs chew on furniture, but for some young pups wood can be irresistible. Teaching a dog not to chew is easier said than done, especially if they're doing it while you're away.
If you do have wood furniture that you want to keep your dogs mouth off of there are products on the market made to repel your dog from chewing, such as bitter apple spray. You spray it on your table legs and it will keep your dog from gnawing them.
If your dog is especially destructive while you're away I'd recommend crate training until you can get a better handle on the situation. Not only does chewing on wood destroy your furniture, but it's also hazardous to your dog.
If your dog has already chewed on your furniture some wood can be repaired if the chew marks aren't too severe.
3. Choose Pet Friendly Materials For Your Furniture
The two most popular choices for pet proof furniture materials are leather and microfiber. Leather is a popular choice because it's easy to clean, and microfiber is popular due to it's durability. If you're not in the market for new furniture just remember my first tip — anything can be covered with some nice slip covers.
Leather Leather (or pleather) furniture is nice for pets because it's nice and easy to clean with a simple wipe down, and it doesn't attract hair like fabrics. It's also more odor resistant than other materials.
And although leather is a popular choice keep in mind that it can be scratched. If you allow your dog on the leather furniture make sure their nails are nice and trimmed. If you do end up with pet scratches you can can repair them on your own with products made for leather.
Microfiber – Cat Owners Swear By It Microfiber furniture is a great choice for pet friendly homes due to it's durability. Compared to most woven materials, microfiber is difficult to stain and is designed to repel wetting, though pet hair still tends to cling to it.
Microfiber is relatively easy to clean with a damp cloth and it doesn't seem to hold odors as much as other fabrics. Many cat owners say they choose microfiber because their cats aren't interested in scratching it. I wonder if it's because it doesn't make that satisfying ripping noise they seem to relish so much.
4. Regularly Groom Your Dog to Cut Down on Shedding
Nothing decreases excess shedding quite like regular grooming. Bathing and brushing your dog on a regular schedule will help cut down on all that extra fur all over the place. If you have a dog that sheds a lot get yourself a de-shedding tool like the Furminator, and vacuum regularly to cut down on stray hairs.
Regular nail trimmings will help decrease the chances of your furniture getting scratched. If you find your dogs short nails are still awfully sharp you can also file the tips to be smoother. To keep Laika's nails smooth I bought a steel nail file after getting tired of buying those cheap ones that only last a month.
And I know – no matter how much you groom your dog they're still going to shed. If you're dealing with extra shedding I'm sorry, but to help there are some simple DIY hacks for cleaning up pet hair.
5. Color Coordinate Furniture & Covers With Your Pet
No matter how much you clean and vacuum you're going to end up with loose pet hairs. If you don't want them to stand out as much buy a blanket that matches your pets hair color, or one that the hair doesn't stand out so easily on. Luckily I don't have to do this with Laika; but if I had a white dog and black furniture I think I'd definitely consider it.
6. Use the Same Entry For Cleaning up Messy Paws
If you've got a mud room utilize it when taking your dog in and out of the house. If you don't have a dedicated room for your entry set up a little space and keep some extra towels on hand. Remember to wipe off your dogs muddy paws before letting them enter the rest of your home.
In a perfect world we'd all have a super fancy mud room made just for dogs. My mud room is nothing like that.
My little area for cleaning up my dogs after coming inside is just a washable rug on the floor, some towels on a rack, and a place to hang leashes – nothing quite so spectacular. But making sure I always use that same entry means I always have some towels on hand to clean up Laika's muddy feet.
7. Invest in a Nice Dog Bed
If you find a nice comfy bed for your dog it can replace his favorite spot on the couch. I opted for a nice padded, orthopedic bed for Laika and she loves it. If I'm not on the couch and she's resting I know where to find her – sprawled out on that doggie bed.
There are a lot of different options when it comes to dog beds. You've got bolstered, orthopedic, heated, and pillow beds to name a few. Hartz put together a nice quick list of things to consider when choosing a bed for your dog that can help get you started when looking.
Not all dogs will love their new beds right away. Laika wasn't too fond of using her bed until we placed it right next to the couch. If your dog likes to be a part of what's going at all times (aka velcro dog syndrome) consider placing his bed somewhere that will let him keep an eye on things. If your dog doesn't naturally take to his bed there are some easy steps to take to get him comfortable with it.
The more time your dog spends in his bed the less fur, scratches, stains, odors, and puke you'll find on your furniture.
Want to help keep your furniture in decent shape? Invest in a nice, comfy bed for your dog.
8. Keep Certain Rooms Closed Off From Pets
If you're not a fan of having your dog in certain rooms of the house just remember to keep those doors shut.
If you don't like the idea of having your dog have free roam of the living room while you're at work you can use baby gates to keep you dog contained to certain areas of the home. (crate training works, too)
9. Choose a Sofa With Removable Seats
One of my favorite tips for keeping your furniture clean with pets is having a couch with removable seats.
If you're looking for a new sofa and want something pet friendly get a sofa that has removable seats. Those individual cushions can be unzipped for washing, which makes removing pet odors & stains much easier.
10. Have Lint Rollers or Packing Tape on Hand for Picking Up Fur
No matter how much you groom your dog there's going to be some shedding. And if you're anything like me you find dog hair in your cupboards, on top of the TV, and all over the drapes. It's almost as if dogs have the whole drive by shedding thing down to a science.
If you're looking for an easy way to help clean up some of that loose fur use a lint roller on your furniture. Don't have any lint rollers? One of my favorite hacks is to use a roll of packing tape; it works just as well as lint rollers.
How Do You Dog Proof Your Furniture?
How do you keep your furniture in one piece? Do you have a bunch of bite marks on your wooden furniture? What materials have you found to be pet proof?
Any tips I missed for dog proofing your furniture? I'd love to hear your thoughts – leave your tips and stories in the comments below.
This post contains affiliate links, for more information please see our disclosure page.
Decorating a living room has never been easier with inspiration from these gorgeous spaces. Discover living room color ideas and smart living room decor tips that will make your space beautiful and livable.
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Living Room Focal Points
Mini Farmhouse Makeovers
Let fireplaces and panoramas take center stage. Paint walls white or in a neutral color cued by views outside the windows. Carry the wall color to furniture arranged in a way that promotes conversation and allows guests to enjoy flickering flames in the hearth as well as window-framed vistas. Anchor the grouping with a prettily patterned area rug; carry the rug's hues upward via accent pillows boasting organic motifs.
Watch: A great living room starts with a great furniture arrangement. See the secrets now!
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Tailor to Fit
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Flirty and feminine, this relaxed yet quirky living room makes the most of the space's diminutive dimensions. Pack plentiful purpose into tiny spaces by opting for apartment-size furniture, see-through tables, and airy ottomans that don't block the eye and take up less space. Turn up the panache with complementary fabrics sporting a diverse array of both playful and prim patterns.
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Video: Living Room Makeover
Steal ideas for redecorating your living room from this gorgeous space.
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Decorate in Layers
Perfectly Balanced
Beautifully designed living rooms place noteworthy objects at every level. Mentally divide your space into low, mid, and high areas, and position elements to encourage the eye to travel up, down, and around. Here, a faux animal skin covering a woven area rug provides underfoot allure while a prettily accessorized tray atop a trunk and perky pillows add color at the midground. Use vivid canvases, striking sconce shades, and sculptural standing lamps to keep interest running high.
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All Grown Up
living room
Jewel tones, like jade green, sapphire blue, ruby red, and orangey coral, fashionably fuse to form exceptional and slightly exotic environs. Draw your palette from a lively patterned fabric or oversize artwork featuring at least three jewel tones. Introduce the vibrant tones as solid-color lamps, vases, trims, and furnishings so they contribute a sense of vibrancy without overwhelming your design.
What's your ideal decorating style? Find out!
Browse photos of brown living rooms.
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On Safari
living room
A touch of animal print goes a long way in this vintage-inspired living room. Fun zebra-pattern pillows and an upholstered ottoman accent soft blue walls. Other furniture and accessories remain neutral, allowing the pattern to shine.
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Classic Living Room Decor
living room
Neutral tones are a good place to start when designing living rooms that stylishly endure. Make mostly monochromatic spaces work by fusing velvet upholstered furnishings with lighter linen-covered pieces and setting them atop a duo-tone sculpted area rug that picks up on the room's main hues. Employ white as a steadfast support, but introduce fashion-forward colors via solid and patterned pillows.
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Designer Cues
See what makes these luxe living rooms so stunning and what designer lessons you can learn and apply to your own space.
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Have Fun
living room
This cheerful living room is anything but formal. Designed to accommodate the needs (and artistic efforts) of a busy family, it combines comfortable seating, easy-clean coffee tables that double as workstations, and an overscale patterned area rug that hides spills. To create a similarly lighthearted lair, limit your color palette to white, one neutral shade, and one bright color so you can keep the focus on ever-changing exhibits of your kids' kaleidoscopic artwork.
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Finishing Touches
living room
Captivating yet calming living rooms result when neutral schemes are embellished with thoughtfully edited accessories. Choose a main hue, such as blue, to showcase coordinating patterned pillows and drapery fabrics. Distribute the color around the space via artwork and collections. Keep the peace by highlighting one metallic finish, such as the silvery tones that resurface here as table lamps, photo frames, tray-table handles, and art glass.
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Whiteout
living room
All-white rooms need a dose of personality. Bright red and blue patterned throw pillows pack a punch of contrast while keeping the space calm and relaxing. Dark wood furniture prevents the space from looking washed out.
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Make It Modern
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Think minimal when decorating contemporary living rooms. Move in a streamlined sectional sofa covered in a too-cool neutral and pile on pillows rendered in the latest hues. Choose accent tables with iron frameworks and naturally finished wood, stone, or glass tops. Prevent modern spaces from feeling cold by introducing wicker furnishings with progressive profiles and basket-weave or colorful geometric-pattern area rugs. Hang only a few things on the wall -- clutter-free defines contemporary design.
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Perfect Arrangement
living room
A unique room shape can make arranging furniture tricky. For a narrow space, try placing a couch along the back wall. Flank the right and left sides with love seats or chairs. Keep accessories simple, and create symmetry by placing end tables on both sides of the sofa.
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Color It Cottage
couch
Life's always a beach when you're kicking back in a living room that gives a nod to sea, sand, and sky. Take a close look at how just a few hues--white, aqua, navy, silver, and seashell pink-- fashion a cottage-charming view in this seashore-inspired retreat. It's the repetition of driftwood finishes, colors, shine, and collections that provides a peaceful rhythm, which makes way for statement-piece pendant lights and a chandelier.
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Cultivate Warmth
Living Room 3
Though large in size, this luxurious living room offers a cozy welcome, thanks to a combination of natural materials, plush textures, and posh forms done up in toasty hues. Produce cocooning vibes in expansive rooms by considering proportion when choosing furniture -- big spaces call for oversize sofas, commodious chairs, and statuesque accessories. In this room, the ottoman/coffee table serves all seating and nicely balances the stone mantel's weighty contours.
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Decorate in Stages
If you're not ready for a full makeover, do it gradually and in stages. See how this living room did just that and how you can do the same.
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Kid Haven
Living Room
Even the littlest members of your family need a place to relax and unwind. Contrast neutral walls with bold patterned fabrics and brightly colored accessories. Make organizing easy by placing baskets for books and toys at kid level.
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Sophisticated Beauty
living room
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Tied Together
Living Room
Tribal influences and color schemes continue to be hot decorating trends. Re-create this well-traveled look by incorporating ethnic fabric patterns, folk-art furnishings, handcrafted relics, and vacation keepsakes. Further a room's collected character by mixing in gleaming gilded patinas; rough-woven blinds, rugs, and baskets; and sleek glass, steel, and leather accents. Strategically scatter one vibrant hue from your main fabric (in this case red) to direct visitors' eyes to your coolest pieces.
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Go Eclectic
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Present contemporary colors and furniture silhouettes alongside more traditional pieces to fashion a memorable living room. Use a graphic rug and chromatic Parsons tables (with storage below) to center a grouping of equally interesting but more understated furnishings. We love how this room includes armless chairs upholstered in a free-form floral pattern that picks up on the greens seen elsewhere in the space and ties into the color and theme of the botanical print displayed on the wall.
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Cottage Cozy
living room
Create a country cottage feel with wood-panel walls and classic cottage hallmarks, such as gingham, plentiful blue, cheery neutrals, and a bouquet of textures.
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Simple and Clean
Atlanta home
Soft white walls and modern furniture are the backbone of this Zen-inspired living room. Low-lying furniture with simple lines creates a streamlined look. Deep orange and bright green accents keep the space looking crisp and clean.
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Classic Sophistication
living room
This living room looks chic as it blends modern comforts with traditional pieces. Cozy chairs with exposed legs and velvet upholstery recall furniture of the late 19th century. Aged dark wood tables add an air of formal elegance. All of the vintage accents shine through a casual vibe offered by the white walls and dark flooring. Placing classic furniture and accessories within a space that is naturally casual creates a unique look that will service both formal gatherings and day-to-day relaxing.
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Vintage Beauty
living room
Funnel a passion for everything old by creating a vintage-inspired living space using pieces purchased from consignment stores and antiques shops. Reupholster worn-out cushions with modern fabrics to keep the room looking up to date. Mix and match wood frames to give artwork an eclectic feel.
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Make a Statement
Living room
Dress up a neutral room with accessories. Look for statement pieces, such as the sunburst wall sculpture, to create a sophisticated vibe. Keep furniture simple, but accent it with a boldly patterned rug. Soft pink accents add a needed punch of color but don't distract from the statement pieces.
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Dynamic Duo
living room
The duo of brown and blue is always popular for decorating. To give the classic combo a more personal look, use hues that suit your design style. Here, shades of bright blue and sepia brown lend a traditional yet casual persona to this family-friendly living room.
What's your ideal decorating style? Find out!
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3-in-1
living room
Don't be afraid to mix themes within a single space. This living room embraces a charming combination of cottage, boating, and travel, which reflects the homeowners' styles and interests. Floral-print pillows add a touch of cottage comfort. Boat- and fish-inspired wall decor brings in a splash of the sea. And suitcases used as a coffee table make the space look traveled and eclectic.
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Promote Peacefulness
living room
This porch imparts the ageless charm of a finely furnished drawing room. Though boasting pattern aplenty, the scene stays serene thanks to a two-tone scheme of gray and white. Set the stage for an equally timeless design by presenting the woodwork's hue as elegant, timeworn furniture finishes. Choose contoured furnishings done up in formal upholstery fabrics in colors a few tones deeper than those seen on the room's perimeter.
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Patterned to Perfection
Living room fireplace
Use a statement-making piece of furniture as the starting point for your living room decor. With neutral walls and flooring, this room gets its character from the boldly striped chair. Other patterns throughout the room feature the same color palette and echo the vertical stripes. Furniture with modern lines ensures that all of the pieces look cohesive.
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Homey Neutrals
living room
Wake up a neutral color palette with touches of pattern and texture. Paisley-print pillows in a soft blue stand out against the neutral-color love seat. The dark wicker coffee table and window shades add depth and richness to the soft space.
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Repurpose and Refresh
Living room with painted green table
Decorating a living room doesn't have to cost a bundle. Put in some imagination and elbow grease to transform furniture and architectural elements into fab fittings. Use oversize shades and lighting kits to convert reclaimed columns, boards, or beams into sculptural standing lamps. Coordinate incompatible tables, sideboards, and bookcases with paint; use varying shades of one color to keep painted pieces from appearing too matchy-matchy.
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Nature's Beauty
Orange embellishments
Bring the outside inside by painting your walls a soft, dreamy shade of sky blue. In this living room, bright shades of buttery yellow and fiery orange echo colors found in flowers and sunlight. Reflective surfaces such as the coffee table and picture frames enhance the plentiful sunlight streaming in from outdoors.
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Collective Effort
Living room
Give your room a collected, eclectic look with varied patterns and wood finishes. Bright red and blue patterned pillows stand out against a neutral sofa. Bold blue-and-white ikat curtains complement the large Oriental rug. The dark wood coffee table provides a subtle contrast against the lighter wood floors and bookcase.
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Bold and Beautiful
living room
Pack a punch with pattern and color against all-white walls. Bold coral and just a hint of blue are the colors of choice for this living room. Complementary patterns on the chair and ottoman blend perfectly with the solid-color sofa. The blank white walls emphasize the grain and hue of the dark wooden accents.
Yes, You Can Do Without a Sofa in the Living Room!
This is how to create a more appealing and cosy atmosphere in your living room without the need for a sofa
8 December 2020
Houzz Australia Contributor. I'm a blogger and marketing manager for real estate portal Homely.com.au, a faster and easier way to find a property to buy and rent in Australia.
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There are a number of reasons why a sofa may not be workable in your living room. You may just be short on space and not able to fit in a sofa, or there may be particular pieces of furniture you hope to incorporate that serve the same purpose, such as a built-in banquette. Here are a number of ways to replace your couches with fun and unique living room seating.
There are no interior design rules that say that every living space must have a sofa as part of its furniture mix. In fact, with so many innovative and quirky seating alternatives available, it almost seems like a shame to settle on an ordinary two or three-seat leather couch as the hero piece of the room.
If you're seeking a different look for your living room or perhaps your space cannot accommodate a large sofa, here are eight comfortable, functional – not to mention attractive – seating options to use in place of the humble sofa.
1. Hang up a hammock Nothing says relaxation better than an awesome indoor hammock. For a light and airy boho look opt for a cream hammock made from woven cotton with crocheted trim.
Always check with your architect before hanging any type of soft furnishings from the walls or ceiling, to make sure the structure can take the extra weight. They may need to add extra supports to be certain it's structurally sound.
2. Provide a window seat An inviting window seat can be a wonderfully space-efficient way to add comfy seating to a living space. A built-in window seat or, as seen here, a curved banquette, can also offer a comfy perch from which to enjoy a nice view and to add some character when a room is too plain.
7 Great Ways to Utilise Your Bay Window
Window seats are relatively straightforward to add to an existing bay window. For those without, you can achieve a pleasing result by constructing a seat out of a bench or low cabinets below another window and adding seat cushions – as seen here.
If you're going down the custom route, why not also add drawers into the cavity under the seat for extra storage to stash all those cushions and knick-knacks.
3. Scatter the bean bags No longer exclusively the domain of university dorms, kid's playrooms and share houses, there's now a huge variety of chic and surprisingly comfy bean bag chair options to explore.
Forget the conical, saggy shape of bean bags of the past – there are now stylish tailored leather and sophisticated velvet varieties that have recliner forms, chaise varieties and even ottomans to rest your footsies on.
Use bean bags to add interesting shapes to your living space and pops of colour to your decor. What's more, bean bags are super lightweight, so it's easy to move them around and try new layouts.
4. Rig up a playful swing Embrace your inner child by rigging up the dream indoor swing you've always wanted in your living room. There are so many attractive and playful ways to get creative with swinging seats inside.
For a slightly roomier hanging seat, go for a suspended couch or daybed or a hanging love-seat. They're the perfect spot for story time with the kids or a siesta on a Sunday afternoon.
Inject some '70s glam into your space with a hanging rattan or wicker egg chair, or a vintage-style and very groovy see-through plastic Bubble Chair. If you don't want to make any permanent structural changes, consider opting for an egg seat on a stand.
10 Fresh Ways to Revive Rattan
5. Set up boho floor cushions Floor cushions are a creative way to get extra seating into a tight living room and they give the space a laid-back, bohemian feel. They're available in a rainbow of colours and patterns, and there are even varieties with back rests for added comfort.
Achieve a cool Moroccan-inspired vibe for your living area with the addition of floor cushions in luxe exotic textiles in place of a couch. Layer on throw pillows to make the floor cushions extra cosy and inviting for guests. Team your cushions with ornate metallic accessories (lanterns, mirrors, side tables, etc.) and a suitably patterned rug to enhance the Moroccan theme.
Add a low coffee table to fill and define the area as a place for unwinding and entertaining. That way you can easily rest your glass of wine as you lay back in your pillow-filled 'sunken lounge' area.
6. Value an elegant easy chair Don't be too quick to look past the addition of an easy chair or two into your living space. Sometimes there's nothing better than snuggling up in an oversized armchair and putting your feet up with your favourite book in hand. This kind of cosiness and comfort just can't be matched by what a sofa provides.
Complement the armchairs with a plush ottoman for extra seating, or as a spot on which to place a tray.
How to use ottomans
7. Take advantage of vintage For timeless appeal and the ultimate in sophistication, you can't look past the Eames lounge chair and ottoman. This stylish chair works with almost any decor style you can think of. It would look at home in any industrial, beachy, glam, Scandinavian, retro or contemporary setting.
If retro styling is your thing, you could also try an upholstered and enveloping Egg chair and ottoman. The Egg chair will not only provide a cosy spot to sit, its beautiful design will act as a piece of art in your living room.
1 Chair, 10 Homes: The Statement-Making Egg Chair
8. Position a chaise longue The sofa's cousin, the chaise, is part-chair, part-couch, part-ottoman. It is both an elegant and versatile living room addition that works in almost any space.
The chaise acts as a perfect substitute for a sofa, especially in a smaller living room, because it gives you space to fully recline, without being as imposing as a couch.
Iconic Designs: 14 Variations on the Chaise Longue
Once a staple of 19th-century living rooms, the chaise is now available in a wide variety of traditional looks and sleek modern shapes, materials and styles. Indulge your love of vintage with a velvet Chesterfield-style chaise. Or, if a contemporary look is more up your alley, opt for a sleek leather chaise in black or cherry red.
TELL US Tell us what seat you'd prefer to have over a conventional sofa in your living space in the Comments below.
If you are one of the lucky homeowners of a 20×20 living room, you are probably well aware of the benefits of a large room. However, there are drawbacks, too. It's quite a large space to fill and balance for proportionate arrangement. We searched all kinds of layouts for 20×20 living rooms and determined the best nine layout options for you.
20×20 living rooms offer an airy feel of spaciousness, enough room for entertainment, plenty of windows for natural light, and likely, high ceilings. To get the most out of these complementary attributes, designers use several strategies.
Professional home decorators affirm the primary concept in all rooms, but especially in large rooms, is proportion. A 20×20 room can overwhelm too small frames, furniture, or tables. Even attempts to hang artwork can set the room off balance. To avoid this potential faux pas, designers suggest using luxurious oversized furniture with deep seating to maintain appropriate scale.
Since a 20×20 room is a spacious area, designers also recommend "floating" the furniture, meaning that couches, chairs, and tables should not be placed against a wall but centered in the room. When this is done, there still is space surrounding the furniture to allow for traffic flow.
Other strategies to optimize the layout of a large living room include setting off to the side a pair of chairs, a chase, or a dining table. This creates a secondary spot for conversation, lounging, or meal times. And to ensure vertical tension, especially in 2-story ceilings, decor that draws the eye upwards rather than horizontally balances the ceiling's vaulted space.
Architectural features can counterbalance visually strong elements such as fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, or a large piece of furniture. And finally, the color and pattern used throughout a room tie all elements together, establishing a balanced and cohesive look.
The Layout Options
Common sense tells us that since a living room is an area to gather, whether it's with family or friends, you want comfortable furniture arranged for easy conversation. Placing couches or chairs far from each other or too closely hinders the warmth and familiarity you want. Below you'll find inspiring examples of arranging furniture for a 20×20 living room.
1. Open Concept Layouts
While contemporary, this furniture layout is quite timeless. The rule of thumb most designers follow is the"one sofa and two chairs" rule. Setting the chairs and sofa in an opposing arrangement balances and defines the living room area. What's more, this classic layout encourages face-to-face conversations-which undoubtedly is the purpose of gathering together.
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2. Single Sofa Layout
In this spacious room, notice how the two rugs are a subtle way to separate the dining and living areas. Placing the sectional mid-room, with a console table behind it, softens the distinction between rooms. Because of the strong visual tension created by the fireplace and upper-level balcony, it's perfectly appropriate to use only one sofa and one chair between them.
Click here to see this sectional on Amazon.
3. Multiple Features Layout
A common challenge of such a sizeable 2-story ceiling is how to occupy the room's upper space. Here, eight windows and substantial balcony railings provide plenty of visual interest and draw the eye upward. Here the classic "one couch and two chairs" rule of thumb creates an appropriate balance of space.
4. U-Shaped Funiture Layout
With this cozy layout, the two couches create a sectional-like arrangement, with the two armchairs completing the U shape. This layout is especially helpful when multiple people are sitting in the room. Another rule designers suggest for a room of this size is to "float" the furniture, meaning the pieces should not be placed against a wall. Instead, it is essential to allow space around the furniture. This maintains a sense of centered spaciousness.
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5. Secondary Area Layout
Often with a 20×20 sized room, there is enough space to create a second conversation area. Here two chairs and a table, set aside in the corner, offer overflow seating, a space for quiet reading, or an alternate place for two people to visit and talk. Notice that the corner table is flanked by two chairs, smaller in size than the three others in the room.
Click here to see this ottoman on Amazon.
6. Diagonal Layout
This layout is a unique take on your typical living room arrangement, with one couch and two chairs because it's turned diagonally. While one of the chairs is set back slightly from the coffee table, the ottoman's position balances the room. The altered placement of these furniture pieces provides a broad and unobstructed view of the amazing wall of floor-to-ceiling windows.
7. Simple one Couch, one Chair Layout
With only one chair and one couch, this room's feel is uncluttered and airy, and the arrangement ensures that the wall of windows remains the primary focus. The brown tones of the rug, tables, and chairs bring an earthy and clean look against the white walls. Finally, the couch's console table provides an additional surface for drinks, food, or decor items.
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8. Off-Center Layout
If you are looking for an unconventional arrangement for your 20×20 living room, then this is the layout for you. In this loft, though on opposite walls, the couches are offset from each other, which brings another level of visual interest to this space. In addition, it creates a secondary seating area, and on the other side, a dining area. The shades of black and gray unify all the pieces, even as the furniture arrangement seems off-center.
9. Corner Sectional Layout
For every rule, there is an exception, which is demonstrated here with a large sectional placed against the corner walls instead of "floating." However, with walls of windows and a secondary space created by a pair of chairs and a table, it works. The color combination of white and dark colors is the common thread that ties everything together.
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Summary
There you have it–nine amazing layouts for a 20×20 living room. By positioning furniture in different ways, you can make sure your living room feels balanced, proportionate, and always comfortable.
Are you looking for other arrangement ideas for your other rooms? Be sure to check out How To Coordinate Living Room Furniture–Practical Tips! and 13 Open Plan Kitchen Living Room Layout Ideas.
