Rozit Arditi is a designer and the founder of Arditi Design. Mia Jung is the director of interiors at Ike Kligerman Barkley. Mark Lavender is the principal designer at M. Lavender Interiors. Kate Lester is a designer and the founder of Kate Lester Interiors. Tracy Morris is a designer and the founder of Tracy Morris Design.
However, there is no one-size-fits-all use for a living area. “Personally, I knew our living room was meant for conversation and reading,” designer Tracy Morris says of her own space. “So, I placed the furniture in a grouping that allowed maximum conversation and allowed me to read by the window.” In other spaces, existing fixtures such as a fireplace or built-in shelving may affect the furniture arrangement from the get-go and ease the decision-making process. It’s critical to be realistic about your intentions for the space, too, and not just base your design off of what you see in high-end design publications. “Make sure the room reflects you and your lifestyle—whatever your needs are at the time, make sure the room serves for that,” designer Rozit Arditi states. “If you have kids, you do not need a glass coffee table or too many floor lamps that could be tripping hazards. Opt for a wood table and wall sconces instead.” Arditi offers another key piece of advice, for buying sofas: “Always invest in the best sofa you can afford at the time,” she comments. “We spend so much time in our living rooms and most of that time is spent on the sofa—make sure it is the most comfortable and the best one you can get. You won’t regret it.” Not sure what to hang? “Either a large piece of art—or a gallery wall, depending on your style—or a mirror to reflect the sunlight through the room are always great ways to decorate,” Arditi adds. You can always go the secondhand route, too, to source an artifact that will make your living room truly shine, notes Mia Jung, director of interiors at Ike Kligerman Barkley. “Having a special vintage or an antique piece and art will set it apart from the family room,” she states.
