Furnishing Challenges of an Older Home

Many of us are enamored with older homes from another era, replete with charm and character. However, living in a character-filled home built one hundred years ago can sometimes be a challenge. Compromises may be required. Creating your own modern living space with all of today’s conveniences within a traditionally-built environment can be challenge, but is not impossible.

One particular room that is often challenging for older home owners, is the living room. Traditionally, the living room was a place to greet visitors or where a family might listen to music. The kitchen and the dining room where the rooms where a family would congregate and entertain friends. The living room may be very small, but it often includes beautiful decorative plaster moulding, wide window trim and a wood burning fireplace. We have to keep in mind that today’s electronic lifestyle was not a consideration in how interior space was designed when the home was built about a hundred years ago. This is the reason why compromises will be needed when planning the furnishing and decorating of such a room.

Decorative architectural details of older homes can create an inherent interest in the space and set the tone for room’s decor. It is therefore important that the basic architecture of a room and the introduced details (furniture) don’t clash.

Attempting to cram large pieces of furniture into a small space will result in someone always bumping into one piece or another. Consider the use of demi sofas, love seats, chairs and ottomans. If your living space is like most older homes, you probably have a large window (possibly a bay window) on one wall and a fireplace on another. Take advantage of the depth of a large bay window by arranging furniture at an angle around it. This will give the room more floor space.

Should your room include a radiator, consider building a radiator cover or using a sofa table in front of it to provide with an horizontal surface. Also, to preserve precious floor space, consider installing wall mounted fixtures throughout the room for a splash of soft, ambient light on every wall. Another option for a space saving source of light would be the use of a traditional torchere lamp. These lamps are floor lamps and the light comes out of the top and bounces of the ceiling.

If you wish to include a television set in your living room, consider investing in a flat panel, wall mounted, television. This television can be installed above the fireplace saving you precious floor space. Wall mounted televisions are also a little more subtle and can sometimes almost disappear in a room.

Regardless of your personal taste and decorating preferences, try to select furniture and accessories that will harmonize themselves with the architectural details of your room. Also, remember to choose smaller size furniture pieces which will give the room an airy feel and prevent minor injuries. Rethink your space and adapt new furniture to suit the way you live.