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What makes a room ‘work’?

From time to time, we’ve all been in a room and thought that it could work better with this or that changed. Or we’ve walked into a friend’s house and been instantly impressed with the way it looks and feels.

So just what is it that makes a room ‘work’?

When you’re planning the layout of a new space (or a new layout for an old space), consider three basic concepts - function, mood and harmony. While it may seem simple, sometimes the simplest things are the most effective.

Whether you’re starting fresh or looking to change the current setting of a room, begin by defining exactly what purpose you want the room to serve.

If you’re looking to work or study at home and have lots of open space in a living room area, perhaps a corner could accommodate a work area (with a desk set up, shelving etc.).

Remember that the ‘feel’ of a room will change depending on what it has in it and where those things are situated. If you want your living room to be a place where you go to get away from work-related matters, kick back and just relax, then chances are you won’t want a whole corner dedicated to everything you’re trying to avoid.

Once you know what it is you want from the room, the best way to ensure that is by keeping it simple.

Unless you are after bric-a-brac secondhand bookstore chic, it’s best to keep the items in the room to a minimum. The more tables, couches and chairs that aren’t being used, the more places you have to put things - which in turn can stay there, taking up your living space and gathering dust.

The colour of the walls and furniture play a large role in setting the tone. The desired tone should flow on from the function – if it’s a relaxing space, go for soft, warm tones and similarly styled paintings or pictures, remembering lighting is very important to set a mood.

Once a space is set up with a designated function and mood, do your best to keep it for that purpose - you’ll find it’s a lot easier to keep the way you want when the lines aren’t blurred.

For instance, if you have a space that is ideal for entertaining guests yet increasingly the room is being used for ironing while the TV is on, then the kids start leaving their toys and homework lying round and someone brings a computer in, then the next time you have guests around you’re in for a big clean up and room makeover to get it back to the way you want.

By keeping a consistent working theme through the room, harmony is much easier to maintain. The room will then ‘work’ the way it is designed.