- Jenny Hayes
Things We'd Never Have In Our Living Rooms
Having been asked the question "What wouldn’t we have in our living rooms?" by 'Homes & Gardens' Magazine we gave the following responses...
“For me our living room is an all encompassing space. It is where we come together as a family, a social space, where fun can be had, a place for relaxation and restoration and where memories are held. I want my girls to feel comfortable to play and once they’ve finished, it is tidied away so that it can be cared for and maintained until it is next brought to life. This returns the beautiful space to equilibrium.. So for me, the one thing I wouldn’t have in my living room is toys on show. I welcome them neatly stored inside cupboards and categorised in beautiful baskets. So when evening arrives, it becomes our sanctuary space”.
Romana Reynolds
“Anything that doesn’t belong there! At the end of the evening I pop everything in to an ‘other room’ basket and move items back to the places they belong. Family life happens and should be enjoyed – the key is to be able to tidy up quickly and easily afterwards”
Sue Spencer
“A collection of out of date magazines and journals. It’s astounding how quickly these can pile up ( 3 subscriptions, one a month - you do the maths!) The question that really needs to be asked is if you will actually ever look through any of the magazines again ? If there’s a specific article you want to save, why not capture it on your phone. Display the current month’s publications in a stylish magazine holder and be sure to replace and recycle as soon as the new one comes in”.
“Loose cables and chargers – collect them up, check for the ones that you actually need and use in the room and store them away in a box or basket so they can be found when need and no one trips over them!
Victoria Nicholson.
“Work related laptops, computers, papers, files etc. If there’s no option except to have it there, I’d put everything behind doors in a cupboard, drawers or use attractive baskets. If it’s a temporary situation, I’d recommend packing everything away in work bags and moving out of the room. Defining work time and home time takes a little more effort when you’re using the same space but so important to be able to relax or be creative.”
“Duvets or other bed linen. If you want to snuggle up with covers of the sofa, get a few soft throws and leave the duvet in your bedroom. Sleep is so important to health and well-being. Dress your bed with comfortable duvets and pillows that are only used there, a welcome heaven after a busy day.”
“Outdoor shoes. In the winter in particular, leave outdoor shoes by the front door. It’ll cut cleaning time right down and instantly make the living room feel like a relaxing zone of your home. Most of us are comfortable with guests leaving their shoes on though as their personal comfort is more important and cleaning up after guests is no big deal.”
“Kids food - Living room furniture is a big investment and rarely meant to be used as a dining area, especially for easily distracted little ones. And much reduced cleaning time is a bonus for everyone.”
Mimi Bogelund
“I would never have one of those beautiful basket of blankets in the living room. They look so warm, cosy and stylish and I’ve had to hold myself back from buying one many times! Mainly because personally I like things out of sight, I want cleaning to be easy and so have less things to move in order to clean and sometimes decorative items themselves can be clutter and take away the calm, clear feel of a room.”
Lynn Kirk
“The one thing I’d never have in my living room is a TV as a central focus point. For many people that can feel like an alien concept. However, it is possible to house a TV within your space without making it the star attraction. 99% of the time people put the telly on out of habit. It’s a draw to put it on and then before you know it your evening has slipped through your fingers. The idea of snuggling up in front of the telly after a hard day appeals to most, but the truth is it doesn’t actually quench the thirst for being truly met, seen and held. Sometimes we need the space, without distractions, but with a loving, open ear, to process the day and to share the highs and the lows. Removing the focus from a screen and back towards the people in the room allows space for us to grow and learn together and this is a HUGE win for all, all round. I dare you to give it a go and feel the awesomeness that will undoubtedly unravel.”
Jenny Hayes
“Have you ever walked into a café where tables haven’t been cleared of previous customers leftovers? Do you seek out a clean and tidy table where you know you can have a nice experience choosing your food and drinks? Our living rooms often double as a place to enjoy eating and drinking, whether that is the family meal or Pizza and a movie. But, just like the café our left over food and dirty ports need to be cleared away. Just spend a few minutes when everyone has finished eating and enjoying each other’s company to clear away the left overs. Many hands make light work, so if you are a family get everyone to help. In no time at all your living room will be ready for the next customer YOU.”
Jane Fern
“The living room is the space where we relax and gather, particularly at the end of the day and so it needs to be a tranquil space. To that end, Clutter is the one thing that I won’t have in it! Excess paperwork, clean laundry, exercise equipment and items that live elsewhere are all things that are banned from the living room. I will admit though, that with four Home Educated children in my home, piles of books do tend to gather on the surfaces…”.
Rosie Barron
“The Living room is a multi purpose space where various members of the family can chill out at different times. To meet the needs of the different users it should be easy to keep tidy and that will be impossible if too much stuff is stored there. Its reasonable that Children’s toys, homework, board games, craft projects, correspondence and work papers might migrate to the living room but they shouldn’t be permanently stored there.”
Linda Gelens
