In most Filipino homes, the living room is designed to be a focal point of all social activities. This makes this area especially important, as many Filipinos hail from large extended families or have large circles of close friends.
Busy modern lifestyles and shifting tastes and preferences, however, are changing how often we use this important space. Many living rooms now sit disused or underused, often just functioning as an extra storage area. If this sounds like something you can relate to, we can help you turn the situation around. Here are some of the common reasons your living room is underused as well as the solutions for each situation.
1.) You Don’t Like the Furniture
If your focus is on work or family matters, chances are, you may have collected furniture pieces that you either don’t care for anymore or find too hard to clean. For some people, this could be irritating enough that they will avoid using their living room altogether.
Solution: You can check out trusted online marketplaces to sell your second hand furniture and buy new or preloved pieces that you like. If you find that you spend more time cleaning your furniture than using it, you can even consider just selling everything and outfitting your living room instead with things that are more relevant to your needs.
2.) It Doesn’t Suit the Activities You Enjoy
Living rooms can be used for things other than entertaining guests. In most Filipino homes, this room also functions as a media center, family library, home gym, and, occasionally, kitchen extensions. If your living room does not accommodate your interests, chances are, it will be unused most of the time.
Solution: Create a dedicated space in your living room for your hobby or interest. If you have the space, consider setting up a table or workstation of some kind to better facilitate whatever it is you want to do. If you have some disused furniture pieces in the living room, consider selling them off or locating them in other areas of your home to make more room for your hobby materials and storage units.
3.) It Feels Too Crowded
If your living room feels a bit crowded, it may not necessarily be because the space is too small. You might just have a lot of stuff lying around or your furniture might be too big and bulky for your space. Either way, some people find themselves avoiding their living room because the clutter or lack of space makes them uncomfortable.
Solution: There are two ways to approach this issue. One is to replace any bulky furniture with more modern space-saving pieces. Practical furniture that also functions as storage can be a huge plus, as it will help you further organize your living room.
Another solution is to create the illusion of space. Consider repainting your walls and ceiling with lighter colors and using mirrors to give your room a sense of latitude and depth.
4.) It’s Too Noisy
Some living rooms are a bit too echoey or let in too much noise from the outside. This can make the room uncomfortable to stay in and may even make it unpleasant to do activities like napping, reading, and watching TV.
Solution: True soundproofing can be very expensive, especially for a space as big as a typical living room. However, most people don’t need perfect soundproofing. Even modest noise reduction or noise damping is usually enough to make a living area more enjoyable.
Installing weatherproof windows and weatherstripping on doors will readily reduce outside noise and help you save on your electricity bills if you use an air-conditioner. Adding some carpets or an upholstered sofa in your space will also help reduce any unpleasant echoes.
5.) It Has Dated Wall Colors and Decor
Home interior color palettes can come in and out of style, which is why a living room that has not been repainted in decades can look rather old, even if it’s clean and tidy. Dusty and outdated decorations can also ruin the vibe of the room for some people, causing them to avoid their living room most of the time.
Solution: Repainting your old living room with fresh and trendy colors can be a good way to inject it with some visual interest and positive energy. Old decor that does nothing but gather dust should also be thrown out, sold, or given away to friends, neighbors, and relatives who can appreciate them. You can also consider buying or creating artwork and decor to hang on your wall.
6.) It’s Constantly Dusty
If they’re at street level, living rooms are often the interior space that’s most exposed to dust and pollution. As a result, many people find it physically difficult to stay in these rooms due to allergies and asthma concerns.
Solution: Swap out any hard-to-clean furniture and rugs with pieces that you could just wipe down. Leather and vinyl upholstery as well as traditional solihiya and bare wood furniture will accumulate far less dust and pet dander, and they are also generally easier to clean. Additionally, you can consider adding an air purifier to your living room to keep the dust and pollution levels in your living room more manageable.
Now that you’ve read these suggestions, it’s time to begin maximizing your living space. Make sure to ask family members and other people in your household if they agree with your ideas or if they have other suggestions about what to do with your unused living room. Start checking out online marketplaces for secondhand furniture and other items that could breathe new life into your home.
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