How to personalise the living room for everyone – even your dog

When you have a large family, with pets as well as people all sharing the living room, you can still enjoy the being there together without getting under each other’s feet. The key is to give everyone some space that feels like their own.

A brown dog walks past two, KIVIK two-seat sofas and two, KIVIK footstools, all anthracite colour, in a living room.

Junior size

An armchair that the grown-ups won’t borrow can help a younger family member to feel like an important part of the family.

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A STRANDMON children’s armchair, in Vissle grey, next to a KIVIK two-seat sofa in anthracite colour.

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Sophisticated storage

You can combine KALLAX cabinets to suit the space and your taste. For different looks and ways to organise, you can refine with boxes, inserts, drawers, shelves or baskets – such as the soft-felt PUDDA.

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White KALLAX shelf unit at floor level, with four open shelves and two, grey-felt PUDDA baskets.

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Fireside chats

In front of the fireplace, a couple of armchairs and a rollable table can create an intimate spot for a chat. The recesses either side are handy for storage when you add shelves or cabinets.

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A LUBBAN trolley-table, wicker and steel, between two ULRIKSBERG rattan armchairs, in front of a fireplace.

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Feeling playful?

This footstool is a versatile piece of furniture. Sometimes, it’s a convenient table on which to play a game.

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Part of a KIVIK two-seat sofa and a KIVIK footstool, both anthracite colour, a brown dog sat nearby.

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Stretch out

A pair of footstools turn a two-seat sofa into a double chaise longue. Add some cushions and throws for a relaxed haven in the living room.

A KIVIK two-seat sofa and two, KIVIK footstools in anthracite colour, pushed together to create a double chaise longue.

Picture perfect

To create an ‘art wall’ or gallery, think of the display as one unit, with each picture and objects connected by a colour or by a theme.

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A KIVIK two-seat sofa in anthracite colour beneath an art wall made up of four framed pictures and various curios.

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Personal space that feels welcoming

“Your living room should have a ‘personal space’ for each family member, so that everyone feels welcome and included.” - Frida Roos, Interior Designer, IKEA

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A colour floorplan sketch of furniture and storage placement for a large family living room.

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How to create your ideal living room

Before you buy the furniture, plan out what everyone likes to do and where they like to sit in the living room. With a little forethought, you can create a living room that everyone loves. Firstly, make a list of the activities, hobbies and interests that the living room needs to cater for – such as watching TV, playing games or exercising. Now consider where in the room would best suit each activity, so that you all have some personal space even when you’re there together. Then you can start to choose the most appropriate furniture. Comfort and function are most important but you also want pieces that fit with your overall look and colour scheme.

A floorplan and IKEA catalogue, with a hand holding a pencil above a work desk.