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Designing a Sitting Room that Feels "Like Adults Live Here Too"


I recently had a wonderful virtual Designed in a Day session—YES! Day sessions can be virtual, too!—with a client based in Louisville, KY. She had two spaces she wanted to tackle during our time: the design of a small sitting room right off the front of her house, and her main floor powder bath.

For the sitting room, pictured below, she wanted something that felt “grown up”.

"I want friends to walk in and feel like, oh, this is classy. They should know adults live here too."

Not surprisingly, I hear that a lot! So many parents feel like they've lost their home to their kids, so I love to help them create spaces that work for both adults and kids.



before image of a sitting room with a blue velvet sofa, christmas tree, and french doors



Sitting Room Design Inspiration


For inspiration, my client showed me photos of simple, elegant sitting rooms that had four club chairs or arm chairs circled around a table or ottoman, but she also liked the idea of a sofa + chairs, though didn't know if it would fit.


Here are a handful that caught her eye (all from Houzz.com):



three sitting room inspiration images
three sitting room inspiration images



Sitting Room Design Furniture Layout & Selections


Because it was a small space, we decided to explore both options while using similar items to achieve the design.


Here are the two layouts I came up with:


Two different furniture layout options for a sitting room design plan

I wanted to showcase her original idea with the 4-chair seating area, but I also wanted to show her another option that included a sofa. She had thought the room might be too small for a sofa, but really, there was plenty of space, so we explored that option too.


I used essentially the same items for both design plans with a few minor tweaks so it would be easy for her to choose between the two:



a Louisville sitting room style board by interior designer lauren figueroa


Both designs were great options for the space, and ultimately we ended up liking the warmth and function of the option with the tufted leather sofa (below).

That said, she was very grateful to have two options to explore, especially because she had originally been leaning toward the four chair layout.



a Louisville sitting room style board by interior designer lauren figueroa


USE CODE "SHOPSMALL23" FOR ADDITIONAL DISCOUNT




Powder Bathroom Design Plan


With the last bit of time during our session, we tackled a small powder room on the main level. She wanted a playful wallpaper, a new wash stand, and updated mirror, sconces, and bathroom accessories.


Here you can see the current powder bath:



a before image of a basic powder room with a pedestal sink


I gave her three options for wallpaper (we both liked option #1 best!), and two options for sconces/mirrors depending on whether she wanted to go more modern or more traditional in style. It turned out super cute!



Style board by interior designer lauren figueroa with selections for a small modern powder bathroom with playful floral wallpaper


Best of all, my client left our Designed in a Day Session with the furniture layouts, style boards, and sources for all of the elements in her design so she can easily execute it on her own timing. I can't wait to see the finished spaces!




USE CODE "SHOPSMALL23" FOR ADDITIONAL DISCOUNT

 


interior designer lauren figueroa sketches a kitchen design on her ipad

Work with Lauren Figueroa Interior Design


LFID is a Michigan based full-service interior design firm. Based in Clarkston, Michigan, I work with clients throughout west and southeast Michigan, from metro Detroit, to Lansing, to Grand Rapids, to Holland—and anywhere in between!


I pride myself on my fun and efficient design process and in creating bespoke, people-centered spaces—because after all, people are what this life is all about!


If you have a project on the horizon, get started by telling me a little about your vision here.


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