An outdoor feeling in an apartment

by Sandy
(California)

One of the walls in my living room is a large window which overlooks a lake and other apartments. It faces South. It gets a lot of sun.

Sometimes I would like to sit in the window and enjoy the scenery.

I don't want to add furniture which is too costly because the sun may damage it. Also, I would like the furniture to blend with the other colors and textures in the room.

I'm not sure where to get ideas on what can be done.

I also want to avoid setting up a room divider because the view of the outside would then be blocked by those sitting in the living area.

Any ideas?

............

Comments
By Charlotte

20 June 2011

Hi Sandy

Your room sounds lovely, and how fantastic to have a view like that!

I definitely don't think you should set up a room divider, you don't want the rest of the room to miss out on the lovely views, and all that lovely light!

You don't say what the colors, texture or style are in the rest of your room, but my first thought for your window area would be to create almost a conservatory or patio feel for this area...

I would use wicker chairs, which are quite dainty and light, and just have maybe 2, with a small matching table, or coffee table between, facing away from the room, to admire the view, with the chairs at a diagonal to windows and table.

If you have a natural wood in your home, the wicker could be left it's natural color - or painted white, or another (preferably pale or pastel) color, if this would match better (I used to have a lovely old wicker chair, painted a pale yellow, myself)


If the style of your room is very contemporary, look out for a more modern style of chair set, perhaps with some metal included.

You can add cushions to match/complement the feel of your room, and maybe even a table cloth, if you wanted to bring in a pattern or color(s) that was on wallpaper, curtains, cushions etc. elsewhere in the room.

These will help them feel more 'cosy' and bridge the gap between indoor and outdoor.

Another idea would be a long, low sofa or chaise-longue, with the back to the window, that you could sit/lay on side-ways to enjoy the window view (...almost like a window seat - in fact, if the architecture of your house allows (if it's not a floor to ceiling window) you could build a window seat there, with hinged seats/lids and padded cushions, and have extra storage beneath, too!)

I would also add some plants, to give a more conservatory feel to the area - the sorts of hot-house plants you might enjoy in a conservatory - they will surely thrive in that position!

A little bookcase, or a craft area etc, would also give the area a purpose, and make it into a little relaxing retreat for you, away from the rest of the room, but still integral to it.

I hope these ideas help to inspire your own perfect-view window area - please come back and ask if you'd like any further help.

Good luck with your window seating area makeover - do come back and let us know how it turns out.

Best wishes

Charlotte :o)