WHEN BUYING A property, it’s likely you’ll spend many weeks planning exactly what you want different rooms to look like.

From movie nights to catching up with friends to settling in to watch a new series, the sitting room serves many purposes – and thus has to be designed carefully. While there are many big decisions to be made, an easy way to have at least one thing sorted when you move in to your new home is to get your TV and broadband setup in advance, which is a service offered by providers like Sky. 

To learn from those who have already created a space they love, we asked three new homeowners to share their thought processes behind their living areas. From choosing a practical couch to designing a feature TV wall, here’s what they had to say…  

1. ‘We wanted to create a cosy space in an open-plan area’

Avril and Evan took their time in finding the perfect couch for movie nights. Supplied Supplied

Avril (@kitchenmaid_) lives in a new-build in Co Cork with her partner Evan. Spending extra time in the living area while working from home helped decide exactly how she wanted the space to feel.

This is definitely our most lived-in area of the house. After work, I love to make a coffee and sit down here to watch Home and Away. That’s my time to switch off from the day. At night, we love to curl up with tea and watch whatever series we’re into at that moment.

This space was my home office during lockdown and I think spending so much time there helped me create a vision for what we wanted the space to be. It’s an open plan space (kitchen, dining and living) which we adore, but also wanted to make the living area feel cosy. Our couch was super important to us and I think we sat on every couch in Cork before choosing this one. I love how soft furnishings like cushions and throws can totally change a space, and we added some plants to bring life to the room too.

I just love how relaxing the space is, especially at night when I pull down the blinds and light some candles before cosying up with a blanket. We went with a neutral colour scheme in this part of the open plan area as we have some colour in the kitchen and dining spaces. Greys, creams, beiges with black and wood furniture makes this space feel very calming. 

2.  ‘We wanted to choose a sofa that was practical’

Nadia and Janis are still adding the finishing touches to their living area. Supplied Supplied

Nadia (@posh_specs) lives in Co Meath with her partner Janis. Their living area was designed with functionality and cosiness in mind for nights in and for hosting. 

We spend every evening in here watching TV – as well as many Saturday nights with friends and family into the early hours. Our aim was to have somewhere cosy to watch TV together, and for it to be somewhere we wouldn’t have to be precious about expensive, stainable sofas.

After a year of self-building, we moved in in October 2021. The living room is still unfinished with plain white walls as we’re yet to choose a colour, and although there are windows on three sides and it’s very bright, it’s still cosy and compact and has lovely views of the Dublin Mountains in the distance. 

3. ‘A bespoke box keeps the TV wires out of sight’

After a stressful buying process, creating a comfortable and relaxing living space was a priority for Jessica. Supplied Supplied

Jessica (@jessandkarlhome) lives in Co Meath with her boyfriend and two dogs. The living area was designed around the electric fire and TV wall – and space for the dogs to relax too.

We spend all of our time in the living room, apart from when we are asleep or working. We love chilling out on the sofa with the dogs watching a new Netflix series or catching up on our favourite programmes.  

We bought a new build house during the pandemic without ever stepping foot inside of it. It was a very stressful experience with huge delays and uncertainty, so I knew I wanted to create a relaxing home for us to enjoy.

I really wanted to create a cosy and inviting living room, but with a slightly more formal feel for our ‘best room’. A realistic electric fire was a ‘must’ so we created a TV wall which is a lovely focal point. Comfortable but practical sofas were high on the list – ones you could lie out on but also feel supported.

The dogs absolutely love sitting in the Queen Anne chair in front of the window and watching the world go by. I love how sleek the TV wall looks and the fact we have hidden all of the ugly wires behind a bespoke MDF box which looks like part of the furniture. It feels so cosy when the lamps, fire and candles are on.

Tick one big thing off your list before you move in with Sky’s exclusive new home offers and get your Sky TV and Ultrafast Broadband setup for your move in day. Find out more here. Terms and conditions apply.