As a room that serves as a family gathering point, it’s important that your living room facilitates a relaxed atmosphere. This can be done in a number of ways, not least of which is incorporating masonry into the living room design of your Smithtown, NY, home. Here we’ll take a look at some of the ways that masonry can be used to create a warm and welcoming environment, and add charm and rich character to the setting.
Masonry Room Divider
If your living room spans a large amount of space, leaving it feeling sparse and cold, a ceiling to-floor-masonry room divider can be just the thing to close off a gathering space and create a cozier, more intimate room. This will also leave you with an extra room for an additional function, such as dining. Alternatively, a low masonry dividing wall can be used to control foot traffic by limiting thoroughfare from one room to another, or simply add the decorative element of brick or stone to the room.
Accent Walls
An accent wall can break up the monotony of a living room’s walls and highlight features of a similar color or texture. It also creates an excellent backdrop to paintings, mirrors, and ornate wall-mounted lighting fixtures. Masonry accent walls can be installed relatively quickly by an experienced company, such as Above All Masonry Design and Outdoor Living, with the use of natural stone or brick veneer.
Arches and Doorframes
Adding stone veneer arches or door frames to the doorways of your living room is a great way to add a sense of age or drama to your living room design. Again, this addition can be made relatively quickly using stone veneer. These features also work well in combination with an accent wall of the same style.
Decorative Lintels
Similarly, decorative lintels can be added above your windows, or above your doors instead of a full door frame, if you prefer to keep it simple. This can add weight to a window and complement antique or vintage-style window frames and doors. Consider, for example, a soldier course of brick veneer to add a subtle touch of rustic red or an industrial theme to your living room.
Fireplace and/or Feature Backing
As an alternative to a full natural stone accent wall, why not incorporate a strip of stone veneer as a backing to certain living room features? Mirrors and televisions stand out well against a dark stone veneer, as do book shelves and paintings. Stone veneer feature backing takes its cue from the fireplace, the strip being created by the fireplace chimney rising towards the ceiling. So if the warm, flickering glow of a fireside appeals to you, it may be worth including a fireplace into this design. A fireplace is also an excellent way to unplug as a family. Turn off the television and the cell phones, light up the fireplace, and enjoy some good conversation and quality family time.
