What is a double stay?
In the real estate field, “double stay” designates a room that is found in large apartments or large villas, and whose area is greater than 30 m². Beyond this area, in fact, there are 2 rooms … from a tax point of view.
The double living room can also designate a space obtained simply by removing a partition to benefit from a larger space. Thus, it is permissible to speak of a double stay, even when the dimensions are more modest.
And on the layout side? The double living room generally accommodates a generous living space and an additional living space: dining room or library, for example. If the expression “double stay” invites you to divide the space into 2, nothing obliges you to stick to this organization. You can thus combine a lounge and library area on the one hand, and a dining area on the other.
10 tips for planning a double living room
Think about the circulation in the double living room
The double living room seduces with its volumes. It is true that it can generally accommodate a large table in the dining room, an XXL corner sofa, or even a huge bookcase… but not all of this at the same time! Indeed, it is important to think of the double living room as a space in which we must be able to move around.
In this industrial-inspired double living room, we fell in love with the imposing buffet, both in size and style. Both the living room and the dining room side, however, we opted for more compact furniture. Visually, this double living room is harmonious, and one circulates there in a very fluid way.
Use color to structure the space in your double living room
Whether you opt for a living and dining area or another combination, it is important to structure the space in your double living room. The easiest way to do this is to play with color.
This double living room offers a contrasting decor. We love the geographical patterns: a simple and effective trick to give depth to the room. We like the perfectly assumed imbalance between a terribly cozy little lounge area and a large dining area with sleek furniture.
Depending on your decorative desires, it may be wise to opt for a uniform color on the wall. Here, we had fun with the shelves, by combining different modules of the same color on the dining room side, and by varying the colors on the living room side.
Partition your double living room
The best way to enhance the space you have in your double living room is sometimes… to partition it! The trick is to do it with subtlety.
In this double living room with a strong character, the glass partition is the highlight of the decor. Letting the light pass, it offers a curve that responds to the pattern painted on the ceiling. The good idea is this well thought out height: by not touching the ceiling, it looks more like a screen than a partition.
This slanted partition has been added for purely aesthetic reasons. Bringing a pleasant privacy in the lounge area, it also helps to create an aesthetic full of originality. It also offers an additional section of wall to arrange some pretty pieces of small furniture.
Work on the arrangement of the furniture
A double living room generally displays stunning volumes. This bright and friendly space in broad daylight can sometimes lack a little privacy after dark. In order to have a very cocooning space, we start by working on the arrangement of the furniture, in particular on the living room side.
The use of the corner sofa to isolate the living room area is a classic, but it always works! The secret ? Position it well! Here, the sleeper is on the window side, and you have to go around it to “enter” the living room. This enveloping effect is terribly cozy!
In this XXL-sized double living room, the lounge area distances itself from the window. Armchair and cocooning sofa are arranged around the carpet to form a pleasant cozy nest.
Work on the lighting of your double living room
A double living room generally benefits from a generous amount of light. In broad daylight, it is therefore warm and friendly. After dark, however, the mood may be colder. We therefore make sure to work on the lighting!
Wall lights that delicately enhance the decor, targeted lighting on the dining room table and table lamps that create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere in the living area: no doubt, in terms of lighting, this double living room to all good!
The double living room sometimes offers a delicate configuration. In this case, the wisest thing is to adapt… even if it means showing a little creativity!
In this double living room, it would have been tempting to place the dining room in the extension of the kitchen. Yet it is the living room that comes to nest on this side. And there is no doubt that it is good to chill on the sofa while taking advantage of the natural light!
Give relief
Conversely, the double living room sometimes offers a very smooth volume. In this case, it is wise to add a little relief so that your double stay displays more personality.
In this very wise double stay, we literally gave relief to the room by using a platform. We fall for the subtle work of color, which allows to maintain a very beautiful coherence in terms of decoration.