What is California Casual style?
The California Casual design style is perfectly suited for today’s relaxed lifestyle. With more adults working remotely or hybrid and children often learning from home, home space design has become more multifunctional than ever. This necessitates creating an atmosphere that is flexible, comfortable, and uncluttered.
Seating choices in California casual living rooms and family rooms are very deep and lounge-like. Sofas tend to have lots of pillows, often as the sofa back itself. Lumbar cushions are frequently included as well due to the depth of the seating. Chaise lounges – by themselves or part of an upholstered sectional – are popular. Much of the seating may be covered in performance fabrics (even white!), which lasts longer and are so much easier to maintain than upholstery options of the past. Original performance fabrics were reserved for outdoor use because of their sturdy functionality, but now they are available in so many more textures–such as velvet and chenille–perfect for a busy family room. Leather–either on a chair, sofa, accessory, or table– is also an important element in California Casual design. Leather adds stability to a room, wears well, and can be used in so many different environments. For example, we might suggest combining a fabric chair and a leather sofa. Or, we may suggest adding a recliner in a light color to keep it from adding too much weight to the room as a whole.
Cocktail and occasional tables offer the opportunity to bring in a flair of personality as they can be not just functional, but beautiful. Live edge wood tables, tree trunk pedestals, and even marble surfaces complement the casual style and can be easily used without concern.
Because rooms get a lot of different uses, we tend to use fewer accessories. Unnecessary pieces are eliminated, and views are geared toward the outside often with no window coverings and designing rooms that open directly to the outside. Open-space kitchens which allow for open views and easy flow between rooms are very popular in a California Casual home.
In terms of color, neutrals play a big role in helping open rooms flow together seamlessly. Pops of color come through in pillows, artwork, and accessories that represent the homeowner’s personal taste. Art collections with consistent frames arranged on a gallery wall can be very useful in setting a tone. Mixed metals, such as brushed chrome and brass, are increasingly used in California Casual design. Whether on hardware, an entertainment unit, or photo frames, these metals create interest in an otherwise simple piece
If you are interested in incorporating the California Casual style into your home, we’d love to talk! It helps us to get to know our clients so we understand your style and how you use your space so we can help make your home exactly what you’re looking for. Schedule a consultation below.
