Whether you live in a cozy apartment or rambling suburban home, a cottage by the sea, or a lodge in the mountains, your living room creates a lasting impression for all who enter. It tells your family and guests if you’re formal and elegant or fun-loving and laid-back. It sets the mood for the home and should be a reflection of the owner’s personal taste.

A living room can be arranged in many ways. For some, this space is formal and perfect at all times, to be entered and used only when guests come to call. To others, it serves as a comfortable family gathering place for watching TV, doing homework, or visiting. Some have a cozy nook for sipping tea and curling up with a book.

Regardless of what purpose your living room serves, the fabrics, colors, furniture, and accessories should be what you love. Whether it’s serene and neutral, colorful and lively, or something in-between, it should reflect your taste.

Your living room is the heart of your house; you express yourself in a sophisticated editing of your surroundings. Most important to you is the drama that you can achieve by eliminating clutter, you can lead the eye to the main event, whether that be a dramatically-lit sculpture, a fabulous rug or a fantastic piece of art.

Don’t detract from what’s most important If you have a dynamite view, maybe you don’t want to spoil it with any window treatment. If you have a gorgeous piece of art, spend a little on a contemporary light to add drama and give the art breathing room on the wall.

Sophisticated leathers and textures add interest to a contemporary living room.

If your coffee table is brushed stainless steel, don’t buy brass lamps. When your incidentals are harmonious, the eye will be drawn to the drama that you create. In a small living room you may be starting with an asset. Small square footage can create an intimate living space.

Firstly you should add architectural details. For example in small spaces, built-in cabinets and bookshelves are great for storage and they can make the room seem larger by accenting the vertical and horizontal lines. If you build floor-to-ceiling shelves you can add a focal point to the room.

Keep it simple: Especially in colors and window treatments. These elements can overpower a small space. Lighter colors will expand the space. Unfussy windows will draw attention to the expansive view. Light fabrics will melt into the walls.

What to put in front your sofa

Because a sofa is probably the largest piece of furniture in your main living area, it could look lonely all by itself, a big glob of fabric-covered seating. And when you’re sitting at a sofa, you’ll undoubtedly want a place to put things like magazines or drinks so that you can reach them easily.

Here are some suggestions for a piece of furniture to place in front of the sofa:

A Coffee Table

Coffee tables are available in all sorts of sizes, heights, and metal, glass, painted, or natural wood finishes. A traditional coffee table can have a glass top, can be solid wood, or can be made out of metal or finished with a high gloss to shine as the center of attention in the room.

A Coffee Table Ottoman

By combining the top of a table with cushions of an ottoman, you’ll get the comfort for resting your feet and the convenience of space to place items. Usually with this type of design, the ottoman cushions pull out from below the table top, meaning you can use both the top and the cushions at the same time.

A Large Ottoman

As homeowners are gearing furniture selections to comfort, the ottoman has taken center stage in front of many sofas. An ottoman is just a large padded or upholstered stool or bench. It’s a perfect piece to use in front of a sofa, as its soft top offers comfort for legs, the upholstery fabric contributes color and texture to the room, and the large flat top is ideal for placing a tray or books.

A Pair of Small Tables

Two small square tables, placed side by side, give a slightly more formal look than the more modern large coffee table. A matched pair looks best, but a mismatched set of small tables, of exactly the same height, can be used together with matching tops. If you have a pair of small antique tables, this may be the perfect place to use them.

A Picnic Bench

For a very rustic or Cottage Style home, a long, low, wooden bench is a perfect touch. The long flat top works well for placing books and beverages without adding too much formality.

A Piece of Glass on a Base

A large built frame, a pair of cement columns, interesting sculptures, or large pots can serve as a stable base for a piece of 1/2 inch thick beveled-edge plate glass, cut to the perfect size. This is a good option for a very small space, as you can place the bases as close together or as far apart as you wish and have the glass cut to fit your space.

An Old Dining Table

This is the perfect place to put a dining table. Of course, you’ll need to cut the legs down to the proper height for your seating space, but the large surface will be convenient for many purposes, including playing games, doing homework, and entertaining.

You will more than likely spend most of your time in your living room, so you want to feel comfortable and be able to relax the moment you enter.

When shopping for living room furniture, select your sofa by comfort rather than style. There is nothing worse than coming home to relax and sinking into a hard uncomfortable sofa.

Let style dictate with other pieces in your living room, such as buffets, side tables, coffee tables and entertainment units.

[Image Source: Dream Homes: 100 Inspirational Interiors]