The Family & Living Room is one of the most used areas in any home. This is a place to welcome and entertain guests, and to just relax after a hard day’s work. Since so much of your time will be spent here, a lot of thought should be put into deciding what living room furnishings should be purchased. For most homeowners, the living room should capture your personality, in addition to providing warmth and comfort.

Here are some tips when choosing your family & Living Room layout and furniture. We know it can sometimes become a hassle, especially when you’re not really sure what to do. So, you need to find a balance between style, comfort, and functionality. Plus, you also have to consider the existing furniture pieces you currently would like to integrate into the room.

The first thing you need to consider is how big the room is. The size of the family & living room will aid you in determining what type & style of furniture you should keep and or purchase. For example, if you have a larger space, you can get larger pieces. Smaller furnishings will only be dwarfed in a large room. However, you will still have to make sure that there is enough space to walk around. Your size calculations should include not only sofas, chairs, and entertainment centers but also smaller accent pieces like end tables and coffee tables.

A smaller room will need a smaller love seat or maybe a recliner. Having too many pieces of furniture will make the room look and feel cluttered and disorganized. For smaller rooms, it would be advisable to get mirrored furniture to make the room look bigger than it actually is. It is important to maximize the space you have for both function and comfort, so choose the pieces carefully.

The primary use of your living room should also be taken into account. Is it going to be a place where you will enjoy reading, watching movies, or entertaining? If that is the case, you have to look into maximizing the space as to perform all those functions. A couch or a two-seater would be the best option for seating. You may also opt to have a corner entertainment center instead of one that dominates the whole room. It might also be a good idea to add in a home office computer desk if you want the room to serve multiple tasks. In choosing the right furniture, the living room can become a place you, family and guests can enjoy.

Also consider the amount of space you have for guests and how often you have overnight company. If you have people visit often, you might wish to get a daybed or sleeper sofa. These options perform two functions, that of a couch during the day and a bed at night.

You will also have to consider what sort of style you want the living room to have. Will it be modern, classic, or contemporary? This can also determine the color of the walls in the living room. You will want a cozy and warm atmosphere so you need to choose the color scheme carefully and ensure it matches well with your furniture.

Careful consideration of the size, function and style of your family & living room can make furniture shopping less frustrating and easier. Determine these characteristics prior to setting out, and you’ll have a much more pleasant shopping experience.