| More than any other room, there are no fixed | | | | Unless you're blessed with huge storeroom or |
| rules when it comes to designing the living room. | | | | have few possessions, you'll need to work |
| A living room includes a bit of everything. It's | | | | cabinets and other nifty clutter-busters into your |
| where you relax, watch television and socialize, so | | | | living room too. |
| it can take on any shape depending on what you | | | | Hiring a carpenter is the most popular option. Chic |
| choose to focus on. Here're some tips and | | | | design-integrated, built-in cupboards are the |
| suggestions on planning your living room. | | | | storage area of choice these days. The big bonus |
| After deciding on your objectives for the living | | | | is that they are perfect for dead space in |
| room, plan the crucial features that you want to | | | | awkward or irregular corners of the room. If |
| work your design around. For example, if the | | | | built-in cupboards are too permanent for your |
| television set is the focus, its size and shape will | | | | liking, there are also modular options from |
| also determine the design of the room. A regular | | | | furniture retailers that you can mix, match and |
| set may require just a console, while a plasma set | | | | change around whenever you like. |
| may need a false wall to hide the cables. Seating | | | | One tip when planning the living room for a big |
| in the room will also revolve around the television. | | | | family, is to focus on storage, so something for |
| By keeping the focal points in mind, the other | | | | everyone will be available when needed. This |
| furnishings will fall into place more easily. | | | | might mean a row of floor-to-ceiling cabinets with |
| Layout is an important part of planning the living | | | | built-in niche, and a custom-built coffee table with |
| room. Work out the placement of the furnishings | | | | hidden storage panels to help display as well as |
| by observing how the traffic will flow, and work | | | | keep away the family's belongings. |
| with the space accordingly. | | | | For a retro-themed living room of a young couple, |
| Plan special features such as a water fountain or | | | | the sofa set can be made redundant with padded |
| feature wall in areas of heavy traffic for | | | | half-walls and building booth seats for the dining |
| maximum impact, but move the chill-out areas to | | | | area. Framed vintage fabric panels wrap up the |
| quieter parts of the room. | | | | theme, and add interest to the plain walls. |
| Storage is another essential factor in the home. | | | | |