Essential Tips for Designing Your Living Room: 6 Do's and Don'ts You Can't Ignore

The living room is where we spend most of our time when we aren't sleeping so we need it to feel good. Whether you're in need of a refresh or starting from scratch, we've compiled some of the most important design tips to create that space you've always wanted.

Follow these essential Do's and Don'ts of living room design and you'll be ready to sit back, relax, and enjoy your new space in no time.

#1 - Do: Declutter

This step cannot be skipped! Decluttering is the process of getting rid of stuff in your home and life to create space and time for what truly matters.

If you're feeling overwhelmed in your space, there is a good reason for it and most of the time, too much "stuff" is the number one culprit. For some, this is a struggle simply because you live in a small space. Understandable; however, it just means you need to be selective with what you keep and be creative with where it goes. The definition of too much stuff can fall into many categories including clothes, toys, games, books, furniture, home decor and other collections.

Decluttering is key to eliminating physical and visual clutter and the beginning to every great design plan.

#2 - Don't: Underestimate the Power of Paint

A fresh coat of paint can do more than just change the color of your walls it can fully transform the mood and size of a room. Paint is an inexpensive, powerful tool and should not be overlooked when you are trying to update your space.

Determine what features or existing finishes in the room you would consider permanent like cabinets, tile or a brick fireplace. Include them in your color selection process. And if you're starting with a fully furnished home, think of a favorite rug, piece of art or fabric in your space. Often these objects are your favorites because they feature colors you like. Use these combinations as a guide to choosing shades for your walls.

The easiest way to make a final decision on color is to get a few sample cans from your local paint supply store and test them on your wall. Paint the sample colors in multiple areas and pay attention to how the light changes in your space throughout the day, this will also change the way the color looks on your wall and therefore help narrow down your options until you find a favorite.

#3 - Do: Create a Conversation Area with Furniture

Every living room needs a conversation area. Facing furniture towards each other encourages conversation; it's actually a really easy way to create a comfortable and inviting space. Circles, squares, rectangles, L and U-shapes all create a welcoming place to sit and stay awhile. Make sure to anchor the seating area with an area rug to pull it all together. A good rule of thumb for area rugs are to be about six inches wider than the sofa and at least two feet of all main furniture pieces should rest on the rug.

When arranging your living room furniture, start with the largest piece first. This is usually the sofa, or in some cases an armchair. Place the piece toward the room's most prominent feature, which could be a TV, fireplace, gallery wall, or window. Next, position smaller seating options, such as chairs or love seats, opposite or adjacent to the first piece. Finish by filling in with accent furniture, including ottomans, coffee tables, end tables, and lamps. Make sure each seat is within reach of at least one tabletop surface.

#4 - Don't: Skimp on Lighting

Lighting creates the mood. Combining a range of living room lighting options creates the layers that are necessary – making the space warm and relaxing for evenings, bright enough for reading, or setting the right ambience for watching a movie or entertaining. A single source of lighting is never enough and it's important that ceiling lighting as well as wall and floor lamps are all considered. There are two main things to think about when layering lighting in any room, first, how do you want the room to feel and second, what do you want to use the room for. This allows you to combine functional task lighting with decorative lighting to create your desired atmosphere.

#5 - Do: Add Contrast in Color and Texture

It's easy to keep your space neutral with beiges, greys, and greiges but adding a pop of color to your space is what makes it come alive. The right combination of texture and color can create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort while adding depth and dimension to your living room. Consider choosing two or three main colors then adding complimentary accent colors through decor. A successful and cost-effective way to add a color accent to a room is with throw pillows but don't settle for two of the exact same, instead opt for a collection of coordinating pillows. You can also use accessories such as lamps, vases, and artwork to bring color and texture contrast to the space. Adding small touches of the color black to a room is an effective way to create contrast and add depth. And a natural way to liven up any room is always to incorporate plants.

#6 - Don't: Forget to Accessorize

Last but not least, don't miss your chance to add style, warmth and interest to your room with accessories! Include items that make you feel good. Accessories should reflect your personality as well as add to the overall look and feel of the space. Some of our favorite ways to accessorize a living room are blankets, plants, rugs, candles, vases, artwork, trays, throw pillows, and books. Think of it as the finishing touches to all your hard work.

Finally, I believe that accessories should be updated with the seasons. This will help to keep your home looking fresh and inviting all year long.