| Living rooms cater for many needs. They are for | | | | Be careful with the size and shape - if it is too large it |
| relaxing and socialising, listening to music and | | | | will simply take up too much space and dominate the |
| entertaining. They can also be used for eating and | | | | room, and if it is too small you may not be able to fit |
| drinking, watching TV and playing. Modern living room | | | | as many people on it as you would like to. |
| design tries to cater for the whole range of activities | | | | Open spaces do attract clutter. The more space we |
| and making the most of the space we have often | | | | have the more we try and fill it, often with things that |
| becomes a top priority when thinking about decorating | | | | could easily be tidied away if only some storage had |
| and furnishing the room. The trend in modern living | | | | been planned for them. Built-in cupboards are a solution |
| rooms is for a more open design - you need to look | | | | here but if your room does not suit this style, then think |
| carefully at the quality of natural light in the room and | | | | carefully about some other options. Solid oak |
| how to supplement it with additional light sources. | | | | sideboards or oak cupboards work very well. A |
| Wooden furniture with a natural finish is a good choice | | | | natural wood finish helps to keep the living space look |
| as it tends to lend a light and airy aspect to the | | | | open and spacious, and their solid construction will |
| furnishings, as well as giving some much-needed | | | | resist many knocks. Solid oak, and indeed solid pine, |
| warmth and character. | | | | can be easily looked after - minor scratches and |
| Now think about what you actually need, and what | | | | marks are easily sanded away and a light application |
| you might desire to have space for - in other words, | | | | of oil or wax will bring out the natural warmth and give |
| separate your needs from your wants. For instance, | | | | the furniture a really mellow appeal. Cupboard space |
| you might need space for a sofa, TV and music, | | | | like this will give you plenty of room to tidy away toys, |
| lighting and a coffee table and sideboard. You might | | | | DVDs and books. |
| want space for toys and books, DVD and CD storage | | | | A good-sized solid oak coffee table is another |
| and your hi-fi speakers. What you can actually fit into | | | | desirable item and one that can be thought of as an |
| your room will depend on the size and shape of the | | | | investment as well as a practical piece of furniture. |
| space you have. You may have to be ruthless in your | | | | One with built-in shelving underneath will give more |
| choices - it is important to obtain a balance between | | | | storage options, or perhaps a nested set of tables so |
| the areas taken up with furniture and open areas you | | | | you have the flexibility of producing more surface area |
| use for access around the room. | | | | when you are entertaining friends and family. |
| A good sofa is high on the list of essentials. After a | | | | Modern living room design just needs a little thought |
| hard day at work you often cannot beat just throwing | | | | and planning - if you think ahead it is easier to set a |
| open the door and collapsing in front of the TV to | | | | budget and buy the things that will make your living |
| catch up on your favourite programmes. Or perhaps | | | | room more comfortable as well as giving you furniture |
| you prefer to listen to music or even just flop around | | | | that will give you and your family pleasure for many |
| and do nothing. Whatever your choice, you need a | | | | years. |
| comfortable sofa as a key foundation in your design. | | | | |