My advice to you, as well as my design clients, is to first determine what YOU need in YOUR space, by answering a few simple questions.

1) What is your budget? I know, a simple, boring question.

And, it’s not fun to think about the money. It’s more fun to think about buying things, painting, arranging furniture, etc.

But do it anyway. Decide how much money you have to invest in your living room project, before you get excited about purchasing something.

2) How do you use this room? Traditional use...informal...TV or no TV...children?...aging parents?...pets?...multi purpose function?..none of these?

I have seen living rooms with pool tables in them, living rooms used as dining areas, home offices, etc.

Decide how your living room best fits your lifestyle and make your decisions from there with regard to the type of flooring, wall color, furniture fabric...right down to the lamps and end tables.

So before you determine that you absolutely need a new sofa, two side chairs and a set of end tables/ coffee table, give yourself a little time out and answer question #2 honestly. You might come up with a totally different direction for the space.

3) What furniture stays, what furniture goes?

Be realistic about answering this question and you will have a solid starting point for your living room design, or living room makeover.

And, how you answer this question is a direct result of your response to the first two questions as well. Your budget and lifestyle use of the living room will dictate how much furniture, if any, you will add/replace.

I’m always an advocate of using what you have first, particularly if you are decorating on a budget.

And, the furniture doesn’t have to be in the living room at the moment.

Take a look at pieces in other rooms of your home and see if they might have a new purpose in your living room.You can create a fresh look with existing pieces by moving them around your home.

Now, here are three things you should NEVER do when considering living room ideas.

1) Never purchase a large ticket or large size item for your living room without measuring first. That sofa might really turn you on in the furniture store, but get it into your living room and it becomes a fabric monster in your space.

Furniture placement can solve a lot of arrangement issues, but if a piece is too big, it’s too big.

Instead... do this...

Measure the width, length and height of the piece(s) first, then use masking tape (or similar, whatever works for you) to lay out the measurements in your room. Remember to consider ALL of the pieces in the room.

If that great sofa leaves you with just a couple feet of space for the rest of the room’s furnishings, it’s not a good choice.

If it’s the style and shape that you love, see if you can find a similar look in a smaller piece.

If the color/fabric sends you over the top, search for a sofa that is better suited to your space and get a price in that fabric, or something similar.

Take what you love about a piece and make it work for your living room.

2) Never try to literally recreate a room that you see in a magazine or on TV. Why, you ask? It’s just so cool...I want my room to look JUST like that one!

Because there are going to be differences in the size, shape, lighting (natural and otherwise) of your space, and those living room ideas that seem so perfect in a photo just won’t translate to a literal duplicate in your home.

Make a list, literally, of what you love about that room.

Write it down and then go over your list. It might be the colors that are what you really love, for example.

Then see how you can use those colors in your space, considering all of the other factors present, such as flooring, lighting, wall space, etc.

Take each aspect of that ‘perfect’ photo and consider it on it’s own merit, Then, if you still really love it, try to make it your own.

3) Never make a decorating decision because someone (you know, your best friend, a co-worker, your neighbor) told you it would be great in your room. If you are not sold on the living room idea, don’t jump in with both feet.

Your home and each room in it is a reflection of YOU, not someone else. Don’t be persuaded to spend money on furniture, accessories, artwork, etc. if you don’t love it.

Instead...do this...

Tell your helpful decorator friend that you’ll take their idea under consideration. And do that, of course. But don’t paint those walls...purchase that sofa...install that wood floor....until and unless you decide it’s right for YOU.

If your budget will allow, get the opinion of a professional.

In my interior design business I charge by the hour, and sometimes I am commissioned to help make one decorating decision.

I don’t mind at all, and my client is always grateful to have another opinion from someone who has some expertise.

Color Palette can be a tough decision for folks to make. Here are some ideas to help you learn about decorating with color for your living room, or any room in your home.

A small home can present unique challenges, so read more about decorating small spaces as that can definitely impact your living room ideas and designs.

Sometimes your living room just needs new furniture placement, not a bunch of new stuff. There are no rules that dictate where the sofa has to go, so open up your mind to the possibilities!

The finishing details in a living room (or any room of your home can really add the drama, personality and 'punch' that defines a uniquely decorated space. Here are two of these areas:

Home Decorating Pictures You'll find a great variety of art prints for every style of decor and budget!

Window Treatment Ideas Finishing the windows in a space can be a difficult decision. Here are some tips to help you decide what to do, then how to accomplish the window treatment design that you select.

Finally, take your time and have fun learning as much as you can about living room ideas and how to make them uniquely your own!

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