| Is your living room a place for show, only | | | | back from Thailand or a wall of bookcases |
| used when you're entertaining? Living rooms, | | | | that not only hold your books but also |
| as their name suggests, should not only | | | | display your collection of antique toys or |
| reflect who you are to the outside world, but | | | | Bennington pottery. Area rugs work well over |
| they should also be lived in. Here are some | | | | waxed hardwood floors or neutral, |
| suggestions for making your living room warm | | | | wall-to-wall Berber-style carpeting. |
| and inviting for guests as well as functional | | | | |
| and comfortable for family members. | | | | A decorative room divider, such as Japanese |
| | | | shoji screens, can be used to separate a |
| If your living room is large, divide it into | | | | large room into a living room and a TV room. |
| smaller areas through the positioning of | | | | In a smaller place, face the couch to a wall |
| furniture. You want the "conversation pit" to | | | | unit that holds the television - it's sure to |
| be cozy - a couch and loveseat and a couple | | | | become a favorite gathering spot for the |
| of chairs around a large cocktail table will | | | | family. |
| seat many people, yet they'll all be able to | | | | |
| hear what the others are saying. A great | | | | The days of covering the "good" living room |
| place for family meetings as well as for | | | | furniture with plastic are over! Leather or |
| entertaining. Make sure all seats are within | | | | the new microfiber fabrics are easy to clean, |
| reach of a table - someplace to set down | | | | look great, and can survive guests, kids, and |
| those drinks and chips! | | | | pets. If the furniture is in neutral colors, |
| | | | add colorful decorative pillows. Remember to |
| Face the couch to an architectural focal | | | | keep a few throw blankets around to stay cozy |
| point, such as a fireplace or a large window | | | | on cool nights. |
| that looks out to your garden or the city | | | | |
| lights. If you don't have an architectural | | | | If your living room walls are painted in |
| element to work with, create one by hanging | | | | light neutral shades, you'll be able to |
| large pictures or a mural on a wall. This | | | | change the furniture and decorative touches |
| allows people to admire the art and it's | | | | easily. Other ways to change the look of your |
| safer than hanging anything heavy right above | | | | living room are by adding tall plants or a |
| the seating (especially in areas prone to | | | | silk tree, a permanent flower arrangement in |
| earthquakes!). Hang cloth wall hangings or | | | | a basket or tall vase, or even a fountain and |
| small pictures on the wall behind the couch. | | | | small pond in a large enough space. |
| Don't, however, hang a mirror where people | | | | |
| will see their reflection all the time. Not | | | | Don't forget about lighting! Floor lamps, |
| everyone is thrilled by his or her image. | | | | especially in dark corners, can brighten |
| | | | large areas, while table lamps can provide |
| If you divide your living room in two or | | | | good light for your favorite reading/knitting |
| three seating and/or dining areas, use rugs | | | | chair. An arrangement of candles on the |
| to define the conversation grouping, another | | | | mantelpiece or a table adds ambiance to your |
| under the dining table, and another to set | | | | living room. Now go ahead, live in your |
| off a place to exhibit the Buddha you brought | | | | living room! |