The living room is said to be the mirror of a family and is a reflection of the personality, tastes and character of the people living in the house. In India, the living room is not just like the place where one entertains the guest but but also where the entire family relaxes together. therefore, the room should be formal yet cozy and warm. Dramatic use of lights can help create the right ambience while furnishings can provide the right textures and shades.

• The living room must have ample comfortable seating, which can be anything from Victorian to ethnic.

•  Center tables, coffee tables or corner tables should be placed at convenient positions.

• There should be a display unit where artifacts as well as television or music system can be kept.

• The living should have big windows and/or attached balcony for adequate ventilation and lighting and to make the room feel larger than it is.

• contrast can be created in the living room by painting each wall in a different color while neutral colors on the walls make the room look sober.

• The ceiling of the living room should be painted in a very light color as this makes the ceiling look higher than it really is.

• Lamps and/or chandeliers should be used to give a warm and cozy feel to the room. Small halogen lights should be used to focus artifacts or paintings.

• Curtains and upholstery should match the colors of the walls and should be light if the room is small. Plain upholstery in pastels should be contrasted with brightly printed curtains and carpets of the same color and vice versa.

• Accessories like sculptors and pots are bold while crystal and glassware are more subdued. Decorative plants give a very fresh look to the living room. 

SMART TIP: You can cover an entire small wall of the living room with tinted mirror. This is an inexpensive way of adding more depth to the room and reducing the glare of the sun coming into the room.