There are three main considerations as you plan your new living room; the space that you have, the styles you like and your choice of furniture. Naturally budget needs to be taken into account also and may affect your choices, however you can design a tasteful living room on a shoe string budget by shopping around or even using reclaimed furniture and furnishings.

You need to be aware of the space you are working with as that will inform the style of your living room and your choice of furniture. A small room should not contain too much or bulky furniture as the room will appear cramped and cluttered.

Style considerations to take into account are material, colour, size and theme. If you want to create a modern environment, choose modern furniture, that is not traditional and create a colour scheme that reflects your personality. A feature wall is considered very modern, which you could decorate with wallpaper or feature wallpaper. Buy furniture that will complement your feature wall in order to make a statement.

When arranging the furniture in your room it is a good idea to draw a floor plan to help you visualise the room and ensure everything fits. If you want to create a sociable space, make the focal point the centre of the room with chairs grouped together to allow guests to talk to each other. A more formal environment should feature symmetry. For example, you could place two armchairs side by side or paintings next to each other in a row. The floor plan will help you to arrange your furniture in a way that creates the right space for you.

Remember, furniture can be the focal point in any living room, provided it chosen carefully. Buy furniture that will fit harmoniously into your living space. Above all, home interiors advise you buy furniture to complement your home.