The living room is the focal point of most homes, it’s where the entire family gathers to socialize, watch movies or play board games. If you’ve been in your home for a number of years, your living room may start to feel a little dated. Fortunately,  there are many options out there that make updating your home easy. Each element of the room that you make changes to plays a role in the overall mood that is created. Consider these 4 upgrades when redecorating your living room.

1. Increase the perceived space. There are a number of clever ways that you can increase the perceived space in a room to make it look and feel bigger than it actually is. The simplest way to achieve more space is to add mirrors. They reflect natural light and can make any space look bigger. A mirrored wall will significantly improve the brightness of a room. If you don’t have space for a very large mirror, use several small ones scattered around the room. Another way to increase the perceived space of a room is by adding a focal point. This will draw attention away from the size of the room itself. The focal point can be anything from a bold piece of furniture to a mantle or a piece of art.  Finally, the way traffic flows through a room can define the overall space. Furniture should be arranged so that it doesn’t get in the way or block an entrance to a room.
2. Amp up the comfort. Typically, living rooms are where most people spend time in the house collectively. Therefore, your living room should be comfortable! Use a daybed to divide the room in half so that the area has a practical purpose from an organizational point of view, and it can be used to relax on. Swap your coffee table for a very large ottoman. These soft alternatives are comfortable to put your feet on while watching TV and can serve as storage, too. When it comes to accessories, tall plants can transform lonely corners into a welcoming sight and make the overall space feel warmer.
3. Add storage space. Storage space in the living room can increase functionality and clear the area of clutter at the same time make. Pull sofas and chairs away from the walls to make room for a console table where various items are stored. Use ottomans as “hidden” places where items can be stored not far from the key sitting positions of a room. In general, when selecting any piece of furniture consider what it can store. There are some ingenious pieces of furniture that appear to be the same but actually have unexpected storage compartments.
4. Play around with color. In the past, many homeowners thought neutrals were the best colors for a living space. The expert Birmingham painters say that’s no longer true! Whether you choose to add a bright accent wall or incorporate color into your decor through colorful accessories, adding color is an easy way to update the existing look of your living room.
5. Showcase collections and family photos. The living room is the space in your home that people will notice the most. Traditionally it’s an area that gets a lot of foot traffic, as it’s the room that leads you anywhere else in the house. It’s also the room where guests are invited to sit and enjoy. For all those reasons and more, it makes sense to use the living room to “show off” your collections or family photos. Maybe you have a rare collection that you are particularly proud of or photos that show generations of your family. Dedicate a space on the wall for these treasured relics of your family to give your living room some decoration and meaning.

Use these decorating tips to amplify your living space! For more design inspiration, contact Joan Suzio, a Libertyville interior decorator.

This post brought to you by Dan Kalman, a blogger for the Lee Company.