If you are new to the world of interior design, decorating an entire home might seem like an overwhelming task. Many experts recommend taking it one room at a time as you dive into decorating your space. To begin with, learn how to decorate your living room in a few simple steps.

Determine the Room’s Purpose

A living room can serve a variety of purposes. Some choose to use their living room as a regular gathering place for family at the end of a long day. Others decide to set up their living room as a space to entertain guests only. Consider how your living room will be used by you and your family before you begin to the decorating process.

Inventory Check

To get started, you need to know what you are working with to decorate your living room. What furniture and decor pieces do you already own? Are you trying to decorate your room using a piece of art as the focal point? When determining how to decorate a living room, it’s best to start with a list of items you have and what you might need to fill in any gaps. Any pieces you don’t plan on using in your living room can repurposed for other places in your home or donated.

Arrange What You Have

After you’ve taken stock of the items you already own, play around with the layout of your living room. This step lets you visualize the living room as it takes shape. You’ll have a better idea of what you might need to shop for or change up. For example, maybe you love the shape of your sofa but the fabric is seeming a bit dated with the rest of your furniture. Have the sofa reupholstered rather than buying an entirely new one.

Choose Your Color Palette

When determining how to decorate a living room, the color palette is going to play a huge role in the mood of the space. Choosing a color palette is relatively easy, especially if you are using a piece, such as a rug or couch, as inspiration. For instance, if you love the bold blues used in the textile of your favorite arm chair, build your color palette around those hues.

Select Your Interior Design Style

With the furniture and home decor pieces you already have, as well as the color palette you’ve selected, consider what interior design aesthetic are you trying to achieve in your living room? If you are going for a shabby chic look, visit local flea markets and thrift shops to fill out your living room. If you’d rather go for a more rustic look, shop for wooden and flannel accessories to use in your living room, such as the Mid Rail Plank Barn Door. (All rolling barn doors are currently 25 percent off through Tuesday, October 31, 2017 with promo code SPOOKY25.)

Invest In Lighting

An often overlooked aspect of room design, lighting is imperative to the function of any space. Now that your living room is decorated and arranged exactly as you envisioned it, consider if there is enough lighting to curl up with a good book or to play a board game with your loved ones. Whether you opt to install new overhead pendant lights or decide to go with a selection of lamps, the right lighting is imperative to making your living room useable.

When knowing how to decorate your living room, trust your instincts. You and your loved ones should feel comfortable and at-home in the space so don’t force a decorative touch that doesn’t feel right. Enjoy the process and have fun as you transform your living room into a cozy, welcoming environment.