Define your decorating style

You want to work hard at getting it right but the result has to look as though it's been thrown together in five minutes!

Your living room is the place where family and friends sit when visiting, so you should make a special effort to create a comfortable harmonious environment. Your living room is usually the first room you seem upon entering your apartment.

The living room has to be shown well but in many cases the living room also has to be able to carry off other functions such as a dining room, playroom or office.

An eye for design

If at all possible, take your time and try not to pressure yourself or let others rush you. Spend time looking for ideas and inspiration in books, magazines and online see article about mood boards.

Make a point of looking around houses that are open to the public, such as 'Showhomes' and don't forget to take mental notes when you are out dining in restauarants, as the design work has probably been done by an experienced interior designer!

What attracts you?

What colour do you like? Light or dark? Strong or muted? And what about textures ? Do you like antiques or modern? What type of rooms do you like the most - cosy or ultra modern? 

Don't design to impress others - design for yourself and your family after all friends just visits, you have to live there.

Traditional warmth: A traditional style is generally formal, sophisticated and timeless, using antiques, rich woods, overstuffed seating and muted understated colours. The emphasis in a traditional room is on comfort, style and classic refined elegance.

Fabrics are rich and luxuries, fixture and fittings of high quality and accessories includes paintings, vintage prints and framed personal mementos. Traditional rooms are thoughtfully composed and generally have a formal feel.

Modern elegance: Classic modern (contemporary style) treats interior spaces almost as pieces of three-dimensional art, balancing form, shape, colour and texture.

Surfaces are plain, colours are usually clean and pure and shapes are geometric with immaculate detail and finishing. The whole look is pared down and polished.

Country comfort: Signature elements are materials and textures that are natural rather than man-made. Furniture that is simple and hand crafted and an absence of modern artefact's. Country comfort today is called many thing such as romantic, rustic, country house and shaker just to name a few.

Casual blends: It's a well chosen and harmonious mix of furniture, fixtures, colours and accessories that appeal to you.

Casual requires a confident hand to team up ancient and modern, to combine the clean lines of contemporary with the warmth of country and tie it all together with colour and texture.

The most successful casual rooms generally confine themselves to two or three different styles and frequently use a common decorating theme such as colour and shape.