As the room which will potentially see the most activity in your home, your living room is the central hub for both relaxation and social entertaining. It is for this reason that people go to great lengths in order to make this room as comfortable as possible, looking for ways to enhance the aesthetics whilst ensuring that practicality is not compromised.

The type of furniture and fittings which are used, how they are arranged and how the obvious focal points are emphasised all contribute to the atmosphere created in this room – which can make buying items a difficult task.

To give you a helping hand, here are five things you should consider before hitting the shops:

1. Layout

No matter what furniture you decide to invest in, how you arrange it will make all the difference in your home. Living rooms are often the largest rooms in our homes, but they are also the rooms which are likely to contain the most furniture, and this means finding the perfect layout can be difficult.

Take accurate measurements and draw an accurate sketch plan. Decide how you can arrange existing furniture to make the best use of space and then see what room you have left over for new additions. Remember that skirting boards and furniture bases will protrude slightly and this means you’ll need more room to accommodate them. Some devices, such as televisions, might also need an air circulation gap so make sure you take this into account.

2. Purpose

The purpose of your living room is usually to relax, but you may also want to socialise or entertain guests in this space. If this is the case then items such as corner sofas could be your best option. These are not only comfortable, but they offer high seating capacities to ensure everyone has a place to sit.

If your room is likely to have a more formal purpose then firmer leather sofas might be a better option.

3. Style

Whether you decide to embrace current trends or pave your own way in the world of interior fashion is up to you, but you should always aim for congruency in your designs. Decide what style you want to embrace and then look for features which work in accordance with this. A good tip is to keep the colour and main decor fairly neutral and use accessories to incorporate your chosen style elements.

4. Budget

How much you spend on furniture, fittings and décor is up to you but it is important you are realistic. Research the prices of goods and then set your budget accordingly. Make sure you have an overall figure of how much you intend to spend and then break this down into different sections, allocating a set amount of money for different features such as lighting, furniture and paint.

5. Versatility

Few people relish the thought of redecorating their home every year, so try and make sure you choose furniture and fittings which are versatile. These will offer longevity and that will make them an investment rather than an impulsive purchase.