Interiors expert reveals the secret to styling your living room with confidence

Your lounge room is the hub of the home. Maybe that’s always been said about the kitchen, but it could be time to update that old saying considering how hard living spaces work.

The lounge room is the connection point to every other room in the house, with most rooms feeding off it.

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It provides a range of different uses, including relaxation after a long day at work, social interaction when entertaining friends and family, entertainment for children playing video games or hosting board game nights, connection with household members and quality bonding time, plus so much more. 

If the home is a sanctuary where people retreat for shelter and safety, then surely the lounge room is up there as one of the most important rooms in the house when renovating or decorating.

It is also the most likely room to be seen and used by guests.

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Many people place the lounge room at the top of the list when deciding which rooms to invest the most time, money and effort. This is where you can easily tip into overthinking mode because of the pressure to get the room right. 

By following the elements of styling and utilising the floor-plan ideas, you’ll enjoy a new found sense of confidence when designing your lounge room space.

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Styling guide

Ever wondered how the professionals get their styling so right? They picture an invisible triangle when styling a flat surface to help map out which items should go where.

The top of the triangle is where the highest or tallest items are placed and then everything else sits nicely within the triangle from there. See the illustration for a visual representation.

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Keep in mind that the best flat lays are the ones that look the most effortless, and sometimes that takes time to create. You won’t necessarily nail it the first time you try. 

Use these styling tips to help map out your coffee table, fireplace or bookcase and, most importantly, have a little fun with it!

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Elements to use

Vary the height, shape, size and visual weight of the items you choose for your tabletop.

You’ll want tall items, short items, greenery, a tray to corral the items and some objects of art for interest.

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You could include:

• Flowers
• Heirlooms
• Books
• Candles
• Trays
• Plants
• Trinkets
• Bowls
• Coasters
• Seasonal décor
• Matches
• Vases
• Found objects
• Crystals

This is an edited extract from Style Your Home by Emma Blomfield published by Hardie Grant Books, available now.

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