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HOW TO STAGE A
LIVING ROOM
Lighting is important everywhere, but its benefits and
functionality are perhaps most obvious in the living
room and adjacent spaces. From the minute people
walk through the door, they are subconsciously directed
through the home by the way it is lit, gravitating toward
brightly illuminated spaces, sparkly chandeliers, and
interesting lighting treatments. Use lighting to your
advantage in the living room to direct people through
the home in a way that makes the floor plan feel livable
and the progression of spaces feel fluid. As for the formal
interior design aspects of the living room, pick a focal
point—fireplace, view, architectural feature, art—and
orient everything toward it. The living room should be
calm and inviting, so don't overwhelm the space with
too many design features. The décor should underscore
the beauty of the home's architecture. Style and scale are
of paramount importance. And remember: no running
appliances, ringing telephones, barking dogs, or anything
else that may disrupt the serene ambience.
