10 Steps to Pulling Together Your Living Room Before the Holidays

Planning to entertain over the holidays this year? While some things (like putting up holiday decor) can wait until much later in the season, if your main entertaining space isn’t feeling the way you’d like it to, now is the time to get started. From cocktail party mingling to Christmas morning around the tree, the living room is where your guests will likely be spending the most time — work your way through these 10 steps and enjoy a more welcoming, put-together space by party time.

1. Imagine it empty. Imagine your room without any furniture in it — the walls and floors completely blank. This may be easier said than done, but it’s worth a try. Pay close attention to which areas seem improved without your stuff in them — this is a good clue that something in that area needs to go.

Since we’re not discussing how to do a complete room makeover here (an ideabook for another day), try to stay focused on what you can realistically accomplish before the holidays. Removing items is always easier (on the budget, at least) than buying something new, so see what you can do to refresh your room simply by taking away what’s bothering you. Even moving a piece to another room could work — if you don’t miss it, sell it or give it away.

How to Get Rid of Your Extra Stuff


2. Find your focal point. In a living room with a mantel, that is often the natural focal point. But you might have something else you want to draw attention to, like a gorgeous painting, a statement-making sofa or a beautiful view. Once you have determined your room’s focal point, remove anything on or around it that detracts from it: Is the mantel cluttered with decor? Are there so many throw pillows on your sofa that you can’t see the beautiful nailhead trim?

7 Tips to Get With a New Minimalist Mentality


3. Consider the flow. Some rooms are simply easier to arrange furniture in than others. If you’ve been having trouble getting the furniture in the right spot, try stepping back and snapping a few quick pictures from the doorway. Is there a major piece of furniture blocking your view into the room, or is there an easy and obvious way to enter and flow through the space?

Sketch out a few furniture arrangement ideas on paper before doing any heavy lifting — your muscles will thank you.

How to Get Your Furniture Arrangement Right


4. Get inspired. Is your room still missing that special something? Dip into your ideabooks and find a few pictures that really make your heart sing. But don’t stop there — notice what attracts you about the images. Some things (high ceilings, enormous windows), you won’t be able to have. But there may be something else that calls to you — a particular style of chair, a cool tray, a color, a pattern — that you could bring into your space. Track it down if you can!

Browse the newest Houzz photos and save your favorites


5. Adjust colors. Go back to the pictures of your space you took while examining the flow, but this time, look for color. What strikes you about the color in your living room? Is there too much or not enough? If you have too many different colors, try removing a few items of one color to streamline the palette. If too little color is the problem, treat yourself to a new throw, vase, or tray in a color you love.

6. Create some symmetry. The human eye loves symmetry. If your living room is feeling less than harmonious, it’s possible it needs more symmetry. Try adding a pair of matching lamps, art hung in identical frames or a pair of throw pillows on the sofa.


7. Check your measurements. Furniture that is too far away makes a space feel uncomfortable; too close, and your guests will be tripping over one another.
Place the coffee table 15 to 18 inches from the sofa.Side tables should be close enough to armchairs that you can easily set down a drink.Keep about 3 feet of space between furniture where people need to walk through.
Position seats no more than 10 feet away from one another (for example, measure from the sofa across the coffee table to an armchair on the other side) for good conversation.

Key measurements for designing your living room


8. Get the light right. Using many low-watt lights creates a far more flattering light than using a few bright lights. Three light sources are the bare minimum for decent lighting; in all but the smallest spaces, you should aim for five to seven. Try a mix of table lamps, floor lamps and candles or twinkle lights. If you have an overhead fixture with a dimmer switch, keep it on low during a party; otherwise, don’t use the overhead.

How to install a dimmer switch


9. Tuck in a few extra seats. Be prepared for extra guests by sneaking a few extra seats into your arrangement. There’s no need to spend a lot on these pieces — look for little stacking stools and small ottomans at budget-friendly stores and scoop up one-off chairs at flea markets and yard sales. Here are a few ideas:
Place a pair of X-benches in front of the fireplace.Tuck a pair of stools beneath a console table.Place an occasional chair or a low bench against a blank wall.Swap out your regular coffee table for a comfy ottoman that can double as a seat.More ideas for sneaking in extra guest seating


10. Finesse the details. If you’ve made it this far, you deserve a big pat on the back! All that’s left to get your room ready to welcome visitors is the details.
Dress up tables with stacks of books and small vases of flowers.Spot-clean upholstery and launder slipcovers.Put out a tea set or bar tray.Tell us: How are you getting your living room ready for the holidays?

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