Create an environment ripe for entertaining your guests by creating a layout that encourages interaction among people. Ensure that the arrangement feels comfortable, before moving on to decorate the space. A sectional or three-seater sofa is ideal for positioning groups of people so they can interact with one another, but such furniture items can be a tough fit for a small living room. If that’s the case, look towards enhancing the atmosphere with mood lighting. You’ll be surprised by how ambient lighting helps to facilitate conversation among those present. The following is a list of items to consider when styling your living room.

• Armchair
• X-bench or small ottoman
• Ceramic stool
• Table/floor lamp
• Small coffee tables that vary in shape, or a large coffee table
• Indoor palm tree, to create a tropical atmosphere and to place at odd corners

Yes we know how living areas in condominium apartments can be frustratingly small and utilising it well can be a challenge. The good news is the space can be enlarged by dressing up the veranda so that it becomes an extension of the living room. Make sure to allocate some budget to the styling of your veranda. You can add large planters with star jasmine which flowers all year round or drape fairy lights from the ceiling to highlight the greenery and create mood lighting in the evenings.

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The smell of a home can be a reflection of the homeowner’s character. It will also set the tone and mood; lavender scent for a relaxed evening for you and your family to wind down, or the scent of lemon to invigorate everybody on Saturday mornings.

Use the space behind the sofa to spruce up the living room area. You don’t have to wait to find the perfect art piece. Use black and white photographs of your family (enlarged to a suitable size) or some hand-coloured prints to create a statement wall.

A coffee table, no matter the size of the room or whether you have small children, need to be dressed, otherwise its presence feels heavy and cold. Avoid clutter but a few key items of varying heights will do the trick, for instance by adding these items to it:

• Faux orchid or real flowers in a bud vase
• Coffee table book or stack of magazines
• Box to hold remote controls
• Tray to anchor the pieces
• If you don’t have the space, consider two square or three round tables of different sizes. Use nickel or brass finishes, or textured sides, to add interest.

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Invite an element of roughness into your space with vintage items that feature the bumps and knocks of old age or handmade pieces that show signs of the maker. The imperfections of uneven surfaces or a patina relax a space and add a touchable quality.

A room that contains patterns will feel very textural, even if they don’t have a raised texture. Dousing every surface with a print can overwhelm a space, so start small with a printed cushion or rug and inch closer to a pattern-on-pattern explosion for the full effect.

There’s something about raw, natural materials that instantly adds depth to a space. Choose linen, timber, stone and leather over synthetic or processed materials. These natural fibres and finishes feel good and add a subtle richness to a room.

Layering your room with one or two baskets is an easy way to add an organic element to a space – and they double as handy storage or hold your potted plants. A loosely woven basket has a casual look, while a tighter weave offers a more formal style.

The added tactility on the floor will transform the feeling of the room, especially if you choose a style of rug with high pile, tassels or fringing. To create a visual statement, consider this abstract rug made in Turkey.

Kitchen countertops should be treated as though they are side buffet stations or a console. An easy way to jazz up the space would be to add a series of glass jars with limes or lemons, or place two large glass vases with fresh flowers on either end of the kitchen bench. This helps to dress up the countertop while still leaving enough space for daily usage.

Text by Nina Beale/ Home & Decor Additional reporting: Seah Pei Jun

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