Your home’s living room may be where you retreat after a long day, watch movies as a family, or entertain guests. When you think about it, the living room is aptly named: It’s where you go to live.Such an important space calls for an extra careful design scheme. First, establish the area’s main purpose and choose furniture that fits: Pair your couch with cozy armchairs and an ottoman that can double as seating to encourage conversation or invest in a wraparound sectional and a stylish media console for a home theater experience.After you establish your living room’s function, you can get to work on its form. From selecting materials to hanging art strategically, we’ve rounded up some of our best living room décor ideas and tips. Ahead, everything you need to know about designing a living room that reflects and serves you.

Add Plants

One of the easiest ways to refine a room is to add leafy greens: Potted succulents on tables, draping ivies on shelves, miniature trees in sunny corners, or flowering blooms in hanging baskets. “Plants tend to fix everything,” says Laura Chappetto Flynn, an interior designer and founder of Element Design Network.

Optimize Awkward Corner Spaces

Corners often go neglected, but they are invaluable when you have a smaller space. Turn an unused pocket of the room into a reading nook by assembling comfortable seating, lighting, and a collection of books. Not only will it give you a lovely, cozy spot to lounge in, but it will also increase your living room’s seating space when guests come over.

Use Natural Materials

If you love being outdoors, bring nature inside your home with a color palette and décor accents that evoke an organic aesthetic. A natural fiber rug, tables crafted from trees, and wood beams on the ceiling all work to bring an outside-in vibe to this living room.