A newlywed couple’s guide to perfecting their living room

Before buying any new furniture when moving into your new home, understand your collective needs as a couple first. Next, consider the size and layout of the living room. Then, determine whether you need a casual setup or an elegant one. Assess these factors and plan to buy the furniture for the living room accordingly.

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To put together a seating area, also known as the conversation area, get a set of sofas based on your specific needs. Choose veteran sofas if you prioritise both comfort and elegance. If you have more people over often, you should augment your seating arrangement. Ottomans can be a smart choice, as they can be used for multiple purposes. You can rest your feet on them when it's just the two of you. Also, they can accommodate extra seats for guests in large numbers.

Alternatively, you can get a divan sofa, a long and cushioned seat typically placed against a wall, which can also serve multiple purposes, providing extra seating where you can even lounge and sit back.

Get a centre tea table for your seating area where you can serve beverages and snacks to your guests. Consider getting a table with a glass top if you want a piece that is easier to clean and does not sustain scratches or dents.

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A tea table with lower compartments will come in handy for storing newspapers and magazines for visitors to indulge in light reading as you keep them waiting for refreshments.

Nowadays, many interior designers recommend keeping a focal wall, otherwise known as a feature wall, in your living room. A decently maintained focal wall can enhance the aesthetics of your living room even with a sparsely furnished setup. The TV often goes on the focal wall because it naturally becomes the centrepiece of the room.

Keeping in mind other activities the new couple can romanticise, add a karaoke setup, allowing the couple to sing and even dance to music. You can define the seating area or karaoke zone tactfully by placing an area rug that highlights the space.

If you have a dedicated focal wall in a darker shade, opt for a wooden, oak-coloured TV cabinet to brighten up your living room. For a wall of lighter shade, get a dark-coloured wooden TV centre. Choose a TV cabinet with bolstered compartments to keep essential documents, and utilise the space better.

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Get a file rack or open bookshelf which the newlywed can decorate with things they are fond of. This piece of the living room can be a place where the couple keeps essences of their being, such as souvenirs, or a photo frame of themselves on a vacation.

Finally, as a new couple just starting their married life together, getting this new living room set can be a big investment for you, but it is still worth it. You do not necessarily have to pay the whole amount in one go and drain your bank account. Simply, look for a furniture brand that offers Equated Monthly Instalments (EMI), allowing you to pay for your purchases in equal monthly payments and spread the cost over a predetermined period. This option can help you pay off the furniture bills in affordable portions, keeping you away from unnecessary stress.