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"If you&amp;#039;re bored with your sitting area, updating is easier than you might think. For starters, you don&amp;#039;t have to replace your beloved old sofa. We&amp;#039;ll show you how to modernize a classic cream or taupe couch just by changing the accent pieces. For even more inspiration, we talked to top designers to get their advice on how to fix up a living room \u2014 fast.   Switch accessories with the season.  &amp;quot;Keep your core pieces, but bring in new colors with window treatments, throws, pillows, candles, and flowers,&amp;quot; recommends Tracy Haukoos, visual merchandiser for Pier 1.  Look for timeless lighting.  &amp;quot;Porcelain lamps from Williams-Sonoma Home are classic, and their scale is perfect for any living room,&amp;quot; says Laurie Smith, of the TV show Trading Spaces. Maximize your space. &amp;quot;If you have a small living room, consider adding a large floor mirror. Place it near an entrance or wherever you want to extend your space,&amp;quot; says Elizabeth Miller, vice president of design at Karastan. The Horchow catalog has a great supply. Create a memory wall.  &amp;quot;I love displaying oversize family photographs. They add warmth and a personal touch,&amp;quot; says Celia Tejada, senior vice president of design at Pottery Barn.  Flatter your guests. &amp;quot;Everyone looks better in candlelight. Try adding jumbo candles or hurricanes, like the ones from Crate and Barrel,&amp;quot; suggests designer Chris Madden. Don&amp;#039;t forget your floors. &amp;quot;Every living area should have a beautiful rug \u2014 it anchors the room,&amp;quot; says Miller. For colorful choices, check out Company C and IKEA. Keep it simple. &amp;quot;Always avoid clutter or having too many styles reflected in your space,&amp;quot; advises Mariette Himes Gomez, designer and president of Gomez Associates.  1. &amp;quot;If you don&amp;#039;t have time to paint your walls, try painting the trims or windows with a contrasting color. That will give your room a fresh, unique look,&amp;quot; says Leatrice Isenan, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. 2. &amp;quot;Rather than use a large sofa, place four oversize chairs around a coffee table for an intimate seating arrangement,&amp;quot; recommends Tracy Haukoos, visual merchandiser for Pier 1. 3. &amp;quot;In living rooms, the fifth wall (the ceiling) is often ignored, when it shouldn&amp;#039;t be. Whether you paint it white or a coordinating color, try using a high-gloss paint. It will make the ceiling glow and provide more ambient light,&amp;quot; says Doty Horn, director of color and design for Benjamin Moore. 4. &amp;quot;Floors are often overlooked. Darkening or bleaching them can make a living room look completely different,&amp;quot; suggests designer Chris Madden. 5. &amp;quot;Old advertisements and signs make great wall art. Always look for the unusual,&amp;quot; advises Tracy Haukoos, visual merchandiser for Pier 1.  Tada \u2014 the final step in our makeover! "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/decorating-ideas/tips/a16148/spruce-up-sofa-jan07/>