Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Although open floor plans may be giving way to "broken-concept" layouts, many people—design pros and homeowners alike—still favor ...

Geraldine has over a decade of experience writing within the home improvement sector. Additionally, she has unique first-hand renovation experience as the previous owner of a house-flipping business.

Samantha Hunter is a professional copy editor who has worked with Ms. Magazine, Spin and VH1. She has also written for MarthaStewart.com, Essence.com, Esquire.com, GoodHousekeeping.com, RealSimple.com ...

Avoid common living room design pitfalls like single overhead lighting, single-function layouts, and overuse of the same materials. Instead, embrace layered lighting, create functional zones, and mix ...