Looking to decorate your home? Always dreamed of being an interior designer? Then head to Pottery Barn! Last weekend I attended a FREE interior design class held by Pottery Barn. The topic of this class was "How To Design Your Living Room", so it was only fitting that the class was held in the living room set up in the store - fitting and comfy! Upon arriving at the store, which was closed to non-attendees, we were given informative materials and Pottery Barn catalogues to follow along with our instructor. Our speaker, Billy, took us through the three key elements that will help us design our dream living room. 1 Choosing furniture Upholstery and media are the two biggest factors when designing your living space, so figure these out first. This includes any seating, televisions, and electronic equipment storage. Consider other large statement pieces in the room, too. Whether that's a large window or fireplace, you want to balance out these large architectural statements with your living room furniture. You can accomplish this through size, colour, shape, and texture. 2 Flooring Use flooring to define the space, which is becoming more and more important with all the "open concept" layouts nowadays. Rugs are a great way to frame the living room - just be sure to have at least one foot of rug framing the furniture around it. Also, consider the functionality your rug serves. Is it going in a high traffic area? Do you want it to absorb any noise pollution? The answer to these questions can determine the difference between a seagrass rug, high pile rug, or even layered rugs. 3 Windows Despite your own preferences, consider what your view it outside the window - is there lush greenery or a brick wall? Based on this you can use window coverings to create an interesting contrast. For example, if you're staring at concrete, soften the view with colourful or textured drapes. You can also determine the style of a room by how much material you use. A tailored look only needs just enough to cover the width of the window frame, whereas a fuller look requires more panels to create generous gathers. You can even create an optical illusion with drapery. By installing the curtain rod closer to the ceiling and using extra long panels that pool on the floor, you will make the room look taller than it is. After the class the instructor was available to answer questions and find design solutions for your own home. Many participants brought photos and colour swatches from their own homes, determined to resolve their decor dilemmas. It was a relaxed, informal and informative class - one that I recommend to anyone interested in decorating! And it's FREE! To find a store near you and sign up for upcoming classes, visit Pottery Barn's event page.