No one ever sits in our living room. It seems like such a waste of space. What can I do to make it more inviting?

-C.B. of Westbrook

With the popularity of great rooms, our living rooms have become orphans. They can be uninviting and cold; nobody wants to relax in a space that feels uncomfortable. Time to give the little orphan a family, reclaim this real estate.

If you're lucky enough to have a fireplace, this should be the prominent focal point. Make sure it's safe; we have many good chimney sweeps in Connecticut. A working fire is mesmerizing-and terrific for meditation while petting the family dog.

If you're going to create a living room that actually gets lived in, visualize your room with possible claw marks on the drapes, grape soda on the white rug, and chips in the cushions. Choose fabrics and furnishing with this in mind. No, you don't need to furnish in Kryptonite and concrete. Nano finishes are on planet earth for us to make a bulletproof interior. (Call me, I can tell you more about Nano-tec.)

Let's get to the layout. How many specific zones do you need? Some houses are so huge the rooms are in different time zones, but that's not the case for most of us.

1) Main seating area. Use a strong focal point like a fireplace, a great piece of art, a stunning case piece, or a small waterfall.

How many living spaces are dominated by that big black hole, the TV? Please refrain from mounting the TV on the mantle; two focal points in one space is a visual war. There are many ways to minimize the airport-waiting-area feel of a TV: built-ins, screens, drop-down woven shades, concealed wall mounts, pop-ups. Bookcase design is my favorite; the books slide across to reveal a TV or hide it.

Speaking of books, the best way to warm up a space is with real, loved books. Why do I say real? Well, last year on a house tour, the horrifying sign of a crumbling civilization was a bookcase filled with slick covers on books, which was bad enough. Worse still: they were stacked backwards. Yes, the spines were turned around! So the books were not only phony decorations, but they were also being disrespected!

2) Eyes. Layered light (all on dimmers, please). Task lighting should be 50 inches from the floor-normal height for a seated position. Please allow for a foot or two more when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar stops by. Floor plugs work for floating sofa areas. Everybody needs a light. Sitting in the dark is scary.

Ambient light creates mood. Use a sexy chandelier for impact. Cabinet lights gently illuminate shelves and add glow along the perimeter. Picture lights and uplights on the floor create interest and bounce and wash light on the walls and art. Absolutely no avalanche of overhead glare allowed. It is so unflattering. Overhead general lighting washes out all nuances of warmth and romance. Incorporate a lighting circuit to operate on one control. Ask your electrician.

3) Feet. They need to be pampered. I love a footstool. One of my favorite footrests is a large turtle sculpture. Establish a good traffic flow that avoids tripping and black and blue shins.

4) Drinks. Have you noticed the primary reason for living? Drinking and eating. Just check out the lines in front of Shake Shack in Grand Central Station. Every seat needs a place to rest a drink, snack, book, or iPad. I spent a week at an architect's home and there was nothing-no coffee table, no stools, ottomans, or side tables. We put our food on the floor! As an architect, she was too overwhelmed by choice to make a stylistic statement. Do not make the same mistake; we really do not like to eat off the floor.

Conclusion: After the layout, it's time to choose the family of colors, textures, and objects that determines the character of the interior. The layout of a room is the beginning of happily bringing your orphan into the family.

Jennifer Walker is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers. Her design/consultation business is located in Stony Creek (call 203-488-6856 or visit www.walkerinteriors.com). Email your design dilemmas and questions to jennifer.walker@snet.net for publication in the column.