Having a family room or living room to lounge around in, host big parties, or whatever else you want doesn't have to be difficult, but it can be overwhelming when you're furniture shopping. While you may think that you have to sacrifice form over function, or vice versa, that's simply not the case. To help you get furniture that's stylish and still functional, keep these tips in mind when furniture shopping. 

Don't Skimp On Your Sofa

When it comes to living rooms and family rooms there is no piece of furniture that is used more than a sofa. Although you may be able to find really good deals on certain sofas, if they aren't made of a durable material inside and an equally durable material on the outside then it's not going to last you. While you don't need to spend a small fortune on a sofa, finding a sofa, like an Alenya sofa, is something that will be worth the investment because you won't have to worry about replacing it anytime soon. 

Some features that you may want to consider when choosing a sofa include: 

• A sleeper mattress for guests when they come and stay with you
• Durable fabric like microfiber that you can wipe off
• Enough room for everyone in your family to sit on 

Large Ottoman Or Coffee Table

What do you do in your living room? Do you primarily like to kick back and relax or do you like to have wine and food in there every night? If you like to just watch shows and lounge, then consider getting an oversized ottoman. Ottomans are great because they are the perfect place for you to kick up your feet and enjoy a show. 

If you like eating in front of your TV at night then you will want to invest in an oversized coffee table instead of an ottoman because it will give you the perfect spot to put all of your food and beverages on it. 

An Entertainment Center

If you have little kids, then one of your biggest struggles with your living room may be a lack of toy storage. While you can invest in small storage organizers to put their toys in, if you have a large entertainment center, you can put all of their toys inside and keep them concealed. Plus, your entertainment center will also be the perfect place to put your TV and gaming console if you have one of those as well. Just remember that although a large piece of furniture like an entertainment center may be a lot of money upfront, it may end up making your life easier in the long run.