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Make the most of your living room when the bad weather closes in

It's time to start saving for Christmas and the weather's taking a turn for the worse, so the last thing you want to do is brave the cold and splash the cash on a night out. Whether you're a twenty-something trying to ration your trips to bars and restaurants or a family that wants to have some free fun, there are ways and means of getting round the big trip out. One thing you could consider is turning your lounge into a multimedia mecca.

With just a little investment and planning in the essentials, you can make your living room the place to be and save yourself precious pennies to send off to Santa. Here are some tips to help you on your way:

• Invest in some furniture to accommodate your winter fun. Nothing is less enticing than a shoddy old sofa, and if you can feel the springs - your couch has probably seen better days. Why not get an upgrade? Go for something stylish yet hard-wearing and cover it with comfy cushions and snuggly throws so it becomes a place for people can really relax. Big cushions and bean bags are also great for accommodating extra guests and can easily be popped in the cupboard to clear space in the week.

• Maybe you want a night off from the TV. Why not pick up some board games from your local charity shop and make it a games night. Competitive kids and adults alike can be captivated for hours by a good old game of monopoly.

• Designate your lounge ‘entertainment central’. Tell everyone to bring along a film, don’t banish the kids’ games consoles for once, and make your own home cinema and games arcade. Whether it's a family night in or something for the adults, between films and games, you can easily fill a wintry evening or even a rainy day.

• Don't forget to fill the fridge. Stock up on snacks so you don't have to face the elements when you get peckish.

So, with a bit of sprucing your lounge can become the only place to entertain, leaving you able to save some cash in time for Christmas and giving you the perfect base to see in the festive period.

CSL offer sofas that combine great quality with classic design. For a model that will withstand all your family fun go for a black leather sofa from CSL or one of their quality fabric couches, and you'll know you have a sofa that will look great for years to come.