In Canada, the so-called "open concept" is very popular, where there is no wall separating the living room from the kitchen. Usually, there is an island between the two that serves simultaneously as a kitchen counter and a dining table. Almost all homes in Canada, especially the more modern ones, use this concept. Thus, the two spaces blend together, and much of what works for the living room also works for the kitchen. Therefore, this section presents products for this mixed-use environment, except for those used for cooking, which were presented in the KITCHEN section.

It's very likely that your home has an island separating the living room from the kitchen. It's an extremely popular architectural style in Canada. Typically, in homes like this, daily meals, in which only the family members participate, are eaten on this island. To make it work this way, you'll need bar stools, which are seating areas designed specifically for this purpose. These items can also be used for other communal spaces, such as the bonus room, common in many homes here in Canada. Below are some models available on Amazon.

Modern houses and apartments in Canada often have an island between the living room and kitchen that functions both as a kitchen counter and a dining table. But, if you've moved into a property that doesn't have this island, or even one that does have one but you want to give your living room a more classic feel, perhaps you'd prefer to have your meals at a table. If that's your style, see below some table suggestions to impress your guests with your living room.

If you intend to use a table for your meals, bar stools will not be suitable for sitting around it. Some tables are sold with chairs, but others are not. So, if you chose to buy a table and it didn't come with chairs, it would be a good idea to buy separate chairs so that your family and guests can eat comfortably. Below are some models you can purchase for this purpose.

This is a problematic item. Sofas are very large and difficult to handle. Unless you want to buy a used one from a friend or acquaintance, we recommend that you don't buy one before it arrives and schedule delivery for a time when you or someone you trust will be home to receive it.

If you enjoy taking some time to relax and watch your favorite TV show, you'll want one in your living room or another spot in your house. Check out some models available on Amazon. 

You can place your TV directly on the floor, but that's neither elegant nor comfortable for watching. If you're going to put a TV in your living room or another common area, it's a good idea to place a TV stand there so that your TV is at a height that makes it more comfortable to watch. See some examples below.

An alternative to a rack is a wall mount. Ideal when space is too small to fit another piece of furniture. But be aware: Some landlords do not allow the installation of this object on the wall of their property. Others allow it but require that the installation be done by someone they trust. So, if you opt for a wall mount, make sure beforehand that you will be able to install it yourself or if you will need someone designated by the landlord to do it. Many walls are drywall. In this type of wall, the installation technique is not the same as that used in brick or concrete walls, especially if it is to support heavy objects. Installing it in the wrong place or incorrectly can cause significant damage to the wall and a large expense to repair it. If you are sure that you can install it and know how to do it, see below some models that you can install.

A cozy and functional living room calls for a coffee table. To add a touch of class and comfort, consider placing one in your living room. See some models below.

A rug adds a touch of class to your living room. Want an elegant ambiance that will make a good impression on your guests? A living room rug can provide that. See some models below. Click on the image of the rug you like best and you will be taken to the Amazon page. There you will see more models. You're sure to find one that matches your living room.

Almost every home has a coat closet. In winter, heavy coats are necessary for going outside. When entering a heated home, people take off their coats and store them in this closet, keeping those coats that are inconvenient for indoor use there. Sometimes, however, the space in these closets is not enough for all the residents' coats. If you frequently receive visitors, the problem can be even greater. Therefore, you might want to increase the storage capacity for residents' or visitors' coats. Thus, installing coat hooks is a convenient alternative to increase coat storage capacity during the winter. If you think your coat closet doesn't have enough space for all the coats of the residents who will live with you or the visitors you intend to receive in your new home, installing coat hooks to accommodate those that don't fit in your closet is a good idea. Below are some models that you can easily install in your new home. WARNING: If you intend to hang this on a drywall wall, check beforehand if you can do so safely. There is a correct way to attach heavy objects to a drywall wall, and it is NOT the same as the way to do it on a brick wall. Especially if it is a heavy object. Learn how to do it or ask someone who knows, or you could cause an accident that will result in significant damage.

An alternative to coat hooks is a coat rack. Besides the advantage of not needing to drill into the wall and thus avoiding the risk of accidents with drywall, a coat rack is portable and useful in other rooms of the house, not just the living room or entryway. Below are some models available on Amazon.

If you decide to buy furniture, it will be delivered unassembled. Simpler furniture requires few tools to assemble. Usually just one or two Allen wrenches that come with the furniture itself. However, some larger and more complex furniture requires more than that. At a minimum, a hammer, a screwdriver, and/or a Phillips screwdriver. A traveler rarely takes that much on a long trip. So, if you bought one of these more complex pieces of furniture, you will need extra tools to assemble it. In addition, it's convenient to have some tools at home for minor repairs. But be warned: NEVER USE THEM FOR ANY REPAIR OR MAINTENANCE ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM! Canada has strict laws regarding work on the electrical system. Only a certified electrician can do this. If you do something as simple as changing a light fixture and the insurance company finds out, it could invalidate your renter's insurance and – worse – the landlord's insurance for the property. So NEVER tamper with the electrical system. At most, switch a circuit breaker on and off. Removing the cover plate from a light switch or outlet is fine, but as a precaution, it's recommended not to do even that. Below are some toolbox models available on Amazon that are worth having at home.