Don’t Make These 10 Living Room Design Mistakes (And How to Fix Them!)

Have you made any of these living room design mistakes? I’ve done some of these myself in the past!

1. Not Planning for How You’ll Use the Space

Before you start shopping for furniture or paint colors, it’s important to think about how you want to use the space. Do you need a place for entertaining? A cozy spot for reading? Or just a place to watch TV? Once you know how you want to use the room, it will be much easier to choose furnishings and accessories that suit your needs.

2. Ignoring Your Room’s Shape

Many people make the mistake of treating all living rooms as if they were rectangular in shape. But depending on the layout of your home, your living room may be long and narrow, square, or even L-shaped. It’s important to take your room’s shape into account when planning your design, as this can affect how you arrange your furniture and accessories.

3. Choosing the Wrong Size Furniture

One of the most common mistakes people make when designing their living room is choosing furniture that is too big or too small for the space. It’s important to find pieces that are just the right size so that they don’t overwhelm the room or look out of place.

4. Not Incorporating Enough Storage

Another common mistake people make is failing to provide enough storage for all their belongings. Living rooms tend to be full of books, magazines, DVDs, and other items, so it’s important to have enough shelving or cabinets to keep everything organized. Otherwise, your room will quickly become cluttered and messy.

5. Forgetting about the Ceiling

Many people forget to consider the ceiling when designing their living room, but it can actually be a great place to add some visual interest. If you have a high ceiling, you might want to paint it a different color or add some decorative molding. And if you have a low ceiling, hanging some curtains or lanterns can give the room an instant makeover.

6. Filling the Room with too Much Furniture

Another common mistake is filling the living room with too much furniture. This can make the space feel cluttered and cramped, so it’s important to choose only the essential pieces that you need. If you have a lot of stuff, consider storing some of it in another room or in a storage unit.

7. Not Creating a Focal Point

Every room needs a focal point, and the living room is no exception. The focal point is the first thing that your eyes are drawn to when you enter the room, so it should be something that makes a statement or grabs attention. Common focal points include fireplaces, TVs, and large windows.

8. Hanging Artwork Too High

If you hang artwork too high on the walls, it will make the ceilings look higher and the rooms seem bigger. But if you hang it too low, it will make the space feel smaller and more intimate. So how do you know where to put it? A good rule of thumb is to hang artwork so that the bottom of the frame is about 6-10 inches above the piece of furniture it is hanging over.

9. Not Incorporating Enough Lighting

Many people forget to add enough lighting to their living room, which can make the space feel dark and dull. There are a variety of different lighting options available, so be sure to choose fixtures that will provide the right amount of light for your needs. You might also want to consider adding a dimmer switch so you can adjust the light level to suit your mood.

10. Ignoring Your Room’s Acoustics

If you have a lot of hard surfaces in your living room (like wood floors and bare walls), it can make the space feel echo and unpleasant. To help improve the room’s acoustics, you might want to consider adding some soft furnishings like rugs, curtains and throw pillows. These will help absorb sound and make the room more comfortable to be in.

Avoid these common mistakes when designing your living room, and you’ll be sure to create a space that is both stylish and functional

Not enough variation in your color palette

If you use too many colors in your room, it can look busy and chaotic. But if you use too few, it can look boring and bland. So how do you find the right balance? A good rule of thumb is to use a maximum of three colors in your design. This will help create a cohesive look that is both visually appealing and easy on the eyes.

Matchy-matchy furniture

When you match all your furniture to each other, it can look like you bought it all at the same time and from the same store. To avoid this, try mixing and matching different pieces from different places. This will add visual interest and make your room look more collected and put together.

Rug is too small for the room

If your rug is too small for the room, it will look lost and out of place. To avoid this, be sure to measure the room before you go shopping for a rug. You should also leave at least 12 inches of floor space around the perimeter of the rug. This will help create a cohesive look and make your room appear larger.

Not enough breathing space

If you crowd your furniture too close together, it can make the room feel cramped and claustrophobic. To avoid this, be sure to leave enough space between pieces of furniture so people can move around easily. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least 18 inches of walking space around each piece of furniture.

No variation in your lighting

If you use the same type of lighting throughout your room, it can make the space feel flat and one-dimensional. To add visual interest and depth, be sure to use a variety of different lighting fixtures. You might also want to consider using dimmer switches so you can adjust the light level to suit your needs.

Living room is boring

If your living room is boring, it might be because you’re not using a variety of textures and patterns in your design. To add visual interest, be sure to include a mix of different textures and patterns in your room. This will help create a more inviting and exciting space.

TV is too high

If you hang your TV too high on the wall, it can make the room feel top-heavy and unbalanced. To avoid this, be sure to hang your TV at eye level. This will help create a more natural and comfortable viewing experience.

Pushing all the furniture against the wall

If you push all the furniture against the wall, it can make the room feel cold and uninviting. To create a more welcoming space, try pulling your furniture away from the walls and creating small conversation areas. This will help encourage people to interact and socialize in your living room.

Keeping things you don’t like

Just because you don’t like something doesn’t mean you have to get rid of it. If you have a piece of furniture or decor that you don’t like, try putting it in storage or hiding it behind a screen. This will help de-clutter your living room and make it more pleasing to the eye.