7 Design Mistakes You Could Be Making in Your Living Room
Keep these style tips at the forefront of you mind to ensure your living room is a comfy, welcoming retreat
Your living room is probably mostly about relaxation and unwinding, so there are many factors that come into play to ensure the space provides a calming and welcoming feel for everyone who uses it. If your room isn’t quite ticking the comfort factor, check you’re not making any of these common mistakes, and take on board the simple yet impactful decorating and styling tips that will make all the difference.
Mistake 2: Choosing a colour scheme that doesn’t feel relaxing
Whether your living room is purely for unwinding and watching TV or a place to gather with family and friends to play games or catch up, it’s essential the decor feels serene and welcoming. Calm colours such as blue and green will create a restful environment, as will a warm neutral palette.
In this living room, the designers at Zophia Scarlett Interiors have teamed cream textured sofas with large cosy cushions in subtle patterns, while a striking velvet footstool in a rich ochre adds depth and elevates the comfort factor.
See more of this calm home.
Whether your living room is purely for unwinding and watching TV or a place to gather with family and friends to play games or catch up, it’s essential the decor feels serene and welcoming. Calm colours such as blue and green will create a restful environment, as will a warm neutral palette.
In this living room, the designers at Zophia Scarlett Interiors have teamed cream textured sofas with large cosy cushions in subtle patterns, while a striking velvet footstool in a rich ochre adds depth and elevates the comfort factor.
See more of this calm home.
Mistake 3: Forgetting to add a focal point
In a living room that lacks architectural features, such as a chimney breast or bay window, the space can feel unbalanced and lack clarity. The key is to create a focal point that will draw the eye, such as an artwork, a mirror or bespoke cabinetry, and then place the furniture in a balanced arrangement that brings the focus to this feature.
A smart media display unit was designed for this compact living room, framing the TV and providing shelves for displaying shapely ceramics. On entering the room, the attention instantly goes to this visually appealing wall display, which has been painted the same colour as the walls for cohesion.
Take a look at the other rooms in this townhouse.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
In a living room that lacks architectural features, such as a chimney breast or bay window, the space can feel unbalanced and lack clarity. The key is to create a focal point that will draw the eye, such as an artwork, a mirror or bespoke cabinetry, and then place the furniture in a balanced arrangement that brings the focus to this feature.
A smart media display unit was designed for this compact living room, framing the TV and providing shelves for displaying shapely ceramics. On entering the room, the attention instantly goes to this visually appealing wall display, which has been painted the same colour as the walls for cohesion.
Take a look at the other rooms in this townhouse.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
Mistake 4: Only adding a ceiling light
Getting the lighting right is critical to creating the perfect ambience. A single ceiling light won’t illuminate the room evenly, meaning tasks such as reading or working could be uncomfortable, while harsh shadows cast directly from above could make the space feel cold and unwelcoming.
To combat this uninviting scenario, add various light sources, such as table lamps, wall lights and floor-standing lamps, and build a layered lighting scheme that offers the flexibility to create different moods.
Here, Finch Interior Design has ensured every corner and wall is well lit with a table or floor lamp, providing illumination at different levels.
See more of this house.
Getting the lighting right is critical to creating the perfect ambience. A single ceiling light won’t illuminate the room evenly, meaning tasks such as reading or working could be uncomfortable, while harsh shadows cast directly from above could make the space feel cold and unwelcoming.
To combat this uninviting scenario, add various light sources, such as table lamps, wall lights and floor-standing lamps, and build a layered lighting scheme that offers the flexibility to create different moods.
Here, Finch Interior Design has ensured every corner and wall is well lit with a table or floor lamp, providing illumination at different levels.
See more of this house.
Mistake 5: Failing to add texture with soft furnishings
Layering a living room with snuggly textures through upholstered furniture, as well as some pattern on cushions, curtains or rugs, will give the space an instant cosy appeal. Failing to do so can leave a room feeling flat and unfriendly.
A good example is this cosy living room, in which Brooke Copp-Barton has combined bold art, modern pattern and warm textures to create a welcoming space.
Discover how texture and colour has transformed this terrace.
Layering a living room with snuggly textures through upholstered furniture, as well as some pattern on cushions, curtains or rugs, will give the space an instant cosy appeal. Failing to do so can leave a room feeling flat and unfriendly.
A good example is this cosy living room, in which Brooke Copp-Barton has combined bold art, modern pattern and warm textures to create a welcoming space.
Discover how texture and colour has transformed this terrace.
Mistake 6: Not adding enough seating for guests
If you only have enough seating for your immediate family and don’t have somewhere to sit impromptu guests, then consider multifunctional furniture to save any awkward perching on sofa arms.
Add an upholstered bench or footstool, similar to the one in this living room by Margot Tsim Interiors. When not needed for guests, it can become a coffee table or foot rest for film night. Similarly, small stools can be peppered around the room and used as side tables when not needed as seats.
And if you have a large bay window, think about adding a window seat with storage inside. Not only will this help hide clutter, it will also provide seating for another two or three people.
Browse more images of this home.
More: Where Designers Would Spend and Save in a Living Room
If you only have enough seating for your immediate family and don’t have somewhere to sit impromptu guests, then consider multifunctional furniture to save any awkward perching on sofa arms.
Add an upholstered bench or footstool, similar to the one in this living room by Margot Tsim Interiors. When not needed for guests, it can become a coffee table or foot rest for film night. Similarly, small stools can be peppered around the room and used as side tables when not needed as seats.
And if you have a large bay window, think about adding a window seat with storage inside. Not only will this help hide clutter, it will also provide seating for another two or three people.
Browse more images of this home.
More: Where Designers Would Spend and Save in a Living Room
Mistake 7: Creating a room that lacks depth and character
From mix and match furniture styles to unique collections, a characterful living room with interesting features often feels warmer and more welcoming, drawing you in and encouraging interaction.
Hang artwork that captures the imagination, team contrasting colours for impact, and sit different patterns side by side for a bold design statement. By creating a space that reflects your personality, you’ll have a home that’s friendly and inviting.
This living room by Imperfect Interiors, for instance, combines jewel-coloured furniture, vintage pieces and dramatic lighting.
Explore more of this colourful home.
Tell us…
Are there any other living room mistakes you can think of? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
From mix and match furniture styles to unique collections, a characterful living room with interesting features often feels warmer and more welcoming, drawing you in and encouraging interaction.
Hang artwork that captures the imagination, team contrasting colours for impact, and sit different patterns side by side for a bold design statement. By creating a space that reflects your personality, you’ll have a home that’s friendly and inviting.
This living room by Imperfect Interiors, for instance, combines jewel-coloured furniture, vintage pieces and dramatic lighting.
Explore more of this colourful home.
Tell us…
Are there any other living room mistakes you can think of? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Ugly games consoles plaguing your coffee table? Stacks of board games doubling as precarious side tables? It’s no wonder your living room isn’t a relaxing space.
Combat this by getting inventive with storage solutions that keep everything out of site and are roomy enough for you to throw everything in quickly.
Cabinets and bench seats, like the ones in this living room designed by Portland Projects, are a versatile choice. Here, the mirrored cupboards in the alcove can be used for stacking away board games and consoles, while more cumbersome items can be concealed in the deep bench seat in the bay window.
Don’t miss the rest of this characterful house.
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