The living room is one of the most used spaces in your home, so it’s important to design it thoughtfully. However, even seasoned designers make living room mistakes. Here are some of the most common slip-ups and tips to remedy them.
Poor Furniture Layout
Ill-planned furniture layouts disrupt flow and fail to maximize function. Avoid blocking entrances, passages or views. Anchor furniture to create intuitive traffic paths. Separate seating areas while maintaining a unified layout using area rugs.
Fix: Sketch layout options to scale using room dimensions. Allow ample walkways and sightlines.
Ignoring Lighting Needs
Insufficient lighting makes living rooms feel dark and gloomy. Ensure ample well-placed ambient, task, and accent lighting. Add floor lamps, sconces and under-cabinet lights. Install dimmers for flexibility.
Fix: Layer ambient, task and accent lighting suited to room uses.
Unsuitable Color Palette
Sticking to only one color scheme can be dull. Boldly dark walls or ceilings make rooms feel small. Instead, use a three-color palette with a neutral base, secondary accent shade, and pops of color.
Fix: Repaint walls in a lighter neutral tone. Add warm accent colors through textiles.
Incorrect Furniture Scale
Oversized furniture shrinks spaces. Petite pieces get dwarfed in large rooms. Choose furniture and rugs proportional to the room with space for proper traffic flow.
Fix: Rearrange with right-scaled furniture or add/eliminate pieces.
Lack of Cohesion
Eclectic rooms still require intentionality. Tie the look together using consistent elements like colors, materials, patterns or finishing touches. Maintain visual unity while allowing diversity.
Fix: Repeat plants, pillows or rug textures throughout the space.
By avoiding these common pitfalls and utilizing design know-how, you can craft a functional, aesthetically pleasing living room your family and guests will enjoy.
