Home improvement doesn’t come cheap. American homeowners spend an average of $6,650 or so on them every year! And that’s only the average.
The good news is that you don’t have to spend megabucks to enjoy a beautiful living space.
Sometimes, all it takes is a few sensible design tweaks and layout alterations- especially when it comes to your living room. Indeed, the right layout can transform this key part of the house into a warm, welcoming, and practical space for the entire family.
But only if you avoid certain living room design mistakes! Everything from how to arrange your living furniture and the right colors for walls to the location of TVs can make or break the overall effect.
Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover 7 living room layout mistakes and how to avoid them.
- Using a Tiny Rug
A common mistake that many homeowners make is putting down a rug that’s too small for the room. Needless to say, it isn’t a good look!
Small rugs simply get lost in large spaces. They create an awkward sense of imbalance and can be almost comical to look at.
Now, the only thing worse than having the wrong size rug is not having one at all.
They’re great additions to any living room and can make an almighty difference in terms of design. For instance, rugs tie the different elements of the room together and create a greater sense of space. Want our advice? Lay a thick, high-quality rug in the center of the room.
…Just make sure it’s big enough!
- Hanging Your Artwork Improperly
Few things are more distracting than artwork that’s been hung at an awkward height.
It’s a little different if you’re going for a boho, alternative aesthetic that plays into unconventional aesthetics. For everybody else, though, be sure to set anything on your walls at an appropriate height. Don’t, and it’ll be eye-catching in all the wrong ways.
Now, the accepted approach in the design industry is to hang artwork at eye level. Makes sense, right? You can guarantee that everybody will see it!
That logic changes when you’ve got low ceilings though. The best idea is often to set the art about three-quarters of the way up the wall.
- Positioning the TV Incorrectly
There’s nothing better than piling onto the sofa in the evenings to watch something on TV. It’s a time to relax, unwind, and escape from the stresses of the day.
However, you have to ensure the TV’s positioned correctly first.
If it’s too far from the couch or too close to a light source (be it natural or artificial), then the entire viewing experience can be ruined. You’ll have to strain your eyes to see the image properly.
Keep that mind when organizing the room. For best effects, give the TV a wall to itself and situate it close enough to the couch so you can actually see the screen!
- Forgetting Practicality
Another living room mistake people make is forgetting about the practical side of things.
For instance, that bright white sofa might look beautiful in the showroom. But how will it fare up against dirty dog paws and red wine stains?
Going for something in a darker shade might be a better idea!
The same goes in terms of durability and hardiness.
Let’s face it, living rooms see a lot of action! People are piling in and out of them at all times. With so much foot traffic, it might be worth buying furnishings and textiles that’ll stand the test of time.
- Forgetting the Cushions
Cushions are a key accessory in any living room. Place them on the sofas and you’ll enjoy a comfier, warmer, and more relaxing space in which to spend time.
Unfortunately, many homeowners decide against them.
For one reason or another, they choose to leave their sofas bare instead. The result? An emptier and unfinished aesthetic that’s less comfortable to boot.
As you can tell, we’re a big fan of cushions. The trick is buying ones that are well-suited to your living room though. Always take the size and style of the sofa(s) into account when choosing cushions to go on it/them. After all, bigger couches require bigger cushions!
- Painting the Walls in Dark Colors
Dark walls often sound good in theory. Yet the reality rarely works out.
You think it’s going to be brooding, sexy, and stylish. But it usually ends up feeling gloomy, claustrophobic, and oppressive!
Nine times out of ten, it’s better to paint your living room in lighter colors. Think neutral shades, such as off-white or cream. This creates a sense of airiness, space, and general positivity.
However, the only exception to this rule is if you’d like a feature wall.
In these cases, you could paint one wall in the room a darker shade (such as navy blue) and leave the rest light. This would have the positive effect of drawing peoples’ eye and providing a feature around which to orient the room without making the space feel oppressive.
- Failing to Plan
Ultimately, the biggest mistake to avoid is forgetting to plan your living room before taking action.
Eager to begin, many people jump straight into painting, buying expensive furniture, changing the room layout, and so on. Unfortunately, they fail to put prior thought into the design, which delivers subpar results in the process.
Strive to take the opposite tack! Sit down beforehand and plan out the room you want to create.
You could consider working with a professional interior designer as well. They have all the insight, experience, and software (such as Procloset) to make your life ten times easier.
Avoid These Living Room Design Mistakes
Are you in the process of designing a brand new living room? Well, you’ll be pleased to know that a few minor alterations can make a mighty difference!
Nevertheless, it’s important to approach the task in the right way. Only then can you expect to end up with the best possible results.
We hope this post will help you do exactly that!
Avoid these living room design mistakes and you’ll create a functional and aesthetic space in no time. Would you like to read more articles like this one? Search ‘house renovation’ on the website now.
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