7 Design Mistakes You May Be Making in Your Living Room

1. Not Enough Storage

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 sight 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 stashing board games and consoles, while more cumbersome items can be concealed in the deep bench seat below the bay window.

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2. The Wrong Colors

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 colors such as blue and green will create a restful environment, as will a warm neutral palette.

In this living room, Lori Steeves of Simply Home Decorating paired pale upholstered seating with pillows in brown chevron and green. A textural area rug over white oak flooring provides comfort underfoot. A Frame TV with a custom nature painting sits over a media console with reeded doors. A new cast-stone fireplace, wicker baskets and light fixtures maintain the neutral palette.

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3. No Focal Point

In a living room that lacks architectural features, 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 custom cabinetry, and then place the furniture in a balanced arrangement that brings the focus to this feature.

The architecture and furniture arrangement in this Granite Bay, California, living room direct the eye toward the fireplace and flanking wood bookcases — elements that often serve as living room focal points. Homeowner and interior designer Rachel Madden added additional interest with a 19th-century landscape painting above the mantel. The artwork, which she purchased for $85 at an antique store and had restored, served as the jumping-off point for the room’s color palette and decor.

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4. Single Ceiling Light

Getting the lighting right is critical to creating a calming ambience. A single ceiling light won’t illuminate the room evenly, making reading or working uncomfortable, while harsh shadows could make the space feel cold and unwelcoming.

To warm up the room, add various light sources, such as table lamps, wall lights and floor lamps. Layered lighting like this also adds flexibility for creating different moods.

Here, Tracy Parkinson of Nest + Co. had new shades made for green ceramic lamps that flank the sofa. A flush-mount ceiling light with a low-profile drum shade provides overhead lighting.

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5. No Textured Furniture

Layering a living room with snuggly textured upholstery, as well as some pattern on cushions, curtains or rugs, will give the space an instant cozy appeal. Without it, a room can feel flat and unfriendly.

A good example is this cozy living room. Lynn Holender Designs has combined color and texture with a bold painting, blue sisal wallcovering, a custom blue velvet shelter sofa, swivel chairs upholstered in pink tartan and chartreuse suede fringed ottomans to create a welcoming space. A burled wood cocktail table adds warmth.

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6. No Guest Seating

If you have only enough seating for your immediate family but not drop-in guests, then consider multifunctional furniture.

Add an upholstered bench or footstools, similar to the ones in this living room by Curated Nest. When not needed for guests, use them as coffee tables, side tables or footrests for movie night.

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