I'm an interior decorator. Here are 10 things I'd never have in my living room.

As a decorator, I consider vertical plastic blinds and uncomfortable futons to be interior-design mistakes I would never have in my living room.

I'm an interior decorator. Here are 10 things I'd never have in my living room.
A white and tan living room with a light-gray couch, white cushioned chairs, a circular coffee table, and various plants
As a decorator, there are a few interior-design mistakes I'd avoid in a living room.
  • As an interior decorator, there are a few interior-design mistakes I'd avoid in a living room.
  • Loose couch cushions can create a frustrating maintenance routine as they need to be rearranged.
  • Trade gallery walls for large statement art pieces to avoid overstimulation in your home.

As an interior decorator, there are some interior-design mistakes I'd stay away from when designing a living room.

Here are 10 things I'd never have in my living room.

A small rug can detract from the room's cohesion and make it appear smaller.
A living room with a rug in the center of the room with a coffee table on top of it
A small rug can make it look like the furniture is floating around the room.

If the rug in your room is too small, it can seem like all of your furniture is floating around without something to ground each piece. A small rug can also make a room feel cramped since it's essentially at the center of a furniture cluster.

Think of a rug as a place mat rather than a centerpiece for your furniture. Extending beyond the furniture a bit expands the living-room area and makes the room feel more spacious.

As a general rule, choose a rug large enough to measure 6 to 8 inches beyond your sofa on either side and have at least two legs from each furniture item sit comfortably on the rug. 

In my opinion, futons are more functional than comfortable.
A futon with white cushions on a black and white rug
Most regular sofas are more comfortable than a futon.

Due to their functional, lightweight construction, futons are usually smaller, with narrower seats and firmer cushions than regular couches.

Since the living room is one of the most-used spaces in the home, I wouldn't sacrifice comfort or style for the occasional guest. Utilize a futon in the home office or flex space instead.

If you need to double your living room as a guest space, consider buying a more comfortable sleeper sofa that can transform from a couch to a bed instead.

Vertical plastic blinds won't stand the test of time.
A view of vertical plastic blinds
Vertical plastic blinds can be an interior-design mistake.

Thin, vertical plastic blinds tend to bend and tear easily, and the strings and locking gears can be frustrating to operate.

Window treatments are crucial for privacy, light, and temperature control, but they can also elevate your interior decor. As an everyday-use item, quality blinds are an investment that can actually add value to your home.

Instead of settling with a plastic vertical version, opt for 2-inch wooden or shutter blinds or light-filtering shades. Adding quality curtains can also help with temperature control and incorporate personality.

I would never let my couch and coffee table become a conference room.
Laptop littered with sticky notes and papers
It's important to have separate work and relaxation areas in your living room.

If your living room is littered with paperwork and looming to-do lists, it might be hard to get out of the work mindset and into chill mode, especially if they both take place at your coffee table.

As more people work from home, it's important to create a comfortable work environment while maintaining separation between the workspace and living areas. If space is limited, split the room into separate zones for work and living so that when you clock out, you can move away from the workspace.

For example, you can set up a workstation with a dedicated desk that faces away from the wall and an open shelving unit or a set of drawers that divide the room.

Avoid using just overhead and bright-white lighting.
Overhead light fixture in living room with light-brown wooden details and gray furniture
Bright-white overhead lighting can feel too harsh.

Solely relying on overhead light fixtures can make your space feel dark and small. Conversely, if the room only has recessed lighting or white bulbs, it can feel too harsh.

To create a relaxing living room, spread the light around with a variety of fixtures at varying heights, control brightness with dimmer switches, and use light bulbs with a warmer color temperature to create an inviting glow.

Exposed wires are an eyesore with a quick fix.
TV mounted on a dark-gray wall with dangling wires below and a red arrow pointing to wires
Dangling wires can downgrade a living room.

Mounting your TV or installing plug-in wall sconces can elevate the living room, but exposed wires create visual clutter and can make a space look unfinished.

If you're unable to run your wires through the wall, installing a cord-concealing track that matches your wall color is a quick and easy option.

But more often than not, I recommend just keeping your electronics off the walls and using the opportunity to invest in a nice TV stand. There are a lot of cable organizer options that are attractive and inexpensive.

Furniture bought for looks probably won't meet my needs for comfort.
Black sofa with silver details
I prioritize buying comfortable furniture.

A beautiful piece, like a white leather tuxedo couch, can make your living room look like a magazine spread, but it may not invite people to get comfortable in your space. 

When investing in furniture, look at your lifestyle and family. For example, if you want guests to lounge in your living room, avoid couches with high-sided armrests and narrow cushion depth 0r rigid accent chairs with wooden arms and firm seats.  

Gallery walls leave me feeling overstimulated and uninspired.
brown sectional couch with gallery wall above and plants
Gallery walls can look too busy.

Gallery walls are a scattering of framed posters, small artworks, and family photos typically placed on those huge walls you're not quite sure what to do with. Though it certainly fills the space, a gallery wall can appear as visual clutter if not mindfully curated.

I always recommend keeping small-scale art on table tops and bookshelves and opting for large-scale pieces for the wall to fill the space and make a bolder design statement.

If you love the gallery look, use the same kind of frame for all your pieces and try to incorporate repeating colors and patterns to create the effect that they're all one body of work.

Sectionals with loose back cushions can be frustrating.
A living room with light wooden flooring and a carpet with a tan and white design with a beige sectional with loose back cushions and yellow pillows
Loose back cushions will need to be constantly rearranged.

Loose back cushions aren't attached to the couch and are often made with removable covers. Though they can be a good selling point for some individuals who want to regularly wash their covers, others will find that they create a frustrating maintenance routine.

When purchasing couches with loose back cushions, consider the weight and density of the cushions and what appeals to you visually. Lightweight cushions can be interior-design mistakes, as they will fall down and be easily pushed around the couch. On the other hand, heavy feather cushions will get squished and need regular fluffing.

If you don't want to deal with constant maintenance and fluffing, consider buying a couch with back cushions that are attached to the piece of furniture.

I can't limit myself to the typical 40-by-60-inch throw blankets.
Gray chair with a gray throw blanket
Small throw blankets can be impractical.

Nothing is more disappointing than cuddling under a fuzzy blanket just to have your toes poke out. Though typical throws are usually about 40 by 60 inches so they won't take up too much space draped over your couch, the size also means you probably won't be able to stretch out underneath.

Instead, find a blanket that's marked as a twin-size or oversized throw blanket. A good throw blanket, especially in a knit fabric, can add a gorgeous cozy texture to your space, fold up tightly, and serve as a versatile piece for you and your overnight guests.

This story was originally published on July 3, 2023, and most recently updated on December 6, 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider