The living room always seems to support one more of our knick-knacks, furniture, and décor that we insist on collecting. Whenever you find a fancy set of candlesticks you can’t live without, or receive a decorative item, where does it go?
Yes, you guessed it, somewhere in the living room. But how do you decipher what’s a chic addition and what might be weighing down your design?
While styling your modern living room ideas is undoubtedly the most fun, a well-designed living room will always look intentional instead of messy or random. Have you rethought that side table you impulsively brought home? Are you tired of the same picture frames on your shelf?
With fall in the air, it’s time to take a look at your living room and see if it’s due for a change. Interior designers have assessed 5 things that are preventing your living room from reaching its full potential. Here’s what they said to get rid of (and what to replace them with), according to the Livingetc website.
1. Fake finishes that look inauthentic
DO THIS INSTEAD: While you can’t have real stone shelves like this living room, the shelves themselves are decorated with ceramic pieces that add personality and art. (Image credit: Prue Ruscoe. Design: Jase Sullivan)
Interior designer Lucinda Loya says: “Fake stone bowls, overly distressed fake wood, or other imitation materials rarely achieve the desired cutting-edge aesthetic. Instead, they may make your room look dated.” When thinking about items every living room should have to make it feel more expensive, it’s worth investing in pieces that will stand the test of time. A fake marble bowl might hit the mark for current interior design trends, but it doesn’t have the same sense of character that, say, a handmade ceramic tray or real wood would have.
“Instead, opt for genuine materials — real stone, ceramics, or metal — that bring authentic texture and depth to your space,” says Lucinda. Texture is key to creating an interesting design. Natural materials have a grounding quality and will make the space feel more luxurious.
2. Large coffee tables
DO THIS INSTEAD: Find sleek, unique shapes to create a coffee table between your seating areas. This pouf combination adds texture and color; place a tray on top to put a drink. (Image credit: Mary Wadsworth. Design: Gunter and Co)
While a large coffee table has its shining moments (for example, a large coffee table would make an open space feel cozy), they are not universal pieces.
Jennifer Jones, lead designer at Niche Interiors, a high-end residential design firm in San Francisco, says: “It’s time to say goodbye to the big, rustic coffee table that takes up all the square footage in your living room.” Instead, go for a table with more refined, subtle curves and smaller proportions. Nesting coffee tables are a great way to add visual interest to your living room while saving crucial space.
3. Random picture frames
INSTEAD, Hang pictures and artworks in a way that they have their own moment to shine in the room. (Image credit: Matt Kisiday for Kockum Design)
Lucinda shares: “Randomly placed photo frames around the living room can feel disconnected.” But there are many interesting ways to combat this issue.
If you have some photos that are taking up space on your wall, Lucinda says: “Try grouping frames in a well-balanced arrangement for an intentional and collected look. A stylish gallery wall, a cohesive tabletop display, or leaning artwork on a console will create a more polished effect,” says Lucinda. Even finding a chic frame that breathes new life into your artwork or photography can make the piece more exciting and considered. Random photo frames have to go.
4. The TV as the centerpiece
DO THIS INSTEAD: Without a TV centered in the living room, this space becomes more focused on community and conversation. (Image credit: Design: Smac Studios)
We’re all familiar with the captivating quality of a TV — it completely grabs the attention of the space, for better or for worse. However, the size, shape, and color of a TV can easily disrupt the design of a room as well. Interior designer Kathy Kuo from Kathy Kuo Home says: “There’s an outdated notion that you should orient your living room around your television. I really feel there’s no need to make your TV the focal point of a living space.”
Kathy adds: “It feels much more current to design your living room for gathering. Prioritize a layout and design that make conversation, cocktails, games, and (of course) cozying up with a good book easy and effortless.” Centering your space around a coffee table filled with books or stylish board games helps keep the fun going without the giant electronic distraction.
You can hide your TV in a dedicated media room, or even find smart ways to hide it within the space. For example, you could hang it on a gallery wall or hide it behind a frame, as long as it doesn’t take away from the aesthetics of your living room.
5. Shiny yellow gold hardware
INSTEAD, The details in this living room feature a darker metal that makes the space feel more refined and timeless. (Image credit: Future)
As I like to say, the best part of a room is the details. From the color of your finishings to the books lined up on your shelves, everything matters, including your hardware. Lucinda says: “Shiny yellow gold hardware — whether it’s on cabinet pulls or lighting — can look generic and reminiscent of mass-produced new homes.”
Instead, opt for antique brass for a rich, timeless look or brushed nickel for a modern and understated elegance. The right hardware can not only make your living room storage look more expensive, but it also makes the room as a whole feel more considered.
If you really want to make a statement, try adding colorful cabinet pulls to your living room furniture. Imagine a white cabinet with handmade pulls — it’s the simplest way to instantly elevate your space.
Giving your home a refresh doesn’t mean you have to take drastic measures. Just look around the room and identify things that feel dated or out of place, and start from there.
Source: Livingetc
This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
