As the space you’re likely to retreat to after a long day and the place where your guests will sit – there’s a lot of pressure on your living room.
As the most visited space (by you and your guests), it’s only inevitable that you want to get your living room ideas right. However, your design decisions matter in all rooms, so it’s always a good idea to know what makes a home look cheap (in general).
As with all spaces, the way you decorate your living room is entirely personal, and you should do what feels right personally – and what makes you happy. Although, knowing what is on a designer’s avoid list is never a bad idea, especially if you’re considering sprucing up your room in time for party season. Here’s what the experts are pushing against – and why.
What makes a living room look cheap?
You may already know what makes a kitchen look cheap and what makes your bedroom look cheap, but what about the coziest space in your home? Here designers reveal everything.
1. Too much small furniture
(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)
‘Many think if it’s a large space or even a small space, you need multiple pieces of furniture to fill the space. That’s far from the truth,’ says Chrissy Jones, an LA-based designer at Twenty-Eighth Design Studio (opens in new tab).
The designer explains that if you choose to fill a room with lots of small pieces, it will end up looking ‘cluttered, uncomfortable on the eyes and crammed with no coherent design direction.’ Instead, you should opt for larger, more meaningful pieces that have the right dimensions for the space. “Less (and big) really is more,” says Chrissy.
2. Excessive glare
(Image credit: Brent Darby/Future PLC)
When used in moderation, mirrored furniture, diamonds and platinum accents have their place. However, Chrissy warns that if you have too much glamor in a room – especially when it comes to small living room ideas.
‘If you add too many of the glamor-style pieces, your room can look like a wedding venue,’ says the designer. “Instead, choose a framed mirror and a tufted sofa and pair it with modern accents.”
3. Uneven or inconsistent flooring
(Image credit: Jake Curtis)
If you’ve read up on what type of flooring is best for a living room, you may already know about the influence your flooring has on your space. Therefore, it is not surprising that designers insist on not having multiple different flooring materials in your space.
“Unmatched floors give your room a ‘tied-together’ and inexpensive feel,” says Mike Semegen of Hello Home Studios. (opens in new tab) Giving your room a more consistent look with new matching flooring will give your space a more cohesive look for a home that always looks expensive.
4. Use outdated pieces
(Image credit: Future/ James Merrell)
Some interior styles are fleeting, so it’s important to know when to move with the times – probably in your living room more than any other space in your home. “While the traditional style still exists, mixing pieces will help ensure your room doesn’t look dated and on the cheaper side,” says Chrissy.
5. Too much clutter
(Image credit: Brent Darby)
‘Too many accessories, disorganization and everything on the dressing room can really make you look cheap [room],’ said Chrissy. You can make good investments in your furniture, but if there’s too much clutter, the designer warns, your space will feel ‘downgraded’.
Instead, you should opt for clean-lined furniture that hides clutter and ‘use enclosed pieces of furniture to hide all your personal items’.
