You might have the perfect flooring and furniture, but your living room still feels unwelcoming and cold. Here are six decorating mistakes you may be inadvertently making, and how to fix them.
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Ever experienced a living room that’s beautifully put together, stylish and polished, but somehow it still feels uninviting and cold? Very often, it’s not the size of the room or even the amount spent on decorating, but the absence of small choices that add warmth, personality and a bit of softness.
Relying on one overhead light
Nothing makes your living room feel more like a waiting room more than a single bright ceiling light. You want a space that feels designed for relaxing. So create layers of light with table lamps, floor lamps and wall lights. Opt for warm-white bulbs and lights that can dim to create that soft atmosphere in the evenings.
Choosing a rug that’s too small
A small rug in the middle of the seating area can make furniture feel a bit disconnected and the room unfinished. Anchor the seating area with a generously sized rug – this also adds softness and visual warmth. Make sure that the front legs of the couch and chairs sit on the rug.
Overdoing cool neutrals
Sure – whites, icy blues and greys can make a space look sophisticated and fresh but decorate a whole room in cool shades and you run the risk of making it feel stark. Introduce warmth with cushions, artwork, throws and accessories in shades like camel, rust, olive, warm brown or terracotta.
Leaving windows bare
Bare windows also make a room feel stark. Curtains can add softness, visual layering and texture. Hang them a bit wider and higher than the window frame, and for a more polished look, choose panels that reach the floor.
Using too many hard surfaces
You might prefer a contemporary look and go for sleek furniture, glass and hard flooring. But too many hard materials can make a room feel slightly impersonal and echoey. Rather balance them with tactile materials like linen, wool, velvet, chunky knits and boucle.
Making everything match
A perfectly coordinated furniture set may feel ‘safe’ but you can strip a room of personality this way. Have fun with it – mix textures, finishes and older or meaningful pieces instead. You want to show that people actually live there, so fill your space with artwork, plants and items that you\ve collected over time.
The bottom line
Warmth comes from layering: texture, light, colour and personality. Sometimes your living room doesn’t need more stuff – just more feeling.
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Featured image: Unsplash
