Creating a stunning living room needn't cost a fortune, yet countless homeowners make décor decisions that undermine the sophistication of their space. While your home should be a reflection of your personal taste, certain choices are widely regarded by professionals as cheap and tacky. Some of these trends were perfectly acceptable decades ago, but today they simply appear dated. Interior designers have highlighted several common mistakes that can leave a living room looking far less appealing.
Too Many Mirrored Accessories
Designer Terri Brien has suggested it is time to put away those mirrored accessories. She said: "What may have once felt glam now reads as cheap and mass-produced." If you cannot bring yourself to part with everything, at least make a concerted effort to pare back your glittering collection. Terri told Real Simple: "Don't get me wrong, used sparingly, a touch of shine can still feel chic, but when every surface glitters, it ends up looking more like a mall decor haul than a space that's been thoughtfully collected and curated."
Faux Fur Throws
Alongside mirrored accessories, Terri is equally unenthusiastic about faux fur throws in the living room, unless they are of high quality and remain in pristine condition. She believes these blankets appear particularly dated once they become matted. The designer explained: "What once read as cosy now just looks cheap and tired." Instead, she suggests opting for a classic wool or knit blanket to complement your sofa.
Accent Walls
Designers are frequently divided on whether accent walls are a wise decision. Jamie Gasparovic, the founder of Studio Gaspo, sits firmly in the anti-accent wall camp and maintains that introducing one detracts from a room's overall appearance. She told the Spruce: "It looks like you cheapened out, and the space looks incomplete and a little amateur." Jamie urges those looking to incorporate trim work, paint, or wallpaper into their living room to apply it across all four walls for a more polished, sophisticated aesthetic.
No Clear Colour Scheme
Laura Chiddey, Fabb Furniture's home interior expert, says that having numerous colours that fail to coordinate can "create a busy, unpleasant atmosphere", which will ultimately "make your living room look cheaper". To prevent this, Laura advises sticking with neutral, understated colours. Interior Designer Nicolene Mausenbaum shared this view when speaking to Ideal Home, noting that "a limited colour palette makes a space look more curated and expensive". While this doesn't mean you cannot introduce a pop of colour, mixing several conflicting shades or choosing colours that don't complement one another can result in a fragmented appearance.
Badly Hung Curtains
Your curtains deserve careful consideration if you wish to avoid diminishing a room's appearance. Laura explained: "Curtains add depth and character to a room, so it's crucial to get this feature right. Short curtains are ones to avoid, as this can make the whole room look unfinished and cheap." Instead, you should always "opt for long, fuller curtains. Even better, get them to touch the ground - this will add an extra touch of luxury to the room."
