Small Living Room Styling Mistakes You Should Always Avoid, According to Experts
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Loading... - Bianca Palumbo
- 05 Jul 2022
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When decorating a smaller space it's just as important to learn what not to do as what you should be doing. Knowing what small living room styling mistakes you need to avoid will save you from wasting money, time and energy.
One of the great things about small living room ideas is that many of the design tips are applicable whether you live in an ultra-modern townhouse or quaint country cottage.
From colourways and pattern choices to lighting and storage, there are plenty of things you should be aware of before you start styling your space. In addition to all of these are, of course, the bigger pieces which help define a living room.
'When furnishing a small room, it’s important to consider what purpose each piece provides and what you truly need to create a cosy, stylish, and functional room,' advises Jenna Choate,
With this in mind, let's discover what's not worth having or adding to these little lounges.
Small living room styling mistakes
From opting for bulky furniture to choosing the wrong side of rug, discover the small living room styling mistakes which we're helping you avoid.
1. Not planning the furniture out
'To achieve the best layout and design for a small living room, planning is key,' advises Mariana Ugarte, Co-Founder, Interior Fox. 'Maximise space in a compact living room by first considering the key pieces of furniture.'
'Purchasing furniture without considering shape, size and function can be a costly mistake,' continues Mariana. 'Before investing in furniture like sofa ideas for small living rooms, measure and measure again. Consider where you will place it and how it will sit alongside other key pieces in the room'
When it comes to what should go where in your plan, there are a few rules of thumb to bear in mind.
'Avoid pushing furniture up against the walls,' explains Juliette Thomas, Founder, Juliettes Interiors(opens in new tab). 'Leave enough space around your furniture so you and your guests can walk around. Leaving a vast open space in the middle of the room actually makes the room feel more enclosed. Instead, opt for comfortable furniture that is closer together, gathered around a central point like a large textured rug or a coffee table.'
2. Not considering the importance of mirrors
You may have heard it before, but we really can't stress this one enough. One of the small living room styling mistakes to steer clear of is not including any, or enough, mirrored surfaces.
'Consider adding a large size mirror or a Venetian style mirror to create the illusion of a bigger space,' suggests Juliette from Juliettes Interiors. 'You can never go ‘too big’ on a mirror even when the space it’s small; its reflective power will make the room feel brighter and more luxurious.'
'Strategically placing living room mirror ideas where the light naturally falls is one of the oldest but best tricks in the book,' agrees Jenna from Interior Fox. 'It enhances the natural light and makes the room appear much larger and brighter.'
3. Choosing bulky furniture
'Avoid large, bulky pieces of furniture that take up huge amounts of space and block potential walkways,' warns Ann Marie Cousins, Founder, AMC Design(opens in new tab). 'Always make sure to measure the room before you order anything.'
'Mark the pieces out on your floor with masking tape or boxes. That way you can easily move the design around without committing to ordering anything.'
This technique is especially great for modern small living room ideas, as larger, bulkier items tend to feel more at home in more traditional settings.
4. Not finding the perfect pattern
Pattern - be it on fabrics, upholstery or wallpaper - can absolutely work in petite spaces. Avoid making small living room styling mistakes by taking a little extra care when choosing your design and scale.
‘Living room wallpaper ideas have a huge impact on the mood of a room so it’s key to get the design right,' says Martin Waller, Founder, Andrew Martin(opens in new tab). 'Choose lighter hues, such as grey to create the illusion of space.'
'When it comes to using pattern, large-scale designs work best when used on larger, statement pieces such as a dramatic pair of curtains,' adds Debbie Leigh, Design Manager, ILIV(opens in new tab). 'In smaller spaces, using a pattern on curtains or pieces of furniture will add drama without overcrowding the room.'
5. Opting for single use furniture
One of the common small living room styling mistakes is choosing furniture which only does one thing.
'Avoid pieces of furniture which have only one purpose,' advises Jenna from Interior Fox. 'Instead choose multi-functional pieces such as storage ottomans that provide an extra seat or a nest of tables which can easily be tucked away when needed. You will save on much needed floor space and limit the risk of walking into cumbersome pieces of furniture which are rarely used.' Read More...
