6 Living Room Layout Mistakes Designers Always Notice

Not all living room layouts are created equal, and many people fall victim to six common mistakes when positioning their furniture in this space.

We asked designers to share why these layout mistakes are so detrimental and provide tips on how to avoid them. Keep reading for their expert advice.

There Aren’t Enough Surfaces

Don’t stop with just a coffee table—you’re going to want to incorporate side tables into your living room layout as well.

Stephanie Molster, the founder of Stephanie Molster Interiors, explains how she often gets irked when there’s nowhere to put down a drink in a living space.

“Every seat should be within arms reach of some sort of surface where a drink can be placed,” Molster says.

Keep in mind that you can feel free to weave a mix of tables into this space for variety. Try a small cocktail table next to the sofa, a larger end table between two accent chairs, or even opt for a storage ottoman with a small, removable tray on top if you’re looking for a multifunctional solution.

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There Isn’t Any Balance

“You want to make sure that you have an equal amount of elemental weight (of the furniture, sizes, heights, colors, patterns, and textures) spread through the space so that no sides of the room feel too heavy or imbalanced,” Madison Massaro, a designer and founder of Madison Lea Interiors, says.

You should also ensure that the furniture you select is the appropriate size for your specific room. Lori Miller, the founder of LGC Interior Design, explains how she often notices sofas being too large for a space or the upholstery pieces being too small or too large which throws off the entire room’s appearance.

Going too small can lead to an overcrowded feel. “A small living room filled with oversized couches and multiple tables leaves little room for movement, making it feel oppressive,” Mina Lisanin, the founder of ML Interiors, says.

The Rug Is Too Small

When in doubt, go big with your living room rug.

Jessica Stambaugh, the founder of JS Interiors, explains how a small rug can completely throw off everything. A big rug can often allow the rest of the furniture to breathe and be properly repositioned in a room if it needs some change, Stambaugh says.

Seating Is Awkwardly Positioned

Think twice before positioning your living room seating.

“It is ideal to have seating that faces how people enter the space, as opposed to cutting off the space,” Stambaugh says. Massaro echoes similar thoughts.

“I often see living rooms that don’t have a clear flow of traffic and therefore are either missing out on additional seating or evoke awkward movements and seating arrangements,” she says.

Brianna Untener, the founder of Brianna Scott Interiors, says how there’s nothing worse than looking at the back of a sofa and having to walk around it to sit somewhere.

That said, don’t simply shove everything against the walls to avoid these issues.

“Pushing all furniture against the walls makes the space feel barren and discourages conversation,” Lisanin says. Furthermore, placing sofas and chairs at the edges can make the center feel empty and cold.

There Isn’t a Clear Focal Point

When a living room doesn’t feature a clear focal point, something feels off about the space, Marie Cloud, the founder of Indigo Pruitt Design Studio, explains.

It can cause the room to feel chaotic and unfocused, she says. However, when there are too many focal points. it can also make the room feel cluttered and confusing since there’s so much going on at simultaneously.

Of course, you’ll then want to style your furniture around this focal point accordingly. “The furniture needs to be intentionally laid out to work together with these feature areas,” Untener says.

There Is an Inefficient Use of Space

Ensure that you’re fully putting your living room to use, corners and all. Lisanin explains how unused large areas or awkward corners can create an incomplete feeling in the room. If you have an empty corner, try using it as a reading nook or small desk area so it’s functional.