1. EXCESSIVE OPEN CONCEPT LAYOUTS
Modern open-plan living room layouts that create a flow between your living room and other areas such as kitchen and dining spaces can maximize space and light, however, it has its downsides.
Ritika Asrani, owner of St Maarten Real Estate says, 'Many homeowners opt for completely open concept living spaces to create a sense of spaciousness. However, this can lead to a lack of defined zones and privacy.'
2. BOLD COLORS AND WALLPAPER
Colorful living room ideas are often an exciting and attractive option, bringing an element of fun and visual interest into your home, but these can quickly feel outdated and tiresome.
While creating a striking colorful living room by incorporating color trends into larger features such as walls, couches, or carpets can be tempting, this can limit the flexibility you have in accessorizing with other colors and updating the overall appearance of the living room. Plus, your choice may quickly become an outdated color trend that you regret integrating so permanently into your living space.
3. OVERSIZED FURNITURE
Interior designer, Rudolph Diesel warns, 'Another trap many of us fall into is going overboard with furniture. That grand sectional might seem inviting, but cramming it into a small space can lead to a cluttered and uncomfortable room. It’s easier said than done, but try to focus more on functionality and flow over excess seating.'
4. OPEN SHELVING
Open shelves are the elegant choice that many owners are using to modernize their space, however, they are a high-maintenance option that can be impractical in the long run. For aesthetic reasons, open shelves are better used as a carefully constructed display area for your favorite decorative pieces to create visual interest, rather than as a living room storage idea, meaning they are not a practical way to stash all your items.
5. MINIMALISM OVER COZINESS
As one of the most increasingly popular interior design trends, a minimalist living room is top of many homeowners' ideas lists when it comes to designing their dream living space. Creating a sleek and elegant space by using only a handful of key items to achieve an ultra-modern and minimalist look can easily cross over into becoming a space that lacks warmth and personality, leading homeowners to regret their move away from cozy interiors.
5. WALL TO WALL CARPETING
While wall-to-wall carpet ideas can dramatically increase the sense of warmth in a living room and can be luxurious underfoot, this costly installation can lead to regrets due to the challenges of maintaining it, especially in high-traffic family rooms or in homes with children and pets. If these carpets are not regularly cleaned they can end up looking tired, bringing down the whole appearance of your living room.
6. POORLY PLANNED LIGHTING
Roman Smolevskiy advises, 'A common regret we've seen is homeowners not giving enough thought to lighting. Living room lighting isn't just functional; it's one of the most powerful mood-setters in a room.' Beyond regretting statement light fixtures that soon do not suit your tastes, not considering where to install light fixtures and plugs for lamps in your living room can be a costly error.
7. DARK COLORS
Dark living rooms, while an elegant option, can ultimately make your living room feel smaller, more closed-in, and cold. Just like choosing bold colors for your living room, opting for dark shades on walls, flooring, or cabinets can quickly lose its appeal and make the room feel gloomy, especially in living rooms with limited lighting.
8. BUILT IN TECHNOLOGY
When asked what homeowners think of when they consider 'dream' living room upgrades, the answer is often installing technology to enhance their entertainment experience, such as built-in projectors, speakers, automatic shades, and so on. However, these costly investments will eventually become outdated as technology always does, and can make upgrading a more difficult task.