6 Living Room Design Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

1. Hanging Art Too High

Let’s start off with an extremely common decorating mistake: hanging art too high. Art is meant to be looked at; therefore, it makes sense that you should hang your art at eye level.

Most of us have heard that before, but people also don’t realize just how low eye level actually is.

The sweet spot for hanging artwork is between 57-60 inches from the floor to the center of the artwork. Why? Because that’s roughly eye level for most people and creates a comfortable, balanced look in the room. Hanging art higher than this often leaves it feeling like it’s floating above the rest of your space.

How to Check Your Art’s Placement

• Measure 57 inches from the floor.
• Find the center of your art by dividing its height in half.
• Line that center point up with the 57-inch mark. Go up an inch or two if that feels low, but don’t exceed 60 inches.

What if I Have Tall Ceilings?
If you have high ceilings, you don’t need to hang the art higher to “balance it out.” Hang your art at eye level (4-8 inches over the top of the sofa), just like you would with a lower ceiling.

Here are two examples of art hung too high in otherwise well-designed spaces –

What About Gallery Walls?
The same rule applies. Start with the centerpiece at eye level and arrange the rest around it for a polished, cohesive look, like this –

2. Wrong Size Art Over the Sofa

Hanging the wrong size art above your sofa is one of those mistakes that sneaks up on you – until one day, you can’t not see it. A piece that’s too small looks lost and disconnected, while one that’s too large can dominate the room in all the wrong ways.

To make everything appear balanced, your artwork should be about two-thirds the width of your sofa.

Here are some examples –

Too small

The artwork in those photos looks ridiculous; there’s no getting around it.

Too large

The artwork in this photo is overpowering and dwarfs everything else in the room. (Although, in my humble opinion, this is the lesser of two evils).

Just right

The artwork here is well-balanced in the space.

How to Check Your Art’s Proportions

1. Measure the width of your sofa.
2. Multiply that by 0.66 (or roughly two-thirds).
3. Choose art—or a combination of pieces—that comes close to that width.

What If I Can’t Find a Big Enough Piece?
If you love a smaller piece, you could try framing it with a wide mat to make it larger, pairing it with other pieces to create a mini gallery wall, or adding creative accents to make it appear larger.

READ IT: Make artwork appear larger and more interesting

Can I Skip Art Altogether?
Absolutely. If traditional artwork doesn’t feel right for your space, there are plenty of creative alternatives to try. A large mirror can add light and depth, while a tapestry or plant wall brings in texture and interest. Want something more unexpected? Frame an old map, hang a small rug as a statement piece, or mount a collection. Get weird with it. Weird is great – if it’s the right scale.

Bonus tip: Take height into account too! You should still try and follow the 57-60 inch rule for hanging art, which will likely mean the bottom of the art will be 4-8 inches above the back of the sofa.

3. Wrong Size Area Rugs

Area rugs are one of the easiest ways to define a space, but getting the size wrong can throw off your entire room (and honestly, it’s one of my biggest pet peeves). Most people tend to go too small, and I totally get it. Rugs are hella expensive. But when your rug is too small, it feels like a postage stamp lost in a sea of furniture. Like a magic carpet ready to fly away. Like a bath mat that wandered into the wrong room. It’s not good.

Here’s the rule: your rug should be large enough for at least the front legs of all your furniture to sit on it. Ideally, the rug should extend at least 6–12 inches beyond either side of your sofa, anchoring the room and making the space feel cohesive.

Here are two examples of a correctly sized area rug –

How to Check Your Rug Size

1. Measure the seating area, not the entire room.
2. Make sure your rug is large enough for at least the front legs of all your furniture.
3. Leave some bare floor space around the edges of the rug (if possible) for a balanced look.

What About Rug Placement?
Your rug should sit centered under your main seating arrangement, with equal space on all sides. It shouldn’t feel like it’s creeping toward one wall or leaving some of your furniture stranded.

Can I Layer Rugs?
Yes! If you’re working with a smaller rug that you love, you can absolutely layer it over a larger rug. Try layering a smaller rug over a larger natural fiber rug, or layering rugs with coordinating colors over each other in an asymmetrical manner (this is my favorite!).

The right size rug grounds your space and makes everything feel connected. If you’re between sizes, always go bigger. If price is a concern, check out Loloi rugs. They are super affordable and have a TON of options for both pattern and size. I own three.

Click the thumbnails below to see some of my favorite Loloi Rugs. All are available in a larger size (8×10 and above) for $200-$300, which is a steal.

4. Wrong Size Coffee Table

A coffee table that’s the wrong size can throw off the balance of your entire living room. Too small, and it looks like a sad footstool trying to find a purpose. Too big, and it feels like an uninvited guest that won’t take a hint. Just get outta here already.

Here’s the rule of thumb: your coffee table should be about two-thirds the length of your sofa. This keeps the proportions balanced and makes the table feel like it belongs in the room rather than being an afterthought.

The coffee table in the photo above is perfectly sized and feels at home in the space. (Also, can we please take a moment to appreciate how perfectly sized the rug is as well? Perfection.)

Compare that to this photo, where the coffee table is much too small.

Also, the rug is way too small…we have some problems here. I’m trying to only use stock photos as my “bad” examples, and the pickings are slim.

How to Check Your Coffee Table Size

1. Measure the length of your sofa.
2. Multiply that by 0.66 (or two-thirds).
3. Choose a table that’s close to that length and matches the height of your sofa seat.

What About Height?
Your coffee table should be roughly the same height as the seat of your sofa or slightly lower. Anything taller starts to feel like a blockade rather than a functional piece of furniture.

What If I Have a Sectional?
Round, square, or even triangular shaped coffee tables work great with sectionals; they function well within that space without feeling crowded. If you want a rectangular coffee table with a sectional, pick one that covers 2/3 the length of the longest side of the sectional (using the inside length, not the outside).

Can I Skip the Coffee Table?
If a coffee table isn’t practical for your space, consider using something more flexible like an ottoman or a pair of smaller side tables instead. These are still functional, but can be easily moved out of the way when you need more floor space.

Bonus tip: Make sure there’s about 18 inches of space between the edge of your sofa and the coffee table. This gives you enough room to move around comfortably without having to do a sidestep shuffle every time you get up.

5. Forgetting About Lighting

If your living room relies solely on overhead lighting—whether it’s recessed cans, a ceiling fan light, or both, you’re missing out on one of the easiest ways to make your space feel cozy and inviting. Overhead lights can feel harsh (I’m constantly turning them off in my own house), like the fluorescent glare in a waiting room. What your living room needs is layers of light.

Think of lighting like creating a mood. Overhead lights provide the foundation, but the magic happens when you mix in lamps and accent lighting. Table lamps, floor lamps, and wall sconces add depth and warmth, giving your room that cozy, lived-in glow. Without warm accent lighting, your space is basically stuck in hospital mode. Think of the warm, cozy glow that your Christmas tree puts off. That’s the feeling we want, but all year long.

How to Layer Lighting

1. Start with overhead lighting – Sure, you need general bright lighting to see what you’re doing sometimes…but you don’t want your space to feel like that all the time. Also, dimmer switches can also make a world of difference.
2. Add table and floor lamps – Lamps are where the coziness comes in. A lamp on an end table or a floor lamp by a chair instantly softens the space. So, step two – buy lamps.
3. Incorporate accent lighting – This can be as simple as a plug-in sconce or a string of fairy lights tucked onto a shelf. These smaller lights bring character and interest to the room.
4. Don’t forget candles – Technically not a light fixture, but candles are the unsung heroes of cozy lighting.

What if I have no outlets for lamps?
This seems like a showstopper, but it’s actually an easy fix. Battery-powered lamps and rechargeable lights are great options for adding warmth without needing to plug in. Here are a few of my favorites –

Bonus tip: When adding layers of lighting to your space, remember that color matters. Bright white lights (even in the most beautiful lamp) will feel cold, while yellowish lights feel like a hug. Choose “warm white” or “soft white” bulbs rather than “bright white” or “daylight” bulbs.

6. Pushing All Your Furniture Against the Walls

It’s tempting, isn’t it? You want to make the room feel as open as possible, so you shove all your furniture right up against the walls. But instead of creating a spacious oasis, you end up with a room that feels more like a waiting area than a cozy living space.

Here’s the thing: pulling your furniture away from the walls, even just a few inches, can work wonders. When you “float” furniture in the room, it feels more intentional and welcoming. It creates a sense of flow and makes it easier to define conversation areas. Plus, it encourages connection – literally – because you won’t need to shout across a giant expanse of floor to talk to someone on the other side.

Floating furniture happens naturally in a large, open concept home –

But it is just as doable in a smaller, more closed-off space –

How to Avoid the Wall-Hugging Furniture

1. Define a conversation zone – Arrange your seating so people can easily talk to each other. A good rule of thumb is to keep chairs and sofas no more than 8 feet apart.
2. Use a rug to anchor – A large area rug can help define the floating space and make it feel grounded. Remember the rule from earlier – don’t skimp on rug size!
3. Give yourself walkways – Leave enough space behind or around the furniture for easy movement. It’s okay to have a gap between your sofa and the wall; your room will feel more open, not less.

What If My Living Room Is Really Small?
Even in a small space, you can float furniture. Try pulling just one piece—a chair, the sofa, or even a side table—away from the wall. You don’t have to float everything, but giving even a few inches of breathing room can make the layout feel less cramped.

What if my room has an awkward layout?
If your living room has weird angles, a fireplace off to one side, or doorways cutting into the space, floating your furniture can actually help define the room. Try angling chairs or using a rug to anchor the seating area – it’ll make the space feel more intentional instead of like you just gave up and shoved everything against the walls.