4 living room layout mistakes that are making your space look messier than it actually is, according to design experts
Say goodbye to chaos by correcting these layout faux pas
Cluttered living rooms aren’t something most of us strive for, and yet it’s often the reality we face. If you feel like you’re waging a daily battle against living room chaos, it might be your layout - rather than your decluttering skills - causing the problem.
The layout mistakes that are making your living room feel messy are easily avoided, once you know what they are. Living room layout rules can lay the groundwork but you’ll still need to correct any unwitting mistakes you’ve made in the past.
With that in mind, I asked interior design experts to share the layout mistakes that wind up creating a messy living room. Heed their advice and before you know it, your living room chaos will be gone and a calming oasis will be left behind.
1. Putting all the furniture against the walls
For small living rooms, pushing the furniture against the walls might seem like a smart choice. But according to Jess Barrett, the interior designer behind Jessica Simone Designs, the opposite is true.
'Pushing every piece of furniture against the walls feels like it should create more space, but it often leaves an empty void in the centre of the room and disconnects the seating,' she explains. We’re then more likely to fill that empty space with things a small living room doesn’t need, leading to more mess and clutter.
'Instead, try bringing furniture in slightly, even by just a few centimetres,' Jess advises. 'This makes the room feel intentional rather than like everything has been spread around the perimeter.'
Jessica Barrett is the founder and interior designer behind Jessica Simone Designs, a Surrey-based studio creating warm, considered homes with a modern country feel. With a background in design and over a decade of creative experience, Jessica brings a strong eye for colour, proportion and detail to every project. Her approach is relaxed and personal, helping clients create homes that feel beautiful, functional and, most importantly, like them.
2. Cramming too much in
On the topic of filling empty space, one of the top living room layout mistakes we can make - especially in smaller spaces - is squeezing too much in. A good living room layout will always have a bit of a breathing space; put too much in and you risk making a small living room feel unwelcome.
'If you're constantly walking around coffee tables, squeezing past armchairs or weaving through furniture to reach another part of the room, the layout isn't supporting the way you actually live,' Jess says. 'Good design should feel effortless.'
Have a think about how you actually use your living room and what seating you need. If you can take something out, do it - the space will feel instantly calmer.
3. Choosing furniture that's out of proportion
While the placement of furniture is the key consideration in a living room layout, the scale of it should be a close second. And if our living rooms often feel messy, we've likely chosen pieces that are too big for the space, says Kris Manalo, Head of Design at Atkin and Thyme.
'An oversized sofa can quite easily overpower a room and make it feel smaller than it is, by taking up too much floor space and making the other components in the room feel cramped and confined,' Kris explains. 'Bigger doesn't always mean better, and just because you can squeeze a large sofa into the room doesn’t mean you should.'
By combining a smaller sofa with an armchair or loveseat, we can open up the space and still enjoy seating that is practical. It will likely make a big difference to how messy the space feels.
Kris has over 25 years of experience working in the interiors industry. She joined Atkin and Thyme in 2022 as the Head of Product Design, after having worked at several prestigious brands, such as The White Company and Danetti.
4. Using a rug incorrectly
The last layout mistake that can make a living room feel messy comes from the ground up. According to Kris, the placement of a rug - as well as the size and design - can make or break how calm a living room feels.
'So many people choose the wrong-sized rug for their living room, and usually they opt for something that is too small for the space,' she says. 'Placing a small rug in the middle of the living room can completely distort the visual flow, making the space feel cluttered and disjointed.'
The 18-inch rule for rugs is a good alternative: make sure your rug leaves around 18 inches of bare floor space between the edge of the rug and the walls of the room. Interior designers swear by this rule for creating a balanced, harmonious living space.
Add calm to a living
In a living room doubling up on multi-functional furniture that also has hidden storage will help make a room look neater. This pouffe doubles as a coffee table and footrest, without oodles of storage.
Choose your furniture strategically. This swivel chair is generous but won't overwhelm a space as an accent chair. It is also a piece you won't be tempted to push up against a wall.
You don't need to add more furniture to add character to a room, instead focus on smaller details such as beautiful cushions that will elevate a sofa without making the space look overwhelmed and messy.
If you correct these layout mistakes, your living room will instantly feel calmer - and who doesn't want that?
