I’m an interior designer. Here are 10 things in your living room you should get rid of.

Film and book collections must be eliminated or concealed.

DVD collections can appear disorganized.

Though your collection of limited-edition DVDs can be a wonderful conversation starter, they will make your space appear cluttered and chaotic.

Massive stacks of books or films might be aesthetically intrusive, but a storage solution will declutter your area and make the room more comfortable.

A good storage solution for movies and books is also an excellent technique to disguise the materials while keeping them in a single spot. Numerous bookcases and media stands have closed fronts with drawers or doors to conceal various objects.

There is such a thing as excessive illumination.

Incredibly, excessive illumination can be overbearing and needless.

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Although I enjoy a well-lit room, I have a strong dislike for excessive lighting. It can be overpowering and needless to enter a room with a ceiling light, recessed can lighting, and accent and floor lamps.

I believe that lighting are essential for function, but not for aesthetics; you should have appealing lamps that serve a purpose and do not dominate a space.

If you’re concerned that your space lacks sufficient illumination, invest in dimmable bulbs that can be changed as needed.

Consider the size of your room prior to purchasing a sofa.

Oversized or undersized sofas can throw off the entire room’s proportions.

When mapping any area, it is crucial to consider scale. If the sofa in your living room is overly huge, it might make the room feel cramped. Consequently, a sofa that is too small will make the room appear empty.

If you’re concerned about choosing a sofa that’s too big or too little, take measurements and place tape on the floor where you’d like to place the sofa to determine how much room it will occupy.

You can also choose a sofa that can be changed based on the seating arrangement you like. Relocating smaller components to change a layout or to place them in an entirely new area would also be simpler than moving an entire sofa.

Remove obsolete prints and colors.

You can update your fashionable patterns and hues annually.

Trendy patterns and hues change year, but you can stay current with neutral-toned furniture, neutral finishes, and a variety of accent pieces.

Neutrals are calming, so using them as the primary colors in a room allows you to add contrast and visual interest with bright accents. One of the simplest ways to update a living area is by utilizing new throw pillows and blankets.

Refreshing a space with current textures and layers is also simple and inexpensive, considering that purchasing a pillow for $25 is significantly less time-consuming than repainting a whole room.

Walls covered in word art and letters can appear chaotic.

Choose wall art that is not letter art.

Who would have thought that phrases spelled out on walls would be such a popular trend? I’ve seen nearly every English word spelt out on people’s walls using letters from Hobby Lobby or HomeGoods, but they may make a wall appear cluttered.

If you’re having difficulties coming up with wall design ideas, check out Pinterest for creative alternatives that do not involve spelling out your family’s last name.

Think about a collage of family photographs, tapestries, macromeres, paintings, or mirrors.

You do not require dominant window treatments.

Some individuals believe that multiple layers of curtains are required to block out light, however this is not always the case.

Heavy window treatments are antiquated and superfluous, especially given that sheer curtains offer a lightweight, textured option. If filtering out light is a top priority, opt for blackout shades, which can be as thin as linen.

In addition, I believe that valances scream 1970s and that short or jagged curtains that float about a foot off the ground interrupt the line of sight and make a wall appear shorter than it is.

I’m also tired of seeing white plastic blinds, as they scream “first college apartment” to me. If you prefer blinds, roller shades or wooden choices provide a far superior appearance.

Light switches and outlet covers made of plastic can be upgraded.

The importance of attention to detail, especially light switch covers, should not be overlooked.

Another pet peeve of mine is outlet and light-switch covers that were placed without consideration. I’ve seen homes with renovations costing tens of thousands of dollars with outlets disguised by dollar-store plastic covers.

Changing plastic coverings to something more opulent is one of the simplest ways to improve your living environment. There are some excellent selections available on Amazon, or if you’re like me and need to see and touch the product, Menards also has a fantastic assortment.

Covers that complement the current architecture and have a finish that matches the home’s trim would appear more coherent, in my opinion. I especially appreciate it when the covers are painted the same color as the walls, since it creates a continuous appearance.

Gray is not always the best option.

I dislike the extensive use of gray in the living room.

Even if all design trends eventually return, I hope that the use of gray will not return for some time. Gray sofas, plank flooring, curtains, throw blankets, and charcoal accent pillows may make a home appear boring. The color of a room may affect your mood, so why not choose a hue that promotes relaxation as opposed to one that epitomizes monotony?

Gray might appear austere and overly commercial, whereas warmer tones are appealing and relaxing. Thankfully, I’ve observed a rise in the usage of browns and warm neutrals in recent design work.

In spite of this, I enjoy gray hues with other contrasting finishes. Adding warmer hues to gray elements can produce a palette that is both contrasting and refreshing.

Invest on durable fabrics.

Acrylic fabrics are a viable substitute; nevertheless, they will not feel as natural as natural fibres.

With modern technology, purchasing materials that are simple to clean is a no-brainer. Even though linen and velvet have been used for centuries, you may get a similar appearance with treated materials.

Some fabric manufacturers, for instance, are plasticizing their materials to make them as stain-resistant and durable as acrylic and outdoor fabrics, in order to create a traditional aesthetic that can tolerate children and pets.

Acrylic fabrics like as Sunbrella and Perennials are also excellent, long-lasting alternatives. Because they are simple to clean, these textiles allow for the incorporation of lighter hues, such as whites and creams.

Avoid highly reflective paint finishes.

Shiny paint is obsolete and should be retired.

I believe a high- or semi-gloss paint finish gives a wall a glossy, almost oily appearance. This paint is easy to clean, but you can obtain comparable effects with a satin finish and prevent an extremely reflected appearance.

A more modest wall treatment will allow the furnishings and artwork to stand out without competing with a glossy wall. Minimal shine is also easy on the eyes and provides the space’s overall look a more relaxed tone, which is essential in domestic spaces.