The living room is one of the busiest rooms in any home. You do a lot in your living room, between having guests over and spending time on the couch after work. It behooves you to decorate it in a cohesive, comfortable way.

Read on to learn a few of the most common living room decorating mistakes you may be making—and how to avoid them in the future.

Neglecting Proportions

When you decide to decorate—or redecorate—your living room, take care to measure the dimensions of the room first. Many amateur decorators forget this step! They end up either stuffing their living room with oversized items or going too minimalist and winding up with a room that feels barren and lonely.

Keep size and proportion in mind as you decorate your living room. Don’t neglect the importance of comfortable furniture, but don’t overfill your living room with tripping hazards, either.

Using a Single Light Source

What’s the lighting situation like in your living room? If you have an overhead light or chandelier, you may think that level of lighting is sufficient. And in many cases, it may be.

However, consider the advantages of multiple light sources. Place one or two lamps around the room, like on side tables, so you have a variety of lighting options. Ambient light from a lamp gives your living room a cozier feel than an overhead light!

Forgoing Wall Art

Minimalist design trends are all the rage right now. Homeowners streamline the rooms in their homes by painting the walls in light shades and using sleek, neutral furniture. Many people do it well—but occasionally, minimalist living rooms end up looking too plain.

The trick to avoid making your living room look like a prison cell is adding art. You don’t have to cover every wall with paintings and prints, but a strategically placed wall hanging can provide a focal point without making the room look busy.

Matching Too Much

Buying a matching furniture set from a showroom is quick and easy, but it’s also a great way to make your living room look sterile and devoid of character. You want your living room to look like you live there!

It’s no sin to choose furniture in coordinating shades or textures. Mix and match your furniture and decor by sticking to a basic theme, like shades of blue or subtle florals, and branching out from there. Just avoid buying all of your furniture from the same matching set!

If you’re planning to decorate your living room, take care to avoid these common mistakes as you shop for new pieces and rearrange your existing ones. Strike a balance between sleek coordination and eclectic style!