9 Living Room Decor Decisions Likely to Divide Opinion
Compromises come in handy when you’re selecting furniture, window treatments and more for a common room
Amanda Pollard
August 23, 2017
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
The living room is the space that everyone enjoys relaxing in, so it figures that most members of the household will have an opinion on what it looks like and prioritizes. We’ve rounded up nine common design considerations along with compromises that should keep the peace.
1. Colorful sofa. There’s a reason gray sofas are so popular — they go with everything. But what if you’d prefer something more interesting? It’s a difficult decision, as a sofa is such a big investment. You want it to last for a long time, and your favorite color now may change a few years down the line. It’s tempting to play it safe and go for a neutral that won’t go out of style (or that will please others in the house), even if it means compromising on your color preference.
The compromise: Design trends come and go, but our own tastes tend to stay the same. Look around your home, and you may find that most of the objects in it are a similar shade. Opt for a sofa in a color you really love (and that goes with most of the other design pieces and accessories in the room), and chances are you’ll still adore it in five or even 10 years’ time. And you can please your family or housemates by letting them choose the other seating in the living room.
Things You Need to Know About Buying a Sofa
The compromise: Design trends come and go, but our own tastes tend to stay the same. Look around your home, and you may find that most of the objects in it are a similar shade. Opt for a sofa in a color you really love (and that goes with most of the other design pieces and accessories in the room), and chances are you’ll still adore it in five or even 10 years’ time. And you can please your family or housemates by letting them choose the other seating in the living room.
Things You Need to Know About Buying a Sofa
2. Large TV. For some, a large flatscreen is a style statement worth displaying on the wall; for others, it’s an item that ruins the calm look and feel of the living room. If your preference is for a streamlined room with only the fireplace as a focal point, you may be wondering what to do with the TV. Many of us have only one living room, so it’s a design dilemma that can cause some issues.
The compromise: It’s possible to have a TV without it taking over the whole room. Plan an alcove where the television can be tucked out of the way, as the designers have done here. Alternatively, build a shelving unit with a door that hides the television when closed but that doesn’t obscure the screen or otherwise get in the way when open.
Design Debate: Is It OK to Hang the TV Over the Fireplace?
The compromise: It’s possible to have a TV without it taking over the whole room. Plan an alcove where the television can be tucked out of the way, as the designers have done here. Alternatively, build a shelving unit with a door that hides the television when closed but that doesn’t obscure the screen or otherwise get in the way when open.
Design Debate: Is It OK to Hang the TV Over the Fireplace?
3. Artwork. The choice of art you put in your living room can be very personal. An artwork loved by some may be disliked by others. And what if you have too many pictures and not enough space to hang them? A gallery wall is a good compromise, but it still requires a decision and commitment that could cause discord.
The compromise: If you just can’t make a decision on your art display, go for the versatile option of a picture ledge instead. These narrow shelves allow you to arrange a selection of artwork without committing to lots of holes and hooks in the wall. When you change your mind, simply swap pictures for a new selection.
An Insider’s Guide to Creating the Perfect Gallery Wall
The compromise: If you just can’t make a decision on your art display, go for the versatile option of a picture ledge instead. These narrow shelves allow you to arrange a selection of artwork without committing to lots of holes and hooks in the wall. When you change your mind, simply swap pictures for a new selection.
An Insider’s Guide to Creating the Perfect Gallery Wall
4. Bold wall paint. Some people love white walls as a backdrop for brighter accessories, while others prefer a bolder hue on their vertical surfaces. The color you choose for your walls can have a huge effect on the look of the room, so a dispute over the shade can bring your whole decorating project to a standstill.
The compromise: Go for a mix of the two by painting one wall in a bold tone and leaving the others neutral. Here, the wall behind the sofa sports a deep blue that contrasts with the rest of the space and makes a cozy feature of the seating area.
How to Create a Feature Wall (Without Going Back to the ’90s)
The compromise: Go for a mix of the two by painting one wall in a bold tone and leaving the others neutral. Here, the wall behind the sofa sports a deep blue that contrasts with the rest of the space and makes a cozy feature of the seating area.
How to Create a Feature Wall (Without Going Back to the ’90s)
5. Log fire or wood-burning stove. There’s nothing better on a cold day than snuggling up around a real log fire, right? Well, not if you don’t like the smell, the mess and the hassle of storing logs. For some, the process of lighting a fire and cleaning the grate is all part of the fun; for others, well, it’s just plain annoying.
The compromise: If you’re averse to the fire-building rigmarole but still like the coziness of a fire, you could opt for a gas fireplace instead. There are also some attractive and energy-efficient electric models that look and feel very much like the real thing, so you can enjoy the experience by simply turning it on.
The compromise: If you’re averse to the fire-building rigmarole but still like the coziness of a fire, you could opt for a gas fireplace instead. There are also some attractive and energy-efficient electric models that look and feel very much like the real thing, so you can enjoy the experience by simply turning it on.
6. Radiators. They’re one of the most essential elements in our living rooms, but many of us have old radiators that don’t look very nice or match a new design plan. You may want to replace them with something more modern, but the people you live with may not want that, either for taste reasons or budget constraints.
The compromise: If you really don’t like the look of your radiators and are on a tight budget, conceal them with radiator covers. You can find models nowadays that suit all tastes (and budgets), like the modern version here. They also provide extra storage surfaces.
Radiator Covers Like You’ve Never Seen
The compromise: If you really don’t like the look of your radiators and are on a tight budget, conceal them with radiator covers. You can find models nowadays that suit all tastes (and budgets), like the modern version here. They also provide extra storage surfaces.
Radiator Covers Like You’ve Never Seen
7. Office space. Not many of us have a dedicated study, so it’s often necessary to put a desk somewhere else in the home. It can make sense to utilize a corner of the living room, but the people you live with may object to what they assume will be a mess of paperwork and a cumbersome office chair.
The compromise: Reassure everyone that your desk doesn’t have to detract from a calm, relaxing living room. You can blend the work area in with the rest of the room by choosing an attractive desk and chair. And you can keep the space tidy with plenty of closed storage, so it becomes a gorgeous feature rather than an eyesore.
The compromise: Reassure everyone that your desk doesn’t have to detract from a calm, relaxing living room. You can blend the work area in with the rest of the room by choosing an attractive desk and chair. And you can keep the space tidy with plenty of closed storage, so it becomes a gorgeous feature rather than an eyesore.
amorybrown.co.uk
8. Window treatments. Shutters are popular right now, and you can see why — they look stylish and are a practical choice for adding privacy and diffusing light. However, curtains can bring a softness into the room and make the space feel warm and cozy when they’re drawn in the evening. What if you want shutters and everyone else wants curtains?
The compromise: If your budget allows, go for the best of both worlds. In this gorgeous living room, shutters block the view inside the bay window, while curtains add a soft border on both sides.
The compromise: If your budget allows, go for the best of both worlds. In this gorgeous living room, shutters block the view inside the bay window, while curtains add a soft border on both sides.
9. Statement rug. A big, bold rug will transform a room, and in a neutral space, it can offer a welcome boost of pattern and interest. However, if your style is more pared-back than pepped-up, you may find a bright, patterned floor covering hard to live with.
The compromise: To provide interesting texture without the vibrant tones or patterns, try layering two neutral rugs. Here, the designers positioned a patterned mat over a natural floor covering. The colors of both are neutral, but the introduction of layers makes the rugs feel special.
Tell us: What compromises have you made in your living room? Let us know and share a photo in the Comments.
More: Get additional decorating advice on living rooms
The compromise: To provide interesting texture without the vibrant tones or patterns, try layering two neutral rugs. Here, the designers positioned a patterned mat over a natural floor covering. The colors of both are neutral, but the introduction of layers makes the rugs feel special.
Tell us: What compromises have you made in your living room? Let us know and share a photo in the Comments.
More: Get additional decorating advice on living rooms
What are you working on?
Related Products
Related Stories
Organizing
How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-Free Home Office
Follow these steps to get rid of the paper piles and make room for beauty and better organization
Full Story
Remodeling Guides
15 Ways to Create Separation in an Open Floor Plan
By tidgboutique
Use these pro tips to minimize noise, delineate space and establish personal boundaries in an open layout
Full Story
White
Design Pros Share 10 Favorite Creamy White Paints
By Becky Harris
These off-white color choices include versatile tones, warming hues and pleasingly soft shades
Full Story
Entryways
4 Designer Tips for a Fashionable Entry
By tidgboutique
A pro shows how adding color, statement pieces and more to a foyer can set the right tone for the rest of the home
Full Story
Most Popular
7 Major Decorating Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
By tidgboutique
Gain confidence to start your interior design project with this advice from a professional designer
Full Story
Living Rooms
4 Must-Have Features for a Small Living Room
By tidgboutique
A designer shares important ways to live large in a tight space and make it look stylish
Full Story
Most Popular
7 Common Decorating Mistakes to Avoid
Pros share solutions to design problems they often find in people’s living spaces
Full Story
Most Popular
How to Decorate a Living Room
By tidgboutique
A designer offers tips for creating a comfortable space that reflects your style
Full Story
Budget Decorating
Where to Splurge and Where to Save When Decorating
By tidgboutique
See where it makes sense to invest in durable essentials and focal pieces, and where to economize on other things
Full Story
Lighting
Pro Tips for Lighting 10 Rooms and Outdoor Areas
Get professional advice for lighting your kitchen, bathroom, living room, office, patio and more
Full Story
I have a hard enough time dealing with myself! I am truly a Libra; it takes me a long time to make a decision. Once I decide, however, I am firm in my decision! Thank goodness I don't have another person thrown in the mix! My battle now is whether or not to reupholster my current den furniture or buy new? Reupholstering is much more expensive than I anticipated, however, although it's 24 years old my is still structurally sound. Quality furniture is costly as well. I just don't know. I felt like I was rushing and have just decided to take my time and explore all of my options. In the meantime, I'll save more $$$...
Husband & I just read this and he made a very salient point. Regardless of where the TV is placed, in our home, it will be the focal point.
My husband doesnt care about colour or placement of furniture, just as long as his seat has optimum viewing angle for the tv. Sometimes im envious of couples I hear discussing their options when im out shopping and other times i am quite glad that he leaves it up to me!