5 Things Making Your Living Room Look Cluttered
Nobody wants a cluttered living room—however, maintaining a streamlined space can take a bit of mindfulness. We spoke with Southern organizers and designers and asked them about the types of items that they believe contribute to living room clutter and how to take actionable steps to reduce the chaos.
Too Many Accessories
It turns out that there is such a thing as displaying too many decorative pieces such as books, artwork, plants, and picture frames—even if they’re pretty, they can create the illusion of clutter, explains Danielle Moore.
“You must allow empty space for the eyes to rest,” says the founder of A Little Moore Clean in Baltimore, Maryland.
That said, you don’t need to permanently part with your entire collection.
“Choose your favorite and store the extras,” Moore suggests. “Swap them out as the seasons change for an easy room refresh.”
Improperly Sized Furniture (or Too Much Furniture)
Furniture that is too small or large for your space won’t just make your living room look awkward, it may also contribute to a feeling of clutter, Moore notes.
“Measure your room prior to purchasing furniture,” she instructs. “Leave space between furniture, allowing for openness and easy movement.”
Kenika Williams agrees that a bit of breathing room is essential, noting that too many furniture pieces “can quickly make a living room feel cramped and cluttered.”
The founder of Tidied by K in Atlanta, Georgia, says, “When there’s limited open space, the room can lose its functionality and sense of flow, making it harder for people to move around comfortably.”
But that’s not the only issue with filling your living room to the brim.
“Overcrowding with furniture also limits opportunities for thoughtful decor or statement pieces to shine,” Williams adds.
Excessive Artwork
In a similar vein, leave some open space on the living room walls, too, offers Chanda Kea.
“Every empty space on a wall does not have to be filled with artwork,” says the founder of Kea Interiors in Dallas, Texas. “It will be overdone and make a room feel busy.”
Paperwork
Your living room shouldn’t double as a dumping ground for paper goods.
“If you can avoid leaving excess papers around (mail, homework, notes, bills, etc.) it can feel a little less chaotic,” says Laura Hodges, the founder of Laura Hodges Studio in Catonsville, Maryland. “I find that keeping a drop zone closer to the kitchen helps to minimize the paper clutter that finds its way to the the rest of the house.”
Too Many Toys
It’s common to keep toys on hand in the living room if you have young ones at home. However, it’s wise to keep everything contained and controlled, Williams instructs. Keep the majority of your kids’ toys in a playroom, not in your main entertaining space.
“Toys scattered across surfaces or overflowing from bins make it hard to maintain a tidy, cohesive look, and they can disrupt the purpose of the room as a shared, multipurpose space,” she says.
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