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Home Decor Mistakes That Make Your Living Room Look Cheap (And the Easy Oh Lala Fixes!)
Have you ever walked into someone’s living room and thought, “Something just feels…off,” but couldn’t quite figure out why?
The funny thing is, it usually isn’t because they bought inexpensive furniture.
In fact, I’ve seen gorgeous, high-end furniture look completely underwhelming because of a few decorating mistakes. The good news? They’re incredibly easy to fix—and most won’t cost much at all.
As someone who spends way too much time decorating rooms, scrolling Pinterest, shopping for home décor, and helping others create beautiful spaces, I notice the same mistakes over and over again.
The best part?
You don’t need an interior designer.
You don’t need thousands of dollars.
And you definitely don’t need to start over.
Sometimes one small change completely transforms a room.
Let’s dive into the biggest decorating mistakes—and how to fix them the Oh Lala way.
1. Your Rug Is Too Small
If I could change one thing in almost every living room, this would be it.
Tiny rugs make expensive furniture look disconnected and awkward. Instead of creating one beautiful conversation area, everything feels like it’s floating around the room.
Oh Lala Fix:
Choose a rug large enough so at least the front legs of your sofa and chairs sit on it.
For most living rooms:
• 8′ x 10′ minimum
• 9′ x 12′ for larger rooms
Think of your rug as the foundation of the room—it should pull everything together.
Area Rug 8×10 Living Room Rug
8×10 Washable Area Rugs for Living Room and Bedroom
2. You’re Only Using “The Big Light”
We’ve all done it.
Flip on the overhead light and suddenly your cozy living room feels like a doctor’s office.
One ceiling light creates harsh shadows and makes everything look flat.
Oh Lala Fix:
Layer your lighting.
A beautiful room should have:
Floor lamp
Table lamp
Accent lamp or candles
Always choose warm bulbs (around 2700K) instead of bright daylight bulbs.- Instant Cozy!!
Floor Lamp with Table, End Tables with Charging Station
Floor Lamp with Table and Shelves
Floor Lamp with Table
3. Your Curtains Are Hung Too Low
This one surprises almost everyone.
Curtains hung directly above the window actually make your ceilings look lower.
Short curtains? Even worse.
Oh Lala Fix:
Hang curtain rods as close to the ceiling as possible.
Extend the rod several inches beyond each side of the window.
Choose curtains that just touch the floor.
It’s one of the easiest ways to make your room look custom designed.
4. You Only Have a Couch
A sofa by itself makes a room feel unfinished.
Even if you live alone, your space should feel inviting.
Oh Lala Fix:
Add:
• an accent chair
• a comfy swivel chair
• a reading chair
• or even a stylish pouf
Creating multiple seating areas instantly makes your room feel professionally designed
Click on pic to see other color options – Lazy Chair with Ottoman
click pic to see other options – Modern Accent Chair with Ottoman
Comfy Accent Chair for Living Room Bedroom
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5. Your Walls Are Empty
Blank walls make even beautiful furniture disappear.
You don’t need expensive artwork to fix this.
Oh Lala Fix:
Mix in:
• oversized artwork
• family photos
• mirrors
• vintage finds
• framed prints
A large mirror is one of my favorite decorating tricks because it reflects light and makes every room feel larger.
64″x 21.5″ Arched Mirror Full Length, Full Body Mirror with Stand, Hanging or Leaning
64″x21″ Full Length Mirror with LED Lights
6. Your Artwork Is Hanging Too High
One of the biggest decorating mistakes…
Artwork that sits halfway to the ceiling.
Your guests shouldn’t need binoculars.
Oh Lala Fix:
Hang artwork so the center sits about 57–60 inches from the floor.
If it’s above furniture, leave only 6–8 inches between the furniture and the frame.
You’ll be amazed how much more balanced the room feels.
7. Fake Plants That Look…Well…Fake
I love faux plants.
But not the shiny plastic ones that scream “discount aisle.”
Oh Lala Fix:
Instead of buying several cheap plants…
Buy one really good one.
Look for:
• realistic leaves
• matte finish
• natural stems
• decorative planter
• moss covering the base
Nearly Natural 4ft Golden Cane Palm. One beautiful faux tree makes a much bigger impact than three fake-looking plants.
Lifelike Bird of Paradise Artificial Plant,6.6ft
Artificial Olive Tree, 5 FT Tall
8. There’s Nowhere to Truly Relax
A beautiful room should also feel comfortable.
Not every seat needs to feel formal.
Oh Lala Fix:
Add something soft.
Maybe:
• a cozy reading chair
• oversized bean bag
• floor pouf
• chunky knit ottoman
Your living room should invite people to stay awhile.
Bean Bag Chairs Beanbag Chair
3 in 1 Bean Bag Chair Giant Bean Bag Chair
Adults Bean Bag Chair Faux Fur BeanBag
9. Everything Matches
Matching furniture sets are convenient…
But they rarely look collected or designer-inspired.
Rooms feel much more interesting when they evolve over time.
Oh Lala Fix:
Mix:
• wood finishes
• fabrics
• accent chairs
• side tables
• textures
Designer rooms always feel layered—not purchased all in one afternoon.
10. You’ve Forgotten the Cozy Factor
This may be the biggest secret of all.
Beautiful rooms aren’t just about what you see.
They’re about what you experience.
The best living rooms engage all your senses.
Oh Lala Fix:
Add:
Raindrop Aroma Diffuser Room Humidifier with White Noise, 7-Color Air Mist Essential Oil Diffuser Sleep Sounds Aroma Rain Drop, with Remote Control
Sound Machine for Sleep, Cocoon 2 White Noise Sound Machine with 40 Relaxing Sounds
Color Noise Sound Machines with 10 Colors Night Light 25 Soothing Sounds
The Oh Lala Secret
Here’s something I’ve learned after decorating countless rooms…
A beautiful home isn’t created in one shopping trip.
It’s built one thoughtful decision at a time.
You don’t have to replace everything.
Start with the one thing that bothers you most.
Maybe it’s the rug.
Maybe it’s your lighting.
Maybe it’s finally hanging those curtains correctly.
Small changes create huge results.
Before you know it, your living room won’t just look more expensive—it will feel like you.
And honestly?
That’s the most beautiful decorating style there is.
Happy Decorating!