Photo by Diana Paulson
When you want your home to feel like it’s straightened up, you can’t skip over the living room.
A tidied-up living space is a welcoming oasis, a small retreat for people to gather or rest or reconnect after a long day. But a messy living room has the opposite effect: Even if you’re just noticing it in the periphery of your vision and registering it barely consciously, a messy living room can be a stressor that makes you feel far from at home in your very own house.
The really tricky thing, though, is that even if you take on efforts to keep your living room tidy, sometimes it still doesn’t provide that calm, peaceful feeling. Something’s off and you can’t quite put your finger on it.
Here are some common culprits that can have this effect and can make your living room look messier than it actually is:
Photo by Minette Hand
Exposed Cords
Nothing destroys a serene vibe like poorly-concealed cords tangled behind the TV or snaking out from an outlet. For cords that hang down the wall, try installing cord covers painted in the same color as your wall. If you’re a homeowner and feeling extra ambitious, you can undertake a project to completely hide cords on the inside of your wall.
Even if you can’t totally conceal the cords for your entertainment system, there are ways to make them less unsightly. You can use cable management sleeves to gather and cover a group of cords all going the same direction, or cable management boxes to camouflage cords in a hub-like configuration. If you have phone chargers strewn about the room, try a phone charger shelf to keep things contained and looking organized.
Photo by Marisa Vitale
Unfluffed Pillows
This might seem like a stuffy tip, but in an otherwise neat living room, lumpy, deflated, and tossed-about cushions and pillows imbue the space with a tired, indifferent appearance. The solution is simple: Pat your couch and chair cushions so they perk up and hug throw pillows before placing them exactly where they go.
If they need extra love beyond a good fluff, a fabric shaver can work wonders and make them look good as new.
Photo by Pippa Drummond
Small Things That Aren’t Contained
This applies to utilitarian things (like remotes) and decorative items (like candles). Most of the time, laying small objects on a large surface looks messy. Think of the difference it makes in your bathroom’s appearance when you store lotions and potions on a pretty tray versus directly on the countertop. Whether you choose trays and baskets or find a new home behind closed cabinet doors, corralling your small items lends a refreshing in-order look to your living space.
Photo by Marie-Lyne Quirion
Too Many Knickknacks
Even in a pristine living room, too many tchotchkes can quickly make a space look cluttered and junky. Try grouping collections together or editing the number of mementos you have on display.