The lounge is often considered the heart of the home, the place where families and friends gather to relax and unwind. When designing your lounge, it’s essential to create a comfortable yet stylish space that reflects your personality and taste. But even the most beautifully designed lounges can be let down by small, seemingly insignificant details. We’ll explore ten things that can let down your lounge décor and what you can do to help avoid them.
- Poor Lighting
Lighting is a crucial element in any room, and the lounge is no exception. Poor lighting can make a room feel dull and uninviting. Incorporate different lighting sources, such as ceiling lights, floor lamps, and table lamps, to create a warm and cozy ambiance. Adding dimmer switches to your existing lighting fixtures can also help you adjust the light to suit your mood and create a more relaxing atmosphere, where bright overhead lights may prove overbearing and unflattering.
It’s also important to consider the color temperature and intensity of your light bulbs. Soft white or warm white bulbs can create a cozy and welcoming environment, whereas bright white or cool white bulbs can make a space feel more awake and stimulating. Don’t forget to also take advantage of natural light by keeping your windows unobstructed and using sheer curtains rather than thick material.
- Cluttered Space
A cluttered lounge can make it difficult to relax and simply enjoy the space. Consider decluttering your lounge regularly and investing in smart storage solutions to keep your belongings organized and out of sight. Add decorative baskets for bookshelves where needed to create a space for your belongings and keep clutter at bay.
It’s important to avoid hoarding unnecessary items and to regularly donate or dispose of belongings that are no longer useful or relevant. When organizing your belongings, consider grouping them by category or frequency of use to make them easier to find and access. Try to make decluttering a regular habit to prevent an accumulation of clutter over time. We recommend going by the 6 months to the one-year rule. Assess your belongings every 6 months to one year to decide whether they are still useful or still match your aesthetic preferences.
- Mismatched Furniture
Mismatched furniture can make a lounge feel disjointed and uncoordinated. Invest in furniture pieces that complement each other, such as furnishings in the same fabric or color palette. Alternatively, you can mix and match different furniture styles as long as they share a common design element, such as color, material, or shape.
- Faded or Outdated Textiles
Textiles are an essential element in any lounge, from curtains to cushions and rugs. However, faded or outdated textiles can make a room look tired and uninviting. Consider updating your textiles regularly, and opt for unique patterns, colours, and textures to add interest and personality to your space.
- Old Radiators
If you have old radiators in your lounge, they can often look unappealing and detract from the overall decor of the room. However, replacing a radiator can be costly and time-consuming. Instead, give them a new lease of life with a fresh coat of paint or by covering them with decorative radiator covers. Not only can this improve the overall aesthetic appeal of your lounge, but it can also help the radiators blend in better with your existing decor. Radiator covers are also a great way to improve heat distribution in your home, which is especially important with the current rise in energy costs.
- Over-accessorizing
Accessorizing can add an element of fun and personality to a room, but over-accessorizing can tend to make a space feel cluttered and overwhelming. Incorporate statements, and focal pieces, such as a bold rug or a piece of artwork, and keep the rest of your accessories minimal. Avoid incorporating too many small, fiddly pieces that can create visual clutter, as these can give the illusion of a smaller space.
- Lack of Colour
Sometimes, a lack of colour can really make a room feel bland and uninteresting. Instead of using one flat shade, try incorporating different hues and tones to add depth and dimension to your space. Whether it’s through your textiles, furniture, or accessories, a little color here and there can really do wonders for a dull area.
Incorporating color doesn’t necessarily mean going all out with a tin of bold paint; it can be as simple as adding colorful cushions, throws or artwork. Choose a color scheme that complements your existing decor and reflects your personality and style. Remember, the key is to strike a balance between too much and too little color, so it’s essential to experiment and find the right balance for your lounge.
- Poorly Sized Furniture
Furniture that’s too big or too small for a room can make your space feel awkward and unbalanced. Measure your space before investing in furniture pieces to ensure they fit well and allow for easy movement around the room. Always consider the scale of your furniture before buying and ensure they’re proportionate to the room’s size.
If you have a small lounge, consider using furniture that can serve multiple purposes, such as a storage ottoman or a pull-out sofa bed. These pieces can maximize space while providing a range of additional functions. If you have a larger lounge, try creating different zones or seating areas to make the space feel more inviting and multi-functional, for example, an area for watching tv and a separate area to relax and read a book.
- Neglecting the Windows
Natural light is an essential element in any room, so neglecting the window areas could make a room feel uninviting and dreary. Invest in curtains or blinds that complement your decor and let in optimal natural light whilst also offering privacy while your lounge is in use. Opt for sheer blinds over black-out blinds, so you can enjoy the privacy of your lounge whilst also getting the benefits of natural light. Or install both sheer voiles along with curtains of a thicker material, so you have both options when needed.
- Lack of Greenery
Plants are an easy and affordable way to add life, color, and an element of nature to any room. Plants can also help purify the air and improve the room’s overall ambiance. Incorporate different types of plants, such as succulents, spider plants, peace lilies or ivy, to add dimension and personality to your space. Plants can also be used as a focal point grouped together or crafted into a green wall, also known as a vertical garden. Don’t forget to consider the lighting and temperature requirements of your plants to ensure they thrive in your lounge.