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Key Points
- Skip dated trends like recessed lighting, accent walls, and matching furniture sets.
- Choose personal artwork and meaningful decor over generic, mass-produced pieces.
- Opt for natural materials and curated accessories to create a timeless living room.
What makes a timeless living room? A fireplace, a veiny stone mantel, pops of brass, vintage wood pieces, natural, creamy linens, and elongating drapery are all classic. But it's also helpful to know what's not classic and timeless.
Below, interior designers share what living room decor to get rid of if you don't want your main living space looking trapped in a certain time period.
Meet the Expert
- Courtney Aleksa is the founder of Aleksa Interiors in the Boston area.
- Emily Roose is the founder of Emily Roose Interiors in Franklin, Tennessee outside of Nashville.
- Ksenya Malina the founder of Time & Place Interiors in New York City.
Recessed Lighting
"Large grids of recessed fixtures can start to feel dated and overly 'builder basic,' and the lighting itself can come across as harsh," Courtney Aleksa, the founder of Aleksa Interiors, says.
Instead, the designer recommends adorning your living room with an array of fixtures, ranging from chandeliers to sconces to table lamps to floor lamps.
Matching Furniture Sets
Matching furniture sets "can quickly make a room feel dated and lacking in personality," Aleksa says. "Bringing in a mix of tones, materials, and textures adds depth and visual interest, helping the room feel more layered, refined, and inviting rather than overly staged or like a showroom," the designer says.
Although it may take a bit longer to finalize your space, the end result will have more longevity.
Accent Walls
"While once a design trend, a single painted or wallpapered wall can often make a room feel dated and disconnected rather than intentional," Aleksa adds.
Instead, go ahead and commit to a full-on painted or papered room, which the designer says will "create a more cohesive and inviting feel."
If you still love the accent wall look—go for it, it's your home! You could also try the more designer-approved accent ceiling, where you cover the ceiling in an unexpected paint color or material.
"A statement ceiling can provide visual interest while maintaining a balanced and sophisticated design," Aleksa says.
Generic Wall Art
Emily Roose, the founder of Emily Roose Interiors, recommends skipping overly generic, chain-store-bought artwork.
"Pieces such as inspirational phrases may feel current for a moment, but they rarely create a meaningful connection to the people who live in the home," she says.
Ksenya Malina, the founder of Time & Place Interiors, gives another example.
"Giclée prints wrapped over canvas risk making a living room look tacky," she says.
Instead, Roose and Malina want you to really lean into your interests.
"I encourage clients to display artwork, photography, and collected objects that tell a personal story," Roose says.
Photographs, heirlooms, or pieces from local artists are all excellent choices, she notes. Malina echoes these sentiments, and she also loves framing children's art.
Excessive Clutter
Every living room should feature at least a few small decorative accessories to feel home, but there's a fine line, Roose notes.
"Excessive decor can create visual noise and make a room feel overwhelming rather than welcoming," she says.
Wondering what decor pieces to prioritize?
"I focus on a curated collection of meaningful objects, layered natural textures, and elements that bring life into the space, such as plants and organic materials," Roose says.
Synthetic Pieces
Both Roose and Malina say that synthetic materials (like acrylic or polyester) don't belong in a timeless living room.
"Over time, these products can look dated, wear poorly, and contribute to a less inviting environment," Roose says.
Malina recommends linen, wool, cashmere, cotton, or velvet for living rooms instead.
Read the original article on The Spruce
