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Avoid decorating mistakes in the living room with the following advice.

It is easy to make decorating mistakes, especially in one of the most used rooms in the house – the living room (or great room, family room, den, or whatever your name for it). Here are some common decorating mistakes to watch for when decorating your living room.

1. A shrine to the television
   Most likely the living room is where you watch TV; however, a common decorating mistake is to have the entire room revolve around the TV set. If possible, hide the television in an armoire. If you have a flat screen, mount it on the wall so that it is more of a decoration. If you want the room to be attractive, avoid making the TV the center of attention.
2. Two competing focal points
   This decorating mistake can be hard to overcome if you have a fireplace. The natural focal point of the room is the fireplace, but the seating needs to face the TV. Be creative in how you arrange seating so that it faces the aesthetic focal point but is also functional. Perhaps you can set up the room so that there are focal points on opposite walls. The seating can then be arranged right in the middle. Or, if you have a flat screen TV, you can mount it on the wall above the fireplace.
3. Too many decorations
   Another common decorating mistake is to have too many decorations cluttering the room. Having displays of knick-knacks gives the living room a cluttered feel. Remember – less is more. Set out the pieces that are important to you. If you display all of your collectibles, they get lost in the clutter. This also includes photos. If you cover your walls and shelves with family photos, they get lost and you just create clutter. Instead, display only the best ones and make use of photo albums.
4. Furniture that doesn’t fit
   The wrong furniture makes it easy to make decorating mistakes. The layout of a room determines the furniture that you need. Too often, people just work with what they already have. While you should certainly use any furniture that you already own, living rooms can be tricky spaces. If you’re trying to arrange seating around a focal point, keeping your current furniture may be a decorating mistake. Be willing to buy the pieces that fit the room.
5. Too trendy.
   You know the scenario – all the stores and catalogs are carrying the hottest decorating trend. You think it would be great in your living room. However, this can easily become a decorating mistake. First of all, you need to decorate based on your personal style, not the latest trend. Trends come and go, but you have to live with how you decorate your living room. Therefore, go with your own style and tastes. Also, spending a lot of money on a trend just doesn’t make sense. Trends do not last. Dark wood paneling and lava lamps used to be the rage. Instead of making a decorating mistake by investing lots of money in trends that won’t last and don’t fit your style, choose to buy trendy accent pieces that do not cost a fortune. This can help you to get the look you want in your living room without making a decorating mistake.