People talk about the kitchen being the heart of the home, but the living rooms slowly stealing that title. It's the spot where to unwind in the evening and gather together with friends and family. Unfortunately, it is also a place where you will often find things that stress you out, disrupting your inner peace.
The living room is our mental health haven, social venue and recharge station all in one. Your living room decor ideas need to serve each of these purposes, however, when planning a room it is easy to focus on the looks and not on how the space makes you feel. This is unfortunately where those sneaky stressors can creep in.
Some things might be obvious – like the clutter that’s crept up on you or the neighbour who can see right in. Other issues are harder to spot…
Living room stressors
We asked experts in colour psychology, interior design and lighting design for their perspectives on the hidden living room stressors that are harshing your mellow.
1. The colour on the walls is too extra
It’s tempting to follow maximalist colour trends, but beware of the influence they can have on your mood. Psychologist and wellbeing expert Lee Chambers warns, ‘While we can have different interactions with colours depending on preference and symbolism, it is worth considering that red can be stimulating, increasing heart rate and evoking a sense of urgency which may amplify feelings of stress or overwhelm.
‘Bright and bold oranges and yellows can have a similar impact, used in excess, giving energy and a desire to do something, which can cause agitation and frustration.
‘In contrast, cool, dark colours (especially with insufficient lighting) can feel cold and unwelcoming. For some people, this will make them feel uneasy and less safe, which may be stressful. Too much contrast between colours can also be visually stressful, which can be uncomfortable for some individuals and make a space feel overstimulating.’
Lee advises looking at colour in context: ‘For a calm, relaxed living room, look beyond colour to lighting, textures and personalisation.’
Which calming colours for a living room should be on your shortlist? ‘Look to soft blues and greens, which are often linked to a sense of serenity and natural balance. Earthy, neutral tones such as taupe are warm and grounding. For a bit more energy, lavender or lilac can bring balance and calm confidence, and pale pink can gently lift the spirits. Off-whites can be great for creating a spacious feel that’s not too clinical, and muted greys can give subtle sophistication alongside some tranquility.’
Farrow & Ball’s Vert de Terre (£59 for 2.5ltr Modern Emulsion) is a works-everywhere mid-toned green, and ideal for creating a calming living room.
2. Clutter hotspots
Professional organiser and psychotherapist Kate Ibbotson explains why living rooms are such a hot spot for clutter: ‘The living room may need to adapt to the needs of multiple family members, so it can be tricky to get the space to feel right for everyone.
‘The living room is a place to put your feet up and relax, so when things are out of place or in transit, such as piles of paperwork or ironing waiting to be done, it simply reminds us of the things we have left unfinished.’
To make quick work of riding your living room of clutter try out Kate’s hit list of anti-clutter strategies:
- Keep furniture to scale. Too large and it creates a crowded feel.
- Look for furniture with built-in storage (tables with drawers, lift-up ottomans).
- Opt for cubbyhole shelving with wicker boxes for children’s toys.
- Invest in boxes for TV remotes and game consoles to give them a ‘home’ when not in use.
- Make a daily routine of clearing food packaging, papers, crockery and items that don’t belong there.
3. Reliance on the big light
People make the same mistakes when it comes to living room lighting ideas, lighting guru David Village explains: ‘Relying on a central pendant light as the only light source can be inadequate. Also, not considering how you may want to use the room can impact the effectiveness of lighting. Lastly, not making the most of the space by highlighting architectural or design features is a missed opportunity to elevate it.’
His advice is to start by rethinking ‘the big light’: ‘Use more than one electrical circuit to give flexibility when it comes to dimming and control. For the central pendant light, your choice should be glare-free to create a comfortable lighting experience. Choose a design which conceals or diffuses the bulb.’
Next, layer light by adding table or wall lights, which can also create decorative effects if you choose up or downlighters. David adds, ‘Wall-mounted task lights are a useful way to add personal light where there is no space for a table lamp. It’s also important to illuminate features such as fireplaces and pictures with subtle LED spotlights.’
Try out the lowkey Clyde LED MoodMaker wall light from Lampsy which gives three levels of lighting and is plug-in, so you don’t have to get it wired in.
4. The TV dominates the room
TV screens have got bigger and bigger over the years and, while we’re loving the cinema experience on a Saturday night, it’s not always great for your comfort or the style and multifunctionality of the room.
So what size would be best for yours? Interior designer Anna Marie Stoltman says, ‘It’s not about the size of the room. It’s about the distance between the TV and wherever you will be watching from. People often make the mistake of going for the biggest TV they can fit in or can afford. What you should be thinking is, “Will I be comfortable? Will I have to tilt my head? Will I have to look up or down?”
'Ideally, you want your TV to be exactly at eye level when sitting down. And it should be about 180cm away from you with a middle-sized TV. It’s always best to check the manufacturer’s website for the most accurate guideline.’
It’s easy for a living room to become all about TV watching, at the expense of conversation and other activities. Anna continues, ‘If possible, you don’t want the TV to be the first thing you or your guests see when you/they walk into the room. If you can, position the TV on the same wall where the door is so you can’t see it from outside the room.
Alternatively, there are ways to hide a tv, and integrate it into your decor. Anna says ‘Some kind of bespoke storage solution to accommodate your TV doesn’t have to cost the earth.
'You could also create a focal point, such as a feature wall, to draw attention away from the TV. This could be a gallery wall or one big piece of art. Simply painting one wall in a different colour will divert the eyes from the TV. Another option is to paint the wall behind the TV in a darker shade of the colour you have used, so that your screen blends in with the wall.’
5. The layout working against you
If your room feels claustrophobic or is hard to walk around without banging your knees or shins, it could be a sign to scale down your furniture or work out a happier living room layout fix. Anything that’s partially blocking doorways or pathways around the room certainly needs sorting as it could slow down your escape in a fire.
Interior designer Anna Maria Stoltman adds to this, ‘One of the common mistakes that people make is pushing all the furniture against the walls and leaving the middle of the room empty. Placing a sofa on one side of the room and a couple of chairs on the other side of the room does not invite you to a conversation, as it may lack intimacy and cosiness.’
To arrange your living room in a way that works, this is what interior designers consider: ‘Of course, the size of the room is important,’ says Anna. ‘With small rooms, you have to be more creative and think about the different functions of the room. Bigger rooms often feel cold and unwelcoming. Think about all the different activities that take place in the room. Also, think about how you want to feel in that room. If you want to feel relaxed and cosy, then you will probably have a completely different approach to the design as if you wanted the space to feel fresh and minimalistic.’
6. You’re feeling watched
A lack of privacy is one of the most irritating things about urban living, especially if your neighbours treat your life like their own personal reality TV show. It’s an issue that Lewis Maguire, an advisor for Hillarys, is often asked to come up with a solution for. ‘Balancing privacy with maximising natural light and a feeling of connection to the outside world can be a tricky tightrope to walk,’ he says.
The best window blind ideas he recommends for privacy are layering sheers with blinds or shutters. ‘You can enjoy natural light filtering through the sheers during the day, then close the blinds or shutters when you switch the lights on.’
If you want to preserve the light levels but privacy too, another option is top-down, bottom-up blinds, ‘These control privacy at eye level while preserving natural light and your window onto the world,' he explains.
However, for a very on-trend look you can opt for cafe-style curtains or shutters. 'They just cover the bottom half of your window. Some customers combine them with Roman blinds or curtains for a soft finish, or to introduce pattern and colour.'
However, if you need an even more affordable or non-permanent options window film can keep you the privacy you need. For example, Purfrost’s plain window film is a low-cost option for frosting, or partially frosting your window, £12.25 for 50cm x 50cm.
7. The sofa’s making your back ache
We always blame our mattress for aches and pains, but what is boxset bingeing doing to your body? A comfortable sofa will have three qualities: supportive filling, a thickly wrapped frame and the right angles for your height.
Nicky Line, chief product officer at Loaf, explains what to look for when finding the best sofa: ‘Feather, or a combination of foam and fibre. These ingredients should be tailored to suit the style and sit of the individual design.’
You shouldn’t be able to feel the frame through the upholstery. Nicky says, ‘Adding extra foam around the timber ensures every corner, side and arm is soft. You also need to be able to kick back in comfort no matter your height. Check that the rake (how slanted the back of the sofa is) suits you for a properly laid-back sit. However, if you’re shorter, you should consider a sofa style with a narrower depth and a lower height.’
FAQs
What everyday things cause stress?
Kate Ibbotson of A Tidy Mind, a professional organiser and psychotherapist, explains, ‘There is a saying, “tidy home, tidy mind”, in reference to the long-held connection between our physical environment and emotional wellbeing. Clutter is subjective and what adds value for one person will be different for another. But a clutter-free home is known to reduce stress, anxiety and depression, and improve happiness.
'Paperwork in particular can be a source of stress if it’s related to medical treatment, legal disputes, bereavement or divorce. Our clients often procrastinate sorting this.’
Can objects cause stress?
‘Any objects that are being kept out of a sense of obligation or guilt can trigger stress and conflicting feelings,’ says Kate. ‘They may not be practical for the space or be to your taste, so we always ask our clients how they feel about an item and if it works for them, to encourage autonomy in their decisions.’
If you're finding yourself stressed out in your living room and you can't work out why, it might be a sign to take a look around you.
