'Look for Opportunities to Create Symmetry and Then Break it' – Shea McGee Shares Her Trick to Creating a Perfectly Imperfect Living Room

Designer Shea McGee sat on a neutral couch reading a coffee table book, with large patio doors behind her, two green armchairs and a styled marble coffee table on a patterned rug.

I'm currently in the middle of refining my living room layout. While the final pieces are still coming together, I know I want it to be layered, mismatched, and cozy. Much like it was designed by Shea McGee herself.

So, when Shea took to Instagram this past week to share her tried-and-tested tips for creating a perfectly imperfect living room layout, it struck a familiar chord. As Shea well knows, the key to nailing your furniture scheme (particularly in 2026) lies in a delicate balance between symmetry, asymmetry, and finally ditching matching sets.