4 Living Room Trends You Might Regret Splurging On, According to Designers
A thoughtful seating arrangement ideal for movie nights, a perfectly placed coffee table made for serving appetizers — selecting living room furniture and decor that’s functional and suits your lifestyle is just as (if not more) important than looks. When it comes to decorating a living room, how you’ll live and interact with your furnishings should be a deciding factor.
But how do you know which pieces are worth investing in long-term and which to skip? Architectural features like wood-burning fireplaces and built-in shelving are almost guaranteed to have staying power, but rugs, furniture, art, and decorative accessories can be trickier, especially if these things come with hefty price tags.
With the new year around the corner, many people might be thinking about how to breathe new life into their spaces in 2025, so I asked designers to identify the living room items you might regret splurging on. Of course, as with all trends, if you love something and simply must try it, you do you! But this list should help you stick with a practical meets pretty design you’ll love for years to come.
Shag Rugs
According to San Francisco-based designer Sophia Shu, shag rugs are off-limits for her. “Although they may look appealing for creating a cozy atmosphere, using shag rugs in rooms is not practical,” she says. “They require a lot of maintenance to keep looking plush and clean.” It’s best to channel your dollars into sturdier textiles instead. “A cut pile or flat weave rug makes much more sense for a room with high traffic and lots of activities,” Shu adds.
Large Sectionals
While it might be tempting to invest in that cloudlike sectional, both Shu and designer Jessika Gatewood of Gatewood Designs agree you might have buyer’s remorse if you do. “They look inviting, but in the wrong space, they can swallow the room whole,” Gatewood says. “You’ll regret sacrificing flow and versatility for a massive couch that’s more obstacle than comfort.”
Shu seconds this. “When designing a living room layout, it’s best to avoid large, bulky sectional sofas,” she says. “They make the space feel small and crowded.” It’s far better to arrange a few pieces of furniture in a U or L-shaped layout, says Shu — think a sofa, a lounge chair, and an ottoman. “These pieces can be moved around to create a flexible environment,” she explains.
Statement Lighting
Lighting is often a great place to splurge, but you might want to think twice about going all in on a pricey designer fixture for your living room in particular. “A stunning chandelier or sculptural fixture might wow your guests — but if it doesn’t actually brighten the room, it’s just expensive art,” Gatewood says. “Always prioritize function and form.”
Instead of an oversize chandelier or fixture that doesn’t illuminate the space properly, opt for lamps or lighting that provide the right kind of glow to support how you use your living room, whether that’s binge watching TV, reading, entertaining, working, or some mix of all of the above. And if you’re not one for turning on the “big light” in this space at all, then don’t overspend here, either. Chances are you’ll never even use it.
Uncomfortable Accent Chairs
An accent chair is just that — a seat that accentuates the living space. And, designers are all for investing in a beautiful perch or two, as they not only add more seating but also some extra visual interest to the room. When the chair gives you a backache the second you rest on it, though, designers say it’s a hard (pun intended) pass. “They are usually purchased purely for their visual appeal,” says Shu of accent chairs. “However, investing in comfortable seating is more important for both functionality and aesthetics.”