6 Things You Should Get Rid of in Your Living Room This Spring, Designers Say
Trust us—you won’t miss these once they’re gone.
Let’s be honest: There’s something about the change of seasons that always makes us want to purge our home décor. After all, now that we’re physically shedding all our winter layers, we might as well bring the same approach to our furniture and accessories.
Most people fixate on decluttering their kitchen cabinets and overstuffed closets, but might we recommend diverting your attention to the living room? Since your living room is where the home’s most serene and sociable moments coalesce—movie marathons, chill hangouts, and lazy Sundays spent with a good book—it’s all too likely that it gets filled with a lot of…stuff. Stuff you don’t need, stuff that’s worn out its welcome, and stuff that, let’s be honest, isn’t doing your décor any favors.
So, if you want to get a jump-start on your spring cleaning, you might as well start with the living room. To help you tackle the project, we asked a few designers about the items they say you need to get rid of in your living room immediately. From frumpy furniture to an excess of décor, removing these things means your fun, clutter-free space is just a weekend away.
A Clunky Sectional
When it comes to your living room furniture, a sectional can certainly seat a crowd; however, designer Cathleen Gruver of Gruver Cooley in Northern Virginia says it can be an “overwhelming” addition. “It makes a living room feel cramped and limits how the room functions,” she explains. Instead, consider this your sign to think outside the box—and, yes, mix various pieces in one room. “Consider a well-scaled sofa paired with lounge chairs instead,” Cathleen recommends. “This creates better circulation and allows the room to feel more inviting for conversation and entertaining.”
Matching Furniture Sets
Speaking of which, it’s time to give those uniform furniture sets the heave-ho for good. Sure, buying a sofa and coordinating armchairs in one fell swoop might seem like a satisfying purchase at the time, but it can easily read ho-hum. Nobody wants their living room to feel like the store floor of a big-box retailer, which is why Cathleen implores you to shake it up. “Living rooms feel far more interesting when the furnishings have a collected feel rather than looking like they came from a single showroom set,” she says. “Mixing materials, silhouettes, and finishes adds depth and personality while still feeling cohesive.” (This beautifully appointed and welcoming living room designed by Kendall Rabun is case in point.)
Your Television
Not to knock your latest streaming obsession, but Meta Coleman wants you to get rid of your television. “The TV becomes such a huge distraction and focal point in a living room,” says the designer and Country Design 100 honoree. Instead, she encourages you to design a living room with connection in mind. “Let’s bring back connecting with people, entertaining, playing games, and reading books,” Meta says.
Exposed Cables
Can’t part with your precious television? Cathleen is begging you to take care of those chaotic jumbles of cables. “Even beautifully designed rooms can feel unfinished when cords and electronics are exposed,” she says. Instead of leaving your cords out in the open, she encourages you to find thoughtful ways to hide them in plain sight. Millwork, built-ins, or even simple cord management systems can make your space appear “clean and polished.”
Excess Accessories
When it comes to purging a living room, everyone has something that’s off-limits. For example, Meta refuses to part ways with her robust book collection. However, she encourages you to give the space a careful audit. “Your living room space should work for you,” she says. “Fill that space with things that support how you live and how you inhabit your living room.”
As for those items you never actually use like that umpteenth throw blanket or DVDs that have been collecting dust since 2010? Meta gives you permission to get rid of them for good.
In this colorful beach house living room designed by Katie Rosenfeld, a well-edited assortment of pillows, throws, books, meaningful accessories—and the requisite backgammon board, all add to the room’s inviting feel.
Too Many Throw Pillows
We love a smattering of throw pillows as much as the next design lover, but it is possible to have too much of a good thing. “Pillows are a great way to add color and texture, but too many can make a sofa impractical to use,” Cathleen says. “I like to keep the number intentional and focus on quality fabrics and beautiful details rather than quantity.”
For a healthy balance, follow a one-to-one ratio for chairs. For example, an armchair that seats one person would look great with a single pillow.
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance lifestyle journalist, who covers shopping and deals for Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, ELLE Decor, and Country Living among others. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.
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