Nobody wants to come home to a cramped, cluttered, or an untidy living room. The mere sight of it is enough to make you want to pack and move out. Living with the same style and design it’s had for years can also make it seem old and boring. Our living rooms are easily the heart of our homes, and they play an integral part in how we live, play, and even work, so why not breathe new life into yours? Do you think it’s time you gave your living space a makeover? There are 6 major signs that your living room is losing (or has already lost) its luster and requires some changes. Here’s what to look out for:

Boxed in by large items

There is a reason why the most important furniture in your living room is your sofa. Thus, it is essential to ensure that your sofa and living room furniture unites all other living room pieces together. Make the space conversation-friendly by arranging the furniture in a way that allows people to sit together. Also, ensure that there is enough space for people to move around effortlessly. Although this should be a no-brainer, make sure your TV and entertainment system are correctly positioned so that they can be enjoyed comfortably.

AV entertainment and TV taking over

Our love for entertainment can easily lead to us piling up a mountain of home entertainment systems in the living room. If you have a large living room, then you might not consider this a problem - except that it will look a bit unsightly. But if you do not have a lot of room space, you need to be careful about setting up your entertainment center. Fortunately, there are different kinds of furniture designs that help keep technology organized. You can also create an alternative focal point for home entertainment by investing in picture windows.

Coffee table clutter

Sometimes, smaller furniture pieces can cause the most clutter. And this is especially true for coffee tables. If you have to keep skipping over your coffee table to avoid knocking it over, then the chances are it adds to the clutter. Coffee tables are supposed to be stylish additions to the living room space. However, if you do not have sufficient space in your living room to accommodate them, then you should get rid of them. You can opt, instead, for smaller side tables.

Books and artwork on every surface

There are creative ways to organize books and artwork in your living room without using a bookshelf. However, when you notice that your books seem to compete for space in your living room, then it is time to make some changes. Artwork and artistic objects can beautify your living space. However, they can easily mess up the same area when not properly managed. The general rule of thumb with artwork is that: less is more. For example, if you have a small living room space, it is best to opt for one large framed art piece rather than several smaller pieces. The latter will only end up taking up too much space.

There’s never enough storage

This one should be an obvious sign - never having enough storage space. Because the living room space is usually the busiest area in a home, efficient storage is vital.

As a family grows, and as a person acquires more property, the issue of proper storage sets in, as stuff piles up over time. You do not need to wait until things begin to pile up. The best thing to do is to create dedicated storage solutions for paraphernalia, toys, books, and other items. Creating a storage layout that works for you right from the beginning is the most effective way to prevent the problem of lack of space.

Not enough light

Two things can be responsible for your living space seeming cramped. The first thing has to do with not having enough task light. The second one has to do with not allowing enough natural light into the room. Task lighting is essential in a living room, as it helps ensure that everybody can see what they’re doing - whether doing their homework, watching TV, or reading a book. Supplement your traditional overhead lighting with task lights such as lamps in places where people sit for specific tasks. Also, leave your windows open during the day to usher in some natural light to make the living room look bigger and brighter.