Interior designers spend their lives studying the little details that make a room just perfect. Similar to a beautifully directed movie, a well-decorated living room is instantly engaging and impressive while also being functionally designed for comfort and ease of use. And, sometimes, what is slightly off in our own living rooms can be difficult to pinpoint. But you know it's there. To shed some light on the most common living room design mistakes that may be plaguing our spaces, we talked with interior designers and a residential architect.

As it turns out, there might be one little thing that makes all the difference. Or, perhaps, the issue could be quite large. From everything like choosing the wrong rug size to adding a bit more warm light, your dream living room may not be so out of reach if you consider the most common living room decorating mistakes.

Ahead, find the 9 most common mistakes people make when designing their living room and how best to avoid—or fix—them.

01 Ignoring Clutter

Too many accessories, no matter how expensive, are considered décor overkill. For a less-is-more vibe, "accessories should be grouped together to create a pleasing vignette, whether it's on the cocktail table, buffet, or bookcase," says interior designer Marlaina Teich.

02 Sticking With Obvious Fabrics

According to Roberts, "there are some great outdoor fabrics that we're using indoors that dogs and kids cannot destroy. It's important to select rugs that will wear well. Beware of the seductive silk rug." Instead, consider a wool rug.

03 Not Mixing Periods and Styles

Sometimes, people feel limited by the architecture of their home and select furniture based on it. Try not to feel stuck. In one Georgia home, the design firm merged contemporary furniture with traditional crown molding, Moroccan antique rugs, African beaded benches, and contemporary art.

04 Choosing Harsh Lighting

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"Updating lighting fixtures can be an inexpensive way to really help improve the overall aesthetic of any space as well as give a sense of sophisticated elegance and comfort," says Suzanne Donegan, a designer and creative director. It's also one of the most often-overlooked design features yet most versatile—light fixtures can move with you.

05 Poorly Planning Your Layout

While it may be tempting to push a sofa against a wall facing the TV and call it a day, Roberts reminds us that there is much more involved in planning a great living room layout. "It's important to consider and create conversation groupings, especially if the room is long and narrow like many townhouses and lofts," she says.

06 Hanging Art Incorrectly

"Art hung the wrong way on a wall is like a character in a movie wearing a really bad wig," Henderson says. "It's just kinda hard not to see it, and you wish so bad you could just rip it off, knowing that everything would be so much better without it. It doesn't ruin your experience, but it's just terribly distracting." She adds, "If the wall were cut up vertically into four sections (going from bottom to top), think of the art being in the third quadrant (counting from the floor)," says Henderson.

07 Overthinking the Sofa

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"No one loves a simple sofa more than me because they are so easy to style," says Henderson. She recommends staying away from overly ornate details like curved legs, winged arms, tufts, and nailheads.

08 Buying a Rug That's Too Small

For Henderson, one of the main offenders in living room decorating is the poorly sized rug. "America has been suffering for too long from 'small rug' syndrome," she says. "I see it virtually every day, and it pains me—especially when it can be so easily avoided." Huge rugs can be expensive and feel like such a scary commitment, but, according to the stylist, it's one of the most important aspects of a room.

09 Making It Too Precious to Live In 

While the days of unused "sitting rooms" and plastic-wrapped furniture are long gone, Roberts still insists on paying attention to making your living room fit the conveniences of daily life. "Select textiles and rugs that can take the wear and tear of everyday living," she recommends.