This One Decor Mistake Is Making Your Couch Look Cheap

You may think that you've styled your room till it's picture perfect, but if your living room decor doesn't exude luxury, one major detail could be the cause: Your throw pillows have the same fabric as the couch. Pillows with matching fabric remove any personality or depth from the couch and make it look cheap. The effect may bring down the overall look of the room as your pillows just get lost in the background. Without some variation of texture, color, and pattern, your couch ends up flat and uninteresting. If you're wondering why your couch seems "off" when the room is put together, this is likely why.

There's an easy fix, however, and that's adding pillows that create contrast. Finding the right combination of pillows will accessorize, rather than blemish your couch, and help tie the room together for a more balanced feel. Now, this doesn't mean you have to throw out all your throw pillows and start from scratch. Keep the matching ones but find a few more that will stand out. If you're budget conscious, buy some appropriately sized covers to give the existing, matching pillows a new look. If you're ready to start restyling your couch to look more curated, follow these tips.

Start your makeover by considering your couch's color. What complementary hues and patterns would pair well with it? What kind of color combinations can you use to transform your home's interior? And most of all, what do you want these colors to do? Do you want to draw attention to your couch, maybe even reflect some of the colors in a painting or piece of art above it? Think also about the overall effect you want to create; are you going for something bold? Playful? Or do you want a couch that's inviting, just waiting for you and your family to curl up with a movie or a book? Answering these questions helps guide your choices so that the end result looks intentional and luxurious, not cheap.

Don't neglect patterns, either. Adding a single patterned pillow can change the whole look. Whether you choose stripes, florals, geometrics, polka dots, paisley, or any other option that captures your heart, patterns visually break up the parade of solid colors. If mixing patterns, ensure that you vary the size of the patterned pillows as well. Texture is just as important and can be the finishing touch your couch needs. Consider the subtle elegance of linen, the refined look of corduroy, or the cozy appeal of knit covers or pillows. With all of these notes in mind, add more definition to your furniture, turning a cheap couch into a stunning creation.