Plan Phase|Step 2 of 23
Define What's Not Working
Before spending money, get specific about what bothers you. A clear problem leads to a clear solution.
Time Required
20-30 minutes
Cost
$0
Difficulty
Very Easy
Common Living Room Problems
Too Dark or Dim
Single overhead light? Heavy curtains? Dark walls? Lighting is the #1 fixable issue.
Cluttered and Chaotic
Too much stuff, no homes for things, surfaces covered. Editing is free.
Dated or Mismatched
Hand-me-down furniture, college-era decor, nothing coordinates.
Awkward Layout
Furniture against walls, no conversation area, weird traffic flow.
Cold and Uninviting
Stark walls, no textiles, feels like a showroom instead of a home.
No Focal Point
Eyes don't know where to land. No statement piece or clear center.
Questions to Ask Yourself
- How do you feel when you walk into this room?
- What do you avoid doing in this room because of how it functions?
- What catches your eye in a bad way?
- What would a guest notice first—and does that bother you?
- If you could change one thing instantly, what would it be?
The Problem-to-Solution Framework
- "Too dark" → Add lamps, upgrade bulbs, lighter window treatments
- "Too cluttered" → Declutter, add storage, edit surfaces
- "Too cold" → Add textiles, warm colors, plants
- "Too dated" → Paint, swap fixtures, update textiles
- "No style" → Art, plants, collected objects with meaning
Pro Tips
- •Write it down: A physical list clarifies fuzzy feelings.
- •Rank your problems: What bothers you most? Start there.
- •Get fresh eyes: Ask a friend what they notice first.
- •Look at photos: We become blind to our own spaces. Photos reveal truth.