17 Florida Living Room Details That Secretly Scream “Tacky”

Decorating a living room can be fun, even if you take it too far.

Between bold prints, oversized signage, and clashing colors, it’s easy to go from creative to chaotic without realizing it.

These are some of the most common ways you might be turning your Florida living room into a secret punchline among your in-laws.

Faux Ivy or Plastic Plants That Collect Dust

Fake greenery can brighten up a space. But when it’s covered in dust or looks like it came from a dollar bin, it takes the whole room down with it.

In the 1990s, fake ivy above the cabinets or across curtain rods was all the rage. Now, it just looks tired.

Plastic plants with unnatural shine or weird coloring are easy to spot, and they don’t fool anyone.

If you can’t commit to tons of real plants, consider something low-maintenance like a snake plant. It gives a nice plant look without the cringe.

Animal Prints in All the Wrong Places

A little leopard here. A bit of zebra there. It can work in small doses. But when animal print dominates the space, it can feel more chaotic than chic.

Couches, rugs, curtains, and even wall art with animal prints tend to compete for attention.

And when mixed together, it often ends up looking like a jungle-themed waiting room.

If you love the look, limit it to one item. Anything more, and it starts to overwhelm the room.

Furniture Still Wrapped in Plastic

Yes, it keeps things “clean.” But it also keeps things uninviting.

Furniture wrapped in plastic was common in past generations, especially when items were expensive and meant to last. But today, it feels cold and overly cautious.

Guests don’t want to sit on something that crinkles. And no one enjoys peeling themselves off a vinyl-covered sofa.

If you’re still clinging to plastic covers, ask yourself whether you’re protecting the furniture or avoiding letting people enjoy it.

Word Art That Says the Obvious

“Home Sweet Home.” “Family.” “Love Lives Here.” These signs are everywhere, and that’s the problem.

Once upon a time, they felt warm and welcoming. Now they feel like filler. They say what the room should already feel like without needing a label.

In many cases, they’re mass-produced and lack personality. They don’t tell your story. They tell everyone else’s.

If your walls are covered in reminders of what room you’re in or how to feel, it might be time to switch things up.

Too Many Throw Pillows

Pillows can be cute. They can be cozy. But they can also take over a couch if you’re not careful.

When guests have to move six cushions just to sit down, that’s a red flag. It’s no longer inviting. It’s annoying.

Many Americans collect them like souvenirs, including seasonal ones, sparkly ones, monogrammed ones. It adds up fast.

A few well-placed pillows look thoughtful. A mountain of them screams, “I value style over comfort.”

Clashing Themes Competing for Attention

A coastal rug, farmhouse signs, industrial lighting, and mid-century chairs all in one space? That’s not eclectic. That’s confusing.

When too many styles collide, the room loses any sense of cohesion. Instead of feeling intentional, it feels thrown together.

It’s tempting to buy whatever catches your eye, especially during sales. But without a unifying thread, even nice pieces can look mismatched.

Pick one main theme and stick to it. A little variety is fine, but too much feels messy.

Wall-Mounted Fake Fireplaces That Don’t Fit the Room

Electric fireplaces can be cozy. But not when they’re awkwardly mounted too high, too small, or stuck on a wall with no context.

In the wrong setup, they look more like afterthoughts than ambiance.

Some even have bright neon flames or light-up rocks that feel more nightclub than living room.

If the fireplace doesn’t match the scale or style of the space, it becomes a visual distraction instead of a design win.

Overuse of Mirrored Surfaces

A mirrored coffee table. A mirrored console. A mirrored tray on top of a mirrored shelf. It’s a lot.

Mirrors can open up a room, but too many create glare, clutter, and constant smudges.

What starts as glam can quickly turn gaudy.

A single mirror or reflective accent is usually enough. When every surface bounces back your reflection, the space starts to feel like a dressing room at a department store.

Mass-Produced Art That’s Everywhere

You’ve probably seen it before—the oversized canvas of a city skyline, a misty forest, or a vague inspirational quote written in cursive.

It’s in living rooms from coast to coast. And that’s the problem.

Mass-produced art fills wall space, but it rarely adds anything meaningful. It blends into the background because it’s meant to please everyone, but it ends up saying nothing.

Original art doesn’t have to be expensive. A personal photo, a print from a local artist, or even a framed map tells a better story.

Furniture That’s Too Big for the Space

An overstuffed sectional in a tiny living room isn’t cozy. It’s overwhelming.

When furniture doesn’t match the size of the room, everything feels out of proportion. It makes the space look cramped, no matter how clean it is.

Many Americans assume bigger means better. But in design, scale matters more.

A smaller sofa, slim-legged chairs, or even a compact coffee table can make the whole room feel lighter and more inviting.

Outdated Window Treatments That Drag the Room Down

Heavy valances, tassel-trimmed drapes, and dusty blinds aren’t doing your living room any favors.

Window treatments can make or break a space. And when they’re stuck in another decade, the whole room starts to feel that way too.

If the fabric is faded, the rods are sagging, or the look screams “grandma’s guest room,” it might be time for a refresh.

Simple panels, clean lines, and natural light go a long way. You don’t need to spend a fortune; just ditch the fringe.

Rugs That Are Too Small or Way Too Bold

A rug should anchor the room, not shrink it or steal the spotlight.

In many American living rooms, rugs are either too tiny to be useful or so bold they take over everything else.

A small rug that floats in the middle of the floor looks disconnected. A busy pattern can overwhelm furniture and wall decor.

Choose one that’s large enough to frame your seating area and subtle enough to support your style, not compete with it.

Obvious Knockoff Decor

That “designer” lamp that wobbles. The faux-marble coffee table that chips. The gold statue that’s more spray paint than sculpture.

Sometimes, budget-friendly finds work beautifully. Other times, they just look like what they are—cheap imitations.

Knockoffs can age a room fast. They tend to wear poorly and draw the wrong kind of attention.

Instead of chasing trends, go for well-made basics. A clean, simple item that holds up over time looks better than a flashy fake that falls apart.

Lighting That’s Way Too Bright or Way Too Dim

Bad lighting can make even the most stylish room feel uncomfortable.

Some living rooms rely on a single harsh ceiling fixture. Others are stuck in a cave with no overhead light at all.

Either extreme feels wrong.

Layered lighting, like table lamps, floor lamps, and warm bulbs, helps create a welcoming glow. It’s not about brightness. It’s about balance.

If your living room feels more like a spotlight or a basement, it might be time for a lighting rethink.

Overdecorated Coffee Tables That Feel Like Displays

A coffee table should be functional first. But some end up buried under stacks of books, trays, candles, beads, and breakable figurines.

It might look stylish in a magazine, but in real life, it just gets in the way.

Guests don’t know where to put their drink. Kids can’t sit nearby. And cleaning it becomes a chore.

A few decorative pieces are fine. Just make sure there’s still room for people to actually use the table.

Out-of-Place Holiday Decor Left Up All Year

We all love a good seasonal touch. But when Christmas pillows stay on the couch through July, it starts to feel like someone gave up.

Out-of-season decorations make the room feel lazy and forgotten.

It’s easy to overlook when you see it every day. But to visitors, it’s an instant signal that things are stuck in time.

Take a few minutes after each holiday to store things away. It keeps the space feeling fresh without losing that festive spirit.

Cords and Wires Tangled in Plain Sight

Nothing says “unfinished” like a nest of cords snaking across the floor.

Whether it’s for the TV, sound system, or phone charger, visible cables instantly cheapen the look of a living room.