One mistake to avoid is allowing your living room to revolve around a TV. Many people make this mistake of having state-of-the-art TV's which they want to show off to other people. However, watching television is usually not the primary activity done in a living room, so avoid turning it into a big theater.
Another mistake you want to avoid is having too many decorative items in the living room such that it appears cluttered and messy. Remember the golden rule, "when it comes to decoration: less is more". You are unlikely to go wrong if you follow this rule always. Suppose you have a lot of collectibles which you want to display, then you can alternate them. Put some of these on display, then later on replace them with others.
A small but important point is to think of ways to hide cables and wires. With more and more electrical and electronic appliances in our homes, the problem of wires and cables has really become a big one. You can keep wires hidden at all times by using a staple gun for attaching them to the back of furniture or along baseboards. Having cables and wires lying around the room can really spoil its look, making it look untidy. Wires can also pose other dangers like that of electrical shocks if small kids touch them or try to play with them.
When buying furniture for your living room, avoid uncomfortable furniture. Check out how a sofa or a chair feels by sitting on it. Of course you want to buy furniture which looks good but it should also be comfortable. As you are likely to spend a lot of time everyday in the living room, and may also entertain guests there, you should be careful in selecting the chairs, table and sofa to ensure they are highly comfortable.
