The sofa is not bad. I think it's the skirting part that kind of makes it look old. Look here on houzz for green velvet sofa and you will see several examples. If you like the sofa and it's in good condition, you don't need to get a new one.

How often do you use it? If the foam is shot, it's time for a new one. My Mom and Dad had a Flexsteel couch they bought when I was young (my sisters and I ruined one by jumping on it) and she finally replaced it a few years ago. It was down in the basement so it didn't get used a lot; however, every time the cushions were lifted, there were foam crumbs everywhere.

This is in my living room and only gets used when we have company. I haven't had the problem you mentioned with the cushions. They are still in great shape. Does the throw and pillows help modernize the couch/love seat? Or am I the only one that still sees the beauty in something others see as outdated and in need of replacing?

Have you considered reupholstering it in an updated fabric? It isn't inexpensive to reupholster, but if the sofa is well made, may be worth the investment.

I really like it a lot and I think you should not listen to other people if you like it. :) I like the pillows on the loveseat. I would prefer to see different throw pillows on the sofa, in the same colors as the loveseat. Not sure you need to go too modern, it appears that you have a traditional style.

And I think your couch and loveseat would look updated if you changed your window treatments instead. Your sofa and loveseat have classic lines. Their fabric is solid, so it is not like the print is dating them.

Yes, Handyman, my style is traditional. Thanks for the advice about the pillows on the sofa and updating the window treatments. I have been thinking about new window treatments so now would be
a good time to replace them. I'll look for new pillows too.

Hi---both look fine and the color is good. New window treatments and a rug will do wonders. Hope this is helpful. Good Luck!
http://www.overstock.com/search?keywords=green+and+orange+rug&taxonomy=sto1&ralt=sto6,sto43,sto35&TID=AR:TRUE&searchtype=Header#quickview=6237366

@longbranchstitch. Thank you. I have thought about reupholstering but as you said, it isn't inexpensive and I would rather buy new (even though I like my couch/love seat) if I went that route.

@Natalie. I love that rug. I think it is a perfect fit. Thanks for posting.

Go with new

Treat yourself to a new sofa, something more modern and comfortable looking.

Your room is very traditional and I don't think by changing your sofa, it will be enough to make the shift to more modern. I would spend the money on new: drapery, lamps, coffee table, accessories, pillows. You could also try to remove the skirt, which will update the couch. If the legs are not nice, I believe you can purchase new ones - if yours are screwed in and easily replaceable. I might also try rearranging furniture...try the console table in front of window with a large bowl, etc. and a lamp, with couch in front and other couch facing (nicer to come into house with this layout) - a square or rectangle shaped coffee table would be better. I would edit your pictures on the far table and add a modern mirror or art above. All these will go a long way to making a room you may feel is different and updated. Good luck. houzz=];[houzz=];

I think it's a great sofa and I love the color. keep it and find other ways to freshen up!

If You like it and its in great condition I see no reason to replace especially in a room that gets little use. I think you could keep them and update other items to freshen it up. Check out traditional living/family rooms for some ideas.

I love them! I agree with the others. Please consider removing the armcovers (the arms are probably still pristine) and skirt, then add new legs if needed. I'd focus on new paint, curtains, tables, pillows, art, etc. You've got a great room to start, it just needs refreshing.

I also need to comment on your library table/desk. I have the same one and am sitting at it right now! I've never seen another like it. Mine was my grandmother's--I helped her refinish it as a child. : )

keep. there needs to be something print in the room that has both the green and the rust of pillows - area rug-pillows-or curtains. rug would be best. if curtains can't go to the floor, consider roman shades. rust pillows are fine, others not so good - replace with some that pick up a color from your new rug.

Obviously you've taken very meticulous care of the couch, it looks great. If you like it, that's all that matters!

Keep! It's classic. Remove the arm covers and add in a dynamic color in pillows and a throw. Orange or blue/white pattern would be stunning. Try removing all decor and small pieces from room. Then pretend you have never seen the room before. Shift the furniture placement (even a small change has a huge impact), then slowly bring in the items you love the most and re-distribute them. If you have a rectangular shaped coffee table, I might use it here instead of the circle. It could be placed between two armchairs. Your sofa is my favorite part of your room!

I agree, keep it! It's beautiful and classic. I had a very similar couch and loveseat from the 70's and I wish I had kept it.

Love everything about this couch except the arm protectors :-) Consider having the cushions refilled with added down to plump them up a bit. Other than that, and maybe a nice throw & pillow, it's a keeper! .

your Couch Looks good, although you didnt ask about this, i think you Need to look at the Overall Picture, the room - you have carpet flooring and this Sofa - , so for it all not to look too old, you Need to Balance it out and get it more interesting with the rest of your furniture, something with a modern Twist, some contrasting pillows, not the red ones, i like the black and White patterned one, maybe a few more of those, a floor lamp, the Sofas actually look too far from each other, when sitting with others opposite each other, there should be a distance you should be comfortable with, this seems too far. and maybe a art on the wall with a bit of colour.

I am sure this was not inexpensive...so I would reupholster it under one condition and that is if you like the comfort of the sofa...I also like the color green...but that is up to you.

Thank you all for the advice. I will look at all the suggestions and consider some of your ideas to revamp the living space. I think I will keep my couch/love seat and lose the arm covers.

@Anne: the library table that belonged to my grandma. She was born in the 1890s and had it in her farm house. She had pictures sitting on it also. It is a very special piece of furniture as it reminds me of my grandparents.

I love that shade of green and the set looks great. I agree with what everyone else has said - add some more of the green and orange in art or rugs and maybe get new curtains.

Notice Maureen's photos. Tan always tones down intense colors, so add a couple of tan pillows to a bunch like Maureen shows on the left that include prints. Add a tan throw over the arm. Get rid of rust and white thing on the back. Just the perfect placement says old. Make or have made a cushion top for your table like her hassock. Purge a lot of the stuff. Put two nice silver 3-way reading lights on table behind the sofa with a wide light lime bowl between. If you start actually replacing furniture, where will you be able to stop?

I am a big fan of Flexsteel. The furniture lasts and lasts. If you were to buy another two seater Flexsteel it would probably run you around $1300.00 and up in a good fabric. Add up the cost of a good fabric and the labor and see if it makes sense to do over or replace.

I kind of like the green, but the skirt dates it. How are the legs? Could you have an upholster remove the skirt and accent with nail head trim?

Also, ever considered pairing it with a more today color...light blue?

I would spend a pile of money on a new green velvet sofa, so I think it's fab.
I think you could go very glam with that sofa in that space, but you look sort of Pottery Barn-ish. I would suggest cool paint or fabric colors (for the pillows or window treatments) to modern up that velvet and keep it from looking too country.
Or you could go the other way and do dark wood and English country house equestrian study type traditional.

The thing is, that's a serious couch (design wise) and if you want to keep it as-is (which is fantastic, in my opinion), then you should use it as the centerpiece of that room.

Oh, you totally need a rug. Even over the carpet.

Last thing: you've got a lot of photos and tchotchkes on tables. Can you put some of those photos up on the wall? Maybe get the important/very nice ones professionally framed and then hang the, carefully? It appears you don't have much on the walls, so the ratio of things on walls vs. things on tables is a little table heavy.
That is generally a more old fashioned look, so it's dating your sofa.
To make it look more modern, you can make the space sleeker and less cluttered. And of course, it's always worth going through and making sure you love everything you have displayed. I try to do this as often as I can, and I usually realize I have something on display that I don't love. There's no point in living with objects that you don't love.

I like the sofas. Perhaps an area rug like redlund suggested. If you get one with green and another color or two, then you can pull colors from the rug and recover your throw pillows. Just that would really update the space. Just make sure the area rug is big enough so that the sofa and the love seat can touch it with the front legs. :)

@pmr56, how amazing that we both have our grandmother's library tables! I grew up next door, and was very close to, my grandparents. I don't have any photos of her sitting at the desk as she rarely stopped moving. Haha! My daughter has already called dibs on if if I ever choose to get rid of it. Not likely to happen for quite a while though.

I'm glad you are choosing to keep your sofa and love seat--the green velvet is fab!

@Anne. I would love to see a picture of your library table. I too, have so many found memories of my Grandma's library table when it was in her home on the farm. I will always cherish it. I have two daughters and I know one of them will end up with it. I also have my grandparents antique bedroom furniture that I'm sure my girls will want.

The desk/library table is Empire. Very nice piece.

Do you know where your grandmother got the piece? It could be early-mid 1800's.

@JudyG designs. This is the picture of my library table. There is a tag underneath the drawer that says it came from Chicago, Illinois and was shipped by train to my Grandpa. Also the tag states it is an oak library table. No date though.

That table is wonderful. I'm jealous now ...,
I like your sofa/love seat set just fine. I looked through your idea book briefly and found this photo. This is a great inspiration photo! And you could totally do this "look" and keep your sofa set!
[houzz=]

It's your home. But green velvet is very outdated. You don't have to spend a lot. Stay in a natural color. Just buy a sofa and two chairs. chairs should be in a print. Using color from sofa. The grays are very big now. Not too dark.

The pillows you got. Are nice. Use them on new gray sofa.

Using the palette and some of the items from the above inspiration pix ...

If you love it who cares? I'd de clutter a little and update the room with some new art it lamps if you can afford them. I don't dig those pillows at all. I would go for something blue or teal. But if you're happy in that room that's all that matters.

Thank you lessismore. I have rust wing back chairs in this room that could be reupholstered in blue. Like the look of the drapes, lamps, etc. Certainly will consider this look.

Thank you lessismore. I have rust wing back chairs in this room that could be reupholstered in blue. Like the look of the drapes, lamps, etc. Certainly will consider this look.

Who decides what is outdated if you like it? So it's "outdated." Who cares about that?
Perhaps people should stop worrying about what is "in" and use what they love.

And it is obvious that many people have said on this thread they like the green velvet sofa, despite it being outdated to others. :) Go figure.

Beautiful and classic! I'd buy that now! It's a fun, dramatic color.

I would keep the sofa and love seat since they are in such good condition. I believe you can tie the room and color scheme together by getting semi-sheer curtains in sage or another harmonizing shade of green. If you wish, you may keep the white sheers underneath the green curtains for privacy. A print area rug that has green in it also can help to make the room look cohesive.

That sofa is killer. Flexsteel is a great brand and to find one in that condition! I love the green velvet. Velvet is such a luxurious fabric. I had a vintage brown velvet sofa in my old house that I about cried when I couldn't fit it in the new place. Lessismore's suggestions are wonderful. Can't wait to see your changes!

old post from 2014