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chrustinalynn

Awkward Boring Living Room - Ideas??

11 years ago
Hello! Okay, so I found this gorgeous velvet sofa at a thrift store; it is burgundy/wine colored (and dare I say, very similar to Pantone's Marsala). I also have a desk and a Christmas tree in the space, but I am going to re-work this space as soon as the holidays are over.

I would love to add a rug, a coffee table, some end tables, and obviously fill in that huge blank wall. One of my main issues are my sofas - I don't know how to work with browns and reds because I've always gravitated towards whites, blues, yellows, and purples. I know I love wine/purple/pinks together, but I need some direction with these colors! I feel totally stuck and I want to build a comfortable, classic home that is not filled with trendy items.

Any thoughts on possible furniture layouts? I thought about flanking the sofas towards each other, but we like to dance and play video games as a family, so we would have to move the sofas every time. And with the big sofa against the current wall there is an awkward corner that needs serious attention - I was thinking a small round table would do well there?

If this was your space, what would you do?? I'd appreciate your ideas! Thanks : )

Comments (18)

  • 11 years ago
    I love the picture on the wall it ties in great with the sofa colors. Here is rug in the same colors.
    http://houzz.com/photos/19040220
    Christina Lynn thanked mriege
  • 11 years ago
    I would put a round table in the corner with a plant on top. Again it would tie into the picture already on the wall.
    http://houzz.com/photos/5854860
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    I would toss that leather loveseat onto the street and applaud the person who picks it up!
    Please give up the idea of end tables. They are not used as much as they once were and take up too much space in a small room.

    Add two chairs with a smallish round table between them. See examples below of the chairs and table. If you keep the chairs small, they could have arms.

    Once you've tossed the brown loveseat, gray walls would work well for you. You could add fuschia and orange pillows, plus an 8 x 10' gray textured rug, angled in the room with edges under the sofa and the two new chairs. I'd also like to see a white Mongolian lamb pillow for texture and lightness.

    INSPIRE Q Peterson Grey Link Slipper Chair · More Info


    1 Office Star Krystal Round Mirror Accent Table with Metal Legs Fully Assembled · More Info


    Quatrefoil in Rust and Fuschia on Natural Linen · More Info

    Surya Dunes DNE-3501 8'x10' Feather Gray Rug · More Info

    Tibetan / Mongolian Lamb Fur Pillows - Natural White (set of 2) · More Info
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    If these items are too trendy for you, we can reel them in a bit, but I love the new look this would give you.
    Christina Lynn thanked Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
  • 11 years ago
    Agree that the brown loveseat must go. Sell on Craig's List so you can invest the $$ in new items. Hang the big piece of art 5" above the wine sofa. Mustardy yellow-green is a great accent to use with wine/burgundy. The right goldish tan looks good too. If you like cooler tones, this pillow pair could be a kick start for you.
    Eclectic Living Room · More Info

    Gramercy Park, NYC · More Info

    Noble Burgundy Area Rug, Rectangle, Burgundy, 7'9"x9'6" · More Info

    Burgundy Drop Down Pillow- 24x24 · More Info
  • 11 years ago
    I'd take down the hanging light and replace it with an end table and a table lamp in the corner -- that gives you the light, but also a place to put your drinks and whatever. Yes to coffee table and area rug, and you definitely need art over the main couch -- suggestion to move large painting might work, but you need a horizontal aspect, which means different art or a pair of medium pieces. Also like the idea of bringing in some pattern with the rug, since your furniture is such big blocks of color.

    Good luck! Seems like a fun and functional space already.
  • 11 years ago
    Yes, I'm looking for ways to work with my bold sofas. I was considering a long picture rail with various sized frames on that blank wall above the sofa. Thanks for the ideas!
  • 11 years ago
    I like your room - it's casual, fun and a little bit funky! Keep your furniture arrangement if it is working for you. Fill in the space between the sofa and love seat with a table. Round would be nice but any shape is ok as long as it fills the corner.

    I like your idea of a picture rail over the sofa or even a gallery wall would look good. Mix it up with prints, photos, mirrors in different styles and colors of frames. I think a single large piece of artwork over the sofa may give the room too traditional a style.

    Your brown, burgundy, and cream palette is fairly neutral. I like mid to dark blues with it but you can add small amounts of any color. Look through the photos of eclectic living rooms for inspiration.
    Christina Lynn thanked retroearth
  • 11 years ago
    If I brought in a rug like this, which would hide stains and stand up to my four kids, do you think it'd be too loud? Too much color and pattern?

    http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Vibrant-Beige-Multi-Floral-Rug-8-x-10/5981383/product.html?refccid=EVTE2KQRF7D265CHCVKJ6YDNQY&searchidx=98
  • 11 years ago
    Curtains! Thicken those up with some sort of heavier fabric and a more substantial rod. I love everyone's idea of ditching the loveseat and going for two chairs. The rug will tie everything together as well.
    Christina Lynn thanked Mary Ann
  • 11 years ago
    The colors on the rug look good on my monitor. I don't think it is too much pattern. You don't have much pattern in room other than the leopard print chair. Animal prints are neutrals... right???
  • 11 years ago
    Your new sofa and your older love seat don't work together. It's the scale of them, not the colors. The brown leather is dwarfing the wine velvet (which is a great find and you should design your room around it).
    This is a pretty palette, or I like this rug too.
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    Christina, the rug you were looking at has too much pattern and a very light background. If there's an Ikea near you, I suggest you look there. I like the rug that lessismoore showed you above, the striped one, tho I still prefer a neutral.
  • 11 years ago
    Lovely room! It seems a shame to block your nice window with a couch. I would opt for a daybed or a chaise longue so you do not block the window. The kids will love that! Another option is to have two large fatboys or someting, nice big floor cushions. I'm thinking with the kids in mind now. Love your painting and where it hangs! How about 4 square photo canvases of each of your kids above your couch? Maybe in a clor tone you want to work with, or just black and white. If you hang them 4 in a row you get a nice horizontal effect.
    Christina Lynn thanked Nicole
  • 11 years ago
    Wow! That is amazing! And comfy & cozy too!
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    Exactly! Away with the leather loveseat. Bring on two chairs, preferably solid color and matching each other.
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    paint the walls a deep muted color! and a white sheepskin rug and tree stump side table would be cool.

    Christina Lynn thanked Mary Frenkel
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