Decorating my living room

14 years ago

We recently remodeled our living room, but haven't done much decorating. Unfortunately, I haven't been inspired much and don't want to go much farther without some ideas. I wanted to bring more color into the space..just not sure what color(s). The Green in the rug isn't so pronounced in real life. Any ideas for colors, and some accessories to add to finish this room off? Thank you!!

Featured Answer

inkwitch

14 years ago

Nice big room, and that's a big sofa. Lots of beige. Love the window treatments.

If you're keeping the area rug, pull colors from that or it isn't going to look like it belongs in the room. Celadon and that dusty aqua you see in every magazine would flow nicely. You don't have to stay pale. A jade lamp base would pop. The dark wood rather stands out against this pale pallette. If you added a chocolate throw or a couple of sofa cushions with chocolate, it could pull the dark wood into the scheme.

There are some stunning lamps in aqua, silver and "mirror" finishes. Go for founded shapes and drum shades to break up all the "squareness." In fact, consider a round coffee table. A trend that recently showed up in European decor shows was 2-3 small tables strategically located. These can be moved to accommodate where people sit more easily than one big table. If you opt for this, these tables should not match each other. I'm thinking a celadon ceramic drum, a metal (bronze? gold?) leaf-pattern or scroll design with glass top, etc. Finding just the right item could be a fun search. Don't forget 2nd hand stores. A great little antique piece would add character if it fits in.

Have you considered putting that tall cabinet against the wall adjacent to the kitchen? A long table with a lamp and some really great art could replace it. You could "store" 2 ottomans beneath it for more seating (although I can't imagine needing it!) and find a great painting or a collection of art -- 6 prints, b/w family photos, whatever.

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Comments (26)

2dogssashatess
14 years ago
The coffee table seems too big for the space and oriented the wrong way. I dont see the color of the coffee table working with your couch. Currently your couch blends right in with the wall.
Have you got more photos of different views of the room.? What is the orange thing in the corner of the room?
Angela Bickford
Original Author
14 years ago
yes...the coffee table will probably be replaced, the doesn't fit the other way. There's a a recliner back there with a side table..I wanted to make into a reading area, the red is just a cover and will be taken off. Anything red in the pictures will be taken out. The red couch in the picture I'm attaching is no longer there. And they pictures I'm attaching aren't very helpful but are of different angles. Thanks for your reply!
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2dogssashatess
14 years ago
I see your living room flows into the kitchen, what is the color scheme in there?
2dogssashatess
14 years ago
You could inject some color with a nice piece of art on that large blank wall behind the couch
Angela Bickford
Original Author
14 years ago
White cabinets, dark grey/blackish countertops, and the walls are a Dark rust/burnt orange, but I am planning on painting soon, so overall it shouldn't conflict that much without the walls. Yes, that's what I was thinking as well.
pcmom1
14 years ago
last modified: 14 years ago
I would change out your small table lamp for something with more color or interest.

I see your rug has subtle blue, gray and cream in it. I would look for a very large piece of art with some intense grays and blues in it. Then I would add some pillow with the same more intense gray/blue for the sofa.
ikwewe
14 years ago
You say you are taking out the red, and repainting the rust walls in the kitchen. You need some color in here, what colors make you feel good this year? For example, I am right now into ocean colors, pale blues, aquas, greens, right up to more vivid limes and maybe even a touch of orange. Can you imagine a palate that would give you the energy you need in here? You could add those colors with artwork as others have said, with pillows and throws on the couch, and with a nice area rug in front of your sectional. As to the coffee table, how about something nice and airy, like a Tribeca table, shapely base with glass triangle top?

Your reading nook seems a bit lost back there, but maybe it makes sense from a different angle.
Angela Bickford
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you all for your thoughts. I was thinking along the same lines colorwise. Sorry if I was confusing ikwewe...I meant any red objects you see in the pictures were remnants of the old room and will be replaced, and I was just pointing out that the walls in the kitchen are a rust, but will be repainted in the near future, so trying to make the two rooms flow isn't too much of an issue.

Hmm a tribeca table sounds interesting, do you think the table would be too modern for the space?

Yes I agree, the "nook" looks cramped from the angle back there, but there is actually a decent amount of room, and I thought with a small end table and a floor lamp, it would make it more nook-like and less random.

It's a pretty big room, 24' x 26', and I've always had problems with arranging the furniture...now the focus is in the middle, so I guess I felt like I had to make sure the furniture was a little more balanced and so the perimeter wasn't bare.

Thank you all again for your suggestions!
Serrina P
14 years ago
You could go bold and paint the wall Benjamin Moore Newburyport blue. It's hard to tell what colors are in the rug from the picture. I love the BM historical colors. In any case, that back wall could easily be primed for you to try samples. Dont forget to paint the ceiling! Another idea is to find colorful throw pillows for the couch and match paint to a color in the pillow.
ikwewe
14 years ago
i have my sectional floated in the middle like that, too. The problem I have with that is lighting. I don't want to put holes in my beautiful hardwood floor to add plugs under the sofa.

I agree with inkwitch, that tall dark and handsome display cabinet would look good on that wall where you have the reading nook. The table that is under the windows would fit with the concept, maybe have the recliner in that corner where the tall cabinet is now, and that would bring it into the general seating area. I do have a table like that with art work above it, People have asked me if it is an "altar, which it is not. There must be a way to arrange things to avoid that look. With two colorful ottomans underneath it would look like part of the room.
lesliemahler
14 years ago
What a great space. Picking up the blues and greens is a good idea and will coordinate with your gorgeous pottery collection. Adding chocolate in pillows and a graphic print drape will break up all the beige and still be versatile. Tall drapes will add needed vertical lines to the walls adjacent to and opposite the fireplace. Definitely go with a round table with slim legs and lots of open space underneath. Room and Board has some great tables. Best of luck!
betsyweisberg
14 years ago
Living Room · More Info

Go bold and bright with the pillows, a print side chair would be fun and inviting.
I love room and board a great place to source a table.
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Briganti Spas.LLC
14 years ago
How about a big beautifully stunning Iris glass tile mural. Or really jazz it up with our 'Deep Outer Space' floor or wall mural. See many original glass murals at our website. fineartbyhuckleberry.com
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Briganti Spas.LLC
14 years ago
Glass Iris tile would add drama or if you like art, may be a tribal dancer brings lots of lively interest and adds beautiful colors. Just ideas to play with.
Tammy Serrano
14 years ago
My suggestions:
Move the recliner next to the fireplace along with a table and lamp. Move the hutch behind the sofa where the recliner is now. It seems a little dark in that corner so if you can, add some lighting inside the cabinet to showcase your pottery. The location of the sofa table under the window looks fine, but the farmhouse look doesn't blend well. I would paint the table the same color as the hutch. Changing out the coffee table with a square ottoman covered in mocha leather would probably help here too. Some colorful throw pillows in different patterns would look great on the sofa to add some contrast. Here is a photo of the ottoman and pillows I'm thinking of that are from Pier 1. It's a little trendy, but you can change the whole look later by just changing the pillows.
User
14 years ago
Hi Angela9298

I vote for a large, original work of art like
Cielo de las Rosas · More Info
or http://www.spkcreative.com/large-multi-view/gallery/1756311-23-89251/Photography/Color/Animals.html#.UABJ-I6-3cM on your walls.

Best,
Shari

spkcreative@gmail.com
www.spkcreative.com
newhouseforus
14 years ago
last modified: 14 years ago
I'd pick a couple of fabrics that you like, say a stripy one and a patterned one with similar colours. Change out the lamp with a beautiful bright glass or ceramic lamp that pulls one of the colours from your pillows. That wall next to the reading nook could use either a piece of art on it or a series of photographs. You've got the shelving unit on the opposite side of the room or I'd suggest a set of shelves.
Hena Tayeb
14 years ago
angela9298 instead of the black shelving unit you already have, which seems a bit dwarfed in the area I would suggest having shelves lining the entire with of the wall.. maybe something with an in built feel. As for art I have a gorgeous collection of photography that would be perfect for your space.
PRO
Emma At Home
14 years ago
This is a nice big space you are working with. Your rug is beautiful. Adding some accent pillows with some color would really help make this room pop and if you had some greens and beige colors it would bring the rug and couch in together nicely. Here are a few examples, though I would highly encourage you to look at this- http://www.emmahome.com/index.cfm/do/Collection.contemporary_designer_pillows

There are some pillows that would go great with your area.

Happy Decorating!
jingstad
14 years ago
I would definitely move the tall cabinet to the wall between kitchen and windows. Then, once you have chosen an accent color....I would hang floor to ceiling draperies along the whole window wall (between the windows). A few shades darker than the sofa would look nice and then add a stripe near the top and maybe 18" up from the bottom in your accent color...with a few matching pillows. A print, combining the sofa color, drapery color and accent color on the recliner (placing it in the corner by the fireplace)...would tie everything together. A low bookcase or a couple of cubes next to the recliner with a nice table lamp for reading and a picture above would warm up that corner.
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Architectural Antiques
14 years ago
Nice and big room. The animal head would be perfect to be displayed on the blank wall of the room. We have a collection of them.

Give us a call at 612-332-8344 if you need more information
selawela
14 years ago
^ oh, my....
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Natalie Blake
13 years ago
My clients have loved using our handmade, ceramic wall art tile to fill big walls with color. You can check us out at: http://www.unaluntile.com
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ROBIN RILE FINE ART
13 years ago
I like the idea of painting the room a rich dark blue as described above and lightening the load of the coffee table. Perhaps removing that and the rug altogether. This may make the room look more elegant and balanced. A splash of color from a large painting could be nice on the rear wall.
PRO
Committed Photography, Inc.
13 years ago
Filling the empty wall space would d a lot for the room. Feel free to take a look at our custom art. Everything on our website is available in a range of sizes, canvas, giclee, mount and on a matt or metallic paper. We also ship worldwide whether you buy a custom framed piece or just the print.

If you have something specific in mind we are always glad to locate it for you. Enjoy :)

www.committedphotography.ca