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rangels

Rental Unit Boredom

11 years ago
Looking for some feedback. Although I like the traditional look of my living room, I find it dull. I need some colour & art to bring it alive, but I don't know what.
I know I need lighting, but still haven't found something that says "I LOVE that!!!". Any suggestions? (The items in corner will be moving, that's not their permanent home).

Comments (64)

  • 11 years ago

    I'm sorry but I think the art is way, way too much. Look on etsy.com under large original art. These are from etsy.


  • 11 years ago
    Thanks Groveraxle - how did u do that?
  • 11 years ago

    I love the blue and white. I don't like the idea of a large picture over the sofa but you definitely need something. Here is what I did in my living room. I bought frames on sale at Crate and Barrel and cut out photos from books, magazines of my favorite things and put them on the wall. Thought this may work for your room. You can set them as far apart as looks good and use as many frames and rows as you want. I think it gives more visual interest than one large picture. Good luck, you are off to a good start


  • 11 years ago

    Look on myhabit.com for art. These are from there.


  • 11 years ago

    I think that art is too bright, as overpowering as the mirrors. You can add color and interest without blowing us out of the room.


  • PRO
    11 years ago

    Have you thought about a throw. Either in big checks or a solid colour? (This is Picasso - http://mohairsandmore.com/designer-check-throws-in-mohair/)

    Throw Blankets as Accessories - Complement or Contrast? · More Info



  • 11 years ago

    Do something about the cords on the fireplace. You can never have too much art, IMO.


  • 11 years ago
    a nice painting above the sofa would make the space less boring. you have lots of great suggestions.

    a larger rug with a pattern would add some character.

    i can't really suggest anything else. You already some great people giving you great advice.
  • 11 years ago
    Groveaxle - yes, the speakers won't be staying on the fireplace....that's going to get mounted on the wall along with the tv

    I really like the idea of a larger carpet & then the smaller one on top
  • 11 years ago
    Yes, I have received some great suggestions, and I really appreciate it. I think I'm going to move the mirror fixtures above the sofa and see how that looks....put some softer smaller paintings in it's place. Also going to rearrange the furniture as some suggested.
  • 11 years ago
    Groveaxle, would u be able to send me a pic of my current mirrors over the sofa, or could u show me how to do it myself?
  • 11 years ago

    If it were me, in the first picture, I'd put ONE of those mirrors over the fireplace, and move the TV off to the left. Then hang the other mirror over the sofa. If you are in a rental unit, unless you plan to stay some time, don't get new artwork. Make what you have fresh by moving it around. "Shop your house" as a friend of mine says. And store/donate/sell what you are bored with at this time. Absence (from sight) makes the heart grow fonder...sometimes.


  • 11 years ago
    Any suggestions if I should or can incorporate these crystal sconce? I have two
  • 11 years ago

    If the mirrors are moving over the sofa, I would probably offset them (hi and low) diagonally to make a composition.

  • 11 years ago


  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    What a great space you have! I haven't read all of the other comments so please pardon me if I repeat some of the suggestions. How far from the TV/fireplace is the sofa? How big it the room square footage wise? My two cents is: a) one mirror over the sofa and maybe candle sconces on either side. b) If that's a slip cover on the chair- change it a complimentary color. Maybe the grayish blue that's on the wall in a darker hue. c) The spaces on either side of the fireplace would be great space if they had built-ins. Can you hang floating shelves over each side? Maybe two on the each side and get some lovely art. Sculptures, frames, etc. LED lights under on lowest shelve would add some lighting What does the wall where the windows are look like? Is that empty space? Gosh, you have so much to work with :) ...and yes, your puppy adds style too! :)

  • 11 years ago

    This is going to be a great room with very little effort. You have wonderful pieces. I agree with others that both the mirrors and the chests are too big for that fireplace wall. You have a nice fireplace and it just does not stand out enough. Here is what I would do:

    1. Place the two chests and mirrors side by side with a few feet of space between them on the back wall where the sofa currently is. Hang the mirrors above them. (Just to play around you can try moving them there and leaning the mirrors against the wall on top of the chests to see what it looks like.

    2. Float your seating arrangement in the middle of the room and around the fireplace. Play with lots of configurations. I'd start with the sofa across from the fireplace and the chair near the fireplace on an angle towards the sofa.

    3. I like the trellis rug someone suggested. And, the idea of mixing in just a pop of two colored pillows among the black and white will look great.

    4. I would either hang the tv on the wall above the fireplace, of get a small table to place it one elsewhere in the room.


  • PRO
    11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Those mirrors are just too big to use with your ceiling height. I love the black and white rug that groveraxle put in your room, and also the art which looks like a piece from Gallery Direct.

    It would be wonderful if you could remove the TV from above the fireplace and put it at a lower height elsewhere in the room, maybe on one of those chests that currently flank the fireplace. They need to be removed from the fireplace area. In fact, one of them in the room would probably be enough.

  • 11 years ago
    Why not put the mirrors over the couch or just one? I think they overpower the FP wall. Please don't put TV on mantle! It's so pretty!
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    I love the wainscoting, the light blue wall and the curtains. I definitely agree with replacing some of the pillows with some solid ones perhaps a solid blue that pulls the colour from the walls to create a rounded space. The two large mirrors should be placed above the couch instead. Another tip is to add a larger rug perhaps something with a bit of pattern in it. The furniture's that you have doesn't have to be fully placed on to the rug but half of it can. I agree with Miacometlady, I would remove the TV from the mental and add a nice decor wall piece. Purchase two side tables and placed it on each end of the couch, and center your couch to the middle of the wall instead, it will create a more balance room.

  • 11 years ago

    Please let it be noted that I managed to rearrange the room without disturbing the most important member of the family or removing his bed. I know where priorities lie.

  • 11 years ago

    the same side table will make the room more balance

    a darker area rug will make a great contrast in this room

    the tv is better to be hanged rather than just put on the fireplace

  • 11 years ago
    Hi everyone, sorry for not responding - I'm at work right now so I just have a bit of time.

    I think someone said (and correct me if I'm wrong, as I skimmed through the comments - I'll read in detail once I get home), that I should put the side units which are currently beside the fireplace on the other side of the room beside the sofa - but there isn't enough room for that.

    The size of the room is approx.
    16ft - length
    1.6" - width
  • 11 years ago
    Groveraxle, thank you for the imagines....I'm very much a visual person so this helps a lot (hence why I can't get this place together - I think in my head it'll work, and when I see it put together, I'm like nope! lol
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    @rangels, beautiful room and you've gotten some excellent advice here. I especially like the rendering Groveraxle did with the brown ottomans sitting on the layered rugs.....everything about that rendering is put together perfectly IMO....that should be your inspiration photo. Elegant, inviting and just the right tones and amount of color. (Only thing missing is the adorable pup! :-))

  • PRO
    11 years ago

    You are off to a good start, just need a few tweaks. Lots of geometric going on so break it up a bit with a strong floral or multi-colored stripe. Keep the drapes and maybe two of the pillows and add some colorful solids and patterns. I would replace those two round ottomans with one large upholstered ottoman and replace the sisal rug with a colorful persian rug that will be a nice compliment to the modern style you have going. Add a nice gallery wall above the sofa that could incorporate one of those white mirrors and will reflect the TV wall. On the TV wall, hang the tv above the mantel rather than have it propped up. Then hang some artwork above the bar and the cupboard on the other side. Mirror the inside of those cupboards so they reflect light and highlight whatever you have displayed in them. A small lamp on the bar will add light and make it easy to mix a drink. I am assuming you need the small white chair in that location in order to watch TV. A nice end table between the chair and sofa would make space for a lamp and also a spot to sit a drink, a book etc. Have fun!

  • 11 years ago

    In grover's rendering of your mirrors they appear to be too large for the space and ceiling height as previously mentioned.
    You might consider making templates of the mirrors and place over the sofa for another observation just to be sure.


  • 11 years ago
    Avery, yes I agree....I very much like the look of the rugs layered
  • 11 years ago
    Ok, so I've rearranged some of the furniture & I've taken some shoots.... I personal like the second look, but I just don't know if I'm not reading the suggestions properly.
    I think one of my issues with look two is how the sofa is not facing the TV (makes it uncomfortable to watch tv). Where would I put the TV?

    The art I put up - is that the size that I'm looking for?

    Look 1 (image 1-2)
    Look 2 (image 3-5)
  • 11 years ago
    I don't belief the last pic came through
  • 11 years ago
    Carolyn Albert-Kincl, & Ann dee - I see what u are saying but I think they will work for the time being.
  • 11 years ago

    Remove 2 of the pillows and you can replace them with gold one.Also the rug is too small for the room. you can also change the flooring to hardwood. it would be a good idea to change the color of the wall to white. you can also have a picture above the sofa. and for the other side of the room it is better to remove the mirror as they seem too big.

  • 11 years ago
    Tarasilimi - I can't change the flooring as this is a rental unit and not my personal place.
  • 11 years ago

    Wow, rangels, you've been busy. Try one chest in front of the window, put the other directly opposite on the wall with one mirror over it. Put the sofa back in the middle facing the TV. Put the chair by the left corner of the window chest, angled to face the opposite corner.


    Another option: keep the chests on the back wall as you have them in your second arrangement above, but treat them as a sofa table and put the sofa right in front of them.

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    I hope this pictures helps you.

    Definitely this room needs some colours and brighter lights.
    For the living room I think you should have some light colours like orange cushions. Since your lamp has warm tone, you should try some lamps
    that are more like natural light. Your side table should be the same height and
    I think maybe you can take off the mirrors from near the fire place to put on
    the wall where is you sofas are to give a focal point to your living room. Also
    try some rug for the living that is could be orange colour but also looks soft
    and cozy.

  • 11 years ago
    Like this groveraxle? (Don't mind the stain, just split my tea on the rug & cleaning it out)
  • 11 years ago
    Here is with one mirror above the chest
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    One mirror over one chest may work. I would move the other to a different room or household.

  • PRO
    11 years ago

    Your room dimensions of 16' wide and 1.6" long did not make sense. Could you please check and repeat them? A sketch showing room dimensions, windows and doorways would help. Thanks!

  • 11 years ago

    Yes, Susana, like that, and now that I see it, I don't like it. The chests are too big to sit at the ends of the sofa; they totally overwhelm it. How about trying them behind the sofa instead?


  • 11 years ago
    Sorry, my dimensions were suppose to say:
    16FT - length
    11FT, 6" - width
  • 11 years ago

    I am not as bothered by the chests beside the fireplace as everyone else, and have come to the conclusion that that is the best place for them. I think the mirrors are too large and have to go. I would use art instead, something more in proportion and less overbearing than the mirrors.

    I would use art with a bit of color over the sofa as well. I think what I show below is just enough.

  • 11 years ago
    Here it is with the chest behind the sofa
  • 11 years ago

    @Susana, IMO the chests look better on each side of the fireplace. I have a similar configuration at our home....and as Groveraxle mentioned, this is the best configuration for your space too.

  • 11 years ago
    Are wires going to be hidden on TV? Mix a accent color into black,and white pillows. A skyline picture from IKEA could work. Hang 7" from top of sofa. Get a new area rug go a contemporary
    Design with some color. You might try a very bold yellow. Mixed with black and white. Then add yellow to sofa and chair. Get a real coffee table. In a light wood or metal. Round24". Check Pier One, TJMax. IKEA. Use same colors in pots for side of FP. Group in 3 s In Different sizes. Get a tall stainless floor lamp next to soda. Your lamp looks OK.
  • 11 years ago
    Change drapes to a white solid. Don't try and match. Mix it up.
  • 11 years ago
    Keep chest by FP. I don't mind the mirrors over them. Just lower them. A cow hide in black and white layer over yr rug would be fun. IKEA has best price.
  • 11 years ago
    Round mirror is too small to go alone over sofa. Art with color would work better. Get a 36x36 or bigger. Z Galleries is great for all your needs.
  • 11 years ago
    You have the beginning of a very attractive room. I like the white sofa and the dark furniture pieces. Please, don't use the white mirrors in this space - maybe some other room in your home. Go with the ideas for bright wall art and reflect the art colors in your pillow and accessory selection.