You have a lot of darker furniture and very traditional pieces and a lot of oak. If you want to keep all of your furniture have you looked into slip covers? Or possibly reupholstering a few pieces with something more your style? You could also paint some of the wood pieces in the room to lighten things up.

Scared to paint oak pieces to white. But I am so tired of all my honey oak!

I think you need to re-arrange the furniture. Not sure if you have too much, but needs to be brought together instead of lining the wall. If we can bring some things in to sofa and then a area rug would make a big difference for color options and bringing things together. What is opposite sofa? Do you have a TV in the room?

Yes, TV in white weathered armoire. Which I like. Put an area rug on carpet?

Of course,, what is opposite sofa?

What is inside armoire?

Try rearranging, maybe those two small chairs with narrow console where the other chair is. put the metal wall hanging above and in the middle.

If you want to send me dimensions of room I can draw up a new floor plan for you. But just looking at the room, I would suggest moving the armoire to the niche where the chair and ottoman is. Move the sofa to the railings where the 2 chairs are and the two chairs in front of the window. And the chair and ottoman where armoire is now only forward and put the chest behind it in corner.

would the room work like this. Just guessing, tell me what is missing or won't work

I put armoire in niche, wingbacks by window chest that is now in niche, moved it between chairs, floor lamp in corner where armoire was, chair & ottoman opposite window, sofa table behind sofa on chair railing. (sofa will hide a lot of the wood) Moved lamp off sofa table onto table in window and rd white table at end of sofa with lamp. And added area rug!

The room is 20' x 22'. Niche cut out by the the railing (where armoire is - TV jacks there also) Room is not exactly square. Diagonal wall cuts across one side of the "squarish" floor plan.

Would definitely help with furniture arranging if you have someone move that tv jack over to where the large single chair is.

Photo of diagonal wall to entryway.

oh, and book case not moved.

Here's a picture of diagonal wall. If I can know know how to take the pic.

Lol. I guess I got a picture!

did another plan with correct room dimensions. Problem is I don't know furniture size. Did you say you have TV jack in niche? If not I will have to re-group.

or this

Susan 2494, can you draw the niche into your plan?

I think the niche would be a great spot for a reading nook. The chair and bookcase could be moved in there.

Here is a rough sketch of the room.

I need not only room arrangements, but color. Should I paint? Color in Curtains? I feel I have a miss-mash of STUFF.

I concur with the painting of the oak- Oak makes everything look so old and dated. But I would paint the handrail black....The contrast is awesome! It also hides the fingerprints- yes, I am a neat nic. Liking the wall covered backs on the above photo image...and I agree with the slip covers- a very updated look and it can be changed seasonally. Why not?

Just took a look at your idea book on colors: you like a lot of beautiful clear colors. Your room now is very muted.

So, let us know what you are up to change. Would you paint all the woodwork? Paint all the wall? Or are you looking more for smaller tweaks?

If you need a starting point, you could go shopping and just bring home some colorful pillows for the sofa and a throw for the sofa. Or find some drapes you love and start there.

Think that brown/beige larger chair should be slipcovered or moved out. It is sort of the "anti-color".

I cannot draw niche into plan I can see by the pictures that it is maybe 12" max on edges of wall that extend. Not enough of a niche other than to hold a bookcase, In fact I'm sure that the armoire will stick out beyond. Not really a niche.

kj, I think the chairs are fine and even the chair and ottoman can have a pass. If you paint the railing white, and your armoire is white and the chairs are (what?) grey and white. Keep your sofa in grey and slip cover the chair and ottoman. Or maybe even replace. Sometimes just a trade off. Look at bringing some color in with a new chair and ottoman. If you are going to add slipcovers or a new chair choose those before deciding on wall color. Is your wall color green now in LR?

Taupe walls. Black, brown, grey, cream furniture and curtains.

Niche is 3.5' square.

I really don't think there is much wrong with your space except re-arranging the furniture and maybe painting all the oak railing. Most times I see posts that want fresher, brighter and you see the room and it's a sea of beige or grey or brown. Most times it can be fixed by bringing in an accent color whether it is blue, red, orange or yellow. Take off those cushions on the sofa and add some color. If you love purple then add purple pillows. The art in the niche is an example no color. If you like red, but some red lumbar pillows on the chairs and sofa. Yellow?

Some art on the walls with color. Hang some art on the stairway wall. GO to an art gallery and buy a painting you love. Your room is neutral. Anything goes. Bring some interest and joy to your room. Color is your friend.

Thanks for the suggestions! I just need to jump in there and not be afraid to try some things. I'm from the school of, "Well neutral is always safe."

Don't be scared to paint your oak! I was in the same situation a few months ago and bought some Benjamin Moore white and painted all my trim and doors and replaced all my doorknobs and hinges in the brushed bronze. The transformation is amazing and everyone loves it. I should have done it years ago.

I would seriously paint or re-stain that oak another color. I also don't know about the empty glass/oak low curio cabinet - that feels a little unused and out of place. Definitely add an area rug to ground the room. If you go darker with the oak stain, I would also think about freshening up the paint in the room to less beige - you have beige carpet, beige walls and the oak is very beige. Maybe a really light gray wall would be pretty? Also consider changing up the curtains.

I agree, paint railing white and I do like the black hand rail idea.

Slip cover flowered chair and ottoman. I think art that takes up more visual space on the walls will help solve the problem of your furniture seemingly floating in the room, much like an area rug does.

Remove glass cabinet altogether.

Colorful pillows and I would go with a neutral drapery on the windows.

Paint the book case white. Keep white chairs, white table and sofa.

You do not need to paint all the oak. Paint baseboards, window trim and door casings if you want. I would not paint the door because wood doors have lots of joints which move with changes in temp and humidity and that cracks the paint. A wood and white look can look very light and airy. I have that mix and I have some Amish made oak furniture and I get compliments on the lightness of my home.

I do think the curtains are darker than I would have. I have a little bit vintage style so have cream lace curtains pulled back to one side - I agree with those recommending something light for window - light panels or pretty roman shades. Also, the pictures and decor in my home are things that I like and mean something to me - gives a place a little personality and color. I would agree with the suggestion to add a bit more art.

Mixing white with wood:

kj, Just remember "neutral" may be safe but it is often "boring" . If you don't know what color to add, shop for that great painting 1st. Then take one of it's colors and add a rug and pillows. And then decide if curtains need changing. I bet you find that the painting has one of your favorite colors. Good luck and be sure to post photos of the finished room.

I HAVE had trouble finding an art piece I really like. I have heard people say to find that special piece is the "jumping off" point. I need a picture/art grouping/area rug - yes I see. Sad I cannot find bright and happy to go with my blah and boring. Locally there is nothing!

cpinphilly - I really like your photos!

And JHmarie good ideas too. Thank you all!!

OK, Let me send some prints and tell me if you like them.

Now everyone, don't jump all over me. Sometimes you can bring home a "painting" from World Market just to get started. Or frame a poster.

Start your fresh look by taking the curtains and the valance down.

Adding a touch of black never hurts:

susan2494 - thank you for the art suggestions, but unfortunately I can only see images 1 - 4

Let me try again

Don't be afraid to paint some of the oak pieces, but consider some chalk (not chalkboard) paint and some gray, rather than all white. Move your bookcase into the 3.5' niche, and place it flat against the short wall. Angle the floral chair and footstool over there and create a reading nook, adding the floor lamp. Hang a large piece of art on the big wall, center point 5' above the floor. Eliminate the glass oak cabinet and the little metal table. If you wish to keep the wall sculpture, hang it above the stairwell. The stairwell is where I'd make the biggest change, but it will cost. I'd replace the railings with a pony wall pre-wired to hold the TV - hung on the wall or recessed inside it. Place sofa table and your sofa on the wall we just cleared. The return air vent won't be covered, Use the lamps on the table and a piece of art (no wider than 75% of the table's width) hung 5" above the sofa table. Angle the matching chairs perpendicular to the sofa with their backs to the wall where your bookcase was before. Your round pedestal table will go with them. Where the bookcase was, place the armoire, but use it for storage. Paint both rooms a pale gray that you love. Sorry for the rough floor plan.

I find that art is difficult to choose. Have you thought about a photo of a place you love or have spent lots of time? You probably already have one. Or of an object you admire? Some friends of mine enjoy Vespa scooters and have a large photo of one in their home. It is modern and colorful and fun! I'm not suggesting Vespa is for you...just saying think outside the "art" box.

kj, the art I sent is just to see what appeals to you, If you like any of the pieces then you will have a better idea of where your taste in art lies. Whether landscapes, floral, abstracts, whimsy, what appeals to you. And also not just the subject, but the colors. Also think about your personal taste in clothes and jewelry. Even if you always wear black or blue what color is your favorite when you wear color or that favorite necklace?

I was considering chairs like you have last summer. I love the blue that Ashley paired with it.

Here are some abstract art ideas if you're interested www.sarahphelps.ca