There IS a painting above the couch.

Your room is narrow and when you see the dark rectangle it feels closed in (my opinion only). What about the clear coffee table someone forwarded to you or at least a clear glass top. A can of vibrant glossy paint - perhaps tourquoise to lighten up the room or even have a piece of mirror cut to measure? Good Luck.

I would get a rug and paint your table a different color :)

I lovethe painting but I'm kind of a crazy about trees :)
I vote keep the table - get a colorful rug.

I think a colorful rug would look great!

I think Judit is dead on with her thought on the coffee table, and Amartell's pillow advice is good as well. Maybe there is another place in the room to add some more orange or put one of the great rugs centaurita proposes.

The challenge here is that the walls, carpet, and couch are nearly the same white and it drains the life from the room. Maybe the walls need to be painted or the couch reupholstered or replaced.

I agree that the walls, carpet and couch are dullsville. Paint the walls, and add a fabulous rug pulling colors from the art. Rugs add texture, interest, define the space and are grounding pulling everything together. The coffee table can work, not everything needs to match. Look at all the eclectic photos on this site! Layers take it from stale to stunning! Maybe swich out the lamp or lampshade to something more interesting.

Part of the reason I vote "no" on the rug is that a rug over carpet (perhaps except sisal carpet) rarely lays flat. It also adds bulk that creates a trip hazard. Flooring transitions are a leading cause of home falls and not just with the elderly.

I assume this is an apartment and changing the carpet isn't an option?

I like your art above the sofa. The color that pops out from the art is a persimmon/orangy color. So, I agree with centarita and get a colorful orangey rug. Then, a solid orange toss pillow for the sofa and a persimmon color throw. (bring the orange down from the wall art). Adding teal in accents would be a nice addition too. Vase, candlesticks, or a teal lumbar pillow for the chair.

Others mention a new table, but I like yours as the mix woods look "warmer" and the carved detail table has character and the "morrocan" looks ties in with your pattern on the pilows. And, goes with the "bulk" of the tv console. My two cents. :)

Teal/orange accents:

Other things in your room are all plain, it need some fresh colors to active your room. Without changing any furniture... How about this...
Just put a EXCITING colorful rug, and buy some same/similar EXCITING color cushions to match the rug.

I think we have a Martha Stewart cookbook with a teal cover and orange accents. It's a mid century classic. Great chairs, BTW.

I have an area rug over carpet in my family room - you just need to ensure it is large enough and heavy enough to avoid the trip factor.
Plus, adding that gorgeous cayenne-orange colour down onto the floor will push your space to the next level of WOW - go for it!
I've attached a photo of a room where I layered area rugs for that texture on texture look...gorgeous

Love that room Marie Hebson! Yummy

Change the coffee table

I have eclectic tastes so I love the coffee table. To me, the ornate carving on it coordinates with the Moroccan pillow. I love the suggestion of rugs above, I would go with the teal to draw everything together and maybe put a bowl with balls in all the colors on the table. I like what you have alot! I think the rug (or a rug) would make it look "finished".

Yes, change the coffee table. Clear glass top. Then change out those boring white candles with some colorful books, candles, and flowers that relate to the colorful pillows you'll be surely adding. You won't need a rug!

Keep the table, but paint it. And definitely add a rug with colors from the art.

One additional comment: teal and orange make me think Howard Johnson's. Just sayin.....

While it might tie the seating area together and add color, area rug on top of carpet can be messy because they tend to crawl.

Brighten up the sofa with different coloured cushions like the orange and cream ones, add some accessories to the table .

Rug..yes! How do you watch the TV? Is there another sofa opposite the TV?

The more I think about this room, the more I get the feeling it has the start of a Bohemian (Boho chic) or Moroccan (as Darzy pointed out) sort of feel, and that's the way I would move forward with it. If it were me, of course :)
If you still haven't decided about the rug - consider putting a large colorful basket under the table (for storing blankets, books, etc.). Or maybe a couple smaller ones in different colors. Or, if there is room think about getting a pouf ottoman (or two). They come in all sorts of sizes, colors, materials, and shapes.
It looks like you are attracted to green also: green and orange are both secondary colors (along with purple) and will always look nice together.
Try adding just a little color here and there around the room. Some colored glass in the tray around the candles, a valance over the glass doors, vases, urns, sculptures, fresh flowers, even a stack of books?!
You could also put a pretty rug at the door instead of under the table.

Darzy-- Love those chairs!

A rug would anchor the coffee table to the room, middle eastern rugs look fab in any room

get rid of rug
and paint floor Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain
its hot!
and inexpensive
yes, paint the floor...

I think your seating area is not big enough for a rug without making the area look too busy. I would like to see pillows with colors! Try to match some of the colors to the painting over the couch but some blues and greens would work really well. I think painting the coffee table a blue or green to match your new printed pillows would add some punch too. If you don't want to do that or am not sure what color or if thats too much committment for you, you could find a small woven rug or a table runner in that color to throw over the table for the same look. Good luck.

I think a rug would make the place seem too crowded..

I think that you need some unity and several suggestions have been made. Funny how you ask about a rug and suddenly everyone seems to be questioning your coffee table. I LOVE the idea of a rug because it does add unity... but the rug on rug is just a big trip (possible fracture) waiting for my visit...LOL think about the picture without the rug and the cohesion of the two turquoise chairs... tie the couch and the chair together with similar pillows or throw cushions, if you don't like too much colour then resort to textures..... I love the basket idea with a few colourful throws tucked away.....

I say yes to a rug! I don't like rugs on rugs so if you can not add wood flooring then I would still add an area rug. It will give the space definition. I like your coffee table with the white sofa! I also like your selection of throw pillows. I would suggest, if you can, remove the computer items and possibly the black recliner. Maybe add two small chairs. Good luck!

def put a rug with some color, the coffee table is fine, and then add some curtain panels to each side of the sliding glass doors or windows to the right in your first pic. It will feel nice and homey and beautiful!

hi again, do you feel confused enough now? :)

yes, confuse enough, O(∩_∩)O, I have to say these different recommends also means: there is no correct answer for this question. Follow your feeling, both answers you got lots of good suggestions here. No worry.

How about no rug and using a table with a glass top to open up the space?

I like a rug. Just be sure and have a rug pad under it. I had patterned rug with some red in it. After many years the red bled onto the carpet. When we moved I had to replace the carpet. I spent $1000 because I was too cheap to spend $40 on a rug pad.

We have a FREE ask a designer service on our website. All you have to do is send us original photos of your space and our expert designers will hand select rug options that match your decor. You'll receive photos of your room with rugs embedded in your image.

http://rugknots.com/index.php?fc=module&module=rugknotsroom

No rug.

J Design Group, Modern Interior Design Firm in Miami, Florida. http://www.JDesignGroup.com

I think that this room needs something else: color coordinated pillows & throws (it needs color) and decluttering of the area next to the couch. I don't like idea of a rug on top of a carpet. On a hardwood or laminate floor - yes. But the carpet seems just fine, it is in neutral color and provides a good base. Play around with different accessories - candles, curtains?, pillows, vase with fresh flowers. This room needs some color (coordinated).

Also, aside of that computer desk decluttering (better: changing for a new one), I would change that black chair (recliner?) for a pair of 2 small fauteuils. Do not paint this beautiful coffee table.

Love the coffee table suggestion, but don't discount rugs on wall to wall carpet. We actually just wrote a post about it, because we know there are situations when you can't change the wall to wall carpet decor (apartments, rentals, corp housing, office, etc). Here are some pointers should you decide to go that route. http://blog.rugpal.com/2014/07/enhancing-wall-to-wall-carpet.html

I wouldn't say that you need a rug in this area. At first glance, I think replacing the coffee table with something bigger with possibly a glass or mirrored top and rustic frame then adding colourful accords or a big bright bowl, a bright lamp shade instead of white, another piece of colourful art and maybe another bright pillow.

Hi Jkman,

A rug, always a rug. This will bring the pieces together to create a conversation with each other and therefore with the people sitting in the room. It will also add some needed personality, pattern and texture.

Hi! If you add a rug with a bold pattern or interesting texture, such as a cowhide or flat weave, it can add an extra dimension to your room. Please contact us if you need help selecting a rug. We have many options available. www.peykarrugs.com.

I think a rug will add character to the room!

-Fratantoni Lifestyles

I think a rug would add a nice touch to this room. Just make sure you pick one that fits the shape between the couches. It should either go just under them or just outside the outline of the couches.

There are some affordable area rugs that would fit here:

Jaipur area rugs:
http://www.boldrugs.com/Jaipur-rug-manufacturer.html

Yes! a rug but big enough to make a statement and bring in some color!

A rug would help to bring in some interest. Search here Artisan Rug Gallery

2013 post

Did you decide to put a rug in the space Maureen? If so It would be nice to how the space turned out with your updates?

@Astisan, I am not the original poster, but just wanted to point the year of the question, so people weren't wasting their time with suggestions. I'm sure they are no longer checking for responses.