Living room/kitchen help!!

10 years ago

I need to add a pop of color to our living room/kitchen combo. How or what?!? A bright colored throw on the couch? Something on the walls?!

Featured Answer

stevew2518

10 years ago

As has been noted, you have a neutral room. What has been noted is that you have the beginnings of a primary accent color: blue. You need to bump up the primary accent color and select a secondary accent color.

To bump up your primary accent color, you need more blue and perhaps stronger blue in places. The primary accent color should be visible just about anywhere you look in a room. Your area rug would be a good place to add blue. The area rug needs to be larger than what you currently have. The smallest rug you should use will needs to be large enough to allow the front legs of your sofa and your 2 side chairs to all be on it. I would recommend you select a rug that doesn't have a strong pattern. We don't want the rug to become the focal point of your room. The rug is like the mat on a painting. You might choose something along the lines of this rug. Just be careful that your blues don't clash with those you already have in your room.

Bashian Laguna Blue Area Rug, 8.6'x11.6' · More Info

You need perhaps 3 or 4 throw pillows on the banquette, one or two should be the dark blue from your chairs in the living room. I would add dark blue cushions to the white chairs at the kitchen table.

The sofa needs some blue also, pick throw pillow from the colors found on the two living room chairs, and make sure to include one pillow that is the same color as the cushion on the banquette.

Blue drapes on the sliding door and Roman shades of the same material on the window behind the banquette would be stunning.

As you are working with your blues, be thinking about a secondary accent color. You will only want about 3-5 items in your entire living/kitchen area that will be the secondary color. This is usually an unexpected color and is often the strongest color in the décor. The secondary accent color can be in art, throw pillows, or decorative items. It might also be paired with blue in the area rug or the drapery fabric.

If you can, make a little book that contains samples of your paint and fabric colors to take with you when you shop. Even a loose thread from a piece of furniture can be help when you are standing in the middle of a store surrounded by 100s of color choices. Take you time and never feel like you have to make a choice while you are in the store.

Most of all, have fun as you are creating your room!

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Comments (16)

W
10 years ago
It looks like you may have made a few too many neutral safe decisions when you really wanted color. For now, colorful cushions on the banquet and groupings of colorful objects on the display shelves will help. In the future, don't be afraid to start with color on a big item like the rug, walls, or couch.
beautifulmaryland
10 years ago
you could try an orange or yellow accessory on top of the white cube organizer. also cover the bench pads with a fun, colored fabric. a pattern would work there also. you'll have to find the right shade of color, probably not too saturated because your background is a subdued taupe. nice job on the decor.
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Architectural Interiors and Millwork
10 years ago
Pillows are an inexpensive option. I like pair of chairs...change the pillows on the sofa and you can always accent one wall with a bold color and/or replace your coffee table.
susan2494
10 years ago
There are several inexpensive things you can do to perk up the space. As mentioned bring in a 3rd color. Try orange or yellow with the blue. Add a solid color pillow to each end of the sofa in that color. Lower the pictures over the white display cabinet (they should be at eye level 58-60" off floor) and add a couple of items on top in that color. Also put of couple of pillows on the banquette in a combo of navy/blue and your 3rd accent color. A round tray in white or the accent color on the ottoman. A green potted plant on the hearth and try one of these in the fire box.

Get the flameless candles with remote.

One other thing you can do, if your barstools are wood, consider painting them the same blue as the chairs.

You really need some flooring lighting. I see no lamps or floor lamps. Consider a floor lamp between the chairs and sofa and a more substantial table on other end with lamp. I understand that a lot of little things will add up, but it will be money well spent for the difference it will make to the room.
lynnmariegillies
10 years ago
Lots of good suggestions. One reader suggested lowering the prints over the shelving unit and adding additional ones..... That is one option..... Another would be a colourful piece of art over the shelving unit....... Make sure it is large...... It should be almost as wide, but not wider than the shelving unit and there should no more than 18 inches of exposed wall between the top of the piece and the ceiling. Rug is nice but too small for that grouping...... Can't see what is over the sofa but another piece of art or a grouping of photos/prints would be nice added touch. Otherwise,nice job!
EA H
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you all for your suggestions!!! They are greatly appreciated! I wish I had known about this app before we started decorating!
susan2494
10 years ago
Simple inexpensive table

colorful lamp, good height 30"

Floor lamp $$86 in bronze
lemh
10 years ago
On an unrelated note, love your wall color. What is it?
1dogand3cats
10 years ago
Get a bigger rug with blues and whites.
PRO
User
10 years ago
can you show what the wall behind sofa looks like?

I don't like your sideboard and the prints above it. I would use a buffet with closed doors and a big print above it similar to this http://sainteriordesignstoronto.com/treasured-moments.html
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BeverlyFLADeziner
10 years ago
linlac
10 years ago
I love Beverly's idea of painting color blocks in those two areas and adding a few items in the same color around the room. I'm voting for a burnt orange. Nothing too loud.
linlac
10 years ago
You could even do the color blocks in a darker neutral than add color into accessories. A fabric shade and curtain for the slider would add to the room.
EA H
Original Author
10 years ago
Lemh - the wall color is Benjamin Moore revere pewter
EA H
Original Author
10 years ago
For those asking, here is the wall behind the couch and it's still blank! Hard trying to decorate with a 5 month old and 2 year old :) Any suggestions as to what to do with that wall are greatly appreciated!