Any suggestions on how I can change it to warmer colors?The only teal colors right now are pillows and blankets which can easily changed.

Saw this pic and thought of your room :)

Love it! Thank you Tracey!

Again, the way to bring in other colors is in the accessories. Here are some ideas...

Yes to all the wonderful ideas so far! When I was a hotel designer there were a few things we always did to make a lobby or suite really great and that was to add a accent color and theme and I think this really works well for living rooms as well. Your set-up is very nice, but now you need to pop it with a favorite accent color (1-2) and increase the size of your wall decor with size variations, or just use one large picture, mirror, or artifact. Also if you are to add pillows be sure to add your accent color there with a contract of black and perhaps white and a few different patterns. Then, start a distinct theme that can be seen in the accessories you choose to put on you coffee table or walls. Find a theme you like and repeat it in various ways-this adds personality to a room and make it seem more interesting. If possible brighten up your wall slightly-if this is yellow I would increase the color at least 25%. ;)

*contrast not contract =)

Here are some photographs from our design portfolio. Maybe it will inspire you?

On a tight budget, accessories can add up. Google "no sew pillow covers" for articles and youtube videos on how to tie a square of fabric to make new pillow covers. Your larger pillows would take about 1.5 yards of 45" wide fabric, so your 4 large pillows could be covered with 6 yards of fabric. You can often find fabric for a few dollars a yard, so this could be an inexpensive fix. The other nice thing about fabric is that you don't have to find the right size pillow, just a fabric you like.

I like the teal color. It looks good with your floor which is an orange tone. Blue/teal and orange are complementary colors so they work well together. Notice how TraceyP's picture above has blue and orange.

Thrift stores are a great source for decor items. Think about size and shape more than color if they are ceramic/metal/wood, because you can paint them to your liking. Picture frames, bowls, trays, lamps etc.

If your budget doesn't stretch to new art right now, re-hang your gallery wall so that the width is 2/3 to 3/4 of your sofa, and the bottom of the arrangement is about 8-10 inches above the top of the sofa. Just like Nancy Ingram's example above. Cut out some paper pieces the size of your pictures, and arrange them on the wall until they look good. Then hang the real pictures.

Can we see the other walls?

Your room looks great, I like the tables as they are, not with painted white legs. the curtains in Tracy's picture are great. Look for something like that--brings in the grey and an accent color you could also use in pillows, lamps and maybe a couple of decorative items. Your photos would look better and have more of a presence if you added matting and larger frames--all the same. Or you could put up a black ledge and lean the rematted/framed photos on it.

partim, here are some pics of the other walls and dining room. These spots need a lot more work!
I have a few projects planned though. I want to paint both the shelves in the dining room and the shelves in the living room.
Also, I'm going to move the picture gallery to the dining room wall and get a console table to put below the pics on the main dining room wall. I hate that "LOVE" thing so I'm getting rid of that.
Oh, and the entry table needs a lot of work. I'm thinking of painting the lamp shade, the vase and just getting another mirror. Let me know what you all think!

Oh, and the walls are white, they just come off kind of yellowish in the pics.

Oops, the entry table pic didn't attach to the previous post. Here it is.

Nancy, are you using some kind of app for those composite pictures? I'd love to play around with it if you let me know how you are doing it.

Sure thing! Its an iPad app called Morpholio Board. You are supposed to use it to create inspiration boards but I use it like photoshop.

Any ideas for the other walls Nancy?

Can you post pictures of the walls and or the whole room?

Oh, I posted some a few comments back. Sorry, thought you saw it!

I only see 2 pictures, the gallery wall and the window. Can we see the other 2 walls?

I did post 5 other pictures. Eight comments up.

I am not seeing any other pictures besides the first ones and the ones without the filter.

I adore your tables. Please do not paint the legs. You've done a really nice job here. Curtains and a little more color will finish it off.

Sorry, but I'm not seeing other pics either...

Oh, weird. Not sure why you can't see them. Well, here they are again.

These spots need a lot of work. I want to paint the two shelves in the living room and the dining room. I also want to get rid of the "LOVE" thing and move the picture gallery from the living room there. I also bought a console table to go under that. Let me know your ideas!

And the entry table is completely wrong I know. Lol it's just like leftover decorations that I put together for now. I'm thinking of painting that lamp shade and the red vase, and getting a different mirror.

Nancy's cranberry [burgundy?} shines with a dark sofa and wood. Don't go too dark -what did you think of idea of adding a yellow-green to your blue-green [teal]??

If you do use the family photos, aim for a grouping with more movement. You may have to add or subtract some photos to make it work.

My preference is always art, and gallerydirect.com always has sales so a large canvas is usually well under $200.

I've replaced your pastel pillows (which, frankly, are a little wimpy) with some bold kilim pillows (under $20 each from Chicago Kilim on etsy.com). Some looks for you below:

Just saw the new photos. I'd say your first priorities should be the dining room wall, and the TV stand has got to go. Could we see the whole wall where the TV is, please? The stand beneath it is way too small, and if the whole thing could be moved out of the corner, that would be good.

The console table and mirror by the entry are fine, but the lamp is wrong. Do you need a lamp there? If not, just remove it, move the vase to the other side of the bowl, and that space is done.

From here [it appears that lighting washed out teal throw, or is it pale in tone] you need grover's color or others!!!!

I know, I hate that tv stand but I haven't found another a good one yet. Like I said, most of our furniture has been hand me downs from family and friend so I just hate that nothing goes together or is nice enough!

Everdebz, the throw is not pale. It's a deep teal.

You have a very pleasant room and are fortunate that those that gave you the furnishings valued an uncluttered look and had good taste.

For the drapes, I'd probably opt for medium gray as the background primary color (over any color beige or off white with a pink or yellow hue) but if you can find fabric that has a surprise bit of teal or even red in it, at least consider it. Alternately, as a relatively inexpensive choice easily maintained, you could at least consider vinyl vertical blinds for the window treatment, perhaps using the patio door size for covering the entire bay rather than each individual window. If you opt for drapes, keep the mini blinds for privacy and light control.

Since you seem to have an abundance of natural light, consider a plant stand (relatively inexpensive wood bar stool would do) and a colorful planter with a snake plant other live greenery. Also, don't forget to keep an eye out for sun catchers that particularly appeal to you for color for the room that is easily changed with the season and/or your mood.

For the other walls, and if you have large blank expanse of white wall(s), a fabric wall hanging -- such as a quilt or afghan or throw or soft sculpture -- hung from eye hooks affixed to the top of the wall next to the ceiling ( wall plate) on one wall could add color without painting.

There are horizontal trim strips intended for the top of wallpaper next to the ceiling that come in a wide selection of designs that could be used to add color to the room without painting or actually adding wall paper. If your lamp shades are in need of color or repair, consider those rather than investing in new shades.

If you cannot invest in expensive art but have a world map or movie poster for a wide expanse of blank wall, that could work. If you do needlework, you could put a basket with your yarn underneath the coffee table for interesting color.

You could put all the pics over the sofa closer together and use the outside edges of the sofa as you boundary for the outer edges of the grouping; alternately, you could put the two 8x10 framed pics over the lamps and see if you still need to put the remaining five closer together.

Next time you're shopping for throw pillows for your sofa, do look for the neutral shades of gray and black and white but also with some stripes or design pop of bright red or bright teal, too.

Here's the tv wall. There's no where else to put it other than that corner. And I don't like that canvas there but I feel like I need something in the area.

Resist the urge to clutter the space just to fill the walls. You can go pretty minimalist here and it'll look great.

Put the TV flat on the wall where the canvas is now. Find a sideboard or dresser on craigslist that fills the wall and that you can paint. Put the TV on a swivel base so you can turn it to view, then push it back flat when done watching.

Thanks for the great ideas! Keep them coming! I will not be able to execute them all anytime soon but I love knowing what's possible once I do have the money to do it!
We will only be at this apartment for another year and a half and then hopefully we'll move to a nicer apartment but the ideas will hopefully carry over!

So of course I have to weigh in! DINING ROOM: get a gray area rug that matches background color of one in living room. Get some black and white graphic removable contact paper. Cut it a few inches winder than mirror in entrance. Center on wall with mirror on top. Gray and purple table runner. Purple cushions. Glass turquoise bowl for table. Purple lanterns on either side of mirror. Turquoise console table (get one at goodwill and paint).
ENTRNACE: chest under niche. Add same contact paper to back of niche. Add purple orchid. Leave bowl but get rid of vase and lamp. Or keep lamp but get a black cylindrical lampshade and put in corner. OTHER LIVING ROOM WALLS: paint bookcase purple. Create photo collage around it. Get a potted palm from Walmart and put in turquoise pot and put next to tv. Disclaimer: not thinking you will do all of these just giving you ideas where you could pop in the turquoise and purple.

Keep your eyes peeled for good quality furniture that you can paint funky colors. A sideboard or dresser that fills this wall would make a great TV stand.

Hi Mariana, I think you are very lucky to have such nice hand me downs! A lot of good ideas have been given already, I only want to add: don't paint the bookcase in the living room, it's really nice the way it is.

I just wanted to show you guys some improvement! I got the grey pillows from Nancy's composite, and I'm still looking for floral teal, green and white accent pillows. I also put green flowers on a white vase on the coffee table. I haven't moved the picture gallery yet because I want something to replace it with, bit it looks great so far!!

Very nice! Looks very soothing and calm. Bright colors aren't always the way to go. I like your green flowers and white vase. I'd put the lamp in the far corner of the end table, behind the candles. Agree to move the pics when you can.

Marianna,
You have received many really great suggestions. You can find really inexpensive items at thrift stores and garage sales. However, if money is tight, you probably can't afford to buy these items presently. I am going to make some suggestions just using what you have shown in the pictures.

First, I think your dining room needs to be addressed. Move the chest from entryway to large wall in dining room. Exchange the two bookshelves. The one in the dining room can be accessorized with the love/laugh signs, plate from entry way, cookie jar, bowls, tea pots, etc. Try both of your living room lamps on the chest( like a buffet) Try the print by the TV over chest or b/w pic by bookshelf in living room. Add tray from
coffee table to chest and green plant on coffee table to dining room table. This will be similar to something that was suggested earlier, but using what you have.

Move lamp from chest to middle end table. Add orange flowers from bookcase in DR to end table. If flowers are not tall enough, set on 2-4 books/DVDs to add height. Put one picture frame in front of lamp. Move candles to arch in entry way. Add
vase of flowers from hutch in front of candles or to side in archway. Move bowl from hutch or DR table to coffee
table. ( use the other on the shelf in DR). Take 4-5 books off of book shelf and put on other end table. Take the throw and place over the corner of sofa. I would remove center pillow on sofa in front of window- looks a little cluttered. You could hang the
four little pics over sofa in corner by lamp. (Hang one over the other with no more than inch apart.). On TV table push DVDs to back of table so basket is seen table- horizontally. Hang mirror over sofa - horizontally. (Liked the idea about contact paper under mirror to expand it.) Move basket by TV under end table. If your DR shelf has any candle sticks on it , move 2 of them to coffee table.

Then as you get the money, work on some of the great suggestions you have received.

Move all family pictures in a group over radiator (check former posts for arrangement ) if the bookshelf from DR work here work in other family photos on it. If the large basket in LR will fit on bottom shelf move it there. If not use basket already on it.
Work in some of decorative items with pictures. Place books horizontal and then place a picture frame on top., place grey pot on shelf and put taller picture by it. Could also overlap picture frames- rather than spacing far apart.

Thank you Laurkade! I'll try and move some stuff around like you said

I think a bigger rug would look better. and I think you need to move your two sofas a bit farther from each other. not much. just a few inches. try to add a chair or two on the opposite side. you may even choose upholstered chairs and that will give you some more accent colors to play with. but your place looks really nice. I dont know why but whenever I see a bay or any other curved window I just cant resist myself from including that area in the main sitting area by either moving the furniture closer to that window or by simply adding some window seats and then moving other furniture so that it faces the window (if their is no other focal point).

@nancy Ingram - I love your suggestions. I am new to Houzz but would love if you could give me some suggestions/ideas with my space!

You need to think in terms of larger art if you're going to balance the mass and darkness of the sofas. Taller lamps would be a great help.

He has lots of these. If you'd call it lime and teal, they're soft:

And in 3 other color/patterns options:

Old post.

Gee I usually check.

Hey! Your living room style looks very comfortable. What I think you should do to make it stand out is removing the picture frames and only sticking to one large picture frame. Lastly, replacing the sofa pillows to a mono- colored style.