Living room update help

10 years ago

Hi all

I'm a home owner of what was previously my parents house and have been slowly updating the rooms. Bathroom is done and I'm working on the main bedroom, but I'm a bit stuck on the living room, so some advice as to colours/furniture placement would be much appreciated.

The curtains are only a couple of years old, so I am not keen on replacing them.

The couches are quite old and will be replace at some point.

I was thinking of something neutral, just like an off white or cream but don't know if that will be too boring.

I've attached two photos of the room from different sides and one a close up of the curtains.

I'd like to re-arrange things, but that is where I get stuck. I am so used to the room looking similar to how it does that I struggle to picture anything else.

Featured Answer

Elaine Doremus Resumes Written

10 years ago

The position of the love seat makes me wonder how that person can comfortably see the tube. I would move it so it faces the tv, and put each chair on either side of it (if that fits). Are you going to paint the walls? So far, I see yellow walls, orange/brown floor (all colors in the room must be considered), beige/black curtains. A light beige might be nice for new furniture. Make sure to get narrow profile furniture - that is - arm rests that are narrow. They'll fit in here much better than the current large rolled arm rests. (Measure twice, buy once!) How about a medium olive green for the walls? Pick up that color also in your art and accessories. I like one light neutral, one dark neutral, and one bright. Art - remove two smaller pieces and center the larger one and bring it down one foot. A large lamp or wall sconce in each corner is the most flattering lighting for most people.

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Comments (10)

Sarah
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the advice. Good idea about moving the print.

The floors are polished floorboards, so will stay as is. Not sure what the original colour of the walls was, a very pale green is my best guess. An olive green would suit well I think and yes I am definitely painting the walls. I had already taken down a couple of prints and a clock and there are now big light patches where they used to be - the most noticeable one is above the tv.

Yes, when I am up to picking furniture it will be a big dilemma, I wouldn't have thought about narrow profile furniture, so now I will keep that in mind :) It's hard with the current couch to move it in front of the tv and have the chairs on either side, but if I'm careful with choosing new furniture that will probably work.
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emmarene9
10 years ago
If you could draw the floor plan with measurements, some clever person will tell you what size furniture you need. I think you should remove the rest of the art until after you have painted. It sounds like you are not in a rush to buy new furniture, so I think off white paint would be best. Your furniture is bulky for the room. When you replace the furniture you should also get a larger rug. How would you describe the color of your curtains?
Robin Michetti
10 years ago
If your budget can manage, I would banish all the furniture to a basement family room. It is very bulky and old fashioned...sorry! What a shame to block the large window where light could flood the room and you could have nice views. If someone in your family is handy, how about a built in window seat?...with storage underneath?

If you paint the walls a pale greige, the room will brighten up. Then I would take the feature wall and make a full wall of white built ins with IKEA Billy shelving at such a reasonable price, you won't believe it. http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/categories/series/28102/

Look how someone painted the back of the IKEA Billy shelving and made a stunning feature wall. Wow! https://www.houzz.com/photos/billy-bookcase-phbr0lbl-bl~l_5693

You could incorporate your TV into the unit using other IKEA pieces. In my own home I have two Hemnes, floor to near the ceiling, glassed in bookcases with a space in between for a low chest of drawers with the TV on top. And more shelving above connecting the two bookcases. White is best to keep the room bright and inviting. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S39046064/

And as far as furniture goes...how about a light coloured, IKEA Stocksund sofa and chair in the grey-beige to match your curtains but darker than the paler walls? Some IKEA sofa coverings are removable and machine washable btw. You could put in a stylish and reasonably priced round, glass or acrylic coffee table http://acrylicparts.com/acryliccoffeetable.html which visually disappears unlike a wooden, heavy looking coffee table. And then add an area rug http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/40298796/and with some nice lighting http://www.bedbathandbeyond.ca/store/product/oval-rattan-table-lamp-collection/216609?categoryId=20548 and a fern in the window and you are all set! Wow! http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/S49033711/#/S69033729

Whatever you decide on, be daring and have fun!

Renorobin from Montreal
Audrey Owens
10 years ago
try roomstyler.com to place the furniture in different ways than you are used to.
groveraxle
10 years ago
You can keep the curtains and do the rest of the room around them. I would start by moving the TV out of the corner and onto the end wall. Your furniture arrangement will follow.
groveraxle
10 years ago
I'd get a proper media cabinet, put the TV on the end wall, and arrange the furniture something like this:
Robin Michetti
10 years ago
Yes, with a glass and metal legged console at the back of the sofa so you don't walk right into the sofa back. Visually lightweight.
decoenthusiaste
10 years ago
I'd remove that glass door and everything except the newer TV, which should go on the end wall as groveraxle suggested. Use the curtain fabric to have accent pillows and an upholstered hassock/coffee table made. There appears to be a lot of pinky beige in the fabric, but may just be my monitor. I'd paint the walls a few shades darker than the fabric background and get a sofa and chair in the gray tone from it.
Sarah
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks everyone for the advice and suggestions. You've all given me a lot to work with. Much appreciated :)