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delrey97

Is there anyway to modernize these sofas???

10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago

hi, so I have had these for a few years now and not sure if I like them anymore. What are your feelings towards them? Is there anyway to make this space look more modern? I was thinking of having them reupholstered, but not sure if it is worth it- or should I just replace them with something more modern like this:

That is a look I really love, is there anyway to make these work? Here is what Im dealing with:


Any help is appreciated!!

Comments (37)

  • 10 years ago

    You need color in your space .... Pop color with pillows etc..

    your sofas are beautiful! Good luck

  • 10 years ago

    Thank you, unfortunately some sort of pillows will be necessary because the sofas are very deep and uncomfortable without them, these ones came with the sofa. I will still take a photo without them and upload in a bit. I was looking at changing the pillows, not sure what colour. Paint probably wont be changed for now, carpet might stay everything else can go. Also the big wall looks very bare to me, not sure how to address that. Maybe that can be the pop of colour.

  • PRO
    10 years ago
    I love the new modern sofa,why don't you get that with 2 chairs,it would really update that room.
  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Go to a fabric store( one that sells upostory fabric) pick out your fav one that complements the room( bring home samples first) have a professional make or cover existing pillows. Good luck

    also excessorise the space with coordinating candles ,etc....

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    I think they are funky.. I would work on the colour scheme and find way to amplify the uniqueness of them. I would go bright and funky with the pillows. Make it look deliberate and on purpose. Can you punch up the carpet with something brighter? That is an awful lot of painting if you decide to go that route? What about some huge art or tapestry to break up with tall walls?


    sunshine home thanked Sonshine Girls Painting
  • 10 years ago
    If these are good quality sofas then have them reupholstered. They will look completely different done up in a cream fabric. The shop can make custom pillows for you too. Your room looks a bit crowded; maybe a lighter looking coffee table in glass, not so large. I would suggest you change your window treatments. They are to dark and to skimpy. Full, cream, lightweight fabric panels to fill the space would look much nicer. Here's a pic of a reupholstered sofa to show you the dramatic difference.
    sunshine home thanked Business_Name_Placeholder
  • 10 years ago

    What happened to this room?


  • 10 years ago

    Same room, the white sofas were actually from my den and I tried them out in this room. No one really liked them so I put my original stuff back, those are back in the den. I actually like them much better in my den, I found them a bit small for the space. Now I'm still trying to tackle this room.


    I I love the idea of the new pillows. Any ideas on colour? That's where I'm stuck.

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    You can have them recovered but it will be much more expensive than just buying new ones. I am all for recovering if the couch is antique or has sentimental value but if not, just get a new couch.


  • 10 years ago

    If this were my room and these were my sofas, I'd take inspiration from Wild Chairy and have them painted and reupholstered in something truly unique.

    Chairs · More Info


    Chairs · More Info

  • 10 years ago
    So true Rugknots! It is never a cost saving alternative. These frames are kinda funky though and would be pretty enameled as in Grovers pic! Here's a pic of a settee that was enameled and covered in a Timorous Beasties fabric!
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    I think you could get the effect you want by painting the wood with an off-white milk paint and reupholstering with a light linen or burlap fabric. Check out Miss Mustard Seed's tutorials:

    http://missmustardseed.com/2016/02/tufted-sofa-reveal/

    sunshine home thanked Renov8or
  • PRO
    10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Lynartist, oh I agree! They would look gorgeous recovered! But unless the set was extremely expensive and well made and it would be cheaper to recover, or like I said it was an antique or held sentimental value, you're just better off selling this set, and buying a new set. LOVE that pattern on the recovered couch Lynartist!

  • 10 years ago
    It is a great pattern. That wasn't my job BTW! Done by the upholsterer that does my work; was in the shop when he was working on it! Love it!
  • 10 years ago

    I feel our hands are tied. dark carpet, dark walls, dark couch- you will find that very expensive. Least expensive fix, replace carpet.

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  • 10 years ago



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    more and different designs are possible, these are just some simple ones that go with the rug/curtains and brighten the room.

    sunshine home thanked havingfun
  • 10 years ago

    I really love the look of those unique reupholstered sofas!!! I have posted a few more images in daylight along with a close up of the carpet.

  • 10 years ago

    So , how much work and $$ do you want to invest in making the sofas over and getting the room tweaked to be the right setting for them? Are you as daring as the sofas I posted. Which of them gets you excited to do a complete project?

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    I agree, pop of color can go a long way. Simple neutrals on your sofa can brighten up the space. Don't be afraid to get away from all that brown! Adding texture with a natural fiber rug can add some subtle texture as well as choosing some fun accent pillows to compliment it all! Have fun with it. :)

  • 10 years ago

    There is nothing about your room that looks modern. All the furniture is period except for the rug.

    I think removing the curtains would go a long way to improve the looks of your room.

  • 10 years ago


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    $25-$50 & Under $25 Decorative Pillows on Hayneedle - $25-$50 & Under $25 Decora · More Info

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Go for a picture over the sofa and a rug that will brighten.


  • 10 years ago

    These treatments, which does not count redoing the bottom cushion on your sofa run under $600. I can do the other 2 if you like. or i can remove all.

  • 10 years ago

    They are beautiful pieces , you could get them reupholstered with a lighter fabric if you like ,the room it self seems a bit dark and the furniture is rather lost in the walls , I also think that everything is too close and in need of being spread out . If you like that style of decor stay with it if you are tired of it go for a change of everything in the room .

  • 10 years ago

    I see someone has mentioned your coffee table and I agree. It looks too heavy .....in fact the top looks like it sort of matches your couch too much? I think with lighter, colorful pillows for your couch, a new coffee table (maybe glass, could be round or not, but at least one that is lighter weight than you have) and some nice light colored drapes would make you room look nice. How about a floor lamp between the two couches? Those dark blinds just add to the darkness IMHO.

  • 10 years ago


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  • 10 years ago


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  • PRO
    10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    I wouldn't spend a dime on any of the items. They are heavily detailed and don't seem to work with your room. Doubt that reupholstering would help. It's just a heavy heavy look and I think it would cost as much or more to have them recovered as you paid for them. In addition, all the tables with the 90 degree corners don't work in the room either.

    The tufted cream sofa you show isn't much better. Another trend look that is dated already. A classic chesterfield sofa is a better choice.

    Find something more classic in appearance with curved backs like the furniture in these rooms.

    sunshine home thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • 10 years ago
    Do you LOVE LOVE LOVE the sofas? If so, reupholster. If not, get rid of them. If you keep them, find a different coffee tale and end table...too much matchy matchy. If you reupholster, see if you can get the backs built up some so you don't need those pillows. Or have loose back cushions out of the same fabric.
  • 10 years ago
    I'd recommend changing out all of the throw pillows with lighter colored fun printed ones. Also, it looks like the bad of the sofa is a caramel/peanut butter color so maybe you could start but just recovering the bottom cushion in a cream colored linen or tweed fabric (you may also be able to find a cream and tan printed fabric to bring it all full circle) and then painting the wood in an off white color with a distressed look. You can freshen up the space with a lighter rug and some lighter accents.. Maybe flower or candles or some clear vases with a pop of color inside.
  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Love all the amazing ideas!! I'm going to go look at some fabrics and see if I like any. Otherwise I might go with Beverly's amazing ideas!! Those look really nice, if I decide to go with lighter furniture should I also repaint the walls? Any colour recommendations for such tall walls?

  • 10 years ago

    Find the fabric first then we will look into the paint colour.:)

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    No matter what fabric you use, these couches are always going to feel heavy and after spending a fair amount, they may feel updated but not modern due to the heaviness of the frame and its style. I think there is a bigger question to consider. How do you want the room to feel moving forward for years. A new layout might be nice with more comfortable pieces and a new feel. I would definitely paint, but wait until you have decided on all of the elements in the room. Really consider long term and the end result you prefer.



  • 10 years ago

    see knb is saying what i was trying to say, the color of the sofa is not bad, just need to change out the bottom cushion and update the pillows.

  • 10 years ago
    Sunshine home, I think there are some things you can do to make this space cozy. These type rooms are very difficult; I call them silo rooms! To all for the actual floor dimensions! I tried to do a sketch, it is crude but you may get an idea. If you add moulding to the walls between the Windows it will make them look less disconnected. I would do cream shades and fuller panels on the sides. Likewise, I would add moulding to the large blank wall behind the sofa. This would be nice to frame in a large piece of art.
  • 10 years ago
    Ultimately; the 'couch' upholstery is a neutral fabric, having the bottom cushion re-upholstered wouldn't be nearly as big of a deal as the entire couch. The jacquard fabric on the cushions are the downer to me. Have the cushions redone in a different fabric, possibly a persimmon, teal, or linen, and voila! new color scheme.
    I would paint a lighter color as well, but that is personal preference as I dislike dark walls.