I was thinking the same with the wall color. Do you think I should stick to just plain curtains? I absolutely hate this room but I've got to do something with it before I loose my mind.
Someone told me to put a pattern of wallpaper in the box? I have no idea.

I's hard to tell from your photo, is the wall inside the frame indented or is the wall all flush with a wood trim? I'm wondering if the trim can be removed all together. I don't think it's adding anything to the design of the room. Is the window that needs curtains behind the couch?

I can take the wood trim off. its not indented. the pictures are horrible. I have 4 kids and they won't get off the couch for longer than 1 minute.

I'm sorry..yes the window is behind the couch. I'm going to add more pictures

Cream walls and cream linen drapes would help tremendously. Either take off the wall trim, or just paint it all in the wall color. Group your pictures together. It looks like you need lighting in the room. Either add a floor lamp or an end table with a table lamp.

Add some mirrors and group your pictures together.

the last picture us how the walls really look. lol. my camera on my phones messed up

keri clark your last comment made me laugh, as I was just yelling at my three kids to get off the couch when I read it :) You could mix some mirrors or cute framed wall art in with your family photos to make a larger grouping.

I like cali's recommendation on the cream linen drapes (assuming your kids can keep them clean). I'd move the couch away from the wall a bit so the drapes have room to hang nicely.

When you do put up new drapes, be sure to raise the curtain rod above the window and extend it out on both sides.

• I don't know the dimensions of your space but think rearranging your furniture will make the large wall and windows easier to update.. Have you considered moving your sectional to the staircase wall? You could then mount the TV on the opposite large wall. I would remove the drapery valance and the other valance (?). Vertically hang the small pictures on the narrow corner leading into the kitchen. and remove all other framed art. If you are in need of a study/work area, I would purchase a cute little secretary/desk and place it in front of the window. It appears you have three windows. My first impression would be to hang 3 roman or roll up shades in a woven wood or matchstick. But if you like the appearance of a wide window, I would simply hang drapery side panels but I think shades would look better. For paint I would go an off white or pale cream and plaint a darker shade on each side of the molding creating a single wide horizontal stipe (the same tan color in your carpet). Have fun.

Yes I agree. Take the valance off and hang curtains a few inches from the ceiling. Maybe move and mount the TV on the angular wall to give more room for desk and could add some narrow book case underneath it.

The first thing to do is remove what you can from the room and get rid of the things that you don't want and that you won't be using. Get rid of the molding and valance, take down pictures and patch any holes in preparation of painting. I feel as if the tv needs to not be in the corner as it just it makes the place seem smaller. Also you maybe need a desk.

You'll be amazed at how accomplished you'll feel.

Take it one step at a time. Remove everything from the walls. Match your wall color to the cream in your sofa. If you can remove the molding, do so. It breaks up the room too much. Paint your walls. Post new photos after this has been done. Everyone at Houzz is willing to help you. Don't despair. Most of us have all experienced small rooms and kids on the couch. Give yourself some breathing room. This will also help with the budget. Good luck. Don't lose your mind just yet. Save that for the future when you do your last step, the gallery wall. But that will come much later.

thank you guys soo much. I am listening to all of you and will repost when I accomplish this step!!

Yep, everything out, then start afresh, light walls, I would take off that frame and paint, light curtains, pic below looks good. I would group all your small pics together and shift elsewhere, that big wall needs a nice big art piece, not too busy. A desk also

You're getting some great advice. I'm following along because I want to see the progress. The room has lots of potential and will be a lovely space when you're finished. Good luck!

I would love to add this with a pop of color in it. but what color would you paint it? someone told me to add a mirror. I love this mirror. my uncle makes them.

oh one more thing...my husband will not move the television.

I found this color pallet. so that's the colors that are in the rug. what would pop with this?

I agree with the others:

• Strip the walls
• Paint walls soft white/antique white
• Remove existing curtains and wood and fabric valance.
• Hang tan color (a few shades darker than the *new* wall color) curtain panels (flanking window, mounted near ceiling)
• Group photos together so that they create a shape or group together on a shelf, like this...

or this...

Also, is the L-shape area large enough to place your couch there? If yes, move couch to that location (where your current TV and desk are). Then, mount TV on large wall across from it (where your current family photos hang). Then, position a more substantial desk, centered, in front of the window.

Hope this helps!

Thanks! My only problem is hubby won't move the television because of how hard it was to get up. I know....I'm going nuts

Haha, fair enough ;)

Would he go for the TV on a narrow table along the diagonal wall or the short wall? Most TVs have a swivel base when not hung??

I don't think you need pop. I think you need to quiet down the busy look that you have now.

As
others have suggested, choose soft, pale neutrals for your walls and
draperies. Nothing too yellowish, since your sofa is not a
yellowish-brown but a more reddish brown.

The color palette you show above does not have the sofa color in it. And that's the biggest single color big item in your room, so don't ignore it. Your sofa looks to me like a brown with a lot of red undertones, similar to Sherwin Williams French Roast.

This is French Roast and Aged White above.

Sherwin Williams suggests Nice White or Aged White with French Roast. Nice White is more pinkish, and Aged White is more creamy, so I think that Aged White would look better with your room since there is cream and yellowish-tan colors in your rug. I'd get a sample size of Aged White and paint a poster board with it, to see if it is a good color. Definitely remove the framed box on the wall.

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6069-french-roast#/6069/?s=coordinatingColors&p=PS0

Does anyone else have other suggestions for Keri for a wall color?

Is it possible to buy another rug and cover it or store it for later use. I can't remember if you said you were renting?

I'd add green and white or off white accents to keep it fresher. I'd ignore the red in your carpet. Remove the wall trim, paint the walls a very light warm white.

Pull the sectional off the window to allow side drapery panels. Just side drapes, I wouldn't cover the window in these. You've got young kids and these from Ikea are cheery, called Syssan. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90295149/

You'll need a new rod with a centre support so it doesn't sag. Add blinds, roman shades or roller shades on the windows. Home Depot has the light filtering roller shades, can you do an inside mount?

If you want family photos in the room, get 2 of the Ikea Ribba frames, they hold three 5 x 7 photos each. Stack them horizontally one over the other. I would remove everything you have from the walls. You need much larger and fewer pieces of art. Small walls and small wall portions don't need anything on them.

Ideally, you need some closed storage and a spot for the printer in the desk area and the cords need to be hidden. Maybe your uncle can help you design and build one, he sounds like he's a handy guy. Ikea has separate desk drawer components or file drawers, legs etc. that you could incorporate. Lots of ideas on Pinterest for small space desks.

thank you all for all your help. I have the paint and hopefully can start by this Saturday. I'm following everyone's advice. ill will post a pic after I'm done painting.
as for the rug, we actually just bought it. what other rugs should I look to purchase? has to be 8 × 10? solid color?

Depending on paint color, maybe a neutral green?

I think you'll find your rug is fine after you paint. I'm anxious to see the results-I think the difference will be amazing!

Your brown sofa is very neutral so you can find a multitude of area rugs that will work nicely. What colors are you working with in the adjoining space? What paint color did you end up choosing for the walls? Is the red desk chair staying? Some on Houzz are on sale, read the reviews. If they are low pile or flat weave, you'll want to add a cushy underlayment.