I am in your boat! I have been procrastinating because I hate making decisions Don't hire anyone just yet. There is such a wealth of knowledge as well as good taste here on GW.

Start by posting photos and I am sure you will receive lots of help.

I am a designer and I either start with the curtain fabric or a rug if a special one is required; 75% of the time, it's fabric for the curtains. They're a huge part of the budget and they set the colors for the room. The colors for your existing upholstered furniture will soon be obvious as will your wall color.

Whether or not to keep furniture depends on many things; quality of the furniture and whether if functions well in the space. There is no point in re-upholstering a $1000 sofa - often, one just plain cannot do this. But a high quality piece can be. It can also be re-styled - different arm style, change back from loose cushions to tight back or vice versa, height of back - you name it, a good upholstery shop can do it on a quality piece.

If this must be done in stages, think about first just purchasing the fabric for your curtains; you can wait and save till you have the money to have them made. Same with the upholstered furniture - buy the fabric and wait.

Of course, this is all a moot point if your budget is minimal. In that case, you're talking about changing the color of the paint but it must go with what you already have.

Post some photos of the first room you want to refresh, and tell us what stays and what can go.

Thanks, Anglo. I do have an oriental rug in the living room that I love, so that will impact my other choices, in terms of color. I also have an overstuffed white sofa purchased when overstuffed white sofas were popular -- perhaps the early '90s? I can't stand the appearance, but it is probably the most comfy sofa in the world. It has a complementary chair that is very uncomfy. Neither are bad quality, nor are they great quality. My budget allows for more than paint -- perhaps windows, paint and a couple pieces of furniture in the living room. So you think curtains now, considering that the rug will set the colors?

Okay, will work on photos.

I was at a loss with my living room as the room is not symmetrical and the fireplace is huge and throws the scale of the room off. Also there is only one true wall. The other walls are a walk through, french doors, or the fireplace. I hired an Interior Designer by the hour and she came up with an amazing plan (amazing to me anyways). It really helped having someone look at the space with the rest of my home and help me marry how traditional and mediterranean our house is (built by the previous home owner) with what I wanted, a simpler more traditional yet contemporary feeling. She truly was worth every penny. She taught me so many things that I knew nothing about, it was a great experience. Since my budget was not the best she started with the large pieces of furniture that we were to purchase and picked the fabrics for them, and some drapes that I already owned. The drapes were medium beige and we determined that the room would have lot's of cream, beige, blue and dusty teal with some greige. I originally wanted only beige everything, lol she helped broaden my taste as I love monochromatic rooms. For us the drapes and the fireplace set the tone of the room. She helped with the scale of the room by picking large art and helping me choose to hang the drapes very high so that the fireplace wouldn't look so huge in comparison to everything else in the room. Good luck :)

I always try to decide how I want to feel in the room; cozy, energized etc. I usually look through decorated rooms to see what I like for inspiration and what goes with I already have.

I kind kind of dread posting these pics but here we go. This is my living/dining room. My house is little, about 1600 sf as I recall. It's basically a box. Here is the LR/DR from each end, and a few pieces close up, including the rug, and the ugly comfy couch.

What a lovely room!!!! I like everything in it.

What items must stay?

The two small red striped chairs(Sherill) , the green chair (Highland House), the brass & glass coffee table (La Barge), the dining room set (Thomas Somebody-- can't remember the last name) and the rug all stay. I want the room to be comfortable and inviting, not formal.

Posting pics on here via my ipad is giving me fits. Oh well. I know this room needs something, definitely window treatments, but what else? The things on the mantel need to be changed. I'm stuck.

Dining room is Tom Seely furniture. It was driving me crazy, so I got out a table leaf to read the name. It is cherry and has a lot of fading from the sun, but I do like it a lot.

One more thing -- the window treatments in the front must allow light in but keep the neighbors eyes out. Actually, the cheapie semi-sheers that I have do a go job of that. Too bad they are ugly. Should I consider shutters?

I think your room is very inviting! With all those lovely windows, my vote is for an indoor plant :-)

The only thing that seems tired are the two throw cushions on your sofa.

Blue might be refreshing, can you pull out the lovely blue from your rug?

Edit -- I don't think the sheers are ugly at all! But if you wanted something updated, can you get or make sheer roman shades?

Yes, apparently they exist!

I like your room but you want suggestions....exchange places with your green and white chairs...white one is too near your couch. I like the red chairs but you need a table with lamp between them and pulled away from the wall a little. Can the desk(?) or piece that is there now, go in the dining end...on the wall between door and window...you will have to move dining chair and put around the table. If your table has a leaf I would remove it. Fireplace looks okay but I would take the small framed pictures off. Paint looks very good unless you want to paint the walls a lighter shade of your green chair. Drapes with sheers could be same color as the couch. I have sheers in all my rooms...different colors for different rooms. I echo the poster that said you need a green plant in your room and maye pretty candlestick centerpiece for your table.

Are you keeping the sofa?

As for the sofa, I guess I'd like something new. It's just so darn comfortable and in very good condition. I just don't like the appearance of that or the coordinating chair.

Where would you put a plant? What kind?? I love to garden but have not had much luck with indoor plants.

The secretary desk (actually the bottom half!) is something I would gladly get rid of but I would need to find another piece with drawers. There is a ton of stuff in there, although it could be weeded, for sure. I'd rather get rid of it than put it somewhere else in this room.

I never thought of roman sheers. Maybe that would work!

Keep those ideas coming and thanks.

I agree with melle-sacto on the suggestion of blue for the walls. I think that would make the couch look fresher. Try taking the matching chair out of the room. Would the desk fit between the fireplace and window? Then put the wonderful green chair on the other side. Move the extra dining chair and put a plant in the corner. Looks like plenty of light there--maybe a palm or a large dracena. The houseplant forum here on GW is very active and has lots of good info. A pretty blue and white pot with philodendron or pothos would look pretty on the mantle.

As others have said, your room is very inviting, it just needs a little tweaking. The contrast provided by a color on the walls might be just what it needs. Good luck!

Your room is great! There is lot's of potential with such great light and symmetry. Why don't you tell us about what you like? Your favorite colors? What is the room used primarily for? What type of feeling do you want the room to have?

When I met with the Interior Designer I made a binder of living rooms that I liked and another binder of living rooms that I didn't like. The pictures told a lot. She had me look through them and asked about the wall color in all of them. I hadn't noticed until she showed me that they all had light- very light wall color and furniture. She then asked me to show her my favorite space. I showed her the backyard and we talked about the feeling I wanted the room to have- tranquil, simple, and elegant.

It's really important that you think about WHO you are (for example I am a native Ca that likes the simple Ca vibe) WHAT you want ( I wanted a room that I could entertain in and sit with my pets and read) and HOW you want the room to feel ( I wanted to feel like I was absolutely at peace, our house is on a lake so I wanted that laid back, sleep in, read and paddle board all day feeling lol if that makes sense mixed with a little sophistication).

The room should really represent who you are, and what you like. I am simple so some people might look at my room and say that's too simpleton. When I look at it I know it's me. It's important that if you love to read the lighting is correct, ect,. Please tell everyone a little about how the room will be used, what your hobbies are,and what styles you like in Interior Design, and your favorite colors. All these elements are essential so that the room is perfect for YOU. Who really cares if everyone here loves this and hates that. What most important is that you end up with a room that you love.

If the sofa is so comfortable, why not reupholster it? It's a nice size and shape. I would relocate the matching chair (or 86 it if it's really not comfortable); it's large and rather prominent where it is. Would the chairs on either side of the secretary (top) not work in place of the green chair and the (relocated) white chair? Do they get lost on your beautiful rug?

Seriously, your rooms look better than many "afters". You've got lots of great things and rooms to work with. I'm sure you'll have wonderful suggestions.

What a great house, I love older homes with nice trim and some character! To my mind, there's just not enough contrast in the room. Perhaps you just need to add colorful window treatments, and some throw pillows that pick up the colors.

I like the above idea of painting the walls the soft blue from the rug. A greater contrasting paint color would show off the trim nicely. If that doesn't do it for you, and the couch is still comfortable and in good condition, perhaps have a slipcover made in a color that has more contrast. Slipcovers are usually less expensive than reupholstering, and washable, too.

When I get overwhelmed, I pick one thing to change, and then that usually gets me going.

Hey, thanks everyone. I will get back to all your GREAT suggestions tomorrow when I have more time, but you sure are giving me a lot to think about.

I think the white chair seems too big and too close to the sofa. It is a nice room.

Love the rug. The two things I find that are jarring are the white upholstered sofa and chair and the window treatments. If the sofa and chair are comfortable I would look at redoing them. It could be just the pictures but I just find the white/off-white is jarring against the rug. The window treatments, for me, seem a little wispy against the rug.

I would take most of my lead from the rug. Can you post a close-up of the red chairs?

It's a very pretty room, and my favorite is the green chair-such a cool chair, really! lot's of character

I wouldn't get rid of the sofa that's so comfortable..maybe no need to reupholster it either. I'd find 3-4 throw pillows you really love, that make you happy, with their color or texture or vibe..they can be florals as I can see you love florals, or pick up the polka dot somewhere in the detail, or really anything -just comfy and making you smile. Make them a tad different too, and use a color that will tie them to some of the room colors. Doesn't need to be matchy matchy..just a hint of the same hues. While at that you can find a throw too..nothing enlivens a sofa that seems a bit tired to you, like a throw. You don't need to cover it all up of course..keep it folded on the arm or on the back, and the inject of different color or fabric will make it newer to you. throws are very useful as well. So it won't be like you're piling up things for their sake-no, pillows and throws can actually work hard (or at least they do in my place))

Take out the big chair that you don't find neither beautiful nor comfy.

Don't feel like the curtains should be last on your list-agree with everybody, it can set the tone for all the other changes..and it's much easier to match the paint to everything, than everything to the paint.

As for the paint-I'd look -when you know the rest-into a tad deeper shade. Your sofa will look beautiful, against the deeper background, the details of moldings and fireplace..everything. The floors are so nice they'll work with literally everything.

I'd take two smaller pieces of art off the fireplace for now, think where you want to put them. They're small and look great in pair, and that's how I'll hang them-together.

Instead, I'd put something taller on the mantel-maybe a vase or a flower pot or a little sculpture. I'd move it a bit aside of course as not to obscure the art.

Any idea where you can use the chest that stands between the two striped chairs? I agree they'd benefit from a table between them. Can the chest go against the other wall, or in a different room?

And I'm of course a big proponent of plants. Haven't seen a room yet that didn't benefit from it. I have black thumbs but there are many plants that thrive just fine as long as you water them. Pothos, ficus, you name it. Orchids can be a pretty resilient choice by the way, if the room gets enough light. Ah. The money tree! These are survivors:)

I thought about pulling two smaller chairs to the main sitting area...but they might be too small and they are also skirted..too many skirted pieces probably. I'd just take the white chair out, and keep looking for that third chair. Maybe you even have it in your home, just in a different room.

It's a very nice room, something very restful and cozy about it..as others have said, just a bit of tweaking, layering, bringing in things that are unique to you-and it will deliver to you the feel that you're after, even if it's hard for you to pinpoint right now.

Nice room. A measured floor plan would be nice.

The rug has lots of yummy colors in it ... pale grey-blues, cream, rusty red, indigo ... I will admit to a life-long dislike of green in décor, and the muted olives most of all, so I'll be ignoring the green.

You have mixed the clear yellow pale walls and white couch/chair with the "dirty" muted reds and greens ... they are subtly clashing. And most of the non-white things are all the same intensity of darkish muted, which I find boring.

FABRICS: It's hard for many people to do color and fabric in their mind's eye, but they do just fine when they can see it for real. Go get a boatload of fabric samples you think might look good with the rug - solids, stripes, patterns, all of them - and drop them on the rug. The only rules is that you don't actively dislike the fabric. "meh" is OK, because if "meh" finds its soulmate in another fabric you have good things happening.

Remove everything that clearly clashes with the rug and see what's left and how it gets along with each other.

WINDOWS: Keep the cheap sheers and hang non-moving gathered panels on either side, ceiling to floor. A vertical military stripe in cream and that deep red? Indigo and pale grey Ikat? Whatever it is, it needs more vertical elements than horizontal to visually lift the ceiling.

WALLS: Pale blue-grey? A paler shade of the light blue in the rug, whatever that is.

PLACEMENT: Turn the couch at 90 degrees to the FP and across from it put two comfy chairs, maybe the pair you mentioned. Use the curved-arm chair as the odd one that is moved in for more people.

Consider slipcovering the couch if you don't like the color, but it has the cushy flop-in look that is inviting.

DINING CHAIRS: Recover the seats in something vivid - an indigo and rust floral or check? I would turn it 90 degrees so the entire grouping is contained in the window width ... unless that messes up a traffic pattern.

I agree with the clear versus grayed colors, that is an issue. But if paint is the only thing you end up really having to do-wow that would be great!

I'd hang the two pictures resting on the top of the mantle it just looks like you never quite got around to it. And then I would begin thinking about your lighting. The lamp, it may be pretty in person, but it does not photograph very well.

When you say you are keeping that furniture-are you intended to recover any of it? It looks like you could probably easily redo the dining room chairs yourself with the help of a staple gun.

(lazy gardens muted olive, also known as "yuck green," has one virtue: everything looks great next to it.)

Frankly-I don't see neither walls nor sofa colors as really clear ones. They're lighter that's right..but they're not necessarily clear. I see a sofa as creamy white on ecru background..walls as creamy light yellow..might be mistaken of course, especially given the monitor differences.

Love the suggestion of curtains plus sheers, and agree that the sofa has a very inviting look. I'd go through many images of fabrics too, at this point. Or maybe you already have something in mind?

(I fr example am in love with all sorts of fabrics at a given moment..it's not that I need them or can afford them, but I think about them so when I'll need to reupholster which might be soon-I'll know at least what I'm drawn to..)

Again, I'd go with a tad more saturated color on the walls, rather than pale. But it can be figured out at the later stage, when other elements are in.

Where to start with responses! You have pointed out a number of things I missed. Blue is not my among my favorite colors, but an interesting idea. What shade? I can now see the point that the walls, sofa, and other items don't provide enough contrast. I think I would go with slipcovering or reupholstering the sofa rather than painting the walls blue, but never say never!

I use the two smaller chairs as "pull ups" when needed. This room doesn't get a lot of use, but when book club meets here or I have friends for dinner, this is where we sit to chat. I live outside of Philadelphia where most people lean toward traditional furnishings. I am more casual than that, I guess you could call my style transitional, although I might be inclined to call it hodge podge! I like fall colors and I do lean toward neutrals. I just love that rug with the exception of the blue, although you are making me like it more.. The overall appearance of the rug when you just glance at it is rusty red and olive green.

I am encouraged that you seem to like the style of the sofa. I was afraid it was too reminiscent of the days when everyone was buying big overstuffed furniture -- which is pretty much when it was purchased.

I tried moving the small chairs to either side of the fireplace and as someone mentioned, they are just too small in relation to the big, comfy couch.

Now that you mention it and I look at my photos, the sofa and chair are definitely jarring against the rug.

I do hope to get a table from my mother's house in the next few years that I adore and might work between the red chairs. The secretary desk can go somewhere else or to the thrift store!

At least I can start right now with a big plant and something tall for the mantel. Those are easy. Next will be window treatments just because I want them. Love the idea of sheers with panels. I agree that the room needs some vertical elements.

Now my head is spinning with ideas! Time to get to work on it. How can I ever thank you enough? Big kisses to all.

Since blue doesn't appeal to you, consider a shade of green/gray to add contrast. Does the sofa clash with the rug in real life? or is it just the picture. They look fine together on my screen.

I think the first steps you are considering will help a lot. Perhaps the side panel fabric you find will give you an idea for a new wall color. Have fun!

You have so many good items to work with. Let's start with the rug-it's a keeper for sure, as is most of your furniture. Windows abound in that lovely room so work on simple window treatments: long panels at each window, with either roller blinds or sheers for privacy. Play around with the chairs. Maybe remove the two that flank the fireplace and bring in the other two that are by the windows. You sofa is fine, in fact, it's nice! It just needs some new pillows and a throw to add color and texture. What a fun project!

Two cents. One, if you love your couch and chair, you could re-upholster. I did my couch and chair about eight years ago and it really uplifted my whole living room, and I don't regret it. It was also somewhat fun picking out new upholstery. It was a bit of a "needle in the haystack" endeavor, but when I found the perfect, exactly what I was looking for selection, I felt like I hit the jackpot. Got lots of compliments on it too. Anyway, you could re-upholster any of the pieces you are tired of and don't still love.

Two, I have almost your exact dining room table and chairs. You can get all kinds of cool table decorations and tablecloths, runners etc. to jazz it up. I keep my table set with napkins and placemats and seasonal centerpieces. I get a boost a couple times a year when I put the new stuff out.

Edited to add the SO and I are going to get a new sofa since I gave my dad the one I love. We've been kicking tires, and there are still plenty of folks who love the "overstuffed" sofa look, including me! Lots of examples still out there in the show room. If you love the sofa but are just tired of the upholstery, then that fix is simple, although not cheap. I have slipcovers on my sofa that I don't love, it makes it tolerable until I get a replacement. I got THREE slipcovers from a friend who is a thrift shop maven, and I can change the look of my sofa in about ten minutes. However, nice slipcovers are not cheap either, so unless you love a slipcover, I wouldn't invest in that route. Honestly I think the room looks great as is, so if you just want to freshen, some more modern upholstery on your traditional pieces would work wonders.

I slipcovered my huge but very comfortable overstuffed sofa in a white canvas fabric. When I finally finished it SCREAMED white. Thought I had made a huge mistake. I also like fall colors so I bought 2 pumpkin colored pillows along with 2 printed pillows that had pumpkin and green and one moss green pillow. Added a comfy moss green throw and it completely changed the look of the couch.

You have such an inviting room, but the fireplace surround is too flat against the wall. I think it would add so much to the aesthetic of the fireplace to beef-up the entire surround and mantel of the fireplace. This could include beefing up the vertical columns and the hearth, the mantle and the tile. You might continue the white or change to stained wood. What a difference this would make in your lovely room. It would also be a focal point with chairs on either side of the hearth.

You have lots of suggestions about the living room; I quite like most of it as is, but tweaks are good. My question is about the dining table. Is that as small as it gets or is there a leaf in it? If there is a leaf, and you don't need it for every day, I'd make the table smaller. Someone suggested turning it; if smaller isn't possible, I'd try that and see how it works.

Your rooms are beautiful. I especially love the rug and the green chair. The La Barge coffee table seems small to me. I would be tempted to place it beside a chair or between two chairs (maybe end table at each end of the couch instead? replace the secretary with the La Barge between the red chairs). I think your rug would be amazing with Coventry Grey walls. In my west-facing rooms Coventry Gray seemed to be a green-gray (almost a lighter version of olive). In my east-facing rooms it looked blue-grey (like the lighter blue in your rug?). I read somewhere Coventry Gray has equal parts warm and cool so is heavily influenced by it's surroundings, light, etc. Then maybe slipcover the sofa in navy (the darker blue from rug).

So many good ideas, but imo none better than this: "aktillery9 I always try to decide how I want to feel in the room; cozy, energized etc. I usually look through decorated rooms to see what I like for inspiration and what goes with I already have."

What time of day do you use that room, btw? Illuminated with sunshine or almost entirely with artificial lights? That'd be a big factor in what colors I chose.

Imo, your sofa seems quite nice, virtually classic and extremely comfy. What's not to like? I could copy in many pictures of beautiful rooms lightened up with a pale sofa. As you said, the rug is a must--you love it and it is classic. Great start.

Atkillery's advice to look for pictures of what you like is the best I could give. Don't just look at pix of today's generic unisex, fusion commercial/hotel/residential look in currently commercially available colors and patterns, though. They're good for replicating that look, but handsome as it is, it doesn't seem to be what you're going for. (?)

My suggestion is to also go the library and get books and magazines from other eras and educate yourself on what you want by falling in love with various rooms and identifying common elements. Photocopying everything you like and then laying it all out can be enormously helpful.

That's how I learned that I don't like strongly contrasting elements above about sofa height, at most--really best on the floor. But above sofa height, whether it's a white, light, medium, or dark room, it's blending harmony (perked with interesting art and other accessories) all the way with me, with only just enough contrast to make it work.

That's just me. But since there're always so many different looks I love, like, and dislike, I would never, ever have known that about myself without this exercise. Fortunately, it's a lot of fun. :)

Thanks for all the additional ideas. Things I would never have considered. First, I will start shopping for a throw. I like that idea because it will add to the comfortable feel I would like. What color?

No, none of the leaves are in the dining table at the moment. It has three leaves and can seat a lot of people, although it is quite squish to expand it to it's full length.

Every time I look through magazines, the rooms I love the most are in houses that are totally unlike mine. I suppose I could learn a what I like and see what might work for me.

I suppose the room is used most in the evening, although it can stay light until 9 here in the summer.

Some day I will get a beautiful wood table from my mother that is round. I'll put it in the center of the room and move the La Barge between the two chairs. I love that table but it's important in her room, so I don't ask for it.

Will check out Coventry Gray, but if I decide to repaint I will pick out the curtain panels first.

Again, many thanks!

For the throw as well as pillows pick up a color you already have and love in your room. Your rug has lots to pull from. Buy several to try and return those that don't work.

Your beautiful room needs more color! Curtain panels which match the red in stripes would be lovely and wake up this room. Colorful pillows which also contain the main rug color and the blue would work wonders. I would remove the white chair and blitz the couch with the aforesaid pillows and then stand back and see what you think.

The art on your walls also needs more color. Remove the pictures over the couch with the heavy frames and find something with perhaps a thin gold frame, and a colorful motif. I would also put art on each side of the windows to make that area come alive of you have room after the panels are added. Your room has so much potential that I feel excited about what it will look like after you make some changed. I think it will be fantastic.

Here are a couple of comments. As much as I love Coventry Gray (we just used it for DGD's bedroom) and it is a very beautiful warm gray, I'm not seeing any gray in your rug.

Since you want to start out with something for your window, do that. You've received some great suggestions about using sheers with panels on the sides. I'd do that and use a nice looking rod mounted near the ceiling to show it off. You can get pretty silk or linen panels most anywhere. Then I'd pull all the chairs around the DR table. You need something else in that back corner other than a chair. I'm thinking about a small chest or something tall & skinny. What's in the other corner? Depending on what you choose for your window treatments, then I'd choose a new paint. What you have now isn't bad, but maybe a toned down gold or go light with something like BM Gray Owl (which has a blue-gray look in some light). I'd also think about something brighter on the DR chair cushions.

I don't remember if someone mentioned it, but if you are keeping the sofa, I'd replace the 2 matching pillows with something fresh that will go with your new color scheme.

You have a beautiful, comfortable room. It just needs a little tweaking and it will be even more gorgeous.