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andrea_rodgers98

Help with living room. Ugh! Frustrated

8 years ago
Honestly this is an improvement over how this used to look but no matter what I feel like my living room will never have that "could be in a home magazine" look... please make suggestions!

Comments (18)

  • 8 years ago
    Furniture is ok. Walls are so neutral curtains go bold. While the coffee table is good change out your end table maybe brass drum. Some art will help.
  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Too many pillows , you need some art, lamps and a rug that is not so boring and picks up the color of the drapes

  • 8 years ago

    Art over the loveseat and a chair on that naked corner facing into the conversation area.

  • 8 years ago

    following

  • 8 years ago
    @phuninthesun do you know where those end tables are from ?? Very cute.

    I just bought the rug so I want to make it work in this space for now...

    Attaching what this space looked like BEFORE this iteration..
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Eye is drawn to dark drapes - do light color instead. I'd also go for a different rug -

    lighter shade with a few other colors. You can highlight these in the art and pillows. I like phuninthesun's suggestions too.


  • PRO
    8 years ago

    The drapery is what puts me off. Too dark, a color that basically matches the wall color or in that vein would be much better. Too much dark wood. The furniture just looks too big for the space with this configuration. Why did you move the entertainment unit from that back wall. I think that created a better overall look? This helps with the furniture sizing as well. I would flip the sofa to the other side from the window. Then you could have a small chair in the far right corner, pulled out a bit. Definitely need smaller metal end tables. Try that.

  • 8 years ago
    What if you moved the large hutch on the big wall and placed the sofa on the opposite wall so you can see the TV and outside. Then add in your tables, art, and lamp from a previous post. Maybe a wood rocker next to the sofa facing the corner between the window and TV console.
  • 8 years ago
    Oops. I hadn't read through all posts. Maybe move the TV stand back to the original wall; move the sofa across from the wall it's on now and place the loveseat facing the TV. Also, with the newer end tables, lamp, and art. I like your rug.
  • 8 years ago
    The rug-on-carpet doesn't work in most situations. The flipped-up edge of the rug is a trip hazard. The giant dark wall unit is overpowering everything except for the drapes. The drapes are too dark and too short. The olive green sofas don't relate to anything else in the room. Too many big pillows which go with nothing. Lack of art or anything on the walls.
    To bring the sofas into the arrangement, you could find several pillows which include the green color in a nice pattern or print. Change the area rug for another which includes a bit of the green of the sofas. (Put the current area rug in the dining area or bedroom.). Find some art (painting, prints, posters) for the walls...several pieces. Lower the drapery rod so the drapes just barely skim the carpet. Add several decorative items (in the sofa green and the wall beige) to the shelving/storage wall unit, arrange the books in several ways (not all standing vertical), add photos in frames. This will keep the wall unit from overpowering everything by giving you something interesting to focus on within the unit.
    Please post a photo after you have made significant changes.
  • 8 years ago

    I find the loveseat looks awkward and wondering if the tv unit is better there. Try the loveseat opposite the couch and add a series of prints above. The one side table is too high for the couch. Room feels dark with furniture and drapery and I would head towards light drapery (only use panels on ends of windows, so they don't overwhelm room) and that meet the floor. Lighter and modern (and less) pillows. Have you considered painting or distressing the tv unit...using grey will feel modern, suit your rug and no longer take over the room.




  • 8 years ago

    Huge entertainment centers are kind of a blast from the past, but I'd sell it and get a long low credenza to put the TV on in the original TV location with the sofa on the current TV wall. Hang a great piece of art 5" above it. Sell the loveseat or move it to the master and get a pair of armchairs to face the TV, adding a bench at the window side for more seating. Everyone is right about the heavy tables - go lighter with all of them. I actually preferred the window without drapes. They really darken the room. What's your plan for the ceiling fixture and additional lighting? The pillows are on overload. Have you considered slip covering the sofa and going with a lighter overall feeling - more beachy.

    Low TV credenza

    Woodside Residence · More Info

    Beachy and open with slipcover

    Marblehead Residence · More Info

    This would work for your room - check out the window coverings
    Watermark · More Info

  • 8 years ago
    Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I do appreciate it. I actually never considered distressing and painting the entertainment console. I love that idea. The entertainment console is actually not all one piece. I'm attaching a picture. I could take the top off. The thing is that I really do want to use the two side cabinets in some way (even if I paint them).

    Something to note (I know some of you will roll your eyes at this): it's not that I'm in love with the sofas, the coffee table, or the entertainment console (at least the sides of it.. I added the bottom part to prop up the tv). Those three pieces (well 4 because there's two sofas) were my parents and are from the house I grew up in. I just can't part with them at this point. They make me feel at home.

    But I'm definitely willing to get rid of the end tables. I actually already took them to the guest bedroom right when I started seeing that suggestion from y'all.

    I also am totally open to painting the furniture.

    I also know that I need to change the light fixture but really have no idea how to pick one out for this room. Would love a cool ceiling fan.
  • PRO
    8 years ago


    Taurus 6-Light Air Ionizing Fan D'Lier, 29.5" · More Info
    This would be a good option for your room. It is a light and a fan! It is called a "fandolier". Very pretty and in your room this would work well.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    that one might be more than you want to spend, but google or search here on Houzz for "fandolier" and you can find less expensive ones. Great for smaller rooms where you could use both light and a fan.

  • 8 years ago

    Andrea Rodgers We can help make it work with the furniture you have. We can also give you ideas without spending alot of money. With the end tables, keep in mind that you do not need two that match. Get one that you really love and use it at the end of the couch. Find another end table that is similar and use it in the corner where it will be less visible. I love to refinish or paint yard sale finds.