Everything is very dark. The dark rug and dark furniture blend in with the dark floors (which are beautiful btw!). I think if you went with a light-colored rug and some lighter pillows on the couch it would really brighten things up. Maybe pick one brighter accent color and get a few little things you can place around on the coffee and side tables, maybe even next to the TV.

Brittnay, so sorry you are dealing with an unexpected move and the loss of your belongings. I am glad you were able to keep/salvage some items from your prior place.

Before I share any thoughts, I want to say that it's ok to do things a little at a time-- you can certainly work with what you have and update as you find new items or special pieces.

I love your idea of mixing grays and metallics with the brown sofa. I would still like an accent color.. use it as much or as little as you are comfortable with. For me, with those colors, I'd want a bright green or chartreuse. I think a turquoise would also work.. or even an orange or red. Start with something simple and inexpensive.. perhaps a throw or a vase. Notice how just the flowers in your inspiration photo brighten up the image? That's what I'd be going for. Some visual interest and some lightening/brightening.

I know you love your sheepskin rug but as is, I don't think it's helping to bring your room together. It is dark.. but more importantly, it's too small. You may be able to use it as a layer on top of another rug.. and maybe there's a spot in an adjoining room where the dark brown will bridge the design to the living space?

The most important thing a larger rug will do for your room is to set off the space from the larger apartment area and bring all the living room pieces into the same grouping. Right now, the tv, the side table, the sofa, the rug are all just sitting in the bigger floorplan. A rug will make them all part of a cozy defined area. Don't go too small. You'll want to cover the full width of the sofa.. and I'd want the width to extend to the side table too. I am guessing a 6x9 or an 8 x10 .. and I would want to go lighter and I'd want some visual interest-- it could be a pattern but could also be a weave. There are plenty of sources for inexpensive rugs-- but two of my friends who can afford much more buy their rugs at target and just replace them frequently.

Another way to carry your mirror/metallic love through the room is to add a mercury glass lamp. I bought one a number of years ago at Target of all places and wish I'd bought more. You'll find them everywhere-- upscale and downscale. Target, Penneys, Pier1, Pottery Barn and antique shops.

One last thought.. I love the mirror and sconces but I think they may be a little small for over your sofa. They look fine for now.. but maybe keep your eye out for a larger piece of art.

Best of luck to you in your new home!

Thank you both for your responses! A recurring theme between your responses seems to be the rug! So I’m going to exchange it today for something different, and brighter. What about something like this in a 5x7?

And I definitely like the idea of an accent color! I’m honk maybe blushes and purple??

Big difference! What do y’all think?!

I like it a lot better. That's a great looking apartment, by the way!

The lighter rug is a definite improvement. I would still prefer a larger size, but rugs start doubling in price with each size increase as you get larger and you are starting over, so this one can work for now and consider larger when you replace it. Same for the mirror. You can use it until you find something larger -- maybe something that adds more color, or use a grouping. Those are things you can let evolve over time.

If you are going to just use stools at the counter and not have a table or bistro/pub set to have a separate dining area, I would move the sofa down on the wall and put the end table in the corner. If that's too far and crowds the stools, find a small table (12-18 inches wide sort of thing) to use there and keep the round on on the open end. Pier One has a number of small tables or you might find something at HomeGoods or TJ Maxx or a garage sale, repurpose something, etc.

Artwork, pillows, a throw and a few accessories can add neutrals, metallics and textures -- also color. I think your pink could work, but I would use some white, cream or pearl grey too and be careful that purple doesn't pull things too dark. With pink,white or off-white and some metallic touches, you may not need another color. But keep the colors in mind for art finds down the road.

Are you down near the ballpark? No one lived downtown when I was young. It's good to see it happening again.

I live in midtown! About 10 minutes from the ballpark!! I’ll definitely be looking into something for the space between couch and barstools. Would that be a good space for a bar cart?? Or a bookshelf?? I also need a lamp for that room as there is no lighting over the living room. I was thinking a floor lamp?? I’m so confused about what to do next! And have yet to think of a good accent color this is my bedroom. Was a lot easier to do than my living room! lol I was thinking maybe teal for the living room but then is that TOO MUCH blue in my apartment?? Advice needed!!

I might find another space for the end table and put a little credenza next to the couch to serve as extra storage for the dining area and maybe put the record player on it. OR, I'd jazz up the wall across from the couch with a large media storage/display unit, you have the space. I'd actually do both, and maybe use the credenza as a bar or place to put family photos, etc. You could even do that now with the round table and get a cool floor lamp.

I would answer the bar cart/bookshelf or something else question after you have lived in the room a while and see how it lives and what you most want or need -- or discover that find. No need to rush into an "extra" and it's fun to have a place for something special when you find it.

Too much blue? You are asking someone who has a tall wall of blue cabinets in her kitchen (the fridge is stainless), a blue leather sectional, blue/green/grey and cream rug in the FR and navy and cream in the breakfast room, navy velvet sofa in the LR and blue walls in the DR and a blue ceiling in my BR. I like having something blue in each room. There is still wood (floors and other furniture), white (trim and other things) and other colors. The DR is really the only room where it is a dominant color and there is still a lot of wood (table, chairs and china cabinet). So I have no problem with some more teal or blue in either room.

I would lower the painting over the bed or move it to another wall. You have three main colors going -- I wouldn't add a lot of another color, but if you saw something you like in a warm color, a little contrast to all the cool might be nice. I see copper, gold or aged brass or maybe a magenta/fuschia - depending a lot on what kind of item you are talking about. But you don't have to have another color. Again, it might come as something you find down the road and have to have. You have a good start and looks like all the things you really need for now. Take your time to find treasures -- it and when you find them, need them.

I love the idea of purples with the metallics! Yes the rug is very common, I do like it though and like that if I want to change things later it’s pretty versatile! What kind of art work over the couch? And how big should it be? It’s a common statement amongst everyone that the mirror is too small. So how big are we talking here?

Art is pretty subjective. You also have to look at how much you want to spend. Here's a quide on placement. When I shopped for art, I fiqured my sizing out first, then started searching and saving what I liked in that size and my price range. Etsy is a great place to look.

What about going with black and white theme with greenery? I like the contrast. Do y’all think this color scheme still does a good job of brightening the room? It doesn’t seem to darken it in my opinion. Thoughts?

oh yes, blk and white can, let me give you some updates on it.

choice of pillows




let me know what you like and not, i can toss or look up for you.