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jessesinor

SO MUCH TAN...HELP PLEASE

8 years ago
Me and my husband recently moved into a rental home. Walls are tan, floor is tan ceramic tile, and the furniture is tan. I am at a loss for what kind of area rug and what color curtains I should get. I cannot paint the walls, and I cannot buy new furniture. All other suggestions are welcome. Excuse the mess we are still unpacking and settling.

Comments (43)

  • 8 years ago

    Find a poster or piece of art you love that has lots of colors in it and looks good with the furniture. Pull some of the colors from it for accessories.

  • 8 years ago

    I have a lot of decor with pops of color and a lot of rustic wood pieces. I plan to have a gallery wall behind the couch. I would like to have some teal in here somewhere. but with the color of the floor i am scared that a patterned area rug would throw everything off? should i do a solid rug and pattern curtains or patterned rug with solid curtains?

  • 8 years ago

    Exactly what deco suggested. At least you have neutral colors to work with.

  • 8 years ago

    The very good news is

    -- tan goes with lots of different colors : ) . What colors do you like, what colors do you have in other rooms? I would also consider pattern, especially for the curtains, otherwise the color can seem rather block-y around the room.

    -- the tans in the room all look like they are working well together, which isn't always a given, even with neutral colors.

    You want color, and hopefully some pattern, in your curtains, throw pillows and blanket for the sofa, rug, and accessories/art.

    Do you have any favorite colors, fabrics, or inspiration rooms/photos?


  • 8 years ago

    I like brown as you have with that warm throw / you like teal too? But the curtains to me are cozy and the hue, darker, of the tan.. so I think ok, with colorful rug.

  • 8 years ago

    Don't giggle, cause I like it - walnut frames, and keep curtains. Add sheen with lamp base.

    Traditional Vintage Hannah Sunny Token Rug, Orange, 5'x7'5" · More Info
    https://www.houzz.com/products/traditional-vintage-hannah-sunny-token-rug-orange-5x75-prvw-vr~66993612

  • 8 years ago

    :) .. more subdued

    Dynamic, Rugs, Multi, Designer, Line, Area Rug · More Info
    https://www.houzz.com/products/dynamic-rugs-multi-designer-line-area-rug-prvw-vr~73662226

  • 8 years ago

    Agree with becky....I was expecting something totally different when I saw your title.

    Look how well your sofa goes with your floor! It's like you planned it.

    Agreed, you need a color to break it up, but it's pretty easy to introduce that color.

    Are we talking Ikea or Macy or Ballards (and up) as far as budget goes?

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    To me, teal + rustic + dog probably would equal something like this

    (can't post pics at the moment but here's the link..)

    https://esalerugs.com/shopping-3140024-arte-traditional-rugs-rugs?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw-T_1Kvx2AIVAtNkCh24YAIhEAkYAyABEgJuzPD_BwE

    at 399 it's a good buy.

  • 8 years ago

    with the color of the floor i am scared that a patterned area rug would throw everything off?

    No. Most basic tile floors function as neutrals.

    should i do a solid rug and pattern curtains or patterned rug with solid curtains?

    You could do either, or you could have both patterned, depending on the patterns. Do you have anything picked out yet?

    Unlike deco, I would not match the curtains to wall color, even with the possibility of visually enlarging the space. I think that's just adding more tan into an already too tan space. I think the problem with the current curtains, aside from a darker shade of tan, is that there's just too much contrast between the dark brown curtains and the light tan walls; and the problem is worse at night, when the dark brown curtains + nighttime = big black hole in the living room. If you get lighter patterned curtains and close them in the evening, it will look quite nice. Something like this,

    Anthropologie embroidered Gretta curtains

  • 8 years ago

    this is a photo of some of the Decor i currently have. This was my very small apartment living room.

  • 8 years ago

    you guys are awesome! I am on a smaller budget but i am okay with forking out a little more for something PERFECT

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    My vote is for the rug I listed (natch). I see they have free shipping and free returns. What many people do is to buy the smallest rug of that design (for easier packaging back up to return) to just give an idea of whether they will like it.

    Also, take a look at Half Price Drapes. I have been very pleased with them and you can get samples.

  • 8 years ago

    Jessica, would you like selections from Target or Ikea or ??? or online? And if you had to pick a number for a budget, what would it be?

  • 8 years ago

    A few thoughts:

    --Start looking for a large piece of art for over your sofa rather than the small pieces you have. What subjects do you like? What colors? Find a large piece, or a triptych like these with a bit of tan but some other color. I picked sky blue, but maybe orange, red, or teal is what you like.

    Madison Park 3-Piece Weathered Damask Walls Printed Linen Set · More Info

    "Cedar Lake" Wall Art, 3-Piece Set · More Info


    Muted Silhouette Hand Painted Artwork on Canvas · More Info

    Then pick a large rug that has some of the colors of your art:


    Surya SRE-1014 Serene Area Rug, 5'3' x 7'3', Beige/Camel · More Info

    Nourison Celestial Sealife Area Rug, 7'10"x10'6" · More Info


    Strata Area Rug, Rectangle, Multi, 5'x8' · More Info

    Add some light, patterned curtains or solid tan, as suggested above to match the walls so that art, rug, and sofa pillows are the focus.

    Suez Bronze Embroidered FauxLinen Sheer Curtain Single Panel, 50"x96" · More Info
    --Break up the mass of tan of the sofa with pillows:


    Clovis Coastal Beach Cotton Down Blue Beige Graphic Pillow - 18x18 · More Info



    Surya Skyline Pillow, Ivory, Light Gray, 18 x18 x4 · More Info

    Nordic Combination 20 Throw Pillow Cover, 20"x20" With Pillow Insert · More Info




  • 8 years ago

    Jessica, is that mirror over the fireplace teal? Because that could be something that you could design the new room around, in terms of determining color and style : ) .

    A couple of other suggestions for places to look at -- Zara Home online, H&M Home, Urban Outfitters, Anthro when they're on sale.

  • 8 years ago

    Yes it is a beautiful teal mirror that has been sanded a little bit to look aged. I will add those to my list to look! i have a total budget of probably 300.00 for now.

  • 8 years ago

    Well, 300 is probably Craigslist. Which is fine as I've gotten some great deals from there.

    If you want to look retail, then I would wait to save up a little. In the meantime, gather some ideas to an ideabook, here.

  • 8 years ago

    Hi Jessica, i am also a renter and I understand the frustration of trying to make a home out of a rental property. When I look at your photos above, my thoughts are that you need some light brought back into the room. I suggest you look for a cream/slightly patterned rug that will draw your attention when you walk into the room. Being a neutral colour with a slight pattern, it will not clash with your couch or floor. I would then buy cream or light coloured curtains (plain - not patterned) that look nice with the rug and then splash out on some teal patterned cushions for your couch, and maybe a nice throw. All of this should still go nicely with your timber rustic pieces. You can then add your pops of colour from your decor items, without it being to busy. May I also suggest a plant to bring some life and greenery into the space.

    Buying a neutral rug and curtains means that they should go well with what you already have and can also blend in to most other rental properties you may live in later. When I moved into the house I’m renting now, it came with brown curtains. Yuk!! The first thing I did was to change them to our light coloured curtains. It made such a difference to the feel of the rooms and felt so much lighter. Just buy whatever you can afford for now. Here’s some photos I found on the web to inspire you.....This type of rug would be good.


  • 8 years ago

    Not $300, but as close as I could get with online items; besides Craigslist, check your local consignment and thrift stores, and get a throwaway/burner email address to register for online sales and discount codes.

    West Elm curtains, $51 for the pair,

    Ikea cushion, $13 each,

    Ikea throw, $5 (yes, $5),

    West Elm throw, $29,

    World Market wool rug, 8'x10', $285,







  • 8 years ago

    Tan dog, adorable dog :)

  • 8 years ago


    Yes! Tan dog as well!!

  • 8 years ago

    what kind of decor should i put on the sides of the glass door? two different pieces? or a set?

  • 8 years ago

    I am going to take some better pictures when i get home tonight. It is an odd layout.. Here is a picture taken from outside the glass doors you see in the pictures above before we moved in.

  • 8 years ago

    I would wait on the minor things...and, should you feel like it, thrift stores will yield tons of things that only require a can of spray paint.

    If you want, you could tell us what are you are in so we can Craigslist shop for you.

    In the meantime, I'll be on the lookout for a rug steal. Do you know the size?

  • 8 years ago

    Not an odd layout at all...do you need to squeeze dining in there at all?

  • 8 years ago

    I have a small round table with four chairs under the light for now. I plan to refinish the table when i get some time


  • 8 years ago

    Here's a pretty turquoise rug for 156 at Wayfair...you may be able to use a coupon code with that, too...

    (Still not having luck posting pics...sorry..)

    https://www.wayfair.com/rugs/pdp/mistana-brandt-turquoise-white-area-rug-mtna1837.html?PiID%5B%5D=22568292&source=hotdeals

  • 8 years ago

    what kind of decor should i put on the sides of the glass door? two different pieces? or a set?

    Not a set, and as penny said, no reason to deal with that now. Much better to live in the space for a while first, see how it lives and what you need. And then you might just find the perfect piece.

  • 8 years ago

    Penny i LOVE that rug!

  • 8 years ago

    Check reviews (as always) and I see that it has a little gray in it so you know.

    We'll keep looking.

    I do like the idea of navy also. Tan and navy have always been a favorite combo of mine. (your dog will look smashing!)

  • 8 years ago
  • 8 years ago

    Last of katinp sure was pretty and like your throw color... if this is all the sun that pours in, I'd choose a bit of brightness.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Not too pastel... 116 good reviews, for $155. In a way, I don't like patterns that are tiny, with the tiles.


    [https://www.houzz.com/products/nourison-karma-rug-blue-53x74-prvw-vr~33067504[(https://www.houzz.com/products/nourison-karma-rug-blue-53x74-prvw-vr~33067504)

    Nourison Karma Blue Area Rug · More Info

  • 8 years ago

    The larger ones are coming up around 500 for me, though...am I missing something?

  • 8 years ago

    Here are a few accent colored living rooms with a tan/beige neutral back ground so you can get a feel for what could be color wise. Great room and furniture by the way!

    Pale blue and silver

    Traditional Living Room · More Info

    Grey and white

    Model Merchandising · More Info

    Sky blue in all its variations

    Glenwood Residence · More Info

    Green!

    Traditional Living Room · More Info

    Orange multi patterned

    Victorian Railway Carriage · More Info

    Maybe removable wall paper that you can down when you want?

    Contemporary Living Room · More Info

    Just pictures to give you ideas on how much of any color and where it can go. Lamps, walls, rug, art, lamp shades, light fixtures from the ceiling, end tables, mirror frames, etc.

  • 8 years ago

    What size are you looking for?

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I like that first rug from Wayfair you said you loved. I think it would go well with with your light floors, If you have a Home Goods or World Market, you might also look there for rugs. I have found some great deals, but generally $200-300 for larger unless they have been marked down -- and they have started pushing the prices up at my store because they sell so well. Also look at Overstock.

    The turquoise Wayfair rug might be hard to beat. And it leaves some money in the budget for some curtains, pillows, a throw. Look at Home Goods, World Market and Target for drapes or curtains. I'd look for a soft throw -- knitted, chenille or faux fur -- a layer of texture and a color that echos the rug colors rather than the bold patterns you have (keep those, use them if you love them, but probably not display them if the rug sets the tone for room).

    ETA: I am not a snob about used or re-purposed goods, but I would avoid a used rug unless you know the source. I'd be concerned about fleas, bed bugs, pet smells, smoke or other odors. You might spend more than the cost of the rug -- or than you would save on the rug, trying too get rid of the problem.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    The perfect turquoise accent piece for your room!

  • 8 years ago

    This art would look beautiful over your sofa. I came across it last night and it's had a huge markdown from 200.00 Art

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    You need color on the floor and wall art that compliments on the walls. Blend is better than busy u can use it as blank canvas. Carpets are Momeni new wave but u can find something from FB marketplace swaps. Art should have similar colors to carpet so ties colors all around. you can add pillows with similar colors

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Well you actually have the pops of color already in the room - orange and teal. Just use those and add other pieces. You'll need artwork, a rug, colorful pillows, window treatments, some plants, and decor accessories, along with some lamps. Here is a design project we did to get you started. Notice the colors in it?

    Leeward Renovation · More Info


    Leeward Renovation · More Info

    Leeward Renovation · More Info