I understand where you’re coming from on the colour lesson but I also agree that the way light is hitting things is what made me struggle to begin with.
I seem to like a lot of colours but mostly in their pale version. The only reason I don’t have a white/light coloured couch is because I have a child a cat and wear dark blue jeans! If I were to create my dream space it would be a white on a white on white with a little beige and grey at their palest versions! But that’s not so functional for my life right now. No matter how good a material the couch is made of eventually you’ll see the wear hence ending up with this colour couch and wanting to work with it.
I don’t feel so bad now about sucking at colour, it’s obviously a complicated topic!
I appreciate all the help I’ve received here and will be using professional input going forward for each room as I go as I can see the benefit of the final result!!
Love y’all❤️

As an example here are some of the pics I have been saving, first one is dream room next few are what I seem to be liking currently. So what is the psychology of liking neutral? Lol

Oh and I wasn’t annoyed about showing more of house (embarrassed maybe lol)

I think even the simple step of having some pattern on the floor helped me immensely. Everything was a solid before and they were all working against each other apparently!

Anyway, it’s on it’s way to looking much better already so thanks again for all the help

You are welcome, Ikatalia. Those rooms above are beautiful. You can certainly achieve that tone-on-tone room, even with your current sofa. The key is balance and adding texture.

Really CDR! I never would have thought
Would love to explore that tone on tone look!

The tv would probably look better sitting on the piece of furniture to the right of the desk,

then center the desk on that wall. Put the hall table in the hall if possible.

Also like the rug.

Been on a curtain shopping spree trying to decide which way I want to go
Lighter, darker, greener, bluer
Votes?
Pillows can be changed out to FYI
I know lighting and colour isn’t ideal in these pics but is the best I can do at the moment

I think something light, like the light gray in the rug would be nice. I do like the dark jewel toned one.

I recommend you buy art/rug before you buy pillows. Also, you just mentioned you wanted a light, neutral design.

The green pillow fades away into the sofa.

Best to decide what you want first or buy art and then go from there (assuming your floor plan is set up).

Sandra, I tried like 8 different colours to match the carpet, nothing was quite right. I do now think I will go with some colour and put that rug back in my room.
The curtains I chose all have art and rugs that go with them at their stores I’m just having trouble deciding and was looking for votes.
Thanks again

Ok, well, if it’s those two, I vote the first one.

My vote would be for lighter colored drapery. Make them nice and full and run them to the end of the wall each side. Then perhaps some kind of blind on the window in a light color.

Things need to be done in the correct order or you will be wasting money and time. Can you please post a photo of an ideal room you like? Inspiration photo. Thanks!

CDR here are some more rooms I like
The more pics I save the more I think I should just buy a new couch lol!

Ikatalia, very nice!

Yes, you keep mentioning a light, neutral space. You did say you needed a darker sofa for some practical reasons?

Also, what is the function of this space? Is it your main living room and an office? how often do you watch tv?

All you need to do to get those looks is to avoid strong patterns like the black and white pillow. Maybe your curtain should be grey brown rather than green, as long as everything stays in a very similar tone (monochromatic) you will get that look.

https://homebnc.com/best-living-room-color-scheme-ideas-color-harmony/

https://www.potterybarn.com/products/emery-linen-framed-border-drape-gray-charcoal/?isx=0.0.5717

https://www.potterybarn.com/products/belgian-linen-flax-sheer-drape/?isx=0.0.8028&group=1&sku=5260976

https://www.potterybarn.com/products/emery-border-linen-drape-flax-navy/?isx=0.0.9873&group=1&sku=4485058

https://www.potterybarn.com/shop/accessories-decor/pillows-solid/?cm_re=visualnav--default--pillows_solid#visual-nav

https://www.potterybarn.com/products/ezra-chunky-knit-pillow-cover/?pkey=call-pillows-throws-slipcovers&isx=0.0.3606

https://www.potterybarn.com/products/viva-dot-pillow-cover/?pkey=call-pillows-throws-slipcovers&isx=0.0.12262

https://www.pier1.com/oversized-deltara-blue-pillow/3211362.html?cgid=pillows#nav=top&origin=gridswatch

Ok....
So I was able to create this look leaping from celery girls design, but I also like this room idea CDR sent and I like the tone on tone ideas and pillows/curtains j Williams sent (pottery barn)
Can someone tell me how I can create a tone on tone look like how celery girl did it with a photo of my room so I can see the different looks in my own room or if you know how and I can pay you for that service how much it would be.
I seem to be able to follow recipes and mimic pictures but not translate from one idea into my own room!

Hi. I know that Sketch here on Houzz allows you to create sort of an idea of what you want. I've played around with it a little and you cannot create anything really professional-looking, but rather, gives you an idea. I do offer lower cost packages, as well as full custom design.

The reason I chose the photo with the yellow and blue touches, was to pull in the bathroom, as well as that you seem to like the teal colors.

Feel free to email me at clare@cdrdesign or my houzz page by clicking on my icon or my packages page https://designfiles.co/design-packages/cdr-design

Whatever you do, make sure you have a good floor plan first.

I like the shade of yellow in the last photo CDR posted. I love the tone-on-tone idea getting put in place first, then add the color touches that will be needed. I am with you - sometimes “putting it all together” is hard for me, so getting professional help for visualizing different options is a great idea. Better designing through technology!

Maybe paint the legs of the coffee table a grey green or light brown to reduce the contrast, possibly paint the wall a light grey green many tones lighter than the curtains.

Taking your advice CDR and looking for area rugs/art first here’s some I came across on today’s trip. Lighting is terrible in store for photos!
I’ll add stock photos
Are these all still too much pattern?

You want a light room, but you keep choosing dark. I'd buy a cream-white rug. Here are some ideas for pillows and art above so

Any of these?

Any of these?

CDR you’re right again. I love those last colours you posted, I can’t get my head around having white on the floor (kids and cat)
Could I do something speckled like this?

Just passing through and saw your rug above. I just bought this rug for my bedroom because it had some other colors that would hopefully stay cleaner looking. It's great, and the price is great!

https://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-homely-shag-with-tassels/Ivory/200KKEL04A-P.html

Then I see these and get totally distracted again!

I think the rug Vindum will be fine.....will come off as a little grey, though ( not white). I like the rugs usa one posted, but I imagine the cat would destroy the tassles.

The current rug you have is actually not bad. I'd turn it in the opposite direction. Then get a piece of art you love and go from there.

I like your current rug too. You can lighten everything else up with curtains and pillows. These Ikea curtains are a very off white with a subtle pattern. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00323514/

Have them in my house.

Personally, I like your original rug, the plain beige curtains look OK, or the green, are the beige curtains too short? Then I would paint the walls the very lightest grey green, from the curtain or the rug, and have green pillows and things to tie it all together.

Yes they are too short, picked up the wrong package by accident.
I don’t want to go green I don’t think. The original rug like the plain one? Really?
I’ve held up the cushions to just about everything when I’m out shopping and when you put it next to green it looks very brown, when you put it next to brown it looks very green.
Blues and blue greens seem ok
I’m obviously a trail and error experimenter so I’ll keep trying
I like mix of grey and linen etc so far

CDR where did you find these ones?
I like that art

When I search on the internet for “blue paintings” you get a lot of results that look like the art above:

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/484856683/entropy-ii?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=blue+painting&ref=sc_gallery-1-3&plkey=ad84eb87aca4c443e6e43f9bc936a1c8fec312a4%3A484856683

https://www.wayfair.com/decor-pillows/pdp/east-urban-home-cool-grey-horizon-ii-painting-print-on-canvas-esur9470.html?piid%5B0%5D=20930736&piid=20930736&experiencetype=1

https://www.luluandgeorgia.com/emalita-linen-pillow-white

https://www.luluandgeorgia.com/zeba-pillow-blue

https://www.wayfair.com/decor-pillows/pdp/bloomsbury-market-holmquist-i-linen-throw-pillow-blms5025.html?&experiencetype=1

Check out Etsy.com for art or Greatbigcanvas.com and here's some clearance with good prices at Art.com https://www.art.com/gallery/id--b1965258/clearance-posters.htm

CDR you suggested flipping the rug the other way around
Here is the general result

The more I pull it away from the window to balance with couch the more it will jut out at the tv side

Thoughts?

Sorry. It is better the other way.....I did not have a full picture. I would turn it back, and then pull it just under the front legs of the sofa, so that you do not see the border on the sofa side.

The picture behind your computer has your perfect colors in it. I'd like to see it over the couch.

I kinda like these with your rug and sofa. Mix of gray and taupe. Sorry had to take a picture of your picture! I also really like your rug!!

The rug is Home Depot indoor/outdoor
Yes I finally found a curtain that picked up the right tones in the rug
After about 30 pairs lol

Well, it doesn't look like indoor/outdoor rug. Though I would probably like a softer rug for the living area!

It doesn’t seem or feel like an outdoor at all, hence using it inside!

Ok so I have this art ordered and arriving soon
What do you think of these combos of curtains and pillows to go with it all

Looks nice to me!

I'd choose very light-colored drapes, the color of the ones on the left. I would not use the dark grey pillow. Instead, add some yellow.