Congratulations on the new house!! It is always best to find a point of inspiration to work from when beginning a design project. Exploring design magazines, even something as simple as a favorite piece of art. Ask yourself what you like about it? Does it have clean lines? What kind of textures, colors are involved? I would suggest, that even though you have carpet, find a great rug to start working from that fits with your inspiration. Rugs are ok on rugs, just make sure it is not really thick (The Pile) This will help anchor the furniture and begin your design. Then move on to furniture, great throw pillows (great opportunity) for design and other accent pieces of furniture. One more tip, furniture does not always have to be pushed up against a wall. Try floating the furniture and consider using a wall, not the window wall for the tv. (add bookcases, art to fill wall) Good Luck! F.Y.I window panels are a great way to add design and color to a space. A lot of people hang the rod too close to the top of the window. By hanging the rod higher, you give the feeling of higher ceilings and the eye draws up instead of mid wall. So, remember this when measuring to order the proper length. Look for fabrics that have a woven pattern, not screen printed. This is much more luxurious and pleasing.

I'd start by finding an area rug that you like and put it under the coffee table. Then choose accent pillows to put on the sofas in colors that enhance the rug, paint the walls in a a color that compliments the rug and pillows, then add some wall art.

Can you post some more pictures of the other side of the room? Is it open to the kitchen area? I might change your furniture placement to flow better in the room. Put the larger couch on the largest wall. I'm thinking where the love seat is that's the large wall? I would put drapes on both windows in a pattern with the colors yellow, beige, green, red, & blue. Add pillows, and accessories. (I like the yellow walls).

Wow! Thank you all for the quick and insightful responses. I am constantly browsing magazine, pinterest and houzz...but have felt really stuck with my living room. Looks like I'll be shopping for an area rug for inspiration pretty soon I love that idea!!!

Lisa - Thanks for the suggestion of floating the furniture. I just thought that might look silly because right now the sofa and loveseat feel so big and the room feels so small (to me). I'll give it a try though.

vjs - The photo I attached should give you a better idea of the flow of the room. I took it standing in front of the door. It isn't open to the kitchen, there's a hallway leading to the dining room and kitchen. The largest wall is actually in front the windows. Oh...and I'm glad you like the yellow walls, because I love them :)

I'm off to do some rearranging!

Feels better already! What do you think?

The first thing that came to my mind was a large, print/painting that will add depth to the room. Something that you can gaze into rather then a flat one dimensional piece....Agree with the cushions. I picked up some great cushions from the thrift shop for $3.00/each

also, can you mount the TV onto the wall?

Much better!! This is a great start! Just make sure the sofa is not shoved up against the wall. Give it a few inches from the window wall. Now you can concentrate on the fun stuff!! Your first assignment is a great rug and the tv wall. Consider a long credenza where you can mount the tv on the wall above. Take a trip to Homegoods for affordable pieces to dress the credenza. Important things to keep in mind are "proportion" and "scale" Right now the tv looks sad :( and by utilizing and designing the whole wall it simple loses its importance in the overall design. Don't be afraid to buy a bunch of accessories (more then you need) come home and play and then return what you don't use! Good luck!! I can't to see :)

I liked your original arrangement. You needed a long media piece to run all the way across that wall and under your windows.



Pull the loveseat closer to the arm of the sofa and move the end table to the left of the loveseat. A larger lamp will make the room cozier.

These decals on both sofa walls.



Paint your coffee table a soft aqua.

lol...I agree...the TV is oh, so sad! I hate the scale of the TV and the coffee table compared to the sofa and loveseat! I do have the sofa several inches away from the window, and I like it :) I think it will work really well once I have curtains. I love the idea of a credenza!

judyg - thank you so much for taking the time to help me. I love idea of the long media piece, the tip about the round lamp makes a lot of sense, too. It's funny that you mentioned the idea of painting the coffee table because I was considering that, too! Since it was a $15 yard sale find, what do I have to lose?

Nothing at all. The media piece is IKEA, the color I think would work is that soft aqua for the coffee table and again for pillows on the sofa. Like your accent chair.

Another idea is to replace the fan, if you don't need it, with a great chandelier.

Paint the coffee table!

And, when you are bored, paint your ceiling.

Yes...the fan is definitely going! I already have a light fixture to replace it (when I'm feeling brave enough).

I'm actually thinking about moving the accent chair to different room. Since you can see parts of my dining room from the living room, I feel like it needs to go with that area, too...and it doesn't. Hmph.

Great advice so far. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

The furniture placement looks great and in proportion to the room now. Its time for accessories such as drapes, throw pillows, pictures, vases, etc. (things you like). To the left of the tv you could put a large vase with flowers or sticks in it to fill up that corner. It would add some height to that side of the room. Home Good, Kirklands, & Hobby Lobby have a lot of beautiful accessories reasonably priced. Good job so far.....can't wait to see the rest. I like the blue chair in there.

Love how you were so willing to quickly move the things around and try something suggested.....and it worked! GREAT job and now the true fun begins with the accessories. I love the idea of a vase and sticks in the corner......that is cheap and is sooooo works to fill the area AND give height to the wall. Bring in some blue for the chair and some wall color, too.

So here's an update...I'm still working on a solution to the tiny TV stand, but I thought I'd show you what I've done so far.

I'm thinking of using this bookcase from Target:
http://img2.targetimg2.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/14/54/14546221_130401123000.jpg

Thoughts, ideas and suggestions welcome!

Your hard work is sooooo paying off! VERY NICE! AND love the new piece you have chosen from Target! Go get it!

Love the kitty peeking from behind the loveseat! Lol. Things are looking great.

Nancuz Nancuz Noemi. Cabreja

Shiny red drapes are ruining your room.

Thanks, abbyjean and elementary. lol...my cat always has to be the center of attention.

Yes, sondramartina...I totally agree. I liked the curtains at first and then late last night, I looked up at them while sitting on my couch and I realized that didn't work. I'm returning them today. Not sure what to get instead though. Definitely not anything shiny...but the color is stumping me. I'm not sure whether to go neutral or to try for some color.

I would start with either a great patterned rug or window treatments and start working with those colors , or a great piece of art... Get inspired by one of those..your wall color is neutral enough to live with for a few months before changing it..have fun! I wish I was starting from scratch again

Is there a color in the print that is also in the rug? Choose that for the curtain. At first I thought of that golden color as it appears in both....how would that work with the walls?

I would highly recommend TJ Maxx for little things to spruce up the room such as a coffee table tray or books, a soft, textured throw and comfy throw pillows in a variety of patterns and colors. They also have curtains, often sold in pairs in more neutural tones. Although, I agree with a previous comment about having longer drapes and hanging them up above your windows at least a few inches. In this case, you may have to order longer drapes. I know Target sells some of their drapes in longer lengths at a reasonable price. Congratulations on your new home and good luck!

I just moved into a new home and also went with yellow walls in the living room. Like you, I love them! I also am using red as an accent color, but a deep, muted, brick red. It's working well with the yellow.

I think its screaming for some crown molding!

Looking good - gotta spruce up those walls though. I found some amazing original pieces at the thrift store yesterday - it blows my mind that you can find original art at Goodwill! Also, I live and die on my iPad and saw this new iPad app blurb in USA Today - this morning - ARTtwo50 - gonna check it out.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/popcandy/2013/07/25/arttwo50/2586031/

Abbyjean - I saw rust colored curtains yesterday at Target, and almost bought them, but chickened out. That color is in the rug a lot and in the print. For now, I think I'm going to stick with the wooden blinds that the owner gave me...because the windows have me stumped. I'm hoping that one day when I'm not really looking, I'll find curtains that I just love! lol
Hillary12 - Thanks for the tip on the curtains. The next time I will go longer!
Ekshelley - Sounds beautiful! Thanks for the advice.
decordoctor - That app sounds AMAZING. I'm kind of afraid to check it out because I can just imagine myself spending way to much money on artwork, LOL.

Thanks again everybody! I really appreciate your advice!

Seriously? You found rust at Target? Sure you do not wanna play with those this weekend? Sound perfect!

Still plugging away at my living room. Here's another update sans crazy red drapes!

LOVE the tv area!!!! BIG and positive change there!

How about switching around the couch and the love seat as the love seat would take up less room leading to the tv wall and the art would FIT the love seat better. The couch will fill the window area a bit more. Not sure what that would do to the rug placement???

It's looking so fantastic!!! Great work. I second the suggestion of switching the love seat and full length couch. It will fit the space better. I'd also try a sheer (maybe linen) soft green color for the drapes - its natural, has a pop of color, matches the carpet and will go well with the wood blinds.

Three year old post.....we will see if they come back.

Just popping in to say that I love the rug the OP has - perfect with her wall color and furniture color.

I think the problem with the red curtains was the brightness of the red. There are reds that would work with the carpet but might be too dark over all. I like the idea of green curtains, maybe a sage green that echoes the green in her area rug.

Wow, editing to say that this is a really old post. Houzz just offered it to me so I responded. I imagine that none of the people who originally participated will even see this!-