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christopher_stuart6162055

Living Room Help Needed!

We’ve lived in our house for four years and made very little progress with our interior design. I think my 4 and 6 year old kids might have something to do with it.

So it’s my living room where I’m looking for help. As you can see we have a big open space but not much going on.

The couch is an IKEA sectional and my kids have pretty much destroyed it so likely will be buying a new cover—thus totally not married to the color.

I have trouble deciding on what to do with the big empty area near the three windows. I was thinking maybe a couch for reading. I would like to also add an area rug and a coffee table, along with anything else that might this make like a more warm, inviting and relaxing area.

Here are some photos, let me know if any questions. Thanks!

Comments (106)

  • 7 years ago
    following
  • PRO
    7 years ago
    The kids love swivel chairs.
  • 7 years ago

    Flo’s suggestion of Rooms To Go is great. They have nice complete rooms at a budget friendly price. If you took her floor plan, I am sure they would help you.

  • 7 years ago

    I would choose fabric upholstery over bonded or bicast leather any day. Bonded leather looks good for a year, after which it deteriorates rapidly. https://bestleather.org/types-of-leather/

  • PRO
    7 years ago
    Groveraxle is correct. However, some compromises are always needed when stretching budgets. You just have to decide where your priorities are. Start with sofa. That will drive your color palette for chairs and then select rug to bring things together. Keep us posted.
  • PRO
    7 years ago
    While I suggested Rooms to Go let me clarify. I would select a sofa but not a “set”. A solid color works well on sofa. Keep styling simple and not poufy. Do chairs in print but different fabric than sofa.
  • PRO
    7 years ago
    I am going to suggest not using gray. Your floors are a warm tone. I like your idea of the brighter blue. I think you could use greens or brighter blues for furniture pieces. Start with your couch and build around that. There are fewer choices of couches. Check fabric wearability codes with sales people. What furniture stores are in your area. You can add some swivel chairs next. I love a fabric ottoman for kids. You can store toys in them, they can climb around on them or lay on them.
  • PRO
    7 years ago
    A dark gray should be fine if you really want gray. Do you have a Havertys furniture store near you? I think the quality is decent, the prices are good and you can have a selection of fabrics.
  • 7 years ago

    Yeah, not really feeling the grey either. My wife and I are leaning towards investing in a leather couch but still sort of undecided. Starting to do a little research on leather but still a bit clueless.

    Never heard of Haverty's so i don't think near us here.


    We have -- IKEA, Pier One, Pottery Barn, Ethan Allen, Bob's Discount (junk though), Macy's, Costco, Boston Interiors, LA-Z Boy, Basset Furniture, Restoration Hardware Outlet Store, Crate and Barrel, Bernie and Phyls, Jordan's Furniture

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    I have clients who have had good success with good leathers from Ethan Allen, Macy's (have to be careful) and some LazyBoy leathers. But you will pay substantially more for those leathers, but the good news is they hold up much longer. I think the navy blue and carmel combination of colors in leather and fabrics would look great with your woods. I would lean to the navy for the sofa, simply because it is a larger block of color against the wood. Get the "protection plan" in any case, and that way if there are ANY problems you are good.

  • 7 years ago

    So got a couch today. Now the fun begins! We went leather and found this one in the clearance section at our local furniture store. http://hancockandmoore.com/Products/1345/Sofa/-chair-collections/Parisian-Sofa#

  • 7 years ago

    Beautiful and top quality to boot. They have a care kit, I would advise using. The color will be nice to work with also.

  • PRO
    7 years ago
    Great quality sofa! Was hoping for different color but quality is always good.
  • PRO
    7 years ago
    That is maximum size i posted! Haha! I was nervous. Ya done good!
  • PRO
    7 years ago
    Look for chairs next, rug last. Then you can find rug that ties everything together.
  • 7 years ago
    Ahhh ok, I thought rug first guess I got it mixed up!
  • 7 years ago

    Awesome find on the sofa. How about a recliner?


  • 7 years ago
    Hmmm interesting idea. I was thinking the old leather chair actually isn’t that bad with the new couch even though they aren’t the same color, but we are debating lol
  • 7 years ago

    Christopher, do you for sure want to replace the leather chair? Because if it's in decent shape, we could make it work. It actually doesn't look too bad in your latest photo.

  • 7 years ago

    Well, we cross posted. You certainly could keep the chair for now.

  • 7 years ago

    In which case, I say go rug shopping. At least window shopping. See if you find a rug that floats your boat and we can design the room around it.

  • 7 years ago
    Following
  • 7 years ago
    Haha Grover thinking alike!
  • PRO
    7 years ago
    Yes if you plan to keep old chair then find great but colorful rug. In your photo the sofa looks deeper brown? Is that accurate?
  • 7 years ago
    Yes it’s a “chestnut” and darker than the other chair, although I think picture makes it look a little darker than it actually is
  • 7 years ago



  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    This product would work on your chair. Someone on Houzz used it before and their sofa looked like new. They added a little more stuffing in the back cushion but yours may not need it.

    https://www.rubnrestore.com/testimonials/

  • 7 years ago

    Thanks Kathy!


    Looks nice Grover, and I like the lively colors, although for some reason feels a little star warsy to me.


    What do you think of any of these sort of palettes?


    Not married to that table, but felt like it would make the rug pop a bit. Someone else had mentioned that previously too. Not married to either of chairs on right but just tried to match a color...i don't know, it has been a LONG day, so might have to call it quits for now.










  • 7 years ago

    I dunno, Christopher. Somehow all your color palettes look a little washed out to me. I'd like to see a rug that matches the richness of the leather sofa.

  • 7 years ago

    I also think your sofa calls for a sturdier looking coffee table. A couple more looks for you:



  • 7 years ago

    That looks great Grover. I agree the furniture needs strong colors to balance it.

  • 7 years ago
    Grover those do look nice. I did end up grabbing a rug at homesense today however. My girls are already practicing their dance moves lol
  • 7 years ago
    Following
  • 7 years ago

    The dance troupe is adorable. Maybe you should get a rug to match their tights. ;-)

  • 7 years ago
    You can also jell stain your leather chair and ottoman—we did two leather couches several years ago and they still look great. We used jell stain from BM.
  • 7 years ago

    following

  • 7 years ago
    So grabbed a coffee table and end table today. Got a good deal and looks nice but think we need a little bit of a brightener to give it a little color. What do you think?

    Also still thinking about another chair. Wondering if it should be a recliner—as when the four of us are watching tv it is a wee bit tight when three of us on couch and another on leather chair.

    One other thing. My kids used to sometimes eat dinner in front on a little ikea table but now a bit more afraid of this with new furniture. Any creative ideas or shall I just banish from eating in living room?
  • 7 years ago

    Not liking the end table, Christopher. It's too big and too matchy-matchy. Can you return it and look for something that maybe isn't dark brown?


    You said you wanted color in the beginning, but you keep picking up stuff on impulse that doesn't have any. This is not how we decorate a room. When you do it this way, you end up getting boxed in a corner. Generally we select everything--furniture and accessories--at once to make sure they all work together before we go on a shopping spree.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Agree with groveraxle. Everything is so bland. The rug is the opportunity for color. Can that one be returned? It would help if you took photos when shopping and post so we can help you make better decisions.

  • 7 years ago

    Yellow goes well with blue.


  • 7 years ago

    Agree. You need a rug with color. The room has gone into brown overload.

  • 7 years ago
    Ok I totally agreed with the side table. It was a package deal so kinda stuck with it. Went back to homesense! What do you guys think now? I personally think the lamp is a little small and ignore that blanket on the left couch—think is wrong color.
  • 7 years ago
    another shot
  • PRO
    7 years ago
    Yes, the lamp is too small. Probably need 30” high.
  • PRO
    7 years ago
    Can you slide the sofa to the right more? It would give more room on left. That table is better and right height but scale is too small for size of sofa and chair. Need a but more bulk.
  • 7 years ago

    I think the new end table is fine. Lamp is WAY too small. Table and lamp together should be 58 - 64" tall. It also has no color.


    Your throws and pillows look pretty random and kinda boring. This is a place to get some color and pattern and texture. Let me see if I can put together a set for you that will add a little spice to the room.

  • 7 years ago

    From StitchedbyGraceNY at etsy:

    From Grandin Road's Kilim collection:

    From Society6 in a limited color palette:


  • 7 years ago
    This room looks fabulous love the rug
  • 7 years ago
    Following
  • 7 years ago
    If like the room better now ....but the lamp is much too small ..how about a tall reading lamp with reach over the sofa or chair ...?