Software
Houzz Logo Print
mandapanda75

Need help decorating new house!

7 years ago
We just moved into our new home last week. I need advice on how to decorate it. My last house, which we lived in for ten years did not get decorated at all. Nothing on the walls, no knick knacks, no rugs... nothing. My husband made me promise that I would decorate this house. Here are some pictures. The furniture is staying. I think I need to start with rugs. Also, maybe a coffee table and end tables? I don’t see the use for a coffee table, but my husband likes them. We are getting a dining room table. It will go where the folding table is now. Any and all advice (please be kind) is welcome. I think my style is transitional. Thank you.

Comments (16)

  • 7 years ago
    This is the dining room table we have purchased, and the space where it will go.
  • 7 years ago

    Check out the beautiful rugs by Stickley. They'd look fabulous in both your living room and dining room with that furniture. https://www.stickley.com/product-category/accessories/rugs/

  • 7 years ago

    Is that a bar height dining room table?

  • 7 years ago
    your new home is really nice, but it would be impossible for me to look at empty walls... Go to art shows, shops, gallery find something that you love, One painting to start with.
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    The pics you have posted do not really tell the full story of your living room and dining room. Please post pictures so that we can get a sense of the total room. So far we have 3 walls and we have no idea how the LR connects to the DR.

  • 7 years ago

    Looks like you have a lovely house, making it YOURS depends on what you want and need. Who will be using the room with the sofas in it? What will they be doing in there, besides watching TV? (entertain friends,eating pizza, play games,cuddle with the dog,reading,ever a nap???????????) Are they messy or neat, do they bop about in bare feet? (this is germane when picking out a rug) Do they find the sofas comfy or would they like a pillow or two,maybe a throw? What is their favorite colour?


    Please don't just buy stuff to buy stuff. Think about function,comfort, and what makes you happy.

  • 7 years ago

    I tend to agree with Karen Rose that this is one of those situations where most of us could do with a little help. For instance, consider how many different kinds of rug could look good with your seating -- and think how that choice is likely have a run-on effect.

    That said, I think it may be that the best way of setting the tone of what's to come is to choose a large piece of art that you really love, for a prominent position. The rest of the decor can feed off its colours and style.

  • 7 years ago

    Try browsing here to see what I mean, and help you decide what kind of thing to look for to suit your taste: https://www.houzz.com/photos/query/living-room-with-large-art/nqrwns

  • 7 years ago

    Go with a designer. You need someone who works by the job - not items purchased. Your designer will keep you focused one section at a time and help pull it all together . This way when your out shopping you wont be overwhelmed.

  • 7 years ago

    Is that the dining area behind the loveseat? The table and chairs don’t jive with your tv stand. Please don’t buy items piecemeal. Have a plan for both rooms before you make any purchases.

  • 7 years ago

    Before you buy a coffee table, get a big toilet paper or paper towel shipping box from a local store and set it 18" or less from the two sofas. Can you still recline in them without knocking the box around? If not, then you can skip that purchase. There is no color, so set your colorway with either a rug or a piece of art. The rug should be wider than the widest sofa and big enough for the front 1/3 of both sofas to sit on it with extra rug sticking out at the ends of the seating. Art you love (hopefully not from the big box stores) should hang 5" above the larger sofa and be no wider than 75% of the sofa's length.

  • 7 years ago
    You will need help with scale. I would not make any purchases until you hire a designer.
  • 7 years ago
    First - you have a beautiful home! If I were you- I’d spend time browsing Pinterest and the photo section on here, and save any pics of rooms that you LOVE. That will help you define what kind of style you want to aim for.

    If you can hire a designer; great! If not, walk furniture stores, home decor stores, etc. and take pics of everything that you love or inspires you. Then post those ideas here and we can help!

    In general, I agree, don’t buy things just to buy them. You’ll end up with a house full of “stuff” you don’t particularly care about. Instead, take your time and go slow. It’s normal take a couple years to fully decorate a home!

    Also, typically, most people go too small. Think bigger. One big piece of artwork to fill a big wall space. When it comes to items like vases, candles, lanterns- Group in 3’s. Three vases of varying weights & heights will look better than three exactly the same.

    Now if you’re browsing and you see something that you just LOVE and cannot live without- you want to look at it everyday - buy it! It can become an inspiration piece! Sounds weird... but in my first condo I had this mug... it was like a wheat/mustard color. I LOVED it. I decorated my condo based on that mug and loved it! HAVE FUN!! :)
  • PRO
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Just my 2 cents but those sofas are just plain ugly and I would start there. You say you don’t know why you need a coffee table so where do you put your drink when you sit on the sofa. I think you need to start idea books to see what your style might be and then get a decorator to help bring it to life . Right now there is nothing to give us any hint of style.Recling sofas IMO belong in a room meant only for watching TV they do not work in spaces where there is conversation . If you have more than just a LR put those in a space for the TV and look at new pieces for the LR Sorry I just went and looked at your idea books and no where did I see dark brown recling sofas so start there

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    It's hard for us to tell where the TV and console are in relation to the sofa and love seat. Perhaps try taking a few more pictures so we can see that aspect? If you are investing in new furniture, we think you might want to take a look at some of our designs below.

    Modern Luxury Home · More Info


    Modern Luxury Home · More Info


    Columbia Timeless Transitional Home · More Info