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patrick_koehr

Very difficult time figuring out how to decorate new place

6 years ago

Hi everyone!

My wife and I just moved into a new rented house and are struggling with how to decorate. There is a lot more space than our apartment. We’re on a bit of a budget, which is why you see the random couches we could find. The areas which we are struggling the most with are:

  1. Upper Ledge - She wants to do something with plants
  2. Above the TV
  3. Wall over cube shelf right of Laundry door
  4. Wall over book shelf left of laundry door

We want to print a couple large wedding photos as well, which we were thinking for the wall over the cube shelf, but don’t know what color frames would be best :/

We appreciate your help!!

Comments (33)

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I don’t understand your questions # 3 & 4. Other than that my only comments are that I think some larger art would look nice on the walls not necessarily on the TV wall, a “no” to plants on the ledges above, I’d leave those empty & if live plants are added I would place them at living level, not on the ledges. I noticed that what you have hung on the walls are hung too high ( at least it appears so ). The middle point of art, or whatever, should be hung approximately 60” above the floor, give or take a few inches in either direction.

  • 6 years ago

    Btw, do you require that much seating in there? Just curious ...:)

  • 6 years ago

    following

  • 6 years ago

    @Lisa yes that’s one of our problems is that we don’t really have a choice with the furniture besides maybe covering it up to make it a different color. Would that be worth doing?

    What would y’all do for the ledge?

  • 6 years ago

    @KLawrence Sorry about that. #3 & 4 were just asking what to do with that big wall that has the door opening in the middle of it.

    Hahaha you have a good point with the amount of seating. We are planning on hosting a lot, but we also just want to fill the space. This is really our first place so we are very armature.

  • 6 years ago

    ledge ideas: dry wall , some sort of lighting, or just leave as is.

  • 6 years ago

    We’re also trying to find a good coffee table so that will be there eventually.

    @Lisa definitely agree about the lamps. We’re searching for those as well.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Not a Pro.

    Nothing on ledge. If you feel you need something, as mentioned by Not a Pro, lighting the ledge is a great option.

    Not every area needs to be decorated.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I have ledges too. I leave them empty. Too difficult to reach and dust, etc... Funny, mine have outlets up there. Maybe the previous owners had Christmas decorations/lights?

  • 6 years ago

    Not a Pro.

    My suggestion for family photos, would to have all photos in the same frame. Hang to the right of the doorway near chaise.

    Inspiration:


    Family Friendly Home · More Info



  • 6 years ago

    Patrick, as already stated, don't worry about decor for the ledge. If it really bugs you, maybe a couple nice baskets up there (with lids) that can double for storage. The last thing you want to do is put artificial plants up there, or fill the ledge up with much at all. The suggestion for lights is a good one.


    K Laurence gave great advice with hanging art. One of the best tips I got from Houzzers was to make sure the center of the art is 57-60" from the floor. Also, if you ever need to do it, art over a sofa is best hung 5-6" above the sofa. Lots of people tend to hang art too high.


    A grouping/gallery of frames (such as njmomma's example of family photos) should be hung so the center point of the entire group of frames is 57-60" from the floor.

  • 6 years ago

    Leave the ledge bare. I would also forgo art on the TV wall, and instead get a nice floor lamp to place to the right of the TV. It looks like lighting is an issue. Then use large pieces of colorful art on the larger empty walls. You can have canvas prints made, or look for art at estate sales or online. Wait to find art that you really love and reflects your interests. I would also look for taller end tables and a round wood coffee table at consignment shops or online. People are moving and downsizing all the time, and you can find great deals that way on quality pieces.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Suggestions and you might want to consider using the other half of this divided area as your formal dining room because the kitchen doesn't look large enough to hold a family celebration.





  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Ignore the ledges and decorate where the people live; below the door and window frame level. How many bedrooms do you have? Could one of them be made into an office/study/man cave? If so, move the 2-seater sofa there. I like the charcoal sofa and chaise, but the other sofa may be more comfortable. What's in the foyer? I find a good general "rule" for hanging items is 5-5-75; centered 5' above the floor, centered 5" above furniture and pieces/groupings no wider than 75% of the furniture's width. Most Houzzers discourage personal photos in the public spaces. Your wedding pix would be beautiful in the master bedroom. Use art in the living room.

  • 6 years ago

    Another vote for no decor on the ledges. If you guys like plants, place them close to a window. I think you could get a better seating arrangement. Try the TV on the wall where the loveseat currently is with the powder blue sofa directly across from it. The loveseat isn't good where it is, as it doesn't have enough wall to support it. See how it's hanging off?


    I like the chaise in the corner. The two shelves on either side of the door appear to be the same height (?) If so, combine them on the right side of the door near the chaise. It can be a nice reading corner. I have a mock-up of the idea below along with a furniture arrangement to try. I chose a bleached wood frame for the wedding photo. Doesn't have to be that, but I recommend keeping the frame simple and barely there.




  • 6 years ago

    A suggestion if you love the flag - whitewash it maybe a bit and place near center on the ledge. Add very liked items with it, of meaning, neutral-ish that complements the red, white, and blue. I'd prefer it there to a small wall space where it is.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Houzz: ledge adds interest, depth and function.... most don't want over-cluttered, but if the rest of the room restrains itself, a grouping up there can be homey. One restaurant owner near us did a great job - I always look at it - can be done. ;)

    https://www.houzz.com/magazine/the-clever-ledge-where-and-how-to-use-it-stsetivw-vs~80206298

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Is the wall with the TV on it longer than the opposite wall, the wall with the two seater? If it is, I would re-arrange a bit.

  • 6 years ago

    Consider moving tv on wall where beige sofa is currently. Move tv over on stand and put lamp -that is in corner - to right of tv. Move black sofa on wall where tv is now. Try putting chaise in front of window. Move teal sofa across from chaise ( where black sofa is now.). Find artwork, pillows, rug with teal, black and other colors. Or could use black/beige pillows. (Check Home Goods, Target, Marshall’s, Pier one, etc) This will give you some continuity in the room. Center beige sofa on wall where chaise is now. Put bookshelves on each end of sofa. Really do need end tables and lamps. As everyone has advised you- no plants on ledge. Appears you have a coat rack in hall way. Move coat rack further down hallway; hang flag centered on wall by coat rack. Find some type of basket to put shoes in. Mirror could move where flag is. Perhaps one large picture over black sofa and two rectangular pictures hung vertically over beige sofa. 2-3 small plants in same pot on top of bookshelves.

  • 6 years ago

    Wow thanks so much for all of your responses!! Sorry about some of the clutter around the house. We haven’t really placed things quite yet, and as many of you noted, we still need to get a coffee table and side tables. A couple thoughts:

    1. Nothing on ledge ✅
    2. The Beige loveseat does seam to probably go best in one of our 3 bedrooms/office. Especially like @Lisa said, we don’t want it to look like a furniture store.
    3. @ManonFloreat Great mock up and Great idea moving the TV! Unfortunately the hard part is that the fire place cuts off a corner of the room so the only thing that will fit against that wall is the chaise.
    4. We do have another grey couch we could use in the living room if anyone thinks it’d work better. It’s actually a set with the chaise, we just didn’t like it as much as the other grey couch. But y’all are the experienced ones!
    5. @laurkade we are trying to find a thin hallway table for the foyer to put along the wall on the right. Flag over that? Or on the left?

  • 6 years ago

    Less is more. Not every space needs to be filled and not every sofa belongs in the living room.

  • 6 years ago

    I would put the shorter of the two sofas under the window. Angle the chair and footstool at the flag wall and you can plug in a floor lamp there for a reading spot. Then float the longer sofa facing the window; all of it spread apart a bit more than you have it. You might consider putting the TV on the flag wall, on a swivel base. Move one sofa to the wall where it was. The other sofa and chair can float or sit at the window. I would try both ideas and see...

  • 6 years ago

    following

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    That hanging American flag and wedding pics could look great up agains a wood wall. Would absolutely recommend putting some reclaimed wood wall paneling up on one of those walls. Perhaps even consider the back arched wall. See pic here:


  • 6 years ago

    Since this is a rental, you are probably limited to what you can do with the walls. I do think taking away one of the couches would be better...add an easy chair if you need the seating. And yes, I think wedding and family pictures belong in the bedroom....colorful art would look great.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I don't think you're alone about the high walls. I'll look for examples of well done starched fabric of your choice, framed in regular wood trim. Or wallpaper that looks good and can be peeled off [again, within trim]. Probably large rectangle on each side of laundry was it... ok maybe cause less furniture there, and could be a semi-focal point.

  • 6 years ago

    I would read up - houzz has articles. "Using fabric panels trimmed out in molding is a great way to give a wall interest in a classic space. In a more modern space, you could choose a punchier color... Try this trick with thick bed sheets off the clearance rack instead of purchased fabric off the bolt and you'll save even more."

  • 6 years ago

    I like simple art, and art I have tried. "At first you might not think you are an artist, but you will be surprised what you can come up with after some practice. Find a large, pre-stretched canvas at a thrift store, buy Oops paint from your local hardware store and experiment with different brush strokes. You might come up with a modern masterpiece."

    ---------------------------

    I'd try tape on that wall, to estimate sizes to buy - maybe 2 on each side hung vertically, with top edges a bit above top of laundry opening, not too perfect here.

  • 6 years ago

    I have time - so another idea is to [not make too many holes!] - hang three medium sized on each side of door, and 4 under those. Play up the angle of the wall. "Achieve a controlled look with two horizontal rows of identically sized frames. This approach is less organic and more architecturally minded."

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Wall needs something with large scale / effect - maybe 3 shelves on increasing width [on each side]. "picture rails display a collection of small images or photos. You get the effect of the gallery wall without committing to one composition and many nail holes. You can easily rotate images."

    -----------------------------------------------------

    Or 3 identical width shelves hung staggered -- next shelf a foot or two over...

  • 6 years ago

    Are you able to do a floor plan so folks can suggest best ways to place your furniture? Include windows, doors, fireplace...


    I don't know too much about ready made slipcovers, but that's an option to unify your sofas...

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