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goca52284

HOW CAN I GIVE THIS PLACE LIFE AND MODERNIZE IM WILLING TO RID OF stuf

6 years ago



Comments (86)

  • 6 years ago

    Start by taking down the drapes and see how the room looks with more natural lighting. White blinds are perfectly fine! Blinds do not need to match your walls exactly.

    Then, go to a furniture store and walk around - browse colors and styles of sectionals or sofas that you like. Take pics of things you like.

    Then go home and review your pics in the living room and see what you think looks good. You can post pics here and we can help.

    Measure your space before you make any purchases to make sure the new sofa will fit well.

    Measure the bench press and see if it fits in the dining area. If not, leave it where it is for now and focus on a new sofa.

    You shouldn’t need to repaint - natural lighting and a new sofa might be all you need for now.

    You’ll still get privacy at night with closed blinds.

  • 6 years ago

    I took the middle blind down to add more light what color drapes do you suggest and what color sectional thank u so much Kate

  • 6 years ago

    Id like to do drape ld if I can I tried with just blinds but wasnt feeling it

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    THIS IS THE PICTURE WHEN I FIRST MOVED HERE


  • 6 years ago

    Goca....yes, keep the window shades.
    If there is a chance you can replace the soft sofa, look for one with firm cushions that stand up against the back of the sofa. It will immediately look neater. Whoever wants soft pillows on the sofa for napping(?) can use a couple of decorative throw pillows. Rather
    than fall into the gray or beige or greige trend, a blue, burgundy or tan sofa would add color to the room.
    The tulip uplight lamps don’t light the room and you don’t need to light the ceiling for any reason. And the painting/picture will look more finished if it is framed.

    goca thanked felizlady
  • 6 years ago

    Thank you Feliz . I have a lot of stuff behind the drapes id like to keep curtains but change them what color do you suggest

  • 6 years ago

    What kind of stuff do you have behind the drapes? As for color - kind of depends on the new sofa you get. I’d keep it light since you’re trying to lighten up the space. But whether you go for a subtle pattern or texture, whatever - I’d pick the sofa first and coordinate your curtains with the sofa rather than the other way around. Curtains are cheaper than sofas.

    goca thanked Kate E
  • 6 years ago

    Right i got you . Ive got some speakers but I like the drape idea the blinds look so bad to me

  • 6 years ago

    Here are some photos for inspiration.


    Spanish Colonial Remodel · More Info



    Joseph Residence · More Info



    Noe Valley Residence · More Info



    Warm and Inviting Living Rooms · More Info

    More:

  • 6 years ago


    Maxwell House · More Info



    Contemporary Living Room · More Info


    Traditional living room, Atherton · More Info


    Minneapolis Whole House Remodel · More Info


    This is to get an idea of the color schemes you could use with brown, red & beige. If you do much moving, a beige or brown sofa might be more practical so that it would work in your new place, but that's up to you. Also, a sofa and two chairs will work better in most homes since it gives you an option of how to arrange them. If you will be living in apartments, you might want to get smaller sized furniture to be sure it fits in a variety of homes. Do you see anything that appeals to you?

    goca thanked dianabythelocks
  • 6 years ago

    Are the draperies and blinds provided by the apartment management? Do you want to spend a little on new if you will be staying there long term? If the provided drapes/blinds are not in good condition, they might be willing to provide new, or a budget for new.

  • 6 years ago

    The drapes are mine and Im willing to buy new ones which color and kind do you suggest? ThNk you

  • 6 years ago

    I paid 80 dollars for these drapes theyre very good but I dont like their vibe anymore the color block

  • 6 years ago

    Thank you so much i love the lighter version with white red beautiful not too crazy for dark ones

  • 6 years ago

    Wow Diana thank you nailed it matching with my colors awesome inspo

  • 6 years ago



  • 6 years ago



  • 6 years ago

    Where can I find these exact items from the first pic?

  • 6 years ago

    What stands out to me is a lot of grey/neutral/drab colors. I am not a pro, but if I were you, I would find ways to add a splash of bright color: throw pillows and blankets, art, window treatments, etc. Pick a favorite color and bring it into several places in the room.

    goca thanked Elaine Ricci
  • 6 years ago

    Yes you are right I just wish I knew how Diane here gave me inspo finally something I can start from

  • 6 years ago

    The first sofa with the red chairs was custom made (very long). The second sofa was from Pottery Barn 2 years ago. The inspiration photos were more to help you envision color combinations, not specific pieces. (By clicking on the "more information" under each pic, it will take you to a page that may have more data.)


    It would be helpful if you drew a picture with the dimensions of your room, with windows & doors shown. With that info, the pros on this site could recommend specific pieces based on size and style that you like, plus a floor plan to utilize your space. Are your walls white?


    By picking a sofa first, posters can then recommend the size/style of chairs. After these are chosen, drapes and accessories (like pillows & lamps) can be recommended. All of this is determined, of course, with your budget. (I'm not one of the pros.) Good luck!

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    O i didnt mean the exact same sofa but same color combo the walls are beige a very light beige matte

  • 6 years ago

    Goca, you asked how I found pictures for inspiration. In the search bar on houzz, I entered "living room sofa red brown beige" and selected "photos," and the site searches for pix that designers used to describe their photo. They are thousands of pix. Try it, it's fun!

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Thank you Diana

  • 6 years ago

    i hope i can find similar items on a budget

  • 6 years ago

    Im thinking tone down the drapes to a beige light but I dont know what material

  • 6 years ago

    Felizlady, Kate E or Angel, can you help with this? I'm not experienced enough. Thx.

  • 6 years ago

    Thank you

  • 6 years ago

    The best furniture for now and the future is a 3-seat sofa and two upholstered chairs. They can be swivel chairs if you want more options in arranging the seating. You also need a low credenza 25-50% wider than the TV. If your rug is in good shape and you like it, take a good matched photo of it with you when you shop for seating. Try to think of putting this furniture and rug in your next home and buy accordingly. You can use seating to "screen" off the gym and make a separation of the two use areas.

  • 6 years ago

    Thank you decooo yea absolutely

  • 6 years ago

    What do you mean by use seating sorry I dont understand

  • 6 years ago

    Is the reason you don't want to move your workout equipment because you like to watch tv at the same time? If so, could you buy a smaller tv to put with it? The dining room would be so perfect because you (& guests) wouldn't see it every time you entered the room. It looks like you would have room for your dining area at the other end from the front door. Another idea would be to move it to the other side of the sofa and perhaps put a screen of some type between it. It's great that you like to keep in shape! Me, not so much. ;-( LOL

  • 6 years ago

    Now you have all this information, you have to go shopping and see what speaks to you.

    Take measurements of the sofa and see if it fits in your room. You could take pics and

    post them here for comments. Then drapery and perhaps a new rug.

    We can't say, "go buy this" or "go buy that".

  • 6 years ago

    Problem is i am limited with space and working out is essential to me and i like to do it at home as for the dining room there s no space to fit it it blocks everything

  • 6 years ago

    Am waiting for the corona fiasco to finish and then i will start thank you guys. I have a problem with buying the right things and making sure everything is cohesive

  • 6 years ago

    We just bought this tv

  • 6 years ago

    The drapes , lamps, coffe table ,credenza sofa and rug are going out

  • 6 years ago

    Then I have to be very meticulous with buying the right color sofa

  • 6 years ago

    I’d spend some time browsing online your local furniture stores and get ideas that way!

  • 6 years ago

    Do you think a white sofa would work here kind of break the monochrome feel or no

  • 6 years ago

    Maybe - I wouldn’t go stark white but maybe a cream or ivory? Bright white could work potentially, but harder to keep clean.

    Also - bed bath beyond has tons of curtains and you can use the 20% off coupons on those! Kohl’s also has a good selection, as does IKEA!

  • 6 years ago

    And what texture n color curtains if Im goin for the brown red beige look?

  • 6 years ago

    Whatever appeals to you! I’d suggest looking for a light weight material - since you have the blinds for privacy already, you don’t want heavy drapes that block tons of light. Browse curtains that are either sheer or light filtering.

  • 6 years ago

    Would your husband like a white sofa? Not knowing your lifestyle, it's hard to say how practical it would be. Also, unless you can paint your walls, it might not be a good choice. Did you think about the colors you mentioned above - the brown, red & beige colors you said you liked? @decoenthusiaste @Kate E & others, please chime in here.

  • 6 years ago

    Yes definitely just dont know how to put them together

  • 6 years ago

    Earlier I asked if you could draw a floor plan with measurements so that posters could help you decide on sofas, first, and more later. This will give us ideas as to length & width of furniture. That's one of the first steps. You could also be looking online at sofas to get an idea of styles you like. We'll help you through it, but the floor plan comes first. :-)

    goca thanked dianabythelocks
  • 6 years ago

    I would follow another poster's advice about taking down the curtains. Then, divide the sectional and put the longest part on the the wall with the windows. Place the TV on a low credenza and angle the chaise part of the sofa so that the TV can be seen easily by someone sitting there. Also, please remove the exercise equipment from the room.

  • 6 years ago

    New furniture and some colour on the walls. Good luck!

    goca thanked daniellemcguckin
  • 6 years ago

    Sheila sorry but my equipment cannot be removed working out is a lifestyle for me and for now i have nowhere else to put it

  • 6 years ago

    So, place a 3-seat sofa with its back to the workout area, chairs on the wall if they're fixed, or put them opposite the sofa if they swivel.