Is he open to you changing things? Looks like decent furniture. How about starting with some art? I would suggest a colorful rug, but that might not work with the cute pup. Maybe a low pile one. Is there an extra bed room you can decorate?

Yes, open to changing things! Its just so dark and dull to me. Not my usual style of white bright and modern!

Hi. This is a process. Here is what I recommend

1) Create a workable floor plan

2) Both post a photo of what you want the space to look like.

3) Have he and you list what items must go/must stay

4) Come up with a compromise look

Creating a workable floor plan will allow you to agree upon some things that don't affect style.

Decor and final touches are the last thing.

Some things I am noticing

1) This does not seem a good place for the tv. Console is blocking the stairs and it seems to be in a walkway. I'd need photos of the room to make further suggestions. A poor floor plan is one of the most common errors I see.

2) Table pushed up against the wall makes the bench useless.

3) A closed tv console to store games/dvds would look much nicer.....something he might agree to.....or at least stored neatly.

4) Maybe keep just one of the brown sofas?

I would start with a taller, white console, with enclosed storage. Next, choose some colorful art together to use over your dining table or behind the sofa. Add a fresh green plant to the dining table. If you can get some new furniture, I would look for two armchairs to replace the chairs with the builtin cup holders. You can look for chairs in a color that coordinates with all the grays - blue, emerald green, gold, etc. Decide on one accent color together that you both like.

The dog is like “lady, I tried” 😂 Very much a bachelor pad. Good bones to work with though, just needs some soft touches and some color! New tv console (closed), area rug, pillows, and some colorful art! My teenage son has the exact NYC skylight art on his wall too!

Lindsey. How do I say this. If you have been with this man/boy for 2 years and have not influenced his set up, I fear changes will not be easy for you. Are you sure?? See if he is willing to get basketball hoop out of eating are, change console to hide games and better organize things, sell love seat (too big for space) and replace coffee table with something lighter and more interesting and move art once room is redesigned. See what the attitude is and then go from there. Without the love seat you could add at least one nice guest chair(s).

If boyfriend is okay with you totally changing the space and it is within the budget, then no problem. But, if you need to combine styles, here is some inspiration for you.

Dean Estates | Cranston, RI - Kitchen | Dining | Living Remodel · More Info

Amanda Cluster · More Info

One Brooklyn Bridge Park Loft · More Info

Do you need all the toys and games? How about a rug, a couple pillows and a throw? Paint the table top and get a cute little centerpiece.

Why not do your scenario? You move in to his property, you are not married, you have no equity in the property, and you want to spend YOUR money redecorating HIS home?

I know you love him. But, what is his is his.

Don’t be foolish.

I am going to get flack from this post, but I want a young woman to be on equal ground with boyfriend or husband. I think you are not. Get married; buy something together; design it together. Make a commitment. If he has more than you, or yo have more than he does, add a lawyer into the mix.

yay Judy!

have to agree. It's his place. he bought it (or is he renting? and if so, will you be sharing the cost of rent? )

If you are paying rent there, then you should have some say so. Otherwise, you'll have to ask him if he would like to redecorate.

You'll freak him out if you move in and suddenly move his 'toys' and bring in girly things. Work on a compromise.

Have to disagree. If you are sharing a home, you should both feel at home. Of course, I am giving the couple, who has been together for two years, the benefit of assuming they have had ample time to discuss this move and that they are sharing this space. Do adults really need a toy basketball hoop at the table??? This is the main floor of a town house, where they will be entertaining guests, if they entertain. It should feel like “theirs.”

Eh, said boyfriend might be thrilled that someone wants to put the energy into making his place look nicer - I know mine was when we moved in together almost a decade ago! He is now my husband and his approach is still the same, the only thing he feels strongly about is floral prints and curtains (MIL loves her florals and elaborate draperies and to this day he can’t tolerate any of it).

maybe boyfriend will be all for it. My husband couldn't give two beans on how I decorate. (unless it was really ugly!)

All we're saying is sit him down and talk to him about. Ask him if it's ok to move out the 'boy' stuff and make the room look more put together.

If he says, sure, no problem. but if he digs in his heels about it, then you have some other issues to work through.

Make sure you are building equity, too, if you have a future together. Financial security is important for everyone.

Hope you find a way to incorporate your design vision as well.

Have a look a Scandinavian design, sounds like you, show your boyfriend pics, if he is anything like my husband he wouldn’t care too much what you did, within reason of course lol. Start off with some cushions, art, a cool floor lamp. Go slow

This is an exciting time in your lives and I think adding some things to give it personality is great, but don’t go girly as it won’t suit. Soften and personalize space by accessorizing and modern rustic would be a good direction.

Consider Facebook Marketplace and it won’t cost a fortune. I’m including ads below (in my vicinity) to show what can be found, prices, as well as ideas that would suit your room to help with a direction.

First thing I would do is replace bookcase with a console that has doors and/or wide enough shelves for baskets to hide games. Accessorize top to help fill space under tv

Here is a room example on how accessorizing changes things big time

Suggestions: rug, ligniting, baskets, dining table/coffee table accessorizing, plant, art over dining table, cushions, throw. Definitely search Pinterest for ideas and have a plan so coordinating will be easier. Search Marketplace; there are great buys but things go fast. Oftentimes if my daughter in law waits for my son‘s or my input, it’s gone. For approximately $300 you could create a cozier spot to enjoy together. Good luck.

IMO first you sit down with him and see what he is willing to change then work from there. IMO it does not appear to be a lost cause the basket ball hoop needs to go and so does the open storage for the games and the TV needs a proper cabinet below it and the TV itself needs to be much lower . Add a nice chandelier above the table maybe crysyal for a bit of bling and some art you can both agree on with some color so you can use those colors for some decor items . Lighting will be abig item in the LR too and maybe a bit larger endtables. If you post more pics of the whole space we could maybe be more help.

Area square footage?

Not a Pro.

There seems to be no color.

What are the colors that you are looking to add.

Compromising on that first will help bring in some of the changes you are looking for.

Maybe the two of you can shop for an area rug together. Agreeing on that alone will help kick start the room.

• Add an area rug, cushions, and a throw blanket to the living area for softness.
• Replace the media unit with something white and enclosed (eg BESTA from IKEA) for brightness & neatness. Agree with the suggestion to lower the tv so that it's more at eye-level. If we get a layout of the whole space we may be able to find a better place for it altogether so it's not in a walkway.
• Relocate the basketball hoop & red bull fridge for grown-upness :) He can decide whether they're relocated to a basement rec. room or the local goodwill.
• More plants and a simple tablecloth to tone down all the grey. Scoot the table away from the wall so all sides are available, or get a smaller table if needed.

You have SO many options, using what is there as the foundation. The furniture looks decent, so I wouldn't change it right away. Start with rugs, artwork, lamps, small decor items, accent chairs, draperies, and other textiles to lighten/soften things up.

For instance, add a bit of white and yellow

or turquoise

Or lavender and silver

I am working on the assumption that he wants you to move in and is ready for his place to transform from a bachelor pad to a home and that the two of you have discussed this before you committed to moving in.

The first thing I would do is go through the entire house. clean, organize, make sure the space functions and is not cluttered. I don't know his personality, if the games collection is due to a need to hang on to things or a lack of interest in going through things and getting rid of old stuff.

How you handle removing items has to be based on his personality traits. I used to tape boxes shut and write a date on the tape so my husband would have to break the tape if he used something and I knew how long it had been sitting not used. After 6 months I placed unused items in storage. After 6 months in storage I would donate the items. If I didn't do this we would have had 30 years worth of stuff. I also did this with clothing - small rubber bands over the hook of the hanger every January - removed when I did laundry. My husband couldn't let go of things.

The second thing you need to do is list all the furniture, art and accessories.

Figure out what must stay (he loves, you love or you can't afford to replace, too new to replace, doesn't make sense to replace). To make some of these decisions you need to know your future plans.

Example - the sofa is big and bulky for the size of the space. No sense replacing the sofa if it is in good condition and the two of you will buy a new home within 5 years. If you are going to be there 10 years you will have to replace the sofa at some point, so you might as well get something that fits the space sooner rather than later.

Make notes on each item - can it be painted, does it need repair. . .

Once you know what is staying, have gotten rid of things that had to go and have some items that may stay or be replaced it is time to plan how you are going to use everything, what needs to be added and what additional items need to just go away.

I know you are anxious to make the space your own, but most young women have 2 choices. They can fully furnish a home with inexpensive furniture and have to replace everything in a matter of a few years, or they can live with the things they have, paint a few items to lighten things up, add some pretty touches and replace items one at a time with well made furniture that will last a lifetime. In the long run, well made furniture saves you money and the journey of shopping and looking and finding that one special piece can make each item in your home a source of joy. Art is another item that I have never purchased to decorate a room. I have gathered art and sculpture over the years as I traveled to different places and events and each piece reminds me of a treasured experience in my life.

If it were my space I would keep the sofa until it has deteriorated some. I would replace the smaller items - tv stand, coffee table and end tables. I would keep the dining room furniture, but paint it. You have to commit to doing this right or the paint on the top can become a hot mess.

I would also paint the walls, add window treatments, add an area rug, some pillows or a throw on the sofa. Add/replace art as you find items that make your heart sing.

Your boyfriend picked a palette of neutrals, which is quite common for men. In general they don't have the experience with color that women have. Our wardrobes are filled with color, they have dark pants and white, ecru, cream, gray or light blue shirts They don't match makeup, nail polish, shoes, purse and jewelry to their outfit. Neutral is their comfort zone.

You on the other hand are young and beautiful. I would advise you to use neutrals and colors that complement your coloring. Most of us are happier and more confident when we feel good about ourselves. Surrounding ourselves with colors that make us feel like a 10 also tends to make us happier.

Good luck on your journey.

Wow, some people on this thread are brutal! All the OP said was that she was moving into her BF’s townhome and wanted to make a few changes to make it more her style. She also said he BF is OK with her making changes. Those are the only facts. Everyone who is making assumptions about her relationship is just wrong because you know nothing about these people. Dear OP, I’m sure you will NEVER post a question on HOUZZ again but to answer your original question.., here’s some suggestions:
Paint the kitchen chairs white. They would really brighten the kitchen. You could also add some upholstered seat cushions to those chairs. Get a couple of nice black and white Moroccan throw pillows. I love these pillows from The Woven Nook
https://wovennook.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIudid3cqs6wIVBsDICh12Hw9zEAAYASAAEgLNvvD_BwE

Add a pretty plant or two and a nice white textured cotton throw blanket and it will look more feminine without going overboard. Then, someday when you guys are both ready, you can buy new furniture together. Until then - ignore judgements from people who don’t know you.

Thank you to everyone who has commented with great advice and suggestions, I really appreciate you!

Lol at the dog