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Need help decorating very blah RV!!

6 years ago

Hi! My husband and I recently bought a 2005 motorhome and although it’s I great shape, it’s very beige and blah. Needs color and some style! Here are a few photos. My primary color will be blue (navy/aqua) with some other accents (red, orange, cream). First thing I’m doing is buying a rug and then will make other choices from there. I need pillows, throws, and fabric for window valances. We will be removing the cornice boxes. Very dated! But will be keeping the auto shades so need a wide valance to cover. We’re also replacing the dinette with a desk/dining bar and 2 blue chairs (photo). We aren’t planning to paint or change couches right now. Maybe someday. So, with this rug, can anyone suggest what I should do for valance fabric? Neural? Blue? Pattern? I’m stuck. I want to lighten and brighten but not sure what I should be looking for. With a busy/colorful rug, do I go plain on windows? Thanks!!!

Comments (29)

  • 6 years ago

    There's not much difference between cornice boxes and valances - both are dated, but they serve a practical purpose in motor homes if you don't want to see all the mechanisms. Maybe you should just cover them with navy fabric to match the chair. Have you considered replacing carpet with LVP, then adding the rug?

  • 6 years ago

    @decoenthusiaste, thank you! Yes, we do plan to replace flooring with LVP. Sooner than later. Maybe early next year!

    And yes, I’m not a fan or valances typically but necessary here. I kinda envision something like this. Simple. But would need to wrap around the sides to the wall.

    What do you think? Thank you!!!

  • 6 years ago

    I agree. Either the same blue as the chair or maybe white

  • 6 years ago

    So you want to mount them on rods? I still say blue and plain. Then you can pop in some pattern with rug and pillows.

  • 6 years ago

    Thank you both!

    Yes decoenthusiaste, was thinking rods that wrap around. Like this attached. Would that work?

    And do you guys suggest a similar blue to the chairs? Or lighter? Thx!

  • 6 years ago

    I would probably try to get as close as possible to that color and material

  • 6 years ago

    Same color as chairs. Don't start adding too many different shades, colors and patterns. The space is too small to handle a lot of visual movement, and you want your additions to be compatible with the sofas. You might need to hot glue the valance to the rod to hold it in place at each end. If you use a stiffer fabric and no gathers, it will fit more snugly so it doesn't move when traveling.

  • 6 years ago

    Thank you! I definitely don’t want it to look like a fun house on the boardwalk 🤪 Makes sense about not adding too much. I’ll keep it simple. If I can’t find the right shade of blue, should I should go with a cream color to lighten it and not take away anything? And maybe I could do a fun pattern in the bedroom!

    I guess I need to learn how to use my sewing machine. I would imagine a lot easier to find fabric I like vs actual valance.

    And lastly, do you like this rug? Think it works? I have other options. I ordered it but can return. It arrives Friday! I thought it was light enough and colorful enough without being too much. Thoughts?

    Thanks again, both!!

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Always wise to be sure you can return items. Rugs are pricey to send back, but often you can order a very small size and then it is cheaper to return it if you find it really doesn't suit. Post pix when you get it in. It will definitely drive the other color/pattern choices you make. You can always match the valance to the color of the blinds, keeping them neutral and sort of taking them out of the color equation so you can add more to the floor, seating and accessories.

  • 6 years ago

    Thank you both, again!

    Yes the rug is from Amazon and has free returns. So I felt ok to go for it. This is my backup rug if that doesn’t work.

    And we actually have auto shades. There are regular shades that are black and you can see thru. Then there are completely opaque shades for night so no one sees in...those are beige. But mostly they are up! All I know is that I need to do something with these cornice boxes. ;)

    Thanks and will definitely post when I can see the rug in the space! Here’s the shade partially down.

  • 6 years ago

    Omg. I kinda like the second one !! LOVE actually!!! I think it might go better!! 😬
    And my gosh! That picture is beyond!! That view of just quietness!! ♥️♥️♥️you guys are awesome!!

  • 6 years ago
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Both rugs are nice. I like the first one a lot since it has some warm tones in it as well to go with the beige furniture and wood in the space; it also looks sort of silk-like in texture.


    Those booth seats look really comfortable. Maybe reupholstering/slip covers could be an option if you'd like another look.








    https://www.etsy.com/listing/803810345/custom-rv-dinettesofa-replacement?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-home_and_living-home_decor-chair_pads_and_covers-other&utm_custom1=96541c84-7f5e-4368-b654-9e4ac9d39e89&utm_content=bing_319895455_1311717520354927_81982371306431_pla-4585581965508935:aud-805670566:pla-4585581965508935_t__803810345&utm_custom2=319895455&msclkid=abd3c7f5b0ca12c70356986c758be06d

  • 6 years ago

    Velvet pillows are beautiful with leather. Velvet + linen is a nice mix.


    I think this is a fun orange accent.

    https://www.wayfair.com/decor-pillows/pdp/winston-porter-tomblin-welcome-to-our-porch-indooroutdoor-lumbar-pillow-w001604625.html?piid%5B0%5D=1473682721


  • 6 years ago

    So I got our rug in and although I like it, I don’t love it in the space. I think it’s the pattern and color. It’s just too busy for the small space with low ceilings. So I’m looking for something less busy for the floor, but not too boring. Then I’ll add pops of red/orange and pattern with pillows and throws. Here’s the busy rug and I’ll post some choices. Please help!! I’m feeling really stuck and frustrated. Thank you!!

  • 6 years ago

    One more bad photoshop. Plus the rugs on their own.

  • 6 years ago

    I also found these... I love the one with the color and I think it’s better than what I have and withdrawn be less busy. But maybe still too busy? And then the one that’s just blue. I don’t know!!!

  • 6 years ago

    All of your choices are nice. But to keep the space more open visually, I would bring in a rug along these lines - and bring in color with pillows, etc.




    https://rugs.com/beige-5x8-starlight-area-rug-6296438?pos=6&rt=aisle

  • 6 years ago

    Just to demonstrate the general concept, I brought a more solid, neutral rug into this RV space.






    This rug might be a bit too beige for this space, but it gives you the general idea. The rug they have is nice, but this rug opens up the space.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    The rug I used in visual directly above is not the same as first rug I posted, btw. Here is second rug:



    https://rugs.com/beige-8x10-lattice-shag-area-rug-6266274?pos=2&rt=aisle

    It's good to first order smallest size and/or a sample when ordering rugs on line - to check for color, texture, etc.

  • 6 years ago

    Thanks freedomplace! I’m just not sure I can bring in more beige! It needs color. What about one of these?

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Any of the rugs could work. It depends on the look you would like to have. With blue, to sort of keep the space more open, I would overall go with the lighter blues and more subtle patterning.

    • Rugs.com has a visualuzer feature ("see this rug in your room"). Rugs USA has it, too. You can upload your picture and see how various rugs might work in your space. Not always 100% true to color, etc. on these visualizer tools, plus computer/device monitors can vary, so good to test sample size in person.
  • 6 years ago

    Thanks freedomplace. It’s so hard to find what I’m looking for. But I think I’m starting to get what you mean about lighter. Any of these maybe? Any preference for the space?

  • 6 years ago

    From the ones you've posted directly above, I think I'd try #4, the bottom one.

  • 6 years ago

    I feel your pain!! We will be downsizing to our 5th wheel and recently went through the agony of trying to find a rug that would brighten the space yet not overpower it.


    I like the first rug you posted, the cream color in it goes well with the sofas; the bright blue and orange/red will be good accent colors for pillows etc . Some of the other blue rugs posted seem too dark and may make it feel more 'closed in' .


    During my search I bought a couple, tried them, nope .. back they went. I settled on on one with off white/greige background with teal/aqua and green design. Recovered all the brown cornices with a bright aqua/light green paisley fabric. MUCH better but not done yet.

  • 6 years ago

    Thanks freedomplace! I do like that one! Am afraid it may make me dizzy but maybe I’ll try it!!

    And thanks jl SR! It helps to know I’m not alone and someone else gets it. I’ve never had issues picking a rug for my house!

    Would you happen to have a photo of your rug? And even better, in your RV with the cornice boxes updated!?? I would love to see it!!

    Unfortunately that first one with all the color is just too busy for me, although I love the colors.

    This is frustrating! I think it’s because the furniture and current floor and cabinets aren’t what I would pick so it’s making it harder to make them all work together.

    Thx!

  • 6 years ago

    Here are these shown in a room.. the last one I just found. Thoughts on these 3?? Thx!!!

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Yes its very frustrating isn't it! Especially since RV manufacturers made heavy use of brown... and

    more brown! Your furniture and cabinetry in your RV looks really nice! I would love to have the lighter color sofas.. ours is brown.

    Here is the rug I ended up using -- it was pretty cheap, like $40 on Amazon I figured if I didn't like it no big loss there :


    This is the fabric I used on the cornices:


    And here's the kitchen/living area .. I don't have a pic with the rug in it but it just fits in the 'living area' under the 2 ottomans. I didn't want to remove the cornices either due to they house the day/night shades and can't do without those. previously they were brown/black fabric. gross.