This is the kitchen

First I assume you are renting. Next we need to have some clue as to your style ?I would start by cjanging all the light bulbs to LEDs 4000K that will take away some of the yellow hue on the walls . The kitchen is dated so not much you can do in a rental. Add some color with accessories , keep the counter clear of clutter and make sure all the cabinets are cleaned.For sure stay away from any reclining furniture is a small space and also no sectionals no matter how small . Also no fake trees . What can you change ?

My thought was change the light fixtures and put a big area rug in the living room. Maybe a chilewich rug in the kitchen. I just don’t want to add to the small size of the apartment. My style is more on the minimalist and and I like very neutral white cream grey tones. I love plants but I can see it would be easy to go overboard. Even though the cupboards are ugly they are in good shape so I probably wouldn’t paint or do anything to change any surfaces. My big conundrum is do I try to keep everything monotone, including light fabric sofa or more like a nice vintage leather sofa? One of my thoughts is a leather sofa might be too intrusive in this small space but I would love your opinion. I’m not big into side tables or lamps but with the lighting help?

Bad talk to text. *would and *…will the lighting

Just to clarify... given you mentioned not changing the cabinets; are you renting or do you own this apartment?

If you rent, can you paint the walls? In the photos the wall color reads a bit orangey.

OK... sorry, I just read the rest of your comments.... so it is a rental.

I like your idea of adding a rug to break up the sea of beige (paint and carpet). Would you add anything to the windows? You could always go white with those (light and airy curtain panels).

As for a sofa I am not sure what you would want. I am personally not a fan of leather, but that is just me. I would try and pick something that would not bring out too much of the wall color.

Good idea on lighting but I am a huge fan of lots of lamps. They make for a much cozier space.

Yes I am renting and yes the walls are a bit orange as well as the carpet and linoleum in the kitchen. Yes I can paint as long as it’s neutral

Judi, do you want to paint? If so, it would be a lot work but would help a lot with making the space brighter with a nice off white.

I don’t mind painting especially a light color. And you say off-white. I know with a previous house I spent hours looking at the different whites. Is there one that you are particularly fond of or that you have in mind? I’m not very good at looking at the cupboards and floors and knowing what kind of tone would work best on the walls

Like the patio door and always appreciate natural light. Probably in the minority on this but rather than curtains or drapes, consider white vertical blinds.

If you can and do paint the kitchen cabinets and/or window and/or door trim and ceiling, consider painting them a true decorator's white.

A lot of white paint colors have shades of pink or yellow hues -- avoid those as well. A very pale gray or brown (tan w/o the pink or yellow hue) or even a very pale blue or a very pale green could be considered neutral.

If you want to minimize the dominant color -- including the carpet color -- then my suggestion would be to first find a living room rug you truly like and use the color(s) of the rug to help you decide your new wall color.

As suggested, change the lighting first so you get a true read on color here. If you can't tackle painting the kitchen cabinets, you'll want to coordinate the other rooms' paint color with those. Do you own any upholstered pieces you plan to use here? Paint should also coordinate with fabrics and textiles (including your rug.) Take your time even if it means painting after you've moved in. When you've narrowed down colors, order large peel and stick samples from samplize.com so you can move them around to different walls at different times of day and in various weather conditions to see how true they stay.

A couple of ideas:

With off-white walls.

Keep in mind the carpet.

Love it Freedom. The visual really helps. The first one fits my style except for the white table but I’m liking how it pulls the focus away from the walls. Thanks.

I would go with warm white ceiling and warm white walls. Some option

Thank you. I like the lighter walls

Celery, that looks great. So much nicer with the clean white walls!