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renner65

Living Room Needs Help

2 days ago

I am in the process of changing some things in my living room because it is lacking something and I’m just not happy with it as it is. I asked an AI for a rendering of changes I could make. I have included the actual living room and the rendered photo. Does the rendering have too much lighting?
Too much furniture? What would you do differently? I would also welcome any ideas for adding decor so the room doesn’t look so sterile. Thank you for your help.

Comments (34)

  • 2 days ago

    Are you looking into the living room from a kitchen?

    It is too symmetrical! Is that what you want?

    a much larger area rug so the furniture sits on the rug. Fill the room. How about one sofa along the wall under the art and make your space bigger?

    Do you need a ceiling fan for ventilation? The temperature of the light bulbs makes your existing light feel cool, rather than warm. Floor lamps to break up the stuffy evenly space lamps for a more casual feel. You don't need pairs of everything, just similar colors and styles.

    are the chairs recliners? Are they the chairs you typically use to watch TV from?

    I would place a sofa where the chairs are and add a sofa table to separate the spaces. Put the two chairs facing the fireplace to the left of the room. You may be able to add a couple more chairs?

  • 2 days ago

    Looking from the open concept kitchen. I do like symmetry. Need ceiling fan and it’s brand new. Did you see the rendered photo? Chairs are recliners and where we usually sit to watch TV

  • 2 days ago

    Rug is new as well, and yes, too small for the room.

  • 2 days ago

    They both look like a vignette in a furniture store, with the AI rendering having way too much stuff and excessive symmetry. Your individual pieces are nice, but all put together it looks very generic or showroom-like. I don't see anything that is unique or tells me anything about your family's personality.

  • 2 days ago

    True but I don’t have the confidence in myself to do that. That’s why I’m asking for help.

  • 2 days ago

    You've said the fan and rug are new-is everything new or what could change? You have a lot of brown in the room-is there a color you would like to add? Even the pillows are the same.

  • 2 days ago

    Most everything is new, except for the ottoman. The end tables are repurposed from another room and I want to replace them. Floors are grey wood-look tile, sofas are grey-ish/white, rug is shades of blue/grey/white, artwork is light and dark blues, gold, white, and a touch of brown. I think too much blue and want to add another color(s) in there.

  • 2 days ago

    Your furniture choices are nice, but a lot of the problem is the lighting is too cool and you need to finish the room with adding in accessories. Try changing bulbs to 3000-3500k to warm it up. Add more accessories to the cabinets and mantle so that the paintings and tv are more grounded. Change out the pillows for ones that have the color of the paintings by fireplace.
    Now I love the other painting. It’s a great size and you’ve hung and lit it well, but it just doesn’t play well with the other wall art, so I’d try and find a new home for it and find a replacement for it.

  • 2 days ago

    Emily‘s rendering gives you some good suggestions. You don’t need more furniture you need accessories. Pillows, a throw, tray on coffee table with led candles, books stacked with vase, faux plant(S) framed photo(S) etcetc. If you’re not used to arranging things, it will be a challenge, but the AI photograph here gives you some very good ideas. Maybe you have things in your home already that you are fond of that could go in these display areas suggested in the photograph.

  • 2 days ago

    The large piece on the wall is a canvas copy of a photo my daughter took of my granddaughters. I could move it to another room but not sure I want to. I guess I could replace the ones by the fireplace.

  • 2 days ago

    Lisch I didn’t notice the her rendering. Thank you for pointing that out to me.

  • 2 days ago

    Yes, I’m looking to add more color other than blue.

  • 2 days ago

    Would a rug like this work?

  • 2 days ago

    Maybe not

  • 2 days ago

    The blue pillows add to the coolness of the overall color in the room. You might consider looking for something in a warmer color. Maybe this ochre color velvet.

    https://www.wayfair.com/home/pdp/sherry-kline-square-velvet-pillow-cover-insert-w002059965.html?piid=940553632%2C940553634


    I'd also consider bringing in a wood tone for the end tables. Something to add a little warmth. Perhaps a gold or brass tray on the coffee table as well for just a little shine.

  • 2 days ago

    I can understand not wanting to move the canvas as it has sentimental value. That’s important. You might try mirrors in place of the contemporary artwork.

  • 2 days ago

    Originally the sofas were supposed to be a deep blue but I was uncomfortable going with so much color on the sofa. I think it would have been gorgeous though. Can I bring more color in on the rug that would tie this all together without clashing with the grey of the sofa?

  • 2 days ago

    I don’t know if you can tell much from this photo the exact color

  • 2 days ago

    Beverly - I don’t see the adjusted photo

  • 2 days ago

    You can definitely bring in more color with the rug. Just bring that color up to the sofa in your accessories.

  • 2 days ago

    Looks nice, thank you

  • 2 days ago

    My only concern on the mirrors is that those artwork light are over them and they are hard wired in.

  • 2 days ago

    Before changing out the artwork, work on the rug and adding warmth there and via cushions on the couches. Getting your lighting to warm rather than cool, will also help. Then you can think about the art and if you want to change.

  • 2 days ago

    And the mirrors will reflect the kitchen which is not ideal.

  • 2 days ago

    I like that red and blue rug or something else with blue. The colors in the picture of your daughters has a nice red tone. I think you have room for

    more art on the other side of the room. Bring in more blue, red, green. Patterned pillows will add interest. Some large colorful

    books on the cabinets on both sides of the fireplace under the pictures

    adds color and interest. And not expensive. This dumb website - sorry for the spaces.

  • 2 days ago
    last modified: 2 days ago

    Maybe reduce the amount of contrast by lightening some of the elements (mantel, coffee and end tables, fan, fireplace art)? Then warmer lighting, larger rug, slightly relaxed symmetry?

    Someday new barstools with upholstered backs could add color and support a sense of soft comfort.

  • 2 days ago

    Yes, I’m looking for new barstools. These were just something I had.

  • 2 days ago

    @renner65 ….. I don’t believe that art needs to ” play well” with other pieces of art in the room, actually I think just the reverse, more interesting, less like a hotel lobby. Just glancing at your room I think more interesting pillows would be nice. Some accesories added would be good, but take your time, don’t try to do it all at once.

  • yesterday

    Agree… I don’t think Art has to “match”… I think it’s more important that it’s work that you like a lot and also that it is sized and framed appropriately for the space.

  • yesterday

    Would you keep the ottoman or replace? Also, not sure how to mix woods. Thank you all so much for the suggestions and mockups.

  • yesterday

    It depends upon how much dark you like. To me, the large dark ottoman with the dark chairs and dark cabinets is quite a bit in that space, and I like simply's rendering with the lighter coffee table, but it's what you like. Plus we have only seen one picture of the space with the view from the kitchen and it might not feel that way IRL.


  • yesterday

    I would want a light color in the coffee table position. That could be the ottoman if you're willing to paint or refinish the base and reupholster the top, or it could be a new piece. (The tables I showed have light wood bases and travertine tops, but AI drew them; I haven't looked for some like them in real life.)

    As for mixing woods, to me it's no different than mixing upholstery colors. The room currently has light sofas and dark recliners. There's no reason it can't also have light tables and dark chests flanking the fireplace, is there?

  • yesterday

    This is the other side of the room.

  • yesterday
    last modified: 18 hours ago

    You have a beautiful home!

    I don't think the ottoman needs to change. You can lighten it with a light- colored throw and a light-colored tray with some colorful books, for example.

    Also, I would start with choosing art if you see something you love. More colorful art without the dark tones would make a positive difference, in my opinion. The size you have now is fine. If you don't find something you love, then it would be best to wait until you do. Alternatively, look for the rug...

    Would you be interested in an area rug that is lighter or brighter, and in a warmer color? I can't really see the colors in your photo on canvas. The color doesn't need to match, but it can be in the same hue to a color in your art. [Example: I chose poppy red to pick up on brick red in my area rug.] I quickly grabbed a couple rugs that may pick up on a color in your art.


    A coral color...


    A more subtle one...


    The mantel in a lighter wood such as oak looks nice, but you may have too much invested in that. You can add it in tables or accent pieces.

    Personally, I like the arrangement of your sofas and chairs! A favorite designer here on Houzz used that arrangement in her own home, and that's good affirmation. The placement of your recliners is best for tv viewing. From the sofas, it would be too hard on your necks. [I know this because I sit on the sofa at my brother's home. After a while, I have to lie down on it to avoid the pain. Luckily, they don't mind.]

    With any of the suggestions you've received, including mine, you don't have to use them if you don't like them, but you can try something to find out! Good luck shopping for some lighter, more colorful items. And nothing has to be decided in a rush!