Well they certainly look like they were made to go with your rug. Are those both black? Maybe try an interesting paint color on your walls if you really want to use the drapes - green?

they both are navy blue. they also had them in gray and a cream with orange. I can't paint as I live in an apartment:/

Then a big picture that ties the navy and brown together. Love Sarah Moffat's Rainmaker but can't figure out how to attach. Look under Houzz artists.

Thank you so much Lydia, I have been in love with those curtains forever! and i have plans on buying a lamp just like that. Thank you so muuch!

You're very welcome! I like those curtains also. I've seen them in person and the quality is decent for the price. Have fun decorating! :)

I like them much more knowing they are navy! I totally agree with Lydia's lighting concept - also bears72 idea for a large, bright piece of artwork - I'd incorporate a 3rd color & then bring that onto the sofa with throw pillows.

good idea about the 3rd color...maybe mustard..or fuschia?

Sorry and don't mean to highjack this discussion but when I was scanning the discussion lists I did a doubletake on last tacomagardengirl's comment. I read it as moustache instead of mustard and fushia and was wondering what in the world that color was.

Now an actual suggestion, whether helpful or not, you can decide. You mentioned the curtains come in a cream with orange? That sounds like a fabulous combination to me and would enliven your room without having to paint. A few additional small pops of orange in vases or knicknacks and you have totally updated and energized your room. If you are purchasing locally, try bringing a set of each home and see which you feel most comfortable using.

Extend your curtain rod farther out so the curtains are actually in front of the wall vs the window and leave the sheers. It's an illusion that will also trick the eye to make the window seem to take the entire wall.

Thanks! I do want to add a second color. Fuschia sounds lovely! I was also thinking coral or a red? This are the curtains, I am going to try them as well. I thought they would look lovely too.

Yes, I like those. They will add a lot of energy and fun into the room. From your ideabook pictures, I would guess that you enjoy colors and lively but sophisticated atmospheres. I think this color would be right down your alley. Much younger vibe to it than using all navy. Use that red/coral color judiciously in other areas and you'll have a great space in no time. Keep us updated on what you decide.

Although I really like those curtains, I find they're too light (in weight and visually) for the couch and rug. I prefer the sophisticated simplicity of navy. Adding fuschia could be an interesting option though (and much more fun than red).

I think it's going to boil down to personal choice. Mine is the light one; yours is obviously the dark. We shall look forward to sfigu16's decision. Either will be fine and serve her well.

I love the dark navy drapes. I really feel you need the strong saturation of a dark color on that wall to balance the weight foumd in the rest of the room. I would not use light drapery since you are unable to paint a deeper color to get the visual weight that you need for the room for a good balance.

Use them as outer edge trim and keep the sheers between. You can also buy an inexpensive pair of off white drapes to attach to the Navy drapes to give them a lining and more weight. They will appear more expensive.

Also agree with 'kristylou', extending the rod wider on the wall to allow maiximum light for the room. Agree, I would add a 3rd warm color 'jebjwarren' said, to the mix, maybe 2 more bright colors.

I like the navy ones. The cream ones seem too light for the room.

Some color suggestions for pillows

I would either start with a multi strong color Art or Pillow Fabric to bounce off of for the rest of the room's accessories and finishing elements.

Another note about the matching lamps. I would not go too matchy match. You will able to find lamps that work well in another complementary design to work with the drapes and rug.

If you would like to go a step further, you could paint the coffee table the white from the rug color to give it more visual presence. It would be a nice contrast with the dark sofa and predominantly dark rug. The table looks new, just another option to consider.

If you are handy, you can recover the current brown pillows with brighter fabrics.

Thank you Lb! I was also thinking about painting the table white. It makes the room looks dark and i want to lightening up a bit. I am going to buy fabric for two brown pillows i have, saves me money:) For the lamps, i want to keep it neutral nothing wild

You're welcome sfigu16!

The fabrics I posted are from www.BeverlysFabrics.com. They are Batik prints. Very reasonable.

Put up a wider curtain rod and keep the sheers over the window. Hang the dark drapes to the sides, actually over the wall. I think they look great.

If you love them - buy! Your room will be dark, but if you add sufficient lighting, the room will look great. Layered lighting is key. Add floor and/or table lights. If you have a ceiling junction box, add a chandelier. Put everything on dimmers. Add a good sized piece of artwork over the sofa and attach art lights. Create an arrangement of 3 columnar candles (battery operated are great - they come in a package of 3 in different sizes - perfect!) Add an uplight in the corner where you have the floor lamp. It will cast a soft glow to the room. If you have a pull up chair in the room, add a side table next to it with a reading lamp on it. Enjoy!

I have a side table that is navy blue, i want to paint it another color. Any suggestions?

I mentioned possibly painting the coffee table white. I would paint the end table white also.

white seams nice too..I want to add a little bit of pizzazz to it. any suggestions? I was thinking about giving it like a metal silver finish? its a tiny bookcase, it looks so nice!

How about silver metallic paint. There are spray paints available at the hardware stores.

I was just going to suggest a silver metallic too. A little more current and sophisticated than white while achieving the same purpose of brightening the room.

wohoo! I am on my way to get the paint, I'll post a picture when I'm done:)

I got the curtains!

guys i think the rug makes my room really dark, i was wondering if i could change the rug to a beige or grey one? I want to keep the curtains !

Before buying new rug, I recommend a huge mirror above the sofa. You'll be surprised at how much brighter your room will be with the reflection of light. I'm a huge fan of navy :)

I am too! I just don't like how the two colors look together, they are both different shades! but I am definitely doing the mirror

Early on you posted the off white drapes with the orange pattern. Would that help to lighten the room and still not have to worry about matching the navy?

i tried them but I'm just so in love with the navy blue curtains. I think I'm going to move the rug to my room and get a lighter rug.

BTW, thank you a for all the help!

As long as you have enough lighting in the room, it's not necessary to move the rug. Bring in light accessories as well like toss pillows, a throw over the arm of a chair, a vase with bright flowers. A mirror adds light and sparkle. It doesn't take much to add brightness to a room.