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stef282

Bare living room needs help please!

12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Built a house and have ideas for most rooms but this is one big living space. Kitchen on one end and I have no idea what else to do besides my sectional and chair. I have a rug and small table and looking for possibly a small table and floor lamp by chair but it still looks so bare. Any ideas on how to make this look more put together?

Comments (231)

  • 12 years ago
    Side tables
  • 12 years ago
    If you are looking for nesting tables you may also want to check out Pottery Barn, they are not as expensive.
  • 12 years ago
    You need to add some color can I suggest bright pillows also a mirror will add a lot more style. Also the room could use some curtains or funky drapes to really make the room pop! And you could get a glass coffee table. Also to paint it doesn't have to be much but it should be like a settle grey or creamy white color. And you should add a inside plant to make the room feel green and happy! Also they are good for keeping the room fresh with new air!
  • 12 years ago
    Why don't try ikea for side tables they have some beautiful ones and very cheap
  • 12 years ago
    Ikea
  • 12 years ago
    I was just thinking it's looking dark even though the sectional is light. It's time for me to get some new pillows. I like the black and white so I need a new color. Suggestions? The curtains are new so they aren't going anywhere and I like them.

    I haven't tackled the walls. I need some art with color and mirrors but don't want to touch the tv wall yet because we are still looking at built in options. I need to do something with that large wall though. I haven't seen anything that I thought I really have to have this yet though.
  • 12 years ago
    Genn,

    I don't mind that white side table but not sure it's big enough. Not sure where that's from though? I'm really careful with Ikea because I tend to find their stuff looks cheap.
  • 12 years ago
    I would do custom build ins around the tv
  • 12 years ago
    Would use a pattern rug . There are a ton of 8x10 for $150 good luck
  • 12 years ago
    Kshoa,
    I just actually saw this post- it was not showing up. Yes, this one is rescued but I have 2!

    I will take a look at what you have. I need some art and welcome any ideas you have. I really like that first one that appears to be branches. Very pretty. I need to fill up that awfully large wall with some color.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    @stephanie, feel free to let me know when you're ready. You can send me straight upfront photos of your walls and I'll give you suggestions by superimposing my work on there. Best to inbox me here on the system as I don't get notifications with the comments. Thanks1
  • 12 years ago
    I feel I should add to my statement above about the "copy" curtains from BlindsGalore. Another lesson in the "pay for what you get" because these curtains look NOTHING like the Ballard Design curtains and are very sheer and flimsy. They are going back and will try to find new office curtains. Just wanted to put it out there so I do not deter anyone unknowingly.
  • 12 years ago
    Genn,

    I don't think I could get used to the chaise in the LV so I will make do in office and try to spruce it up. Sorry for lack of pictures but it was a late night!
  • 12 years ago
    If you go with that dusty lilac in the office, perhaps you could (later on down the road) have it recovered in a nice eggplant color to coordinate. It would be cheaper than buying another piece of furniture with this one still "homeless" (no place that it fits in the other rooms either). It will have to be down the road a piece as hubby may have a fit since it is new.
  • 12 years ago
    I thought about that. I think it would look awesome in an eggplant. He won't care about changing that. He only wants to keep it because he finds it very comfortable and uses it. I have never had that done before. I will have to check out who does it in the area and prices because I think that would completely change the look of it!
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Soto,

    What do you think on my bedding? White would be dangerous with my dogs who help themselves to the bed during the day so it would get dirty fast. Did you like that purple from West Elm or keep looking? Someone said they would like a flat material?

    Need some new pillows to brighten up the LV. Any color suggestions? I was possibly thinking of grays and light pink to go with the black and white I already have.
  • 12 years ago
    Do you have another thread with the bedroom on it? I haven't seen anything yet from West Elm......I think I would ditch the pink in the LV and keep it interesting, but neutral. There are so many patterns in neutral that will give it so much life. Sorry, but I think the pink looks out of place. I will look today for pillows and put some examples in that Soto13 book. Sorry I can't place the pictures here like everyone else. Something is wrong with this windows 8 (or most likely wrong with me -- ha ha!) but I can't get it to cut and paste or even to move things. It doesn't even give me the option. So......oh well.
  • 12 years ago
    I had a poll for bedding. I didn't snap much of the room though, which I will eventually when I start re-doing it. It's pretty vacant at the time but I need bedding. I had the last one (pictured) which feels like forever. Got another which I didn't like and returned it so now I am without one. Everyone asked about the bench though and not concerned with matching that because that can be moved anywhere. I wish I knew if you could "tag" someone but I don't.
  • 12 years ago
    Have you tought on a photo mural to add color, space and life to that room?
  • 12 years ago
    More examples
  • 12 years ago
    Add your touch, add family details, add textures, the dark wall and dark floor is killing your room, add colorful vases, add an acquarium to the studio/home office, please see my images to take ideas
  • 12 years ago
    more examples
  • 12 years ago
    more inspiration
    Stefanie thanked zamudiogpe
  • 12 years ago
    Yes, I still need to figure out what to put on the walls. I also need some accessories with color, including pillows. It's really not that bad with the wall color. My kitchen is overall light, so it balances out the dark. Hard to photograph all together.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    natural grass, sisal rug- black sofa table behind console and graphic/patterned drapes.
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Do you think a sisal rug would look good in my kitchen area (there's a pic within this thread)? I need a rug under the table and was looking at a pattern but I may like the sisal rug better but then I have no color still.
  • 12 years ago
    I do like your black and white and yellow pillows. IT would be cool to get a pillow that ties all the colors together along and some different shapes. Check out this set of Johnathan adler pillows at (suprise!) JC Penny :) The chevron is on its way out but other than that it is good coordinated diversity of themes and shapes and textures. There are blue, green and purple sets (no pink sorry I know you want to get pink in there!) This idea book on couch pillows is helpful https://www.houzz.com/magazine/9-pointers-for-perfectly-styled-pillows-stsetivw-vs~4104795
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    I was thinking of ditching the yellow?
  • 12 years ago
    wait - there are (or were) some pink pillows in the collection. Maybe you will think I am crazy but I think the pink owl is adorable. Not quite as mature as the rest of your style perhaps. I love your cozy throw on the chaise by the way!
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    I will look at some pillows on etsy later and see what I can find. I need to lighten up the room a bit.

    Thanks! I have a new faux fir throw on it and now I may look into changing the fabric on it altogether.
  • 12 years ago
    Call us! : ) we can most definitely help you- customize your space!
  • 12 years ago
    Would a sisal rug look good under table in the kitchen area?
  • 12 years ago
    How about the rug for this table? It's all in the same area. A sisal rug or one with color? Suggestions please!
  • 12 years ago
    I think sisal would be the nice "safe" choice. If you do sisal, I would border it in the black of the furniture. If you want a different type of rug, since the rooms are so open to each other, I would try to coordinate (not match it) to the living room rug. Just keep in the same color family as the LV rug. It is all a matter of personal opinion. Which do YOU like better? Do you plan to do curtains in this breakfast room? Will you match them to the LV curtains?
  • 12 years ago
    I don't necessarily want safe. I'm not sure what I want! I never would have done purple in the dining room until someone posted a variation and I love it. We aren't sure if we will do curtains or a valance. I like it open so that is yet to be determined. It opens to our deck so I wouldn't do the same curtains.
  • 12 years ago
    What about just doing blinds on the doors for light control -- that will keep it nice and open and also give it a finished look. May want to consider some of the 2" white blinds with a little more heft to them or just go with what you already have (much cheaper) and husband will be happy. I think it would be hard to do a valance around that door unless you keep it higher than the door, which will not look right. But if you try to bring it down, it will constantly get caught in the door. You could always do a curtain on each side of the windows (not the doors) and treat the whole space as one. Just some options for you to think about......
  • 12 years ago
    I was thinking about getting a blind place out (I can't remember what it's called, maybe Hunter Douglas) to give us options for both the doors and small side windows. I think they would have some good options to give it a nice look. Just have to call them once it warms up a bit. I did pick all of the finishes and furniture myself on this room. HA!
  • 12 years ago
    GREAT JOB!!! See, all you need is a little confidence in your choices because they are GREAT! You have a wonderful decorator inside you just dying to get out! Ha! Ha!
  • 12 years ago
    Stefanie, I just want to say that any broadloom carpet can be cut and bound. I would bring home a solid strip in colors you think will work with the hues in the background of the new area rug you have in the living area. It does not need to match...just play well with the other rug. Have it bound in black.....remember by using a broadloom you can have the correct size for the chairs sliding in and out from the table.
    Please do not use a valance in the breakfast room...you have done such a great job of having things look "current" but not trendy...I think that a valance is too "old school".
    I like the tripod floor light next to your chair....love the round EA gold metal table....great lines. It softens the room...curves can be a good thing with all the straight lines.
    I like the chaise....just keep playing with accent pillows for the back until one works. Don't think you need a throw...at least not anything that is going to make things go to the pink.
    Please keep the pictures coming.
    It has been fun for lots of us following your room design.....keep up the good work.
    Stefanie thanked togetherbydesign
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Hi Stefanie, I just saw you question about etsy.com. Did you go to the site? Type in Very Large Art under the etsy search. Then you just have to keep scrolling until you find on that appeals to you. This one is under LibbyFineArt. Good luck. Can you post pics if you find some you like?
  • 12 years ago
    Your space is looking great! Do you have any updated pics?
  • 12 years ago
    The kitchen area is current. I can take more. The EA table had to be ordered so do not have that yet. I still need some side tables and one for back of the couch. I just keep looking until I find what's perfect to me. Will need to work on the wall in this room whether art or mirrors or both! Also need some new throw pillows on couch. As for the chaise, I am going to try and get it reupholstered in an eggplant color for the office. I have some new pillows and throw on it now that looks better for the time being.

    Thanks everyone for continuing to help in the process. I will have the blind place come out for window options in the breakfast area for door and side windows and scratch the valance. I definitely do not want anything dated or trendy. I may start another thread soon on back splash!
  • 12 years ago
    Can't wait to see the backsplash area.....Keep us posted what the blinds place suggests.
  • 12 years ago
    What is your wall color? I love it; it's exactly what I am looking for.
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    It's Sherwin Williams Tony Taupe.
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    It's been a long time however have another project going but does anyone know where to find a similar coffee table to this one? Minimally, the color and size. This one is way over priced for me.

    Honore-Transitional Living Room & Dining Room · More Info
  • 12 years ago
    I had found this at Ethan Allen but it's a bit lighter and still $1700 so trying to find other alternatives. I have spent too much at that store anyway!

    http://www.ethanallen.com/en_US/138001+++375.html?start=39
  • 12 years ago
    These are what I was able to find:
    Lodge Coffee Table - $699
    Lodge Coffee Table in Coffee Tables & Side Tables | Crate and Barrel · More Info

    Elmwood Ming Style - $759
    Dark Espresso Elmwood Ming Square Asian Coffee Table · More Info

    Morgan Square - $567 (Wayfair)
    Morgan Square Coffee Table by Abbyson Living · More Info
  • 12 years ago
    Thanks Elizabeth! I appreciate your help.
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Some beautiful plants are always a nice touch!